Holidays on the Marketplace

Home for the Holidays

The Marketplace is your one-stop destination for all the holiday magic. With 100+ small businesses, free hot chocolate, visits with Santa, 100,000 illuminated lights, and so much more, the festive spirit is abundant! Find all you'll need to know about Holidays on the Marketplace below. 

Santa Parade & Tree Lighting Ceremony

Friday, November 29, 2024
Parade 12pm, starting at City Hall
Tree Lighting Ceremony 5:15pm

Immerse yourself in the holiday spirit by joining us for the much-anticipated annual Santa Parade! Feel the excitement build as the parade takes off from City Hall, including local favorites such as Aero the Griffin, Rally Cat, CHAMP!, and Santa Claus! Following the parade, Santa will be entertaining visitors at the Snowflake Station until 4pm on this extra-special day. In the spirit of giving, our presenting sponsor, Xfinity, will be spreading extra cheer by handing out festive antlers to parade-goers! Revel in the magic as we move up Church Street.

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. Thank you to Xfinity, our 2024 Santa Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony presenting sponsor.

Santa Claus is Coming to Town

Visit Santa
Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays | November 30 – December 22, 2024 | Snowflake Station, 17 Church St.
Say hello to Santa! Santa comes to town Fridays through Sundays all month long to hear your wishes and pose for photos. Visit Santa at the NEW Snowflake Station located at 17 Church Street on Fridays from 4 to 8pm, and on Saturdays & Sundays from 11am to 3 pm.

North Pole Express Mailboxes
Send a letter to Santa at one of our North Pole Express Mailboxes! One mailbox can be found in City Hall Park starting November 15, and another will be on the Top Block of Church Street starting December 3. Drop off your letter by Monday, December 16, and if you include a return address, Santa will do his best to get back to you! No postage is required.

Kids Train

Sundays | December 1 – December 22, 2024 | Top Block | 11am – 3pm
All aboard! Kids can enjoy a free train ride on The Big Blue Express for a festive tour around our 30+ foot Christmas tree and the full Top Block of Church Street. Hop on for festive fun the whole family can enjoy!

Sled Dogs

Sunday, December 15 | 11am-1pm | 3rd Block (outside Homeport)
Meet the friendly, energetic Siberian Husky sled dogs! Stop by for some furry fun and don’t miss this paws-itively delightful experience!

FREE Hot Chocolate

Friday, November 29 - Tuesday, December 31
Participating Church Street stores will give out free hot chocolate coupons with purchases of $25 or more! Check out the list of participating businesses by clicking here.

Small Business Saturday

Saturday, November 30
To celebrate, we'll be sharing Church Street businesses' posts and products all day long on social media. Follow along, tag us in your posts, and join us in celebrating these incredible small businesses on the marketplace! #smallbusinesssaturday

Holiday Window Contest

Friday, December 6 - Sunday, December 15 | Online & In person
Who has the best holiday window display on the Marketplace? Take a stroll down the street and vote for your favorite display! Categories include “Best Overall - Church Street Marketplace,” “Best Overall – Side Street,” “Most Creative,” and “Most Festive.” Visitors can vote online, or pick up a card at participating businesses or at the Snowflake Station at 17 Church St and vote in person. And guess what?! In-person votes count as much as FIVE online votes!

Winners will be announced the week of December 16. Thank you City Market, Jasper Hill Farm, and Haymaker Bun Co. for providing the amazing prizes!

NEW! Festive Fridays

Fridays | November 29, December 6, December 13, and December 20
Join us each Friday during the holiday season while stores stay open late. Stop by the Snowflake Station at 17 Church Street to get your gifts wrapped, grab a hot drink, and visit Santa!

• Caroling on the Marketplace:
  • Friday, December 13 at 4pm: Burlington High School Chamber Choir
• Rotating non-profit wrapping gifts at the Snowflake Station. Suggested donation of $2-$5.
  • Friday, December 6 with Turning Point
  • Friday, December 13 with Chittenden Humane Society
  • Friday, December 20 with Miss Vermont
• Stores open late! See the list of stores open until 8pm below:
  • Ake’s Place
  • Asiana Noodle Shop
  • Ben & Jerry's
  • Burlington Paint and Sip Studio
  • Church Street Tavern
  • CVS
  • Dear Lucy
  • EB Strong’s Prime Steakhouse
  • ECCO Clothes
  • Fatface
  • Float On
  • Flora & Fauna
  • Gaku Ramen
  • Golden Hour Gift Co
  • Halvorson’s Upstreet Cafe
  • Harbour Thread
  • Homeport
  • Honey Road
  • Insomnia Cookies
  • Ken’s Pizza and Pub
  • Kiss the Cook
  • Lake Champlain Chocolates
  • Leunig’s Bistro & Cafe
  • Maven
  • Outdoor Gear Exchange
  • Pascolo Ristorante
  • Pokeworks
  • Ri Ra Irish Pub
  • Saratoga Olive Oil
  • Ten Thousand Villages
  • Tradewinds
  • Whim

*Open until 7pm:

• Bertha Church Intimates
• Black Cap Coffee & Bakery
• Frog Hollow
• Phoenix Books
• The Store
• Vermont Distillers & Smugglers' Notch Distillery
• Vermont Flannel Company

Menorah Lighting

December 25, 2024 - January 2, 2025 | 3rd Block (outside Homeport)
Celebrate Hannukah on the Church Street Marketplace with a beautiful 9-foot Menorah on display for the duration (December 25-January 2). Join us for a special gathering at sundown on Tuesday, December 31, 2024, as we come together in joy and tradition. All are welcome!