2014 Burlington Family Holiday Guide!

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2014 holiday guide

We are sharing a run down of our favorite local holiday events to take your families to!

Tree Lightings

tree lighting

Featured Event

Light the Village and Train Hop, Essex Junction– Friday, Dec. 12

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Don’t miss this annual kick-off to the holidays! Join everyone for the Village Tree lighting at 6:15 pm. See your old favorites, including Santa at the Teen Center, the Roaming Railroad and model train displays in participating businesses & community partners. Grab a map and tour Train Hop Stations for a chance to win amazing raffle prizes! And you won’t want to miss their new attractions. Catch the free trolley shuttle to Essex Junction Recreation & Parks (EJRP) for a community bonfire and view festive holiday lights in Maple Street Park.

A Traditional Christmas in Stowe– Friday, December 5

Enjoy some family fun in Stowe! Activities start with a Children’s Lantern Parade that begins at Stowe Elementary School and winds it’s way along Main St. ending at The Village Green with a tree lighting.

Annual Tree Lighting at Shelburne– Friday, December 5

Shelburne’s tree ceremony includes a chance to visit santa, crafts for the kids, hot drinks, and a lighted Truck Parade put on by SD Ireland.

Annual Tree Lighting in Colchester– Sunday, December 7

It’s that time of year again! Gather for crafts, songs, cocoa, cookies, and lights on the tree. At 4 pm, children can make a holiday craft in the library. Around 4:30 pm, we’ll all sing with the Colchester Community Chorus at the Meeting House. The annual tree lighting follows outside around 5 pm.

Cut Your Own Tree

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White’s Christmas Tree Farm, Essex

This is where my family goes. The prices are great, and we have never had a tree we didn’t love.

Chapin Christmass Tree Farm, Essex

This is a fun farm for apple picking, and they also offer cut your own trees starting after Thanksgiving.

Isham Family Farm, Williston

I’ve been to Isham’s for other events (pumpkin patch, wagon rides, blueberry picking) and it’s a really wonderful place.

Quinlan Christmas Tree Farm, Williston

Mrs. Claus works at this tree carmon the weekends.

Santa Encounters

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Breakfast with Santa at Gardner’s Supply (Burlington, Williston) Dec. 6 & 13

In addition to breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Claus, kids can decorate cookies and ornaments and sing carols. (Space is limited and registration required.)

Breakfast with Santa at St. John Vianney Community Center (South Burlington) Dec. 6

Breakfast with Santa as well as photos, cookie decorating, face painting, ornament and card designing, manicures, letters to Santa and storytelling with Mrs. Claus.

Breakfast with Santa in Colchester Saturday, Dec. 13

Enjoy breakfast with Santa and a photo-op for the kids at the Colchester Meeting House.

Holiday Fun Play Date Event with BVTMB! Saturday, December 13

This our own event on Saturday, December 13 at Kid Logic Learning in South Burlington. We have two time slots avaible; 8:30am and 10:15am. Join us for cookie decorating with Cookie Doodlez, a holiday craft, and story time and visiting with Santa! But your tickets here.

Other Community Events

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Live Nativity Scene and Tours (Hinesburg) Dec. 6

An outdoor and interactive reenactment of the First Christmas, followed by indoor festivities with cocoa, snacks, and caroling.

Sleigh Rides at Shelburne Farms weekends starting Dec. 6

Rides leave the welcome center every half hour during the day.

Richmond Holiday Market Dec. 7

Richmond sets up an indoor market with a European feel. There is also the chance to meet Santa (I personally think this one is the real Santa) and go for a sleigh ride.

Deck the Halls at Shelburne Museum Dec. 8

During the first week of December the new Pizzagalli Center for Art and Education will be alive with holiday crafts, games, and music. 10 trees will be decorated from the museum’s own collection!

Holiday Bonfire at Maple Street Park (Essex Junction) Friday, Dec. 13

Holiday songs and refreshments served outdoors around a large bonfire. Rumor has it that Santa may stop by for some pictures.  Those who register can also make a gingerbread house, decorate sugar cookies and ornaments, make holiday cards, and play games.

Christmas Carol at the Flynn Friday Dec. 13 

30 performers on a specially designed set perform Dickens’ redemptive Christmas fable to life once a year.

Ice Skating

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Waterfront Park

There is a seasonal, outdoor skating rink along the waterfront in the wintertime.

Leddy Park Arena 

This is the rink I’ve heard the most about. There are two arenas with public skating (including times for little kids), as well as parities, hockey, and rentals.

Sleepy Hollow Inn Ski & Bike Center (Huntington)

In addition to a lighted pond for skating, there is also cross country skiing, snow shoeing, and lessons available.

Landry Park (Winooski) 

This park has an outdoor skating rink and a sledding hill.

Calahan Park

An outdoor rink and sledding hill in Burlington’s South End.

Battery Park

An outdoor rink with mountain and lake views right downtown.

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