Downriver Holiday Tree Walk

Presented by JOeY Foundation, in partnership with the City of Gibraltar

An annual community tradition that honors the lives of those we love and miss while offering comfort, connection, and hope during the holiday season.

Featuring approximately 150 beautifully decorated and illuminated Christmas trees, the walk transforms the community green space between the Cooke Community Center (14100 Navarre) and the Gibraltar Community Center into a breathtaking winter wonderland that compliments Gibraltar's existing holiday lights and festivities.

Local businesses, organizations, families, and individuals are invited to sponsor and decorate a tree in memory of a loved one or to celebrate the spirit of the season. Each remembrance tree is accompanied by a commemorative sign bearing the name of the person being honored, creating a moving tribute that reflects the many lives, stories, and enduring love within our community.

As visitors stroll through the illuminated trees, they are reminded that every light represents a cherished life, every name tells a story, and no one has to grieve alone. More than a holiday display, the Downriver Holiday Tree Walk is a place where memories are celebrated, grief is acknowledged with compassion, and hope quietly shines throughout the season.

A person in a plaid jacket and a colorful hood is lifting and smiling at a Christmas tree in a tree farm, with others trees around under cloudy sky.
A woman wearing a beanie hat and a brown fleece jacket sitting on a man's shoulders, with her hands in her jacket pockets, smiling at the camera. The man is wearing a Santa Claus-themed sweater and camouflage gloves, carrying her on his shoulders. They are outdoors in a Christmas tree farm or forest area, with several small Christmas trees and leafless trees in the background.

The Downriver Holiday Tree Walk will open with a special Tree Lighting Celebration on December 12, 2026.

At the Cooke Community Center. Families, friends, sponsors, and community members are invited to gather for an evening of remembrance, reflection, and holiday spirit as we illuminate the trees and honor the loved ones they represent.

Following the opening celebration, the Holiday Remembrance Tree Walk will remain open through January 1, 2027 with the beautifully decorated trees illuminated each evening from dusk until dawn. Together, they will create a peaceful and inspiring place where our community can pause, remember, and find comfort throughout the holiday season.