Your Ultimate Guide to the Best Winter Events in Vermont!

The holiday season in Vermont is such a spectacular time of year, and if you’re anything like us it’s your favorite! With so many wonderful and fun local events to help you celebrate the holidays, it’s no surprise that people come from all over to get a little piece of the seasonal magic that Vermont has to offer! And with so many events going on at all the various locations, it can be hard to keep track of, so we’ve gone ahead and put together some of the most magnificent, fun and can’t miss holiday events throughout the state so you can start checking them off your list - we hope you enjoy!

Bristol

Event: Candy Cane Hunt

When: Friday, December 8th at 5:30 PM

Additional details: Help Santa find his lost candy canes at the Bristol town green! This free and public candy cane hunt begins at 5:30 PM and prizes will be awarded to all kids who find 10 candy canes, along with a special prize awarded to whoever finds the golden candy cane!

Burlington

Event: Tree lighting and Santa Parade

When: Friday, November 24th at 12:00 PM

Additional details: Begin this fun-filled day by coming to Church Street and checking out the annual Santa Parade! The parade begins at City Hall and will include Champ, the Special Olympics Penguin and athletes, and of course - Santa Claus himself! Then at 5:30 PM come take a look at the spectacular tree lighting ceremony at the top of Church Street Marketplace. The official lighting of the tree will happen at 6:00 PM and will showcase 100,000 lights brightening up the 30+ foot tall tree!

Event: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical

When: Wednesday, November 29th at 7:00 PM

Additional details: Visit the Flynn Theater and enjoy Rudolph on stage this winter season! Based on the classic - Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, you and your family can see all your favorite characters including Santa and Mrs. Claus, Hermey the Elf, Bumble the Abominable Snow Monster, and more! Get your tickets here!

Event: The Polar Express Train Ride

When: Saturday, December 9th and Sunday, December 10th

Additional details: This is a favorite no matter your age! Hosted by Vermont Children’s Trust Foundation, this 20-minute train ride features yummy hot cocoa, cookies served by chefs, a sing-a-long lead by the train conductor, and you can even wear your pajamas! It’s unfortunately already sold out for this year and tickets do tend to go quickly, so if you want to be added to the mailing list to get notified of 2024’s Polar Express Ride, click here! 

Event: Vermont’s Own Nutcracker

When: Saturday December 16th at 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM, and Sunday, December 17th at 1:00 PM and 6:30 PM.

Additional details: This go-to annual holiday event held at the Flynn Theater is the perfect show for families! With dancers from the Vermont Ballet Theater and fantastic music and choreography, this mystical and magical show isn’t one to miss! For tickets and more information, click here!

Essex

Event: Winter Lights in the Park

When: November 23rd through January 1st

Additional details: Looking to take a stroll through the park and enjoy some holiday lights? Maple Street Park will be lit up with their festive Christmas lights all season! There’s also a QR code for the scavenger hunt list of all the hidden ornaments, so if you’re ready to turn this stroll into a fun Christmas game, this one is perfect for you!

Event: Essex Train Hop

When: Friday, December 8th from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM

Additional details: Check out all the train hop stations throughout the five corners in Essex where you will find holiday model train displays! You can come pick up your train hop map and ticket at any City Offices or at the participating businesses. You can also catch the free shuttle to Maple Street Park to see the lights show we mentioned above!

Rutland

Event: Downtown Rutland Tree Lighting

When: Friday, November 24th at 5:30 PM

Additional details: Join the community at Depot Park and see Santa arrive on a firetruck to light the downtown tree! Beginning at 5:30, there will be free hot chocolate from Mission City Church and a holiday performance from the Rutland High School choir while Santa lights the tree. As an exciting addition to the event, the first 200 attendees will receive free holiday light specs and candy canes! After the tree has been lit for the season, walk through downtown to check out the window contest, which runs from the 24th to December 22nd and showcases some wonderful window displays from the local shops and restaurants - you can even vote for your favorites!

Shelburne

Event: Winter Lights at the Shelburne Museum

When: Multiple days and times available, for the full list and to get your hands on your ticket, click here

Additional details: This special event is one that everyone looks forward to each year! The entire Shelburne Museum is transformed into a winter wonderland, decorated with holiday lights! You can either drive through or walk past all the amazing decorations from the 220-foot steamboat Ticonderoga to the beautiful Bostwick Garden, and more, this breathtaking event is great for all ages!

St. Albans

Event: Festival of Trees

When: Saturday, November 25th to Sunday, December 3rd

Additional details: St. Albans hosts an entire month of magical holiday events for all ages. Included but not limited to a tree lighting ceremony and laser show, holiday PJ story time, paint party, masquerade gala, and so much more! Most of the events are free, so for the entire event list and additional details, click here!

Stowe

Event: A Traditional Christmas in Stowe

When: Friday, December 1st to Sunday, December 3rd

Additional details: Every year, Stowe lights up the entire downtown community with their well-known and stunning warm white lights! Throughout the weekend you can expect Stowe to come to life, offering a children’s lantern parade, art center complete with decorated trees, wagon rides, cookie and ornament decorating and more! And don’t forget about the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus! For the full weekend schedule, click here!

Event: The Spruce Peak Lights Festival

When: Saturday, December 16th at 2:30 PM

Additional details: This winter festival is held at Spruce Peak and showcases a holiday party on ice, photos with Santa, and finishes with the tree and village lighting along with a wonderful holiday fireworks display!

If you'd rather spend your holiday inside where it's cozy, but you're still looking for things to do with your family, here's an easy and fun DIY crystal snowflake craft! These are perfect for your holiday tree or to add festivity to any room!