Here is your list of family-friendly weekend events around Vermont for the month of February, courtesy of Busy Btown.
January was a slow month for activities, and after a very busy December, that was fine by me. I recovered from the hustle of the holidays, and launched the new Busy Btown website!
As we head into January though, we paint a different picture, with a long list of family-friendly options for you to explore. So, grab a snack or your favorite beverage (or both!) before settling in to read this month’s weekend events. It may take a while, but it will be worth it.
Enjoy another winter month, full of winter activities!
February 1st-2nd:
37th Annual Winter Carnival
Where: Colchester High School, 131 Laker Lane, Colchester
When: Friday-Sunday, January 31st-February 2nd, various times
As someone who grew up in Colchester, I can tell you that this Winter Carnival is always a great time for families. In its 37th year, this weekend-long carnival includes a number of activities, food concessions, a talent show, and arts and crafts. It culminates in a (weather-dependent) outdoor ice skating excursion at the Airport Park ice rink (remember to bring your own skates).
8th Annual Grafton Winter Carnival
Where: Grafton Trails & Outdoor Center, 783 Townshend Road, Grafton
When: Saturday, February 1st, 9:00am-4:00pm
If you’re looking for some outdoor winter fun, head to the 8th Annual Winter Carnival. You’ll find tubing, skiing, snowshoeing, and sleigh rides. There will be an outside fire to keep warm, and food and drinks served in The Grafton Inn (between 11:00am-3:00pm). You can also demo winter recreation equipment.
Kids Workshop – Heart String Art
Where: The Home Depot, 759 Harvest Ln, Williston
When: Saturday, February 1st, 9:00am-12:00pm
While supplies last, kids will be provided with a workshop apron, commemorative pin, and supplies to create their own Heart String Art to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Kids will develop hands-on skills with sanding, nailing, painting, and more. A parent or adult should be present the whole time, and registering is recommended.
Tricky Tracks: A Family Tracking Program
Where: Audubon Vermont, 255 Sherman Hollow Road, Huntington
When: Saturday, February 1st, 9:30am-11:30am
In this family-friendly all-ages program, you’ll learn about the winter “comings and goings” of the furry and feathered animals in our area. First, you’ll discover how animals move through snow, and then you’ll head out to discover tracks for yourselves. Aren’t you curious about which animals are active in the winter woods?
Play Date! Winter on the Farm
Where: Shelburne Farms, 1611 Harbor Rd, Shelburne
When: Saturday, February 1st, 9:30am-1:30pm
Call up a friend and make a play date to meet at Shelburne Farms for indoor activities. There will be seating and tables if you want to bring a lunch or snack, and your kiddos can observe an owl from Outreach for Earth Stewardship from 10:00am-1:00pm.
Winter Renaissance Faire
Where: Champlain Valley Exposition, 105 Pearl Street, Essex Junction
When: Saturday & Sunday, February 1st & February 2nd, 10:00am-6:00pm
Good for all ages, this event features performances, medieval and Viking demonstrations, and artisan and craft vendors (from across New England). Free admission for kids under 6 years old.
Art Lab
Where: Brownell Library
When: Saturday, February 1st, 10:00am-11:00am
This process-based art class is recommended for children ages 6 and under (and their families). This program is about the process of creating art, and not the end result. Materials are provided.
Webby’s Art Studio: Clay Creatures
Where: Shelburne Museum, 6000 Shelburne Road, Shelburne
When: Saturday, February 1st, 11:00am-3:00pm
Join friends at the Pizzagalli Center for Art and Education classroom at the Shelburne Museum for a family-friendly activity where you will form a clay animal pendant inspired by the exhibit that opens the same day, called Creature Comfort: Animals in the House.
Ice on Fire 2020 – Winter Festival
Where: North Branch Nature Center, 713 Elm Street, Montpelier
When: Sunday, February 2nd, 2:00pm-5:00pm
At this central Vermont winter festival, you’ll find music, dance, theater, storytelling, winter games, kids activities, and more. Bring a mug and spoon to sample the free cider and chili!
February 7th-9th:
Milton Winter Festival
Where: various locations, Milton
When: Friday-Sunday, February 7th-9th, various times
Head to Milton for a weekend of family-friendly activities. The festivities begin on Friday, with fireworks, music, a bonfire, hot cocoa, s’mores, pizza, ice skating, and a midnight snowshoe. On Saturday, enjoy breakfast at Milton High School, live music, the Big Blue Trunk, sledding, snowshoeing, and more. On Sunday, you can find wagon rides, a chili cook-off, laser tag, and winter crafts.
Movie Night
Where: Winooski Senior Center, 123 Barlow Street, Winooski
When: Friday, February 7th, 6:00pm-8:00pm
Catch a free family-friendly Disney movie at 6:00pm (starring Will Smith) at the Winooski Senior Center. There will be free popcorn, or you can purchase items from the snack bar.
Free Family Saturdays
Where: Flynn Center for the Performing Arts, 153 Main Street, Burlington
When: Saturday, February 8th, 10:00am-11:00am
Your family is invited to take over the Flynn’s Main Stage lobby for a free music program. Dance to the music, or simply sit back, watch and listen. While attendance is free, pre-registration is suggested.
Children’s Paint and Snack – Valentine’s Pup
Where: Creative Heart Counseling, 31 Church Street, Swanton
When: Saturday, February 8th, 10:00am-11:30am
This instructive painting class for kids ages 5-12 has an adorable Valentine’s Day theme. The monthly class includes refreshments, but space is limited, so pre-registration is required.
Winter Carnival & Nordic Ski Race
Where: Mountain River School, 2648 Randolph Road, Morristown
When: Saturday, February 8th, 10:00am-2:00pm
At this fundraiser event for the MRS Tuition Assistance Fund, you’ll find winter activities for kids (like obstacle courses, sledding, and snow sculpting), and a Nordic race for kids ages 3 and up.
Return of the Butterflies
Where: ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain
When: Saturday, February 8th, 10:00am-5:00pm
Starting on February 8th (through September 7th), the Return of the Butterflies exhibit opens at ECHO. This popular exhibit allows you to walk among tropical butterflies in the Butterfly Pavilion, while you will learn how to protect these important pollinators in their natural environment. It also features hands-on activities and interactive exhibits.
Mister Chris and Friends
Where: Pentangle Arts, Woodstock Town Hall Theatre, 31 The Green, Woodstock
When: Saturday, February 8th, 11:00am-1:00pm
As part of a Vermont PBS music series, Mister Chris and his band will be performing both new and familiar songs from his show, Mister Chris and Friends. Attendees can also watch an episode from season two of the show, with a special guest (Dr. François Clemmons). In addition, there will be STEM-focused activities available for a “hands-on afternoon of discovery.”
Winter Fest
Where: Vermont Granite Museum, 7 Jones Bros Way, Barre
When: Saturday, February 8th, 11:00am-2:00pm
Enjoy free outdoor fun at the Vermont Granite Museum. There will be snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, snow painting, and a bonfire to keep warm (along with s’mores, hot cocoa, and cider). The Stone Arts School will also be on hand with stations set up to make Valentines.
Brrrlington Winter Bash
Where: Robert Miller Community and Recreation Center, 130 Gosse Court, Burlington
When: Saturday, February 8th, 12:00pm-3:00pm
This free winter celebration is all for the kids, and will have both indoor and outdoor activities. Outdoor activities include cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and dog sled rides. Indoor activities include face painting, yoga, crafts, music and dancing, and games with the Big Blue Trunk.
Good Clean Fun!
Where: Vermont Comedy Club, 101 Main Street, Burlington
When: Saturday, February 8th, 5:00pm-6:00pm
Take your kids to this family-friendly improv comedy show at the Vermont Comedy Club! Tickets are just $5 for kids and $10 for adults.
February 14th-16th:
Valentine’s Kids’ Night Out
Where: Godnick Adult Center, 1 Deer Street, Rutland
When: Friday, February 14th, 5:00pm-9:00pm
Bring your kids to Godnick Adult Center for a Valentine’s Day celebration. Actually, you can drop your kids off… while you go out and enjoy a Valentine’s night out. The kids will have a dance party, there will be arts and crafts, games, food, and more. And you will be free to do whatever you want. Until 9:00pm, that is. Pre-registration is required.
Great Ice! Fireworks
Where: Hero’s Welcome General Store, 3537 US Route 2, North Hero
When: Friday-Sunday, February 14th-16th, various times
The Great Ice! Festival features fireworks, bonfires, dog sled rides, ice skating, hockey games and more, on the frozen city bay.
Peacham Winter Carnival 2020
Where: various locations, Peacham
When: Friday, February 14th, 5:00pm-9:00pm; Saturday, February 15th, 8:00am-8:00pm
At this winter carnival, there will be a paint & sip, sleigh rides, sledding, skiing, crafts, food, live music, an evening dance, and more.
Vertical Challenge
Where: Bolton Valley, 4302 Bolton Valley Access Road, Bolton
When: Saturday, February 15th, 7:30am-4:00pm
Join Bolton Valley for a day of winter fun on the hill, with snowy activities for all ages, ski and snowboard races, giveaways, and prizes.
Healthy Hearts on the Move
Where: Northwestern Medical Center, 133 Fairfield Street, Saint Albans
When: Saturday, February 15th, 9:00am-12:00pm
This free, health-focused event offers family activities, including yoga for kids, a bouncy house, face painting, and active play. And pssst, there will even be massages!
Igloo Build and the Science of Winter
Where: Montshire Museum of Science, One Montshire Road, Norwich
When: Saturday, February 15th, 10:30am
In this family-friendly special event at the Montshire Museum, one of the longest-running traditions at the museum, you can learn how to build an insulated, sturdy house (an igloo!).
How Now Winter Cow?
Where: Shelburne Farms, 1611 Harbor Rd, Shelburne
When: Saturday, February 15th, 10:00am-12:00pm
Visit Shelburne Farms for this ages 5 and up event, to see how their cows and sheep spend their winter days.
Bagels and Brushes for Teens
Where: Milton Public Library, 39 Bombardier Road, Milton
When: Saturday, February 15th, 10:00am-12:00pm
This event is for the teens in your life. In this painting class, they’ll be guided through basic paint instructions (including brush techniques and mixing colors). Teens will bring home their own creation and a bagel!
Webby’s Art Studio: Playing with Paint
Where: Shelburne Museum, 6000 Shelburne Road, Shelburne
When: Saturday, February 15th, 11:00am-3:00pm
Join friends at the Pizzagalli Center for Art and Education classroom at the Shelburne Museum for a family-friendly activity where you can play with materials and tools to create a contemporary landscape painting, inspired by the landscapes found in the Webb Gallery.
Randolph Winterfest
Where: Farr’s Hill, 24 Elm Street, Randolph
When: Saturday, February 15th, 1:00pm-6:00pm
This free family event is a perfect way to celebrate the ice and snow. There will be snow tubing on the hill, and an igloo village with fun activities. Froggy 100.9 will be on hand to entertain and will host a cardboard box sledding competition.
Valentine’s Day Date Night – Kids’ Chocolate Factory
Where: Wilder Arts Studio, 74 ½ East State Street, Montpelier
When: Saturday, February 15th, 5:00pm-8:00pm
Here’s another chance to get out and have a date night to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Drop off the kids for a fun evening of chocolate making, pizza, and a movie. This event is for ages 5 and up.
Wildlife Festival
Where: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, 870 Williston Road, South Burlington
When: Saturday & Sunday, February 15th & 16th, 10:00am-5:00pm
This interactive and educational wildlife festival provides an opportunity to meet a sloth, alligator, porcupine, armadillo, opossum, lizard, tarantula, and more. I took my little one to this event last year, and he absolutely LOVED seeing (and sometimes touching), the various critters. This year’s festival features TV personality Eric the Reptile Guy.
WinterFest
Where: downtown Middlebury
When: Sunday, February 17th, 11:00am-3:00pm
WinterFest in downtown Middlebury includes horse & wagon rides, snow sculptures, kids’ activities, cocoa, s’mores, and more to be announced!
February 21st-23rd:
Forest for a Day
Where: Shelburne Farms, 1611 Harbor Rd, Shelburne
When: Saturday, February 22nd, 10:00am-12:00pm
Recommended for kids ages 5 and up, at this family-friendly event, kids can put on a hard hat, learn about trees, watch a forester fell one, and then work in the woodshop to make a product out of wood.
Snow Fest at Blueberry Hill
Where: Blueberry Hill Outdoor Center, Goshen Ripton Road, Goshen
When: Saturday, February 22nd, 10:00am-4:00pm
Celebrate the snow with ski and snowshoe races, sledding, a bonfire, hot chocolate, and other outdoor fun. This event is free for children 5 and under. Food items will be available for purchase.
Webby’s Art Studio: Animal Books
Where: Shelburne Museum, 6000 Shelburne Road, Shelburne
When: Saturday, February 22nd, 11:00am-3:00pm
Join friends at the Pizzagalli Center for Art and Education classroom at the Shelburne Museum for a family-friendly activity where you can create a pop-up book inspired by animals found in their new exhibit, Creature Comfort: Animals in the House.
Wonderfeet Winter Dance
Where: The Palms Restaurant – Downtown Rutland, 36 Strongs Ave, Rutland
When: Saturday, February 22nd, 4:00pm-6:00pm
This winter dance is for your little one and their favorite adult. DJ Brett Myhre will be there so you can dance your heart out.
Wintervale
Where: Intervale Community Farm Cooperative, 180 Intervale Road, Burlington
When: Sunday, February 23rd, 11:00am-2:00pm
It’s all about winter fun at this event, with food, hot drinks, and outdoor recreation (like skiing and snowshoeing). There will be free fat bike demos, a bonfire, kids’ activities, and nature walks.
February 28th-March 1st:
Marko the Master Magician – Sprout out event
Where: ArtisTree Community Arts Center, 2095 Pomfret Road, South Pomfret
When: Saturday, February 29th, 10:00am-11:00am
Marko, the Master Magician, provides a fun show for all ages. Using cards, coins, personal items, and props, this master illusionist offers a fun and entertaining show for just $5. Advance tickets recommended.
19th Annual Winter Carnival
Where: Essex Middle School, 60 Founders Road, Essex
When: Saturday, February 29th, 10:00am-2:00pm
At this all-ages event, you’ll find music performances and winter activities There will be snowshoeing and sledding outside, and a chili cook-off inside. The event is free, but please bring a non-perishable food item to donate.
Webby’s Art Studio: Quilt Block
Where: Shelburne Museum, 6000 Shelburne Road, Shelburne
When: Saturday, February 29th, 11:00am-3:00pm
Join friends at the Pizzagalli Center for Art and Education classroom at the Shelburne Museum for a family-friendly activity where you can learn about quilt patterns and design a unique quilt pattern using block printing techniques.
Wonder Woods
Where: Montshire Museum of Science, One Montshire Road, Norwich
When: Saturday, February 29th, 10:00am
Today marks the launch of the Montshire Museum’s new exhibit, Wonder Woods. This 600 square-foot, multi-level learning space is focused around STEM learning and is “designed to ignite the curiosity and support the development” of kids ages 5 and under.
Play Date! Farm & Food Fun
Where: Shelburne Farms, 1611 Harbor Rd, Shelburne
When: Saturday, February 29th, 9:30am-1:30pm
Schedule a play date at Shelburne Farms for indoor activities. There will be an indoor winter forest with tunnels, treasures, and wildlife to explore, as well as seating and tables if you want to bring a lunch or snack, and an owl from Outreach for Earth Stewardship will be there from 10:00am-1:00pm.
Across the Month of February:
Art Play Day Sundays
Where: Radiate Art Space, 203 Bridge Street, Richmond
When: Each Sunday, 10:00am-11:30am
Recommended for kids ages 18 months to 5 years, this is a great opportunity “to get messy and create.” Kids can move freely between different stations that will spark their imagination.
Social Sundays
Where: Milton Artists’ Guild, 199 US Route 7, Milton
When: Each Sunday, 1:00pm-3:00pm
Milton Artists’ Guild hosts a free art day, where families can come together to create a free art project. Art projects are designed for children between the ages of 3 and 15. No pre-registration is required, and refreshments and snacks are provided.
Need more ideas? Want to add anything to our list of family-friendly weekend events this February?
Check out Busy Btown for other entertaining things to do in Chittenden County, and to see a weekly list of our Top 10 Events for the upcoming weekend. You’ll also find resources on indoor activities, trails, parks, playgrounds, and more around Chittenden County.
