Candlelight Holiday Weekend Tradition
November 13-15, 2025
Candlelight Weekend – November 13th – 15th
Times:
5:00 – 8:00 pm Thursday
5:00 – 9:00 pm Friday
3:00 – 8:00 pm Saturday: Polar Express 3-5PM, Glow Party is 5-8PM and St. Clair St. & Horse Carriage Setup 5PM-8PM.
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 14th, 5-9PM - Pajama Sip & Shop -
Just wave at the Shuttle Bus along the route and hop on!
Thursday, November 13th (5PM-8PM)
- Lighting of the Christmas Tree Ceremony – 6:30PM joined by the KSU Marching Band
- 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
- Holiday Wreath Demonstration Hosted by The Kentucky Flower Market
- 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 Tour 10AM-6PM
- 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
- B’s Bakery – The Gingerbread Bakery: Gingerbread Themed treats and the Lemon Cranberry Shortbread cookies are back! 5-8PM
- First Presbyterian Church: Annual Gingerbread House, Holiday Vendors, and Food Trucks 5PM-9PM
- Family Tree Consignment – Holiday Open House
- Hot Cocoa Bar at Kntucky Boujee Boutique and special Holiday sale
- 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!
- CURATE by JPW (337 W. Broadway St.): Storewide Holiday Sale
- RiverCity Provisions: Holiday Special on hometown proud tees with sampling of yummy treats
- Page’s Shoe Repair: Holiday Sale on Case knives or Wolverine boots (in stock only).
- Church of Ascension’s Love & Justice Ministry will have a RUMMAGE and Bake Sale 5PM-8PM
Friday, November 14th (5PM-9PM)
- Horse Carriage Rides (sponsored by Harrod Brothers Funeral Home) – 5PM-8PM
- Cozy Pajama Themed Stroll “Sip & Shop” (sponsored by CCU) 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!
- More Holiday Characters with Photo Opportunities
- 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
- B’s Bakery – The Gingerbread Bakery: Gingerbread Themed treats and the Lemon Cranberry Shortbread cookies are back! 5-8PM
- Mini pottery sessions and ceramic painting Hosted by Broadway Clay
- Rebecca Ruth Candy Tour – 10AM-6PM
- 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 with live music by Jack Twombly at Kentucky Coffeetree Cafe
- First Presbyterian Church: Annual Gingerbread House, Holiday Vendors, and activities
- Kids’ Night Out: Candlelight Pajama Party, 5:00-8:00, Registration (on YA website) required
- Hot Cocoa Bar at Kentucky Boujee Boutique and special Holiday sale
- CURATE by JPW (337 W. Broadway St.): Storewide Holiday Sale
- RiverCity Provisions: Holiday Special on hometown proud tees with sampling of yummy treats
- Mantis Creative Wellness: Art Gallery opening for a group show entitled “Contained” 5:30-8PM
- Page’s Shoe Repair: Holiday Sale on Case knives or Wolverine boots (in stock only).
- The Grand Theatre is featuring music performance by Damn Tall Buildings at 7:30pm
- Church of Ascension’s Love & Justice Ministry will have a RUMMAGE and Bake Sale 5PM-8PM
- Poor Richard’s Bookstore: Author Chuck Edwards signing his new book “As the Crow Flies: How Kentucky Whiskey Went Straight” 6:30PM – 8PM
Saturday, November 15th (3PM-8PM)
- Santa Themed Treat Day at B’s Bakery 8AM-3PM and a visit from Santa 10AM – 12PM.
- Polar Express Pajama Party at the Grand Theatre with Santa Visits afterwards – 3PM
- Santa will be strolling along Broadway & St. Clair Street, greeting kids from 5-7 PM!
- Liberty Hall on the Mall: Live Holiday Bluegrass Music Concert on St. Clair performed by (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 – 5PM-8PM
- Kid’s Glow Party hosted by First Christian Church 5PM-8PM
- Holiday Characters with Photo Opportunities
- 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
- Vintage Christmas Tree Painting Workshop Hosted by Broadway Clay – 11AM – 5PM
- Rebecca Ruth Candy Tour 10AM-6PM
- Roasting S’mores over firepit at Kentucky Coffeetree Cafe with live music by Jack Twombly
- Completely Kentucky offering KY Proud Tastings & Samples and featuring a Kentucky Artist and Holiday Photo Sessions
- Hot Cocoa Bar at KY Boujee Boutique and special Holiday sale
- Why Not Gifts & Bargains: Pet food drive. Bring a donation get 20% off. Pet donations go to All About Animals Rescue
- CURATE by JPW (337 W. Broadway St.): Storewide Holiday Sale
- RiverCity Provisions: Holiday Special on hometown proud tees with sampling of yummy treats
- Mantis Creative Wellness: Art Gallery opening for a group show entitled “Contained” 5:30-8PM
- Church of Ascension’s Love & Justice Ministry will have a RUMMAGE and Bake Sale Sat. 9AM- 1PM (1/2 PRICE sale)
Presented By:
Horse Carriage Sponsor:
Holiday Window Display Sponsor:
Marketing Sponsor:
