Winter in Downtown
November 25-December 31, 2023
Experience Mount Vernon presents Winter In Downtown! Along with shows, attractions and performances at our partner venues and preented by local organizations, Experience presents a slate of events to keep you coming through the central business district all season long!
Downtown Mount Vernon is a very special place during the holidays and we are excited to bring our attractions to the community! Check below for dates, info and upcoming attractions!
Experience Mount Vernon, with help from Knox County Career Center Schools, presents the 2022 Downtown Mount Vernon Gingerbread Forest! The Gingerbread Forest will be on display from November 21 through the end of the year! With dozens of Gingerbreads scattered throughout Public Square, along with a house or two! Sponsored by local businesses, and created by local artists, the gingerbread figures are a true community collaboration! Bring the whole family down to check out these wonderfully festive figures and grab a few pics with yor favorite ones! Don't forget to tag us on your social media pictures!
GINGERBREAD FOREST FIGURE SPONSORSHIP FORM
GINGERBREAD FOREST FIGURE SPONSORSHIP PRINTABLE FORM
GINGERBREAD FOREST FIGURE DESIGN FORM
Support our local downtown retail, restaurant and activity merchants during Shop Small Saturday. This national campaign championed by American Express encourages the patronage of small businesses on this Saturday following Thanksgiving. With special deals, activities and promotions, the merchants of downtown are excited to kick off the beginning of the Holiday Shopping Season! From 11am - Close for retail and all the way to 9pm for restaurants, join us downtown for the kick off of our winter festivities!
Presented by Open Road Renewables, the 2022 Lighting of Public Square brings that Hallmark feeling to Downtown Mount Vernon! Experience Mount Vernon works hard each year to create a beautiful display of holiday lights through our central business corridor. Over the last several years, thousands of dollars has gone towards converting lights to a warmer and more welcoming glow! Join us as we flip on the lights to officially kick-off the Holiday Shopping Season! Following the lighting, the Mount Vernon Grand Hotel will host pictures with Santa Clause sponsored by Lewis & Clark Insurance! Bring your cameras and get your holiday photos done all in one weekend!
Sponsored by Park National Bank, the Annual Holiday Parade returns to the Sunday after Thanksgiving! With registration currently open, Experience Mount Vernon invite businesses, nonprofits, and community organizations to participate in the most festive parade of the year! The theme this for 2022 is Gingerbread! For more information, and to apply to participate in the parade, click the link below!
APPLY FOR THE ANNUAL HOLIDAY PARADE HERE!
So you think your house has the best Holiday Lights!? Here is your chance to prove it! Presented in association with ProCore Health Brokers, the Festival of Lights residential holiday lighting competition showcases the very best that Mount Vernon has to offer! In order to participate, your home must be within the city limits of Mount Vernon and you must register prior to 5pm on Thursday, December 15! A map with all of the locations will be listed here, on our Facebook page, and sent to local media. Saturday, December 17th, we invite you to load up the family and head out to help us select the winner of the competition! Stop at all of the locations, then head to our Facebook Page to vote for your favorite house!
Register For Festival of Lights By Clicking HERE!!