Get Into The Holiday Spirit With The Harrodsburg Herald’s 2025 Holiday Preview
Meghan Anne Hyland Glascock and Vivian Hyland were having a great time at Lighting of the Christmas Tree Forest at Old Fort Harrod State Park in 2024. (File image)
Robert Moore
Herald Staff
[email protected]
It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Let’s take a look at some of the holiday events being planned in Mercer County, including the long-awaited return of Harrodsburg’s Christmas Parade.
Old Fort Harrod State Park (100 South College Street) is hosting the Fifth Annual Winter Encampment from 10 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 21, to 10 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 23. Everyone is invited to come and tour the fort at night under candle and lantern light on Saturday, Nov. 22. Old Fort Harrod will be decorated for Christmas and there will also be free cookies, coffee, hot apple cider and hot chocolate to enjoy, as well as handmade items in the gift shop. To learn more, call Old Fort Harrod at 859-734-3314, email [email protected] or visit their Facebook page @fortharrod.statepark.
The winter encampment will coincide with Old Fort Harrod’s Annual Holiday Open House and the Lighting of the Christmas Tree Forest on Saturday, Nov. 22, from 6 to 8 p.m. The forest features trees decorated by local businesses, churches and agencies. The forest is sponsored by the Mercer County Chamber of Commerce The events are all free and open to the public. For more information, visit the chamber website at mercerchamber.com.
Reservations are being accepted for the annual Thanksgiving Dinner at the 19th Hole Restaurant (1742 Danville Road) on Thursday, Nov. 27 The traditional Thanksgiving meal menu includes turkey, ham, dressing and mashed potatoes, gravy, green beans, corn, macaroni and cheese, broccoli casserole, sweet potatoes, corn pudding, rolls and desserts. Times are 11 a.m., 12:30 and 2 p.m.. Cost is $22 for adults and $11 for children four and above. Reservations only. To book your reservation, call 859-325-3778.
The Annual Pay What You Can Afford Meal happens Thanksgiving, Thursday, Nov. 27, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Southside Christian Church (1950 Danville Road). It’s the tenth year for the event. The menu includes turkey and dressing, mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans, sweet potatoes, broccoli casserole, rolls and dessert. Reservations are not required but are suggested. Pay what you can and if you can, pay for someone else. Call 859-613-2400 to save a seat.
Also on Thursday, Nov. 27, there’s the Community Thanksgiving Dinner at Shawnee Run Baptist Church (2542 Shakertown Road). Orders will be taken until Monday, Nov. 24, with free delivery starting at 10 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day. For more information, call 859-748-5695 or visit online at shawneerun.com.
The Christmas Lights of Bondville will start Friday, Nov. 28. (Image: Facebook @Bondvillelights).
The Christmas Lights of Bondville (510 Bondville Road, Salvisa) will start Friday, Nov. 28, at 5:30 p.m. until New Years. The show is free, but donations are accepted. For more information, visit their Facebook page @Bondvillelights.
Small Business Saturday happens Saturday, Nov. 29, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Get a jump on your Christmas shopping and support more than 50 local businesses. Find the nutcracker and win a prize. mercerchamber.com or 859-734.2365 or [email protected] or Facebook @Mercer Chamber Of Commerce.
Maggie Cain and Linda Klostermann Harrodsburg Historical Society’s Christmas Tea Room in 2024. The tea room returns Starting Friday, Dec. 5.
The Harrodsburg Historical Society’s 31st Annual Christmas Tea Room happens Friday, Dec. 5, and Saturday, Dec. 6, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Morgan Row (220 South Chiles Street). For more information, call 859-325-9028 or visit online at harrodsburghistorical.org.
The Nutcracker Christmas Parade happens Friday, Dec. 5, starting at 6:30 p.m. The parade is hosted by the Mercer County Chamber of Commerce and Volunteers of Mercer County. The parade route will be the same as last year’s parade for Harrodsburg’s 250th Anniversary. For more information, visit mercerchamber.com or 859-734.2365 or [email protected] or Facebook @Mercer Chamber Of Commerce or Facebook @Nutcracker Christmas Parade.
The lighting of the Christmas tree in downtown Harrodsburg at last year’s Christmas on Main. This year’s event
The Fifth Annual Christmas on Main happens Friday, Dec. 5, at Olde Town Park (126 South Main Street) from 6 to 10 p.m.. The event is hosted by the Downtown Harrodsburg Main Street Program. In addition to Christmas Music and Tree Lighting, there will also be food trucks and festive treats, vendors and holiday shopping, plenty of food from local restaurants and lots of holiday cheer. As always, there will be a Meet and Greet with Santa Claus. For more information, email or visit Facebook @harrodsburgky.
The Burgin Fire Department handing out the all important candy at the Burgin Christmas Parade in 2024. This year’s paradehappens Saturday, Dec. 6, starting at 6 p.m.
Burgin’s Christmas Parade happens Saturday, Dec. 6, starting at 6 p.m. with the line-up at 4:30 p.m. at Ash-Dan Estates. This year’s theme is “Peace” All groups and individuals are invited to participate. Organizers welcome floats; church groups; fire departments; schools teams, clubs, and musical groups; classic cars and hot rods; motorcycles; ATVs; and pageant winners at all levels. Contact Carol Bump at 859-612-9722 to be added to the parade list. For more details, forms can be picked up at Burgin City Hall, phone number 859-605-9652 or email [email protected].
Image: Allan Barlow will perform 24 different parts in the one-man production of Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” at Ragged Edge Community Theatre. Image: (Ragged Edge Community Theatre.)
Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” returns to Ragged Edge Community Theatre (111 South Main Street) on Saturday, Dec. 6, at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 7, at 3 p.m. Managing Director Allan Barlow will perform 24 different parts in this one-man production. Tickets are $15 and available online at raggededgetheatre.org or at the box office on the night of the show.
The Hanging of the Greens at Harrodsburg United Methodist Church (128 South Chiles Street). happens Sunday, Dec. 7, starting at 4:30 p.m. The special community service features the Harrodsburg Community Choir and the HUMC Bell Choir. 859-734-3704 or [email protected] or their website at harrodsburgumc.org or their Facebook page @harrodsburgunitedmethodist.
Lori Patterson, Linda Hager and Julie Patterson were having a great time at the 2024 Santa Shuffle. This year’s event happens Saturday, Dec. 12.
The Santa Shuffle returns Saturday, Dec. 12, from 4 p.m. to midnight. Participants must visit five of the nine participating locations to be entered into a giveaway for a gift basket valued at over $500. While everyone is encourage to enjoy themselves, participants must only visit the locations and get your card hole punched to be eligible for the gift baskets. The first 10 customers to make a purchase at each location will receive a free commemorative T-shirt. Drink and food specials will be available at each location while live music will be available at select locations. In addition, some participating businesses will host their own contests. As always, Central Kentucky Tours will be available to provide transportation. Participants must be 21 years or older to enter into the participating bars. Participating businesses include Blackbird Bakery and Cafe, LaFonda Mexican Restaurant, Lemons Mill Brewery, Old Owl Tavern and Owl’s Nest, Olde Bus Station Restaurant, Papa Smoke Pizza, Sitbe Cider, the Local and the Vault Hosted by the Harrodsburg-Mercer County Tourist Commission. Follow Downtown Harrodsburg’s Santa Shuffle Facebook page or Facebook @harrodsburgky.for more information.
Shaker Village Holidays
Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill (3501 Lexington Road) is also lit up for Christmas—18th century style. Shaker Village Candlelight Tours are scheduled Fridays through Sundays starting Friday, Nov. 28, and running through Sunday, Dec. 28, with tours at 5:30 and 7 p.m. Tours will start outside the Trustees’ Office. Tickets are $10 for annual passholders and $15 for everyone else. Attending the Candlelight Tour on Saturday includes admission to Illuminated Evenings.
Illuminated Evenings happen every Saturday in December until Christmas starting at 4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6. Hop on the Jingle Bell Shuttle, write a letter to Santa, sip hot chocolate, enjoy music performances, make a craft in the Elf Shop and sing carols while the staff light up the tree. The live music on Saturday, Dec. 6 includes the Centre Singers at 4:30 p.m., followed by Centre Jazz at 5:30 p.m. and the Berea County Dancers at 7 p.m. On Saturday, Dec. 14, the line-up includes the Bluegrass Dulcimer Choir at 4:30 p.m., Davis Jones and Will Lovell at 5:30 p.m. and the Overtones at 7 p.m. On Saturday, Dec. 20, the line-up includes Les Jongleurs at 7 p.m. Admission is $8 for ages three and up and free for children two and under. A portion will be donated to a local charity.
Shaker Village is also hosting Children’s Tea Time with Mrs. Claus with tea times at 11 a.m. on Dec. 6, 13 and 20. The cost is $28 per person, free for ages two and under. To make a reservation, call 859-734-5411 or visit online at shakervillageky.org but you’d better hurry, the tea times always get booked up fast.
In addition, Shaker Village is also hosting Holiday Afternoon Teas at 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays starting Saturday, Dec. 6, and running through Sunday, Dec. 21. Enjoy and afternoon sipping seasonal teas and eating freshly-baked scones, assorted homemade sweets and savory bites at the 1839 Trustees’ Office. The cost is $30 per person.
Keep your eyes on the Weekender for more holiday fun. If you have any events you’d like featured, email them to [email protected].
