A decades-old Miami Valley holiday tradition is about to light up Kettering again. The TWIGs are bringing back their Sugarplum Festival of Trees for a 59th year, filling Life Connection with decorated trees, raffle baskets and a Santa visit, all to raise money for kids and families who depend on Dayton Children's for medical and mental health care.
The festivities kick off Friday, Nov. 13, with the Swigs with TWIGs social event at Life Connection, 2800 Donation Circle in Kettering, running from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m., according to Dayton Children's Hospital Foundation. The evening features an ugly sweater contest, raffle baskets and a 50/50 raffle, and guests get an exclusive sneak preview of the festival's silent auction. Advance tickets run $50, while tickets at the door cost $55 and are limited, according to WDTN's Living Dayton, which had Linda Moore on to walk through the weekend's schedule and what organizers are hoping for.
A Free Open House With Santa Photos
The following day, Saturday, Nov. 14, Life Connection opens its doors for the Holiday Extravaganza Open House from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event is free and open to the public, with visitors welcome to drop in any time, per the foundation's event page. Families can get a free visit and photo with Santa, and the open house also includes an online tree and decor auction for anyone eyeing a designer tree for the holidays.
That same Saturday, shoppers can find a second piece of the festival across town. The Sugarplum Festival of Trees Boutique runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Lathrem Senior Center, 2900 Glengarry Drive in Kettering, as part of the Kettering Holiday Arts and Crafts Show. The boutique is also free and showcases handmade items and baked goods, the same source notes.
Auction Closes Sunday At Noon
The online tree and decor auction wraps up Sunday, Nov. 15, at noon, and there is no in-person shopping that day. Winning bidders must pick up their items between 3 and 6 p.m. that Sunday, though large designer trees will instead be delivered the following Monday within a 25-mile radius of Life Connection, according to the foundation.
Every dollar raised through the weekend goes toward kids and families who rely on Dayton Children's for their medical and mental health care. TWIGs, short for Terrific Women in Giving, describes itself as a group of diverse members committed to supporting a wide range of services at Dayton Children's Hospital.
A Legacy Built Over Six Decades
The Sugarplum Festival is one of two signature annual fundraisers for TWIGs, alongside the Gem City Jam golf outing, and the group now counts 196 members across 13 branches spread throughout the Miami Valley. Since 1965, TWIGs has raised more than $13 million to support patient care at Dayton Children's. For 2026, the group has pledged to raise $300,000 specifically to support the evolution and expansion of developmental rehabilitation services.
For families looking for a low-key way to spend part of a November weekend, the mix of free admission, a Santa stop and a handmade-goods boutique gives the Sugarplum Festival a different feel from a typical ticketed gala. The social event on Friday carries the only cost, while Saturday and Sunday are built around browsing, bidding and a free family outing before the trees find new homes.
