Happy Holidays Montpelier!

Not sure what to get everyone on your shopping list this year?

Want to support local business owners but don't know where to start?

Click the graphic below to explore the Downtown Montpelier Gift Guide:

Our downtown features special  holiday events all month long! In addition, check out our Community Calendar for a full list of activites throughout the month.

For the Season:

  • Enjoy two hours of free parking at any metered space downtown. Standard time limits still apply, you’ll need to move your vehicle after two hours, and the offer does not include ParkMobile-only spaces.
  • Downtown Penguin Hunt. Did you know there are penguins in Montpelier? Hunt around downtown and you may see some hiding inside shops and in storefront window displays. Share a photo to social media when you find one and tag Montpelier Alive for a chance to be featured in our stories and weekly newsletter!
  • Spread the Love. Pick up a punch card at City Hall or participating business, dine/shop at eight Montpelier establishments and fill your card, then return by January 9th for a chance to win!
  • Ginter Wonderland at Barr Hill, open Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays through the holiday season 12-7pm, no reservations needed. Bar snacks, delicious cocktails, no grinches.
  • Festive Cocktail Social, every Wednesday in December at Charlie-O's starting at 7pm. Featuring a holiday cocktail menu and all the festive vibes. 

December

  1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
28 29 30 31      

Friday, December 5th

Saturday, December 6th

  • Annual Holiday Fair at the Unitarian Church of Montpelier, 9am-2pm, in the Vestry, Fireplace Room, Kitchen, Preschool Room.  ~ Full Fair ~ baked goods / raffle baskets / assorted tables 
  • Meet Mrs. Claus at The Nest, 174 River St, to share holiday cheer and have a gentle and calm photo opportunity. Children of all ages are invited, especially babies and toddlers who might be scared to meet Santa. Free keepsake photo and drinks to sip. Donations for Good Beginnings are accepted.
  • Slaphappy Santa Christmas Spectacular, Holiday swing, rock, and blues. Doors open at 6:30pm, show 7:30-10pm. 18+

Sunday, December 7th

  • Winter Wildlife Tracking at Green Mount Cemetery with North Branch Nature Center educator, Ana Maria Arroyo. 9-10:30am
  • Pet Photos with Santa Fin at Guy's Farm and Yard 11am-1pm. 
  • Slaphappy Santa Christmas Spectacular, Matinee!  Holiday swing, rock, and blues. Doors open at 1:30pm, show 2-3pm.  Family Friendly.
  • A Christmas Carol performed by Willem Lange at Lost Nation Theater 2-3:30pm. Famed & beloved Yankee storyteller Willem Lange is back - for his 50th Anniversary - Live and On Stage (and livestreamed) at Lost Nation Theater performing his reading of "A Christmas Carol: a ghost story" by Charles Dickens.
  • Holiday Bazaar at Bohemian Bakery 2-6pm. Artisans will display their own original designs of glass, jewelry, wreaths and art for holiday gifts, one day only!

Wednesday, December 8th

  • Illumination Night Caroling at College Hall then move inside the Montpelier Performing Arts Hub for a celebration with desserts, warm beverages and live music. 5:30-6:30pm.

Tuesday, December 9th

  • State House Tree Lighting, 4-5:30pm. Light refreshments, entertainment in and outside the Capitol Building. Festivities include the tree lighting, visits with animals (reindeer, goats, donkeys and more), and performances by Cirque de Fuego fire dancers, Shidaa West African Drumming and holiday music. Show your home-state spirit with comfortable Vermont attire: flannel, wool, classic plaid or that holiday sweater you wouldn’t normally wear in public. Free and open to everyone!

Friday, December 12th

  • EmaLou & The Beat Holiday Show, 7-9pm. Join EmaLou & The Beat as they celebrate the release of their Live Holiday Album Simple Things! Featuring classic holiday songs, niche favorites, inspired originals, and a sing-along! All ages. 

Saturday, December 13th

  • Montpelier's Downtown Cocoa Crawl, Downtown businesses feature their chocolate offerings and sales (along with music at some of these venues - check the webpage for the musicians and venues!)
  • Cozy Up at KHL, 10:30am-12:30pm. The Kellogg Hubbard Library hosts a cozy morning full of activities like meeting sled dogs and decorating wreaths, designed to help you ease into Winter. 
  • Evergreen Trees in Winter Walk. Join naturalist Gail Johnson at the New Shelter in Hubbard Park from 2-3:30pm to explore the interesting ways evergreen trees survive the winter and ID native evergreen trees.
  • A Child's Christmas in Wales & Other Tales, a dramatic reading at Lost Nation Theater 2-3:15pm. 
  • Solidarity Craft Fair, 9am-3pm at the Unitarian Church of Montpelier. 22 Vendors of locally and internationally made goods offer unique and hand-made gifts, a warm chili lunch prepared by Main Street Middle School's Sustainability students and a silent auction.
  • Blossom Wellness Holiday Market, 12-5pm: local, small batch artists and crafters. Art, pottery, jewelry, herbal body products, medicinal remedies, aromatherapy, crystals, and so much more! (7 Main Street.)
  • Charlie O's Bizarre Bazaar, 3-6pm. 5th Annual! Shop crafts and gifts while enjoying a drink and supporting your local artists. 

Sunday, December 14th

  • Community Carol Sing at Unitarian Church of Montpelier 4:30-6pm. Family friendly, non-denominational celebration of the season. Free and open to all.

Tuesday, December 16th

  • State House Lighting of the Menorah, 4:30-6pm. Join Governor Phil Scott and friends to celebrate the Lighting of the Menorah. There will be music and hot drinks, latkes and donuts, and story time with the governor. Free and open to all people!

Wednesday, December 17th

  • Creatives Holiday Mixer at Montpelier Performing Arts Hub 4:30-7pm. The Center for Arts & Learning invites all Central Vermont creatives to get out of their studios and celebrate their 2025 accomplishments. 
  • Glow Walk, 5:30-6:30pm. Meet at the tree at the Vermont State House. Join members of the Complete Streets Committee for a festive 1.75 mile stroll around downtown Montpelier led by Vivian Ladd Tomasi, Montpelier Alive's Bridge Illumination Project Coordinatoropen. Please wear lights, bright and reflective clothing, and dress warmly!

Saturday, December 20th

Sunday, December 21st

  • Winter Solstice Wildlife Tracking at the North Branch Nature Center, 10-11:30am. Get outside on the shortest day of the year. Search for signs of wildlife activity while appreciating the beauty and wonder on the trails at NBNC. Dress to be outside the entire time and prepared tol travel up to 1 mile in snowy, cold, and/or icy conditions, potentially on uneven or hilly terrain (not appropriate for young children).
  • Elf at the Savoy Theater, 1pm. Catch this classic Christmas tale starring Will Ferrell on the big screen.
  • Onion River Chorus Concert, 4pm, Unitarian Church. A Perfect Day, a cantata by Dennis Murphy. Roger Grow, tenor. 
  • Nate's Great Chili Cookoff at Charlie-O's, 4pm. Bring your best homemade chili and vote for your favorite. Who will win the golden ladle? Prizes for the top 3 with the most votes.
  • Winter Solstice Event with All Together Now, 4pm @20 Wyvern Way, E. Montpelier. Come early to help build the bonfire and go sledding. Potluck, skits, storytelling, singing & dancing, bonfire at 7:30pm. Dress to be inside and outside. Carpooling is preferred, leave your pets at home.

Wednesday, December 31st