Candlelight Holiday Weekend Tradition
November 12-14, 2026
Candlelight Weekend – November 12th – 14th
Times:
5:00 – 8:00 pm Thursday
5:00 – 9:00 pm Friday
3:00 – 8:00 pm Saturday:
Candlelight Weekend Presented by Commonwealth Credit Union is our most beloved regional event of the year! Happening the second weekend in November (starting on Thursday), join us as we kick off the holiday season with a magical weekend of festive fun and joy. 
Downtown Frankfort will come alive as we light up the heart of the city, bringing holiday cheer to everyone!
Event Highlights:
The Lighting of the Christmas Tree Ceremony
Horse Carriage Rides (all ages) – Sponsored by Harrod Brothers Funeral Home
Petting Zoo (all ages)
Santa Claus & Holiday Characters for photo ops
Special Holiday Activities & Exclusive Holiday Shopping from downtown businesses
Holiday Music Performances to fill the air with festive tunes
Delicious Food & Drinks to warm you up
Window Decorating Contest – Sponsored by AE Electrical Solutions Holiday Tours at local museums and historical sites
Nutcracker Dance Performance on St. Clair Street – sponsored by Kentucky Dance Academy
Pajama Sip & Shop Cocktail Stroll – Shop with your favorite holiday drink in hand while wearing your coziest pjs! Sponsored by Commonwealth Credit UnionAnd so much more to make this season bright! 
Mark your calendars, and join us for a weekend of holiday spirit. See you there, Frankfort!
FREE Shuttle Service : Friday Night, November 13th, 5-9PM - Pajama Sip & Shop -
Just wave at the Shuttle Bus along the route and hop on!
Thursday, November 12th (5PM-8PM)
- Lighting of the Christmas Tree Ceremony – 6:00PM joined by the KSU Marching Band & Stewart Home School Choir (presented by Commonwealth Credit Union)
- Life-Size Snow Globe & Holiday Decorations on Old State Capitol Lawn – A Hallmark Experience
- Petting Zoo on Broadway Street
- Holiday Music playing throughout the streets
- Santa Visits on the Old State Capitol Lawn (Left side of the lawn) – 5PM-8PM
- More Holiday Characters with Photo Opportunities
- Downtown Businesses Hosting Various Holiday Activities/Specials/Products
- Holiday Booths on St. Clair Street
- Window Display Contest (sponsored by AE Electrical Solutions)
- History & Museum Tours/Activities: Old State Capitol & Capital City Museum
- Capital City Museum – Letters to the North Pole, Holiday Themed Gift Shop featuring local & handmade goodies in addition to Holiday Vendors
- A Very Merry B’s Bakery Christmas: B’s signature Hot Cocoa. 5PM-9PM
- Engine House Coffee offering new Holiday Drink menu and holiday photo op in the arch.
- Mini Session on Pottery Wheel Hosted by Broadway Clay
- Old State Capitol Choir Performances Hosted by Kentucky Historical Society – 7-8PM
- Rebecca Ruth Candy Hot Chocolate Stand – St. Clair Street in front of Visit Frankfort Office.
- Completely Kentucky offering KY Proud Tastings & Samples and featuring a Kentucky Artist and Holiday Photo Sessions
- Roasting s’mores over firepit at the Kentucky Coffeetree Cafe
- Poor Richard’s Bookstore: Book signing by Marina Ubaldi Ritter and Lucinda Zoe, authors of Life, Art, Community, and Cookery: Stories and Recipes from ALFALFA Restaurant. 7PM – 8:30
- Family Tree Consignment – Holiday Open House
- Stop by the Loving Memory Tree at First UMC and hang a special ornament with your loved one’s name on it to honor them throughout the holiday season. Cookies and a warm drink waiting for you!
- Page’s Shoe Repair: Holiday Sale 15% off boots (in stock, not valid for sale or clearance items)
- Church of Ascension’s Love & Justice Ministry will have a RUMMAGE and Bake Sale 5PM-8PM
- Capital Cellars: Special Holiday Drink
- Wildwood Bookery: Holiday/Winter themed romance books and merch.
- The Foundry on Broadway: Local Art fundraiser open to public
- Earth Alchemy: Kick-off our FREE Gift with any Purchase – all weekend long!
- Bourbon Belles & Babes is offering 20% off select holiday apparel
Friday, November 13th (5PM-9PM)
- Horse Carriage Rides (sponsored by Harrod Brothers Funeral Home) – 5PM-8PM
- Cozy Pajama Themed Stroll “Sip & Shop” (sponsored by Commonwealth Credit Union) 5PM-9PM – Free Shuttle Rides are being offered. Sip & Shop Passports at Various Businesses
- Holiday Music playing throughout downtown
- Santa will be strolling along Broadway, St. Clair Street, & Main Street greeting kids from 5-8 PM!
- Hoggy’s: Grinch Christmas Tree Milkshake with visits from the Grinch 6-7:30!
- A Very Merry B’s Bakery Christmas: B’s signature hot cocoa. 5PM – 9PM
- Downtown Businesses Hosting Various Holiday Activities/Specials/Products
- Window Display Contest (sponsored by AE Electrical Solutions)
- Capital City Museum: Tours, Holiday Themed Gift Shop, Holiday Vendors, Letters to North Pole, and Kids activities lead by Paul Sawyier Library
- Mini-sessions on the pottery wheel and ornament painting Hosted by Broadway Clay
- Rebecca Ruth Hot Chocolate Stand on St. Clair St.
- Completely Kentucky offering KY Proud Tastings & Samples and featuring a Kentucky Artist and Holiday Photo Sessions
- Holiday Booths on St. Clair Street
- Roasting S’mores over firepit at Kentucky Coffeetree Cafe
- Kids’ Night Out: Candlelight Pajama Party, 5:00-8:00, Registration (on YA website) required
- Bourbon Belles & Babes: Wear pajamas and receive 15% off regular-price purchases
- Page’s Shoe Repair: Holiday Sale 15% off boots (in stock, not valid for sale or clearance items)
- The Grand Theatre is featuring music performance by The Kings of Queen at 7:30pm
- Church of Ascension’s Love & Justice Ministry will have a RUMMAGE and Bake Sale 5PM-8PM
- Poor Richard’s Bookstore: buy one, get the second half off of any children’s title.
- Earth Alchemy: Kick-off our FREE Gift with any Purchase. And Nature Artist and Jewelry Designer, All Is One Art by Allison, 5-9pm
- Wildwood Bookery: Holiday/Winter themed romance books and merch.
- Capital Cellars: Special Holiday Drink
Saturday, November 14th (3PM-8PM)
- A Very Merry Santa themed breakfast with visits from Santa & Mrs. Claus hosted by B’s Bakery 9AM – 1PM
- Polar Express Pajama Party at the Grand Theatre with Santa Visits afterwards – 2PM
- Santa will be strolling along Broadway & St. Clair Street, greeting kids from 5-7 PM!
- Live Music Concert on St. Clair performed by TopSoil (sponsored by Liberty Hall) – 6PM-8PM
- Nutcracker performance on St. Clair Street at 5PM hosted by Kentucky Dance Academy
- Holiday Booths on St. Clair Street – 5PM-8PM
- Horse Carriage Rides (sponsored by Harrod Brothers Funeral Home) – 5PM-8PM
- Petting Zoo (located at the First Christian Church Parking lot)- 5PM-8PM
- Kid’s Glow Party hosted by First Christian Church 5PM-8PM
- Hoggy’s Ice Cream: Grinch Christmas Tree Milkshake with visits from the Grinch 6-7:30
- A Very Merry B’s Bakery Christmas: B’s signature hot cocoa
- Downtown Businesses Hosting Various: Holiday Activities/Specials/Products
- Window Display Contest (sponsored by AE Electrical Solutions)
- Capital City Museum Tours, Holiday Themed Gift Shop, Letters to North Pole, and Kids activities lead by Paul Sawyier Library
- Spiral Tree Workshop Christmas Tree Painting Workshop & Christmas Bisque Painting Party open until 9PM Hosted by Broadway Clay
- Rebecca Ruth Hot Chocolate Stand on St. Clair St. 5PM-8PM
- Roasting S’mores over firepit at Kentucky Coffeetree Cafe
- Completely Kentucky offering KY Proud Tastings & Samples and featuring a Kentucky Artist and Holiday Photo Sessions
- Bourbon Belles & Babes Boutique: 20% off jewelry and accessories
- Earth Alchemy: Kick-off our FREE Gift with any Purchase
- Church of Ascension’s Love & Justice Ministry will have a RUMMAGE and Bake Sale Sat. 9AM- 1PM (1/2 PRICE sale)
- Page’s Shoe Repair: 15% off boots (in stock, not valid for sale or clearance items)
Presented By:
Horse Carriage Sponsor:
Holiday Window Display Sponsor:
Marketing Sponsor:
