About This Festival

The Nights Before Christmas Candlelight Tour of Homes is a self-guided holiday tour held over two consecutive weekends in late November and early December in Historic Madison, Indiana, located in Jefferson County. The tour runs on Fridays from 5 PM to 9 PM and Saturdays from 3 PM to 9 PM, with no Sunday tours. It features visits to multiple historic private homes, public sites, and a local church within Madison’s National Historic Landmark District, each decorated to capture the spirit of the holidays uniquely.

The event provides a festive, old-fashioned Christmas atmosphere in a charming historic town setting, with hospitality sites along the route offering free refreshments and restrooms to visitors. Tickets are required for admission and are sold as will-call only at the Visit Madison Visitors Center, serving as the tour headquarters. Pre-sale tickets cost $25 if purchased before November 1st, and $35 afterward; children ages 5-12 are admitted for $5. Tickets are valid for any single tour night across the four event days and visitors may tour homes in any order but cannot revisit the same home twice.

The tour has a long-standing tradition, with the 2025 edition being the 43rd Annual event, indicating that it was founded in the early 1980s or late 1970s. All proceeds benefit the participating historic sites in Madison, helping preserve the town’s rich heritage.

Event Schedule and Locations

  • Tour Dates: Two weekends (e.g., November 28-29 and December 5-6, 2025; similar pattern for 2026)
  • Tour Hours:
    • Fridays: 5 PM – 9 PM
    • Saturdays: 3 PM – 9 PM
  • Locations: Various historic private homes, public buildings, and a local church within Madison’s National Historic Landmark District
  • Hospitality Sites: Multiple stops providing free refreshments and restrooms scattered along the tour route

Activities and Experience

  • Self-guided walking or driving tour of ornamented historic sites
  • Viewing holiday decorations and festive lighting inside and around historic homes and churches
  • Enjoying period architecture and learning local history through the homes and sites
  • Pausing at hospitality locations for rest and refreshments
  • Purchasing keepsake tour booklets with maps and descriptions of each site

Historical Context and Founding

Originating over four decades ago, the Nights Before Christmas Candlelight Tour of Homes celebrates Madison’s architectural heritage and Christmas traditions. It was founded to encourage community participation and preserve the charm of Madison’s historic district while showcasing unique holiday décor in stately homes and public buildings.

Overall, the event creates a warm, nostalgic holiday vibe rooted in history, community, and seasonal spirit, attracting visitors who appreciate both Christmas traditions and historic preservation.