Riverside Theatre officially kicked off the holiday season last Friday night with their 21st annual Festival of Trees Gala Preview Party. There was even a tiny hint of a wintry nip in the air – Florida style – to help put everyone in the mood, and they clearly made good on a promise to elicit good cheer with this year’s ‘Favorite Things’ theme.

Twinkling lights and tasty delights greeted festival-goers throughout the entire Riverside Campus, which had been transformed into a winter wonderland that continued all weekend long. The highly-anticipated annual event benefits Riverside Children’s Theatre programming and scholarships.

Outside, mesmerizing icicle lights dripped from mossy oak trees and palm tree trunks were spiraled with little white lights, providing a perfect backdrop for dining under the stars. Tables were set up all around the Loop, where guests enjoyed a bountiful buffet dinner while listening to live entertainment. The movable feast featured hors d’oeuvres by Orchid Gourmet Catering, dinner by Elizabeth D. Kennedy & Co. Catering and desserts donated by Wild Thyme Catering.

Inside the RCT Ann Morton Theatre and Agnes Wahlstrom Youth Playhouse, volunteer designers and local businesses embraced their Favorite Things, filling the Festival Forest with wonderfully imaginative Christmas trees, whimsical wreaths and elaborate gingerbread houses that looked good enough to eat. Guests enjoyed a first chance to bid on the creative selections and could also get in some early Christmas shopping at numerous Festival Market vendors.

The party then moved over to the Grand Festival Hall (Orchid Lobby), where attendees could shop at additional Festival Market vendors and the always-popular Christmas Shoppe, relocated from its usual RCT dance studio location.

The highlight of the evening was an exceptional Swingin’ Christmas Concert on the Stark Stage featuring headliner and composer Michael Andrew and his Swingerhead Band. Their toe-tapping performance was preceded by talented RCT Workshop students.

The festival continued Saturday and Sunday with plenty of doings for adults and little ones alike, including visits with Santa in his Christmas Village, crafts, games, “ice” skating, and performances throughout each day by RCT students and various other local groups.

On Dec. 1 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. RCT students will head to a Santa Celebration at Vero Beach Outlets to perform songs from the ‘Emmet Otter’s Jug Band Christmas’ show which runs Dec. 6-8 on the Stark Stage at Riverside Theatre.

For more information, visit riversidetheatre.com.