Candlelight Weekend Kicks Off Holiday Festivities in Downtown Frankfort

Downtown Frankfort transitions into the holiday season this week as Candlelight Weekend kicks off on Thursday.

The multi-day event features a series of community gatherings, musical performances, and seasonal shopping opportunities, according to a report from the State-Journal.

Presented by Commonwealth Credit Union, the festivities are scheduled to run from Thursday through Saturday. Local businesses and historical sites will participate in the programming, which aims to serve as the official kickoff for the holiday season in the state capital.

The weekend’s activities are distributed across three days with varying timeframes. Residents and visitors can access the following event windows:

Thursday: 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Friday: 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Saturday: 3 p.m. to 8 p.m.

The opening ceremony on Thursday begins at 6 p.m. with the lighting of the Christmas Tree. This event includes musical contributions from the KSU Marching Band and the Stewart Home & School Choir.

Santa Claus will be available for visits on the Old State Capitol Lawn beside the Christmas Tree from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. on Thursday. On Friday, visits are scheduled from 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. near an antique fire truck located on St. Clair Street.

For the final day of the weekend, Santa and Mrs. Claus will stroll through the downtown area and visit local shops between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Saturday.

The event integrates local commerce with traditional holiday entertainment. Downtown businesses will offer exclusive holiday shopping alongside special seasonal activities. One highlighted attraction is the “Pajama Sip and Shop Cocktail Stroll,” which takes place Friday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., allowing attendees to shop while wearing pajamas and enjoying holiday drinks.

Other scheduled entertainment and attractions include:

Horse carriage rides for all ages, sponsored by Harrod Brothers Funeral Home.
A “Nutcracker” dance performance on St. Clair Street at 5 p.m. Saturday, sponsored by the Kentucky Dance Academy.
A petting zoo and holiday music performances throughout the weekend.
Window decorating contests sponsored by AE Electrical Solutions.
Holiday tours hosted at local museums and historical sites.

Food and drink options will be available throughout the weekend to accommodate attendees. For those seeking a complete list of events, the organizers have provided a full schedule at downtownfrankfort.com/candlelight/.

The weekend marks the beginning of a seasonal period that relies heavily on the participation of downtown merchants and local civic organizations to maintain community engagement.

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