Candlelight Tour

Image of a white two story building with a white railed porch and bricks with candle lanters leading to it.
The Post Hospital by candlelight.

NPS Photo

The first weekend in December, Fort Scott National Historic Site presents its Annual Candlelight Tour. Tours on Friday will begin at 6:30 p.m. and leave every 15 minutes until 9:00 p.m. On Saturday the tours will start at 5:00 p.m. with the final tour leaving at 8:45 p.m. Please arrive 10 minutes early to allow time to park, check in, and get oriented.

Tickets are available online at fofs.ludus.com for $5 per person this year and non-refundable; children 5 and under are free. It is recommended that you get your tickets early for your choice of tour times as this event frequently sells out. Participants are advised to please dress for the weather and the terrain, as they will be outside and on sidewalks.

1,000 candle lanterns illuminate the site and dozens of volunteers (plus yourself) bring the fort to life.

Fort Scott was an active military post from 1842-1853, which was a time of rapid growth and change in the country. Solders returned three additional times from 1857-1873. As Fort Scott was being built, the nation grew west, expanding all the way to the Pacific Ocean. With this growth, Fort Scott changed, the mission of its soldiers changed, their experience changed, the environment changed, and the nation changed. Soldiers at Fort Scott lived their lives to the fullest despite the constant change.

Explore media from past Candlelight Tours.

Additional information is available on our calendar of events.

 

Last updated: November 19, 2025

Park footer

Contact Info

Mailing Address:

PO Box 918
Fort Scott, KS 66701

Phone:

620 223-0310

Contact Us