St. J. Sparkles: A Holiday Weekend of Lights, Local Shopping & Community Fun
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Welcome to the one and only St. Johnsbury, Vermont!
With a name gifted by the French Consul Hector St. Jean de Crèvecoeur and a history dating back to 1787, this gem in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom is steeped in heritage, brimming with community spirit, and ready to welcome you to one of the year’s most festive weekends!
If you’re looking for small-town magic during the holidays, mark your calendar for Friday, December 12, and Saturday, December 13, 2025. St. Johnsbury Sparkles is returning with two full days of festive events, downtown activities, family-friendly fun, and special shopping opportunities throughout the community.
From free wagon rides and live music to fireworks, model trains, makers’ markets, and Santa sightings, this annual celebration is one of the most joyful winter weekends in Vermont’s Northeast Kingdom.
I’ve gathered the full preview below so you can start planning your visit to St. Johnsbury during one of its brightest weekends of the year.
Weekend-Long Highlights
Find Your Sparkle Shop Local Rewards Program
Throughout the event weekend, purchases made at participating St. Johnsbury businesses count double toward local rewards. It’s a great reason to finish holiday shopping close to home, support small businesses, and explore downtown storefronts.
Santa Fund Toy Collection
Drop off new toys at the St. Johnsbury Fire Department and help spread cheer to local families.
Friday, December 12
5 – 8 pm
Friday night kicks off with a mix of festive outdoor fun, downtown shopping, and special events around town. Much of the action centers around the Welcome Center, but shops, galleries, studios, and gathering spaces throughout St. Johnsbury will also be open late with treats, activities, and surprises.
Welcome Center Highlights
- Free Horse-Drawn Wagon Rides
- Holiday Model Train Display
- Free hands-on activities from local groups, including Fidium Fiber, Catamount Arts, Kingdom Recovery Center & St. Johnsbury School Student Council
- Local goodies for purchase from Goodwin Family Maple and The Better Kettle
- Sparkle Outfit Competition at 7:30 pm
- Northstar Fireworks Sparkles & Fireworks Display at 8 pm
Around Town on Friday
- All Around Power 36-Hour Sale Event (begins at 8 am Friday and runs through Saturday)
- Calderwood Collective Bazaar & Open House, 4–8 PM
Psychic fair, scavenger hunt, kids’ play space, and more than 20 participating makers and shops - Catamount Arts Open Studio with Gnaomi Siemens at 560 Railroad St, 5–7 pm
- Community Sing-alongs & Hot Cocoa
- Fifth Business “Sing Out, Sing Bright” @ St. Andrews Church, 7 pm
- Lift Up Thrift Shop: free popcorn & hot cocoa, 5–8 pm
- St. Johnsbury Community Hub: crafts, singalong, The Snakeman, free cocoa, 5–8 pm
- “You’ve Got to be Kidding” Vaudeville Comedy Review @ Universalist Unitarian Church, 6 PM
And don’t forget: the fireworks show at 8 pm is free and open to all.
Saturday, December 13
All Day
Saturday is packed from morning to evening with local markets, live performances, holiday concerts, guided hikes, pet-friendly events, and more. The schedule stretches from the Welcome Center to shops, museums, churches, and cultural spaces across town.
Welcome Center Highlights
- Free Horse-Drawn Wagon Rides, 10 am–1 pm
- Quahog Dance Party, 10–11 pm
- Holiday model trains
- Free farm animal petting zoo with Morrison’s Feed Bag
- Activities from Fidium Fiber, Catamount Arts, NKHS, Kingdom Rotary Impact, Kingdom Recovery Center & SJ School Student Council
- Local food vendors, including Goodwin Family Maple, NEK Catering, Foxhill Market & The Better Kettle
Around Town on Saturday
- 802Notarize: Donate to Cub Scout Troop 007 and get free postage to mail your letter to Santa, 10 am –2 pm
- All Around Power Sale Event (continues until 8 pm)
- Calderwood Collective Bazaar & Open House with free classes and demos (details coming soon)
- Catamount Arts Open Studio with Gnaomi Siemens @ 560 Railroad St, 1–3 pm
- Clay’n Around & The Color Cafe $5 painting activity, 10 am –5:30 pm (registration encouraged)
- Craft & Vendor Event at St. Johnsbury School, 9:30 am – 2:30 pm
- Dog Mountain Howliday Party noon – 4 pm
- Fairbanks Museum self-guided winter animal scavenger hunt, 10 AM–5 PM
- Good Shepherd Catholic School Christmas Bazaar, 9 am –2 pm
- Green Mountain Broadcasters Holiday Food Drive with live broadcast at Dunkin, 10 am – 2 pm
- Highlands View Chamber Ensemble Holiday Concert at St. Andrews Church, 6 pm
- Kingdom Animal Shelter Open House, 10 am – 2 pm
- Papa Tirozzi’s Visit with Santa & Cookie-Making (registration required), 1 pm
- Meet the Artist Reception with Cathy Dellinger at Sotheby’s International Realty, 10 am – 1 pm
- St. Johnsbury Athenaeum Holiday Concert, 1 pm
- St. Johnsbury Community Hub crafts, The Snakeman, free cocoa, 10 am – 2 pm
- St. Johnsbury Players: “A Christmas Carol” Reading at Universalist Unitarian Church, 3 pm
- Guided Hike up Observatory Knob: free snowshoes & microspikes provided, 11:30 am
Plus, plenty of regional events are happening throughout the weekend if you want to explore beyond the downtown core.
Special Performances and Regional Highlights
- The Nutcracker — December 10 & 11 at Lyndon Institute
- The Tallis Scholars — December 12 at Highland Center for the Arts
Light Up the Night Parade
- Holiday vehicle parade and downtown specials in Lyndonville, 6 pm on December 12
About Discover St. Johnsbury
St. Johnsbury Sparkles is brought to life each year by Discover St. Johnsbury, formerly known as the St. Johnsbury Chamber of Commerce. Since 2002, the organization has worked to promote cultural, commercial, and community life in the town through marketing, business support, and events.
The team operates from the historic St. Johnsbury Welcome Center and is dedicated to helping visitors discover where to stay, eat, shop, and explore during their time in the Northeast Kingdom.
Plan Your Visit
Whether you’re looking for gifts, traditions to share with your family, or a festive day out in the Northeast Kingdom, St. Johnsbury Sparkles is packed with experiences that highlight community, creativity, and holiday spirit.
If you go, make time to wander the downtown streets, shop local, watch the fireworks, or sip hot cocoa while taking in the lights. It’s a wonderful way to kick off the holiday season in one of Vermont’s most historic and vibrant small towns.
Read Next: Christmas in Vermont: The Ultimate Holiday Guide for 2025
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Tara Schatz is a freelance writer and the founder and editor-in-chief of Vermont Explored and Back Road Ramblers, an American road trip blog. She is also the co-author of the 3rd edition of AMC’s Best Day Hikes in Vermont, released in May 2023, and the author of 100+ Wonderful Ways to Experience Vermont.
