Holidays on the Marketplace

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With more than 100 independent cafés, boutiques, and services along the Marketplace, every visit, every purchase, every bit of support keeps downtown Burlington thriving. Whether you’re sitting down for a cozy dinner, picking out a Vermont-made gift, or exploring your favorite boutiques, you’re investing in the community. Thank you for choosing local. It makes all the difference.

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Your Guide to Holidays on Church Street

From the Tree Lighting Ceremony and Holiday Window Contest to free hot chocolate and live music, your favorite traditions are here to stay. This year also brings something new! Join the Postcard Club, hunt for hidden snowflakes, and discover fresh Festive Friday activations that will keep the magic alive all season long.

Explore the full schedule below to find every event, performance, and cozy moment happening downtown. Whether you’re here for a family outing, a date night, or a day of local shopping, let this guide lead the way to your most memorable holiday season yet.

Santa Parade & Tree Lighting Ceremony

Friday, November 28, 2025
Parade 12pm, starting at City Hall
Tree Lighting Ceremony, Top Block, 5:15pm

Immerse yourself in the holiday spirit by joining us for the much-anticipated annual Santa Parade! Join Santa, Aero the Griffin, Miss Vermont, Miss Vermont’s Teen, and other beloved local characters, community members, and Marketplace businesses as they spread cheer through downtown. Following the parade, Santa will be entertaining visitors at Homeport until 4pm on this extra-special day.

Join us that evening for the culminating event, the spectacular tree-lighting ceremony at the top of the Marketplace. It begins at 5:15pm with carols and a performance of 'Twas the Night Before Christmas. Then, at 6pm sharp, 100,000 lights will bring the 30+ foot tree to life. Rain, shine, or snow, this holiday extravaganza is one you won't want to miss. Mark your calendars, and join the celebration. 

Festive Fridays

Fridays | November 28, December 5, December 12, and December 19
The lights are twinkling, the music’s playing, and downtown Burlington is buzzing with holiday cheer! Each Friday evening, Church Street businesses stay open late for holiday shopping, while the Marketplace comes alive with a new festive activation each week, featuring cozy experiences, local tastings, and family fun. Stroll beneath the lights, listen to holiday tunes on the Marketplace speakers, grab a warm drink, and find the perfect gifts for everyone on your list. 

Friday, November 28: Tree Lighting Ceremony
See all details above!

Friday, December 5, 4-8pm: Jingle & Mingle
Two festive favorites, one fabulous Friday! Join us to kick off our annual Window Contest. Stroll through the Marketplace to check out the displays and vote for your favorites in person - you choose the winners! See all details below.

Need some fuel for your shopping? Sample Vermont-made drinks and bites from a variety of Vermont food and drink makers. Explore local businesses and vendors set up throughout the Marketplace—just pop into a participating shop*, grab a pairing card, and start sipping and snacking your way through! Alcohol tastings are for guests 21+ only. Please bring a valid ID. Check out the full list below:

• Dear Lucy + Pitchfork Pickle
• ECCO Clothes + Foam Brewers
• Golden Hour Gift Co. + Young at Heart Ginger Beer
• Harbour Thead + Bitter Bubble
• Harbour Thread Men's + Original Skiff Beer
• Homeport + Split Spirits
• Kiss the Cook + Small Oven Pastries
• Outdoor Gear Exchange + Monti Verdi Salumi
• Saratoga Olive Oil + Kraemer & Kin
• The Vermont Flannel Company + St. Johnsbury Distillery
• Tradewinds Imports + Shacksbury Cider
• Whizbangs + Citizen Cider
• Zinnia + Aqua ViTea

Plus...

• Truffles at Lake Champlain Chocolates
  
• Maple Syrup Tastings at Vermont Distillers & Smugglers' Notch Distillery Tasting Room
• Special Tastings at Pepper Palace
• Taunik Tastings at Float On Dispensary

Friday, December 12, 4-8pm: Not So Silent Night
What's a holiday season without some caroling? This Festive Friday, we are singing the night away. Enjoy the beautiful melodies of our local choirs and a cappella groups. Many of our stores will be open late until 8pm, so you can make the best out of your holiday shopping! This is also the last weekend to vote for your favorite holiday window displays! Cast your vote in person and help us crown this year’s winners.

• 3:45-4:15pm: Burlington High School Chamber Choir
• 5:30-5:45pm: CVU Madrigal Singers, Cameron Brownell, Director
• 6-6:30pm: Colchester Middle School Concert Choir
• 6:30-7pm: Burlington Choral Society

Friday, December 19, 4-8pm: Light Up the Night
The days might be getting darker, but the Marketplace is ready to light up the night with festive cheer! Join RunVermont for a Fun Run kicking off at 5:30pm. Dress in your brightest gear and fill the street with color. Open to all ages. Register here.

Then stick around for the Light Parade at 6pm, featuring a fleet of decorated trucks showing off their holiday sparkle. From SD Ireland’s glowing cement mixer and Milton Rental’s equipment truck to Troy’s Toy Drive’s festive Ridgeline, Burlington PD’s Emergency Response Vehicle, and more!

Hot Chocolate Program

Friday, November 29 - Wednesday, December 31
Sweeten your shopping trip! Spend $25 or more at select Church Street spots and enjoy a free cup of hot chocolate at Ben & Jerry’s, Black Cap Coffee & Bakery, Burlington Bagel Bakery, or Muddy Waters. Check out the list of participating businesses by clicking here.

North Pole Express Mailboxes

November 28 – December 14 | Top Block & City Hall Block
Send your holiday wishes directly to Santa through our North Pole Express Mailboxes! Drop off your letter by Sunday, December 14, and if you include a return address, Santa will do his best to write back! You can find a mailbox in front of our Christmas tree and one in front of City Hall. No postage needed.

Small Business Saturday

Saturday, November 29
This holiday season, gift big by shopping small. Here on the Marketplace, supporting our small and local businesses isn’t just a tradition; it’s the heart of who we are. Small Business Saturday is our favorite moment to spotlight the people behind every business. Whether you're grabbing dinner at your favorite restaurant or buying your loved ones a gift, celebrate our small businesses this season and help shine a light on the amazing spots that keep the Marketplace buzzing!

Learn more!

NEW! Snowflake Hunt

Friday, November 28 – Sunday, December 21
Let the Snowflake Hunt begin! Start your adventure by picking up your Snowflake Hunt board at Homeport, then explore participating Marketplace businesses to find the hidden snowflakes. Collect a sticker at each stop, and once your board is complete, return to Homeport to claim your beautiful Vermont Santa ornament! Kids 1-12. While supplies last.

Santa Visits

Saturdays and Sundays, 10am - 2pm | November 29 – December 21 | Homeport, 52 Church St.
Say hello to Santa! Santa comes to town Saturdays and Sundays all month long to hear your wishes and pose for photos.

Kids Train

Sundays, 10am - 2pm | November 30 - December 21 | Top Block
All aboard The Big Blue Express! Kids—and kids at heart—are invited for a free holiday train ride, winding around our towering 30+ foot Christmas tree and along the Top Block of Church Street. Hop on for festive fun the whole family can enjoy!

Sing-A-Long with Linda Bassick

Saturdays | December 6 – 20 | 12pm | BCA Center, 135 Church St
Festive children’s sing-along with local favorite Linda Bassick each Saturday on the 2nd Floor of the BCA Center.

Marketplace Appreciation Week

Monday, December 1 - Sunday, December 7

This week, we’re celebrating the people who keep Church Street Marketplace running strong. The shop teams, servers, baristas, and behind-the-scenes staff who show up every day help make downtown welcoming and full of life.

Marketplace employees will receive exclusive discounts at participating businesses. As you shop, dine, or stroll, take a moment to recognize the folks who make Burlington’s downtown such a special part of our community. Here’s to our neighbors, coworkers, and friends. They are the heart of Church Street.

A full list of participating businesses and deals has been shared directly with businesses and their staff.

NEW! Postcard Club

Friday, December 5 – Friday, December 19
Another new Church Street holiday tradition starts here! The Postcard Club is popping up at Daydream Art Supply (Golden Hour’s sister shop!), inviting you to slow down and send a little snail mail joy. Pick between two holiday postcards and write a note to a loved one.

We’ll stamp it and send your real holiday magic out into the world. It’s simple, heartfelt, and new this season. Be one of the first to join the club and keep the cheer moving, one postcard at a time. While supplies last.

Holiday Window Contest

Friday, December 5 - Sunday, December 14
Who has the best holiday window display on the Marketplace? Take a stroll down the street and vote for your favorite! Pick up a card at participating businesses and vote in person. Winners will be announced the week of 12/15. Check out the list of participating businesses by clicking here.

Categories + Prizes:

Best Overall-Church Street Marketplace: $1,500 ad spend with Vermont Public
Best Overall–Side Street: One free ¼ page print ad with Seven Days
Most Creative: One month of digital ads + one ¼ page print ad with Burlington Area Newspaper Group
Most Festive: Promotional product gift set, along with a $1,000 spend with Paw Print & Mail (postage not included)

Menorah Lighting

December 14 - December 22 | 3rd Block (outside Homeport)
Celebrate Hanukkah on the Church Street Marketplace with a beautiful 9-foot Menorah on display for its duration (December 14 – December 22). Join us for a special gathering at sundown on Sunday, December 21, from 4 - 5 pm, as we come together in joy and tradition. All are welcome!