Saturday, November 25, 2023
Lions Legend Park

Come home for the holidays and gather as a community in Lions Legend Park on the Saturday after Thanksgiving!  Admission and parking are free.  Parking is available in Lions Legend Park and at the Franklin Public Library.  November is the beginning of the holidays for many. It is a time of gratitude and family gatherings, characterized by feasting, but that doesn't mean we should ignore our health.  This event promises to be fun for all and get you up and moving!

Every day is a great day for developing healthy habits that lead to fitness for life! Home for the Holidays begins with a family friendly 5K!  Innovative Health & Fitness is hosting the Jingle Bell 5K walk/jog/run. The walk is a 1.05 mile loop that will be completed three times through Lions Legend and Vernon E. Barg parks.  There is no cost for attendance but registration is required at Eventbright so we can properly welcome you!  Trainer led warm-up at 10:30 a.m., 10:45 a.m. start time, and concludes with a post run stretch, Theragun session, and recovery snack. Strollers and kids are welcome to join! You may also purchase merchandise through Bonfire that will be shipped directly to you.  Jingle Bell 5K merchandise will not be available at the event.

Santa’s Workshop & Market open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. in front of Franklin City Hall, where you can find treasures to make your holiday merry and bright. Enjoy European pastries and holiday cookies (dairy free, sugar free, and gluten friendly also available) that may sweeten your family's table.  Home decor and seasonal items including stockings to warm the hearth, heart, and home.  Food market vendors offer canned fruits and vegetables, jams and jellies.  Enjoy roasted nuts and an artfully crafted beer from Component Brewing as you stroll through the market, where you might spot an elf! Food trucks and seating are available. 

The Franklin Public Library welcomes visits with Santa at Sit with Santa from 12:30 p.m. to 3 p.m. While you wait, enjoy some hot cocoa, make a Christmas craft, and watch a Christmas movie on the big screen. Registration is required for Sit with Santa, call 414-425-8214.

Entertainment from noon to 5:15 p.m. invites you to have fun by actively participating, playing, moving, and singing. GNO’s Holiday Show will get the entire family up on their feet and having fun with interactive activities from Noon to 1:30 p.m. Teens, you will not want to miss this! The Double D Dancers will encourage everyone to slide and shuffle from 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. The Lola Bard Holiday Carolers - a critically-acclaimed troupe of vocalists featured in The New York Times, LA Jazz Scene, Chicago Tribune, ZAGAT and more - sing an array of traditional Christmas carols to festive pop holiday favorites, and perform in beautiful, custom-made Victorian costumes from 4:15 to 5:15 p.m. Join in community caroling! 

Home for the Holidays will wrap up with the City holiday tree lighting ceremony at 4:45 p.m. 

Volunteers:  Twenty volunteers are needed 10:30 a.m. to Noon for the Jingle Bell 5K.  If interested in volunteering, please complete/submit the Volunteer Sign-Up Form or contact Angela Christie at 414-235-8180 to sign up!

Donations:  The Franklin Civic Celebrations Commission welcomes donations of any dollar amount.  Any business or individual interested in giving a donation or sponsoring a specific event or entertainer related to the Home for the Holidays event, please complete/mail the Support Designation Form, or contact Mira Kresovic at 414-202-7192.

*Activities subject to change.  Check back as the event nears.