Experience the Holidays Vermont-Style on Burlington’s Church Street Marketplace (2026 Guide)
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The holidays are here, and there’s only one place to be: Burlington, Vermont’s Church Street Marketplace.
If your Vermont holiday wish list includes sipping hot cocoa while wandering among dazzling lights, shopping for one-of-a-kind gifts, and mingling with a community of merrymakers, then Church Street is the place to be.
Each year, the Church Street Marketplace transforms into Vermont’s holiday hub, and there’s no better way to embrace the season.
Holidays on Church Street at a Glance
- Season kickoff Friday, November 27, 2026: Santa Parade at noon, tree lighting at 6 pm
- Festive Fridays November 27 and December 4, 11, and 18, with shops open until 8 pm
- Santa at Homeport Sundays, 10 am to 2 pm, November 29 to December 20
- Plan for An overnight. It’s a three-hour drive from my home in Bennington, so I look at this as a weekend getaway.
- Parking Two free hours at the Downtown Garage with ParkMobile; free everywhere on Sundays
- Dog-friendly? Dogs are welcome on the street, but not in every shop. I leave mine home for this one unless we’re staying outdoors.
Last checked by Tara: November 2026
Tara’s take
Don’t just show up at 6 pm for the lights. Get downtown a few hours before the tree lighting, make a dinner reservation, and spend the afternoon meandering and window shopping. And unless you live nearby, make it an overnight.
The Holidays Are Back on Church Street in Burlington
Nothing quite compares to the moment the holiday season returns to Church Street Marketplace.
One minute you’re walking downtown in your fall jacket, mourning the loss of the leaves on the trees, and the next the whole street seems to glow with twinkling lights, evergreen garlands, and that unmistakable Burlington buzz.
I try to make it to Church Street at least once during December (it’s a long drive from Bennington), and every year it reminds me why this place feels like the heart of Vermont’s holiday spirit.
This year, the Marketplace once again transforms into a full-blown winter wonderland, with sparkling lights, festive events, local shopping, and special moments that make the season memorable.
Whether you’re planning a family outing, a cozy date, or a day of gift-gathering, downtown Burlington is rolling out the red carpet for the holidays.
Celebrate Local This Season
Church Street has always championed local small businesses, and the holidays are the perfect time to show them some love.
With more than 100 shops, restaurants, and small businesses lining the Marketplace’s four pedestrian blocks, many of them locally owned, your holiday shopping can do a lot of good here.
Grab a cozy dinner, find a Vermont-made treasure for someone on your list, or spend the afternoon exploring boutiques you haven’t visited in a while.
2026 Church Street Holiday Schedule
2026 Holiday Events on Church Street
| Date | Event | Time | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 23 – Dec 20 | Love Burlington: Get Rewarded (spend $50, get a perk) | Business hours | 40+ participating businesses |
| Fri, Nov 27 | Santa Parade | Noon | Starts at City Hall |
| Fri, Nov 27 | Tree Lighting Ceremony | Carols at 5:15 pm, lights at 6 pm | Top Block |
| Nov 27 – Dec 20 | Holiday Window Contest (vote by QR code) | Anytime | Participating storefronts |
| Nov 27 – Dec 20 | Snowflake Hunt (ages 1–12) | 11 am – 3 pm | Start at Homeport, 52 Church St |
| Nov 27 – Dec 13 | North Pole Express Mailboxes | Anytime | Top Block and City Hall Block |
| Nov 27 – Dec 31 | Postcard Club | Store hours | Daydream Art Supply, 34 Church St |
| Sat, Nov 28 | Small Business Saturday | All day | The whole Marketplace |
| Sundays, Nov 29 – Dec 20 | Santa visits and free Kids Train | 10 am – 2 pm | Homeport and Top Block |
| Nov 30 – Dec 6 | Marketplace Appreciation Week | All week | Participating businesses |
| Fri, Dec 4 | Festive Friday: Sweet Stroll | 5 – 7 pm | Participating shops |
| Dec 4 – 12 | Menorah display (gathering Thu, Dec 10, 4:30 pm) | All day | Leahy Block, outside Homeport |
| Sat, Dec 5 | Krampus Walk | 7 pm | Starts at City Hall Block |
| Fri, Dec 11 | Festive Friday: Not So Silent Night | 4 – 8 pm | Along the Marketplace |
| Fri, Dec 11 Sat, Dec 12 | BTV Winter Market | Friday 4–8 pm & Saturday 11 am–5 pm | City Hall |
| Fri, Dec 18 | Festive Friday: Light Up the Night | Fun Run 5:30 pm, Light Parade 6 pm | Along the Marketplace |
| Sat, Dec 19 | Tuba Christmas | 1 pm | Leahy Block, outside Homeport |
The traditions you know and love are back this year: the Tree Lighting Ceremony, the Santa Parade, the Holiday Window Contest, live music, and plenty of old-fashioned merriment.
Last year’s newcomers are back too: the Postcard Club, a playful snowflake hunt for kids, and Festive Fridays with a fresh theme each week.
If you’re like me and love wandering the Marketplace with no real agenda, consider this your invitation to let the lights, music, and events guide your Church Street adventures.
Below are the major highlights to help you plan your visit.
Santa Parade and Tree Lighting: Santa, Sparkle, and the Big Ol’ Tree
Friday, November 27, 2026
I am a sucker for every town Christmas tree in Vermont, and I especially love the giant tree at the top of Church Street! Come see it come to life, but first, Santa.
The holiday season officially begins with the beloved Santa Parade at noon, starting at City Hall. Expect Santa himself, along with Champ, Miss Vermont, Miss Black USA, Miss Vermont’s Teen, and a whole cast of local characters, community members, and Marketplace businesses spreading joy through downtown.
After the parade, Santa will greet families at Homeport until 4 pm.
The annual Tree Lighting Ceremony brings everyone back together at the top of the Marketplace starting at 5:15 pm with carols and a performance of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas. At 6 pm, the 30-foot-plus tree comes to life with 100,000 lights; it’s magic, I tell ya, no matter how many times you’ve seen it.
Friday Nights Filled With Holiday Cheer
November 27, December 4, December 11, and December 18 | Shops open until 8 pm
The Church Street Marketplace is the place to be on Friday evenings starting after Thanksgiving.
Every Friday, Church Street businesses stay open late, and the Marketplace fills with lights, music, and themed activities. It’s the perfect start to your weekend: stroll, shop, and sample local treats.
December 4: Sweet Stroll (5 to 7 pm)
Sample treats from participating shops as you work your way down the street. Suggestion: Wear your stretchy holiday pants.
December 11: Not So Silent Night (4 to 8 pm)
Local choirs and a cappella groups fill the Marketplace with holiday harmonies, and many stores stay open until 8 pm.
December 18: Light Up the Night
Join RunVermont for a colorful Fun Run at 5:30 pm (register on RunSignUp), followed by a glowing Light Parade at 6 pm. Suggestion: Watch for SD Ireland’s lit-up cement mixer, which is as delightful as it sounds.
More Holiday Magic (Yes, Church Street is Outdoing Itself)
Love Burlington: Get Rewarded
From November 23 to December 20, spend $50 or more at any Burlington-based business, then bring your receipt to one of more than 40 participating businesses for a discount, deal, or perk. One receipt gets you one reward.
North Pole Express Mailboxes
Kids can mail letters to Santa between November 27 and December 13. Drop off a letter at the mailbox on the Top Block or the City Hall Block (no postage necessary).
Small Business Saturday: November 28
Celebrate the businesses that make Burlington’s downtown so unique by choosing to shop small this season.
Family Fun on the Marketplace
Snowflake Hunt: November 27 – December 20, 11 am to 3 pm
Kids ages 1–12 can pick up a Snowflake Hunt board at Homeport (52 Church Street), collect a sticker at each participating business, and bring the completed board back to Homeport for an ornament, while supplies last.
Santa Visits: Sundays, November 29 – December 20
Find Santa at Homeport from 10 am to 2 pm for photos and holiday wishes.
Kids Train: Sundays, November 29 – December 20, 10 am to 2 pm
Hop on the train for a free ride around the tree and along the top block of Church Street.
A Week of Local Love
Marketplace Appreciation Week: November 30 – December 6
This is a time to acknowledge the shop teams, baristas, hosts, servers, and behind-the-scenes staff who keep the Marketplace thriving.
Many businesses will offer exclusive employee discounts, and visitors are encouraged to say thank you to their neighbors, friends, and community members as they shop and dine downtown.
Snail Mail Magic Arrives: The Postcard Club
November 27 – December 31
Stop by Daydream Art Supply (34 Church Street) to choose one of two holiday postcards and write a note to someone special, while supplies last.
Menorah Lighting
December 4–12 | Leahy Block, outside Homeport
A nine-foot menorah will be on display throughout Hanukkah, with a community gathering at sundown on Thursday, December 10, starting at 4:30 pm.
Other Seasonal Events
The holiday season brings even more festivities to Burlington, including the Krampus Walk (Saturday, December 5, at 7 pm, starting at the City Hall Block), Tuba Christmas (Saturday, December 19, at 1 pm outside Homeport), and the BTV Winter Market at City Hall (Friday, December 11 & Saturday, December 12 | Friday 4–8 pm & Saturday 11 am–5 pm)
If you’re planning a visit to Burlington this winter, set aside time for Church Street Marketplace. Whether your tradition is sipping hot chocolate while window shopping, attending the tree lighting every year, or simply walking the blocks wrapped in holiday glow, this season is worth savoring.
The magic is back, and it’s waiting for you on Church Street.
Where to Stay Near Church Street
Burlington is a three-hour drive from my house in Bennington, so I always make Church Street an overnight. Here are my favorite places to stay, all within walking distance of the tree.
Tara’s pick: Dog-friendly
Hotel Vermont
My favorite place to stay in Burlington, and an easy walk back from the tree lighting when you’d rather not drive home in the dark.
- 41 Cherry Street, Burlington
- Dogs: Yes
Dog-friendly
Hotel Champlain
The lakefront hotel formerly known as the Hilton, reborn as Hotel Champlain, about a 7-minute walk up the hill to Church Street.
- 60 Battery Street, Burlington
- Dogs: Yes, up to 75 lbs; $75 per stay for 1 to 4 nights
Dog-friendly
Hilton Garden Inn Burlington Downtown
On the corner of Main and Pine, a couple of minutes from the bottom of Church Street, with an indoor pool for the kids.
- 101 Main Street, Burlington
- Dogs: Yes, fee applies
Parking and Getting Around
Parking downtown during the holidays is easier than its reputation. The Downtown Garage (enter from College Street) gives you the first two hours free, but only if you start a session in the ParkMobile app, which may add a small fee.
Sundays and city holidays are free at every city-owned garage and meter, so a Sunday visit with Santa and the kids train is a thrifty move.
The Marketplace Garage is closest to Church Street and fills up first, so on Festive Fridays and the night of the tree lighting, I’d head straight to the Downtown Garage and enjoy the short walk under the lights.
For real-time updates, check the Marketplace’s Parking Page before heading out.
Church Street Holiday FAQ
When is the Church Street tree lighting in 2026?
The tree lighting is Friday, November 27, 2026, the day after Thanksgiving, at the top of Church Street. Carols and a performance of ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas start at 5:15 pm, and the 100,000 lights switch on at 6 pm. It happens rain, shine, or snow.
What time is the Burlington Santa Parade?
The Santa Parade starts at noon on November 27 at City Hall. Afterward, Santa visits with families at Homeport until 4 pm.
When can kids see Santa on Church Street?
Santa is at Homeport (52 Church Street) on Sundays from 10 am to 2 pm, November 29 through December 20, plus the afternoon of the parade. The free Kids Train runs on the Top Block during the same Sunday hours.
When should I arrive for the tree lighting?
Get downtown a few hours early. Make a dinner reservation, wander the Marketplace, and do some window shopping before the carols start at 5:15 pm and the lights come on at 6 pm.
Is parking free in downtown Burlington during the holidays?
The Downtown Garage gives you the first two hours free if you start a session in the ParkMobile app. Parking at all city-owned garages and meters is free on Sundays and city holidays.
Are dogs allowed on Church Street Marketplace?
Yes. Dogs are welcome on the pedestrian mall, but not in every shop, so ask staff before you walk in. I leave my dogs home for the holiday events unless we’re staying outdoors.
Is there a menorah lighting on Church Street?
A nine-foot menorah stands on the Leahy Block, outside Homeport, from December 4 to 12, 2026. The community gathering is at sundown on Thursday, December 10, starting at 4:30 pm.
Read Next: Christmas in Vermont: The Ultimate Holiday Guide for 2026
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