Carson Kressley, Brooke Lynn Hytes and more than 20 over-the-top trees make Hillcrest’s annual holiday fundraiser anything but ordinary.
by Hanz Enyeart
Festival of Trees is Hillcrest’s official holiday kickoff. Featuring a live auction of 20+ expertly decorated Christmas trees, this holiday carnival is the perfect way to celebrate the holidays while giving to a good cause. Since its inception six years ago, Festival of Trees has raised more than $200,000 for local LGBTQ+ nonprofits. Join us as we sit down for a kiki with founder Bobby Gordon.
Give me the genesis story of Festival of Trees.
When I moved to San Diego pre-COVID, I began looking around for nonprofit opportunities. I noticed a big gap in community events after the AIDS Walk and Red Dress Party in the fall. Tantrums & Tiaras had also recently shuttered, so there was a long stretch of time with no celebratory community-wide fundraisers.
I will fundraise for HIV/AIDS until there is a cure. Although there are many available mental health resources, not many have had a specific lens on LGBTQ+ youth suicide prevention. Suicide is the No. 1 killer of queer youth. The federal government shut down the specialized LGBTQ+ youth service within the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline in 2025. Although the service was restored this September, the need for LGBTQ+ youth mental health support remains urgent.
We needed something to address this crisis, and I also wanted a way for the community to end the year together in celebration. Our first Festival of Trees was a “proof of concept.” Mariam T and Mo Girton from Gossip Grill were my co-hosts.
There came a point in the night where we realized that, in all our planning, we forgot we needed to book an auctioneer. That was our biggest growing pain in the first years, actually: realizing all the roles we needed to fill to make it a smooth show.
That night Mariam jumped into action, as she does, and absolutely dominated as our auctioneer. Since that first year at insideOUT, Festival of Trees has grown into something we never could have dreamed of. We didn’t expect the community to embrace it as much as they have.
The outpouring of love from our neighbors and volunteers has made the event the huge success it is today.
What can we expect this year?
Between trees, silent auction items and sponsorships, we have over 100 businesses participating in this year’s Festival of Trees. Carson Kressley is our celebrity host and auctioneer, and Mo Girton is back as our amazing co-host. Brooke Lynn Hytes will perform and do a VIP meet-and-greet with Carson.
There’s an official pre-party at Flicks and an official after-party at Rich’s. We have over 20 trees, a robust silent auction, a travel raffle sponsored by Southwest, and the best part is that all trees are delivered the next day by San Diego Armada Gay Rugby Football Club.
I understand you regularly rotate who the event benefits. What about this year?
In the past, Festival of Trees has benefited Being Alive, North County LGBTQ Resource Center and Trans Family Support Services. The event was always intended to rotate through the community and share the wealth.
This year, our beneficiary is Stepping Stone of San Diego. Celebrating their 50th year in operation, they are one of the only LGBTQ-focused alcohol and drug recovery programs in the country. They are the only recovery treatment center in Southern California with special focus on trans youth. I admire their holistic approach to physical and mental health, and it only makes sense to benefit them this year, as all funds we raise go to support HIV/AIDS and LGBTQ+ youth suicide prevention.
The holidays offer a unique opportunity to reflect and energize for the next year. Given current political turmoil and attacks on our community, there is no better time than now to come together and celebrate but also bolster and plan for next year. Our event provides the opportunity for the community to do just that — reflect, celebrate and strengthen.
What are some of your favorite trees you’ve seen through the years?
Nightmare Before Christmas is always a hit, Dolly Parton, Wicked, we had a Beetlejuice tree once with a running train — Oh! One year we had a Selena tree that came with a Yolanda piñata.
Now going into your sixth year, I’m sure you’ve auctioned off over 100 trees. What makes a tree stand out from the others?
Over the top, uniquely fabulous, sparkly and shiny, and has unique vignettes throughout. And a huge bonus if it comes with awesome swag and giveaways. Last year the Brass Rail’s KPop Demon Hunters tree came with a $1,000 party package!
What would you tell people thinking of attending for the first time this year?
We sell out every year, especially VIP. Get your tickets sooner rather than later; don’t wait until the week of! And even though the main part of the event is the tree auction, not everyone has to have thousands of dollars to participate. We have two raffle trees, a travel raffle sponsored by Southwest and a silent auction. Coupled with our volunteer opportunities, we make sure everyone has a way to give back while we celebrate our community.
And as a 100% volunteer-run organization, we average between 75%-85% of funds raised going directly to beneficiaries. Which is huge in the nonprofit world. We also couldn’t do this without Rich’s, Mo Girton of Gossip Grill, and our incredible team of volunteers who donate their time to make this event such a hit.
Festival of Trees takes place Sunday, November 22 at Rich’s San Diego. TICKETS AT festivaloftreessd.org