Frankfort, Illinois kicks off the season with the Lighting of the Green tree-lighting ceremony at Breidert Green on Thursday, Dec 3, 2026, followed by the Home for the Holidays weekend on Dec 12-13.
Frankfort's holiday season centers on the historic downtown green. The Lighting of the Green ceremony returns Thursday, Dec 3, 2026, at Breidert Green, when downtown's thousands of lights illuminate at once to the sound of holiday music and a countdown, with a Santa appearance and warm treats for the crowd. Then, on Saturday and Sunday, Dec 12-13, Home for the Holidays fills downtown Frankfort from noon to 5 p.m. with holiday boutiques, horse-drawn carriage rides, visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, reindeer, and festive train rides for the kids. Both are free, family-friendly traditions that make downtown Frankfort feel like a scene from a holiday card, so mark the calendar and come early for the best of it.
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Thursday, Dec 3 at Breidert Green in downtown Frankfort: a free annual tradition with a countdown to the illumination of downtown's holiday lights, holiday music, and a Santa appearance. In recent years it has started at 6:30 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday, Dec 12-13, noon to 5 p.m. in downtown Frankfort: holiday boutiques, carriage rides, visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, reindeer, and festive train rides.
Breidert Green
The historic downtown park and stage that anchors Frankfort's holiday celebrations.
