Nights Before Christmas Candlelight Tour of Homes will be held November 23, 24, 30 and December 1 in historic Madison, Indiana.

This holiday tour features six beautiful private homes in Madison and Hanover.  Interestingly, the home of the President of Hanover College (built in 1952) is featured on this year’s tour and the home (built in 1824) of the original founder of the college, John Finley Crowe, is also featured.  While in Hanover, tour goers can stop at the Science Center which is one of the Hospitality Sites scattered throughout the tour route.

In Madison, 4 private homes are on the tour route.  These homes of varying styles were built between 1849 and 1920.  Each home is different and brings something special to the tour.  Tour Coordinator, Marci Jones said, “This year’s tour is extra special.  We normally feature 5 private homes but this year we have 6.  Because we have the President’s home at Hanover College, we wanted to make another Hanover site available to our visitors.”

Five public historic sites on the tour are the Lanier Mansion, the Schofield House, Jefferson County Historical Society Museum and the Shrewsbury-Windle Home.   St. John’s United Church of Christ, built in the 1840s, is the caroling stop on the tour.  You can take a few minutes to listen to the beautiful music and admire the restoration work before continuing on the tour

Along with the Hanover College Science Center, Eggleston School and The Seifert-Short Museum and Learning Center will serve as hospitality sites providing free refreshments and a chance to take a break along the tour route.  At the Hospitality Sites, visitors can see fossil collections, Christmas Villages and nativities & crèches from around the world.

This is a self-guided tour but tour goers have the option to take the tour by trolley or wagon with advance reservation and for an additional fee.

Your stroll through Madison’s historic downtown with its beautiful lights, shops, and astounding architecture will definitely kick off your holiday season.

Tour tickets are $15.00 for adults and $5.00 for children ages 5-15. Tickets can be purchased at the Madison Visitors Center, 601 West First Street or on line at www.nightsbeforechristmas.com.