Lake Sammamish Holiday Market
Adopt a Living Holiday Tree & Support Habitat Restoration
Looking for a fresh Christmas tree or local gifts near Issaquah? Reserve a live tree through our Holiday Trees for Habitats program and pick it up during the Lake Sammamish Holiday Market on December 5, 2026. While you’re there, shop for handmade gifts from local makers and enjoy festive activities like a live wreath-making workshop.
Holiday Trees for Habitats
A holiday tradition that gives back.
Instead of cutting down a tree that’s used for a few short weeks, adopt a living Christmas tree that will continue growing long after the holidays are over. Plus, your donation supports local habitat restoration while giving you the chance to help plant your tree in its permanent home this spring!
How Our Adopt-a-Tree Program Works:
Step 1: Reserve Your Tree
Pre-order your living tree beginning October 1 through November 23 (while supplies last). Choose between a 2-foot tree ($100 minimum donation) or a 4-foot tree ($200 minimum donation).
All proceeds support local habitat restoration in the Issaquah area through the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust and Friends of Lake Sammamish State Park.
Check back to reserve your tree starting October 1!
Step 2: Pick Up Your Tree at the Lake Sammamish Holiday Market
Join us at Lake Sammamish State Park on Saturday, December 5 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. While you’re there:
- Pick up your living tree
- Browse holiday gifts and handcrafted goods from local makers
- Enjoy festive activities like a fresh wreath-making workshop
- Celebrate the season with your community!
Can’t make it? We are offering an alternative pickup time of Sunday, December 6 between Noon – 3 p.m. at the Greenway Trust Native Plant Nursery at Lake Sammamish State Park. If neither of those dates work, please email becca.kedenburg@mtsgreenway.org to arrange a pickup.
Step 3: Celebrate the Holidays
Your living tree comes in a plastic pot, ready to decorate indoors or outdoors. Utilize our care instructions so you can keep it healthy throughout the season before returning it for planting.
Step 4: Return Your Tree
After the holidays, simply return your tree to Lake Sammamish State Park on one of the following days:
- Saturday, January 9 between 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- Saturday, January 16 between 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
We’ll care for it until spring when it becomes part of a habitat restoration project. You’ll even receive an invitation to help plant the tree you adopted!
Why Choose Our Holiday Trees?
Our Holiday Trees for Habitats program allows you to carry forward a time-honored tradition in a more environmentally friendly way. Your tree will be planted along a salmon-bearing stream in Lake Sammamish State Park, and all donations will go directly to local environmental nonprofits stewarding the park and other public lands within the I-90 corridor between Seattle and Ellensburg. Together, we’re creating healthier spaces for both people and nature in our community while bringing joy and greenery to the holiday season!
Lake Sammamish Holiday Market
Whether you’re adopting a tree or simply looking for holiday shopping near Issaquah, the Lake Sammamish Holiday Market is a great way to celebrate the season while supporting local conservation.
Saturday, December 5, 2026
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Lake Sammamish State Park*
*The Holiday Market will take place at the Meadow Shelter and tree pickup will be in the Tibbetts Beach parking area. Look for our signs!
Parking: A small parking lot is available adjacent to the Meadow Shelter, and additional parking is located within Lake Sammamish State Park a short walk away. Please note that a Discover Pass is required to visit the park, and is a great way to support Washington State Parks.
At the Holiday Market, you can expect:
- Local makers and artisans
- Handmade holiday gifts
- Seasonal treats
- Family-friendly activities such as a wreath-making workshop
- Community organizations sharing ways to get involved in local conservation efforts
- A beautiful setting at Lake Sammamish State Park
Frequently Asked Questions
About the Trees
What size trees are available?
You can choose from two sizes: 2-foot or 4-foot trees. Please note that because these are live trees, they will come in plastic pots with dirt. The tree should not be transported on top of your vehicle, but they can be laid on their side. Wrapping them in a tarp or old sheet will help to keep soil and loose needles contained.
How much do the live trees cost?
The 2-foot trees are $100 and the 4-foot trees are $200. Please note this is a suggested minimum donation to the Friends of Lake Sammamish State Park and Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust, and your donation is tax-deductible!
How heavy are the trees?
The 4-foot trees weigh approximately 15-20 pounds, and the 2-foot trees will weigh about 10 pounds.
Do I have to load my own tree into my car?
Our volunteers can help bring the tree next to your car, but for liability reasons, you must be able to load your tree into your own vehicle. Please bring a helper if needed!
What species of live trees are available?
The trees will be a mix of Grand Fir, Douglas Fir, and Sitka Spruce. Specific types are available on pick-up day on a first-come, first-served basis. If you would like to get a specific variety, we recommend arriving early but cannot make any guarantees.
Can I decorate my holiday tree?
Yes. You can maintain all of your favorite traditions with our live trees or even start new ones! Check out our care instructions for guidance to keep your tree healthy.
Can I keep my live Christmas tree indoors?
Yes. You can keep your tree indoors, but the less time the better (7-10 days recommended) to keep it healthy for future planting. Check out our care instructions for more details.
How do I care for a fresh living Christmas tree?
Keeping your tree cool and well-hydrated will give it the best chance of survival. Check out our care instructions for tips on how to care for a live Christmas tree.
Reservations and Pickup
How do I reserve a holiday tree?
Please use the button above to complete the order form to reserve your holiday tree between October 1-November 23. Trees are likely to run out prior to November 23, so we recommend placing your order early! We do not intend to offer in-person ordering at the Holiday Market, only pick up for pre-orders.
When does holiday tree pickup begin?
We encourage you to pick up your tree during the Lake Sammamish Holiday Market on Saturday December 5 from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. If that date doesn’t work for you, we are offering an alternative pickup time of Sunday, December 6 between Noon – 3 p.m. at the Greenway Trust Native Plant Nursery at Lake Sammamish State Park. If neither of those dates work, please email becca.kedenburg@mtsgreenway.org to arrange a pickup.
What if I miss pickup?
Please make sure you pick up your tree on one of the dates above. If you have an unavoidable conflict or emergency, please contact becca.kedenburg@mtsgreenway.org to arrange a private pick-up and we will do our best to accommodate. If you fail to pick up your tree, we will hold onto it for future planting. Please note that we cannot offer refunds, but your payment will still be processed as a donation to support local habitat restoration work.
Lake Sammamish Holiday Market
Where is the Holiday Market?
The Meadow Shelter at Lake Sammamish State Park. Holiday Tree pickup will happen in the nearby Tibbets Beach parking lot (Google Maps). Look for our signs.
What vendors will be at the Holiday Market in Issaquah?
We expect to have a good variety of local makers and artisans, a wreath-making workshop, and more! Check back closer to December 5 and we will update the list of vendors here. Know someone who’d be a good fit? Send them this info!
Is the Holiday Market free to attend?
Yes! Come out for this free Holiday Market in Issaquah to support local makers and environmental nonprofits.
Can I come to the Holiday Market if I don’t purchase a tree?
Yes! All are welcome to attend the Lake Sammamish Holiday Market regardless of whether you are adopting a tree or not.
Supporting Habitat
How does my donation help?
Your donation will go directly to the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust and Friends of Lake Sammamish State Park to support salmon habitat restoration within Lake Sammamish State Park. When returned, your tree will also be planted along a salmon-bearing stream!
Will my tree be replanted?
We hope so! That’s where you come in. Please do your best to keep your holiday tree alive following our care instructions and return it to the park on the designated dates. This will allow us to plant your tree in Lake Sammamish State Park next spring.
Can I help plant a tree?
Yes! Keep an eye out for a special invitation to come plant your living Christmas tree in Lake Sammamish State Park next spring. You can also sign up for habitat restoration events, including tree planting, with the Mountains to Sound Greenway Trust or Friends of Lake Sammamish State Park at other times throughout the year.