About This Festival

The 66th annual Franklin Holiday Lighting event on December 7, 2024, is a festive all-day celebration held in downtown Franklin, Johnson County, centered around the Johnson County Courthouse Lawn. It features a lighted parade starting at 5:30 p.m., live musical entertainment, children's activities including visits with Santa, and culminates with the highly anticipated lighting of the courthouse and downtown area at approximately 7:00 p.m.

Event Details and Activities:

  • Winter Market: Runs from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. along North Main Street and indoors at the Franklin Elks Lodge, offering over 100 vendors selling handmade and hand-grown Indiana products like crafts, jams, jewelry, and gifts.

  • Lighted Parade: Begins at 5:30 p.m., starting from the amphitheater parking lot on Jackson Street, proceeding east on Jefferson Street, and south on Home Avenue.

  • Live Entertainment: From 6:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. on the stage at West Court Street, featuring the Franklin Symphonic Council’s performances.

  • Additional Activities: Include crafting holiday ornaments (3 p.m.–4 p.m. at the Library Services Center), an organ and community band concert (3:30 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church), Penny Lane Photo Bus (4 p.m.–8 p.m. on East Court Street), sock skating (6 p.m.–7 p.m. at Library Services Center), and the Compass Park Lighting ceremony at 6:30 p.m.

  • Lighting Ceremonies: The Compass Park lights go on at 6:30 p.m., followed by the courthouse and square lighting at 7:00 p.m., which is the centerpiece of the event.

  • Fireworks Display: A fireworks show follows at 7:30 p.m. in downtown Franklin.

  • Evening Concert: The Good Lovelies band performs at 8:00 p.m. at the Franklin Community High School Performing Arts Center.

  • Santa Visits: Part of children’s activities during the day.

Event Atmosphere and Community Vibe:

The event is known as one of Franklin’s most beloved traditions, attracting nearly 13,000 attendees in recent years. It creates a warm, family-friendly atmosphere filled with community spirit, local vendor booths, festive lights, and holiday music. Organizers emphasize tradition as essential, connecting generations of families.

Event History:

This is the 66th or 67th consecutive year of the Holiday Lighting tradition in Franklin. It is organized by Discover Downtown Franklin and coordinated with support from the Franklin Chamber of Commerce, which manages parade participation. The event’s longevity and growth—evidenced by expanding vendor counts and additional activities—reflect its role as a key highlight of the holiday season in Franklin.

Location Summary:

  • Core activities take place around downtown Franklin:
    • Johnson County Courthouse Lawn (lighting ceremony)
    • North Main Street (winter market booths)
    • Franklin Elks Lodge (indoor market)
    • East and West Court Streets (parade path and entertainment stage)
    • Library Services Center (crafts and sock skating)
    • First Presbyterian Church (concert)
    • Compass Park (lighting event)
    • Franklin Community High School Performing Arts Center (evening concert)

In summary, the Franklin Holiday Lighting event is a well-established seasonal festival combining traditional holiday celebrations, community entertainment, shopping, and festive lights, making it a vibrant day-long gathering for residents and visitors.