Kid-Approved Vermont: Thanksgiving Week & Holiday Kickoff Fun

Holiday Tree Lightings

Nothing says “holiday season” like watching the first lights of the year sparkle to life. Check your town rec department or local downtown association — many communities host tree lightings Thanksgiving weekend, often with caroling or music, visits from Santa, hot chocolate stations, crafts and more. Here are a few over Thanksgiving break:

Friday, November 28:

• Church Street Santa Parade and Tree Lighting, 12 – 5:30pm
• Downtown Rutland Tree Lighting, 6-7pm
• Waterbury Tree Lighting, 5pm

Saturday, November 29:

• Saint Albans Hallmark in the Park, 4:30 – 7:30pm
• Stowe Tree Lighting @ Trapp Family Lodge, 1-5pm
• Manchester Holiday Tree Lighting Festivities, 5-6pm

Sunday, November 30:

• Orleans Tree Lighting Ceremony, 6-7pm

Find more tree lighting festivities throughout December: https://findandgoseek.net/holiday-fun.

Sparkling Winter Walks

If your family loves a stroll surrounded by sparkle, be sure to check out some of these curated light exhibits over the break!

Reserve tickets:

• Winter Lights @ Shelburne Museum, Shelburne, November 21 – January 5
• Forest of Lights @ VINS, Quechee, November 21 – January 3

FREE Sparkly Fun:

• City of Bridges Lantern Parade & Bridge Lighting Celebration, Montpelier, November 22, 5 – 6:30pm
• Winter Lights @ Maple Street Park, Essex Junction – November 27 - January 1, 5-8pm
• Winter Whimsical Walk @ Sand Hill Park, Essex – November 29, 4-7pm

Model Train Fun

A quintessential Vermont Thanksgiving tradition: visiting one of the state’s incredible model train setups. Kids LOVE these.

• Holiday Trains @ Henry Sheldon Museum, Middlebury – November 28 – January 3
• Holiday Model Train Display @ St. Johnsbury Welcome Center – November 28 – December 21
• Rutland Railway Museum – Open House on Saturdays, 11am – 3pm
• Northern Vermont Llama Co and Christmas Tree Farm, Waterville – find the train display in the shop while you shop for your tree! Open November 28
• Plan ahead for the Essex Junction Train Hop – December 12 and NWV Railroad Open House on December 13
• Find an amazing train model set up at Winter Lights at Shelburne Museum, too.

Tradition-making idea: Start a family tradition of making a Vermont holiday village with a vintage train set! You know your uncle has one he isn’t using. ;-) Or check out Tony’s Train Xchange in Essex Junction!

Kids want even more train fun? Check out holiday train rides like the Okemo Holiday Express, Santa Express in Manchester, Newport’s Polar Express. Tickets for these tend to sell out so grab them now!

Thanksgiving Fun Runs

Burn up some energy before the big feast! Many Vermont towns host family-friendly runs or walks on Thanksgiving morning.

Here are a few on Thanksgiving Day, November 27:

• Annual GMAA Turkey Trot 5K Food Drive, Burlington - 9am
• Killington 5K Turkey Trot - 9:30am
• Morristown Turkey Trot 5K Run – 8am
• Norwich Turkey Trot - 9am

These events often allow strollers, costumes, and sometimes even dogs! Find more on Thanksgiving Day.

Get the Wiggles Out

When the weather gets blustery and the kids need to move their bodies, Vermont has endless indoor fun. Find a full list here, or check out these ideas:

• Monkey Do in Williston for jumping, sliding, and pretend play
• Spare Time in Colchester for bowling, arcade, and laser tag
• Petra Cliffs in Burlington for rock climbing
• Wonderfeet Museum in Rutland for pretend play and exploration
• The Swimming Hole in Stowe for some pool time
• Smuggs’ FunZone 2.0 in Jeffersonville for climbing, mini golf, pretend play, and more
• Jay Peak Pumphouse for splashy warm-weather fun in winter
• Upper Valley Aquatic Center for a swim break
• New England Center for Circus Arts in Brattleboro – Check out their November Break Camp!

Holiday Shopping & Markets

The weekend after Thanksgiving is one of Vermont’s jolliest shopping experiences: lantern-lit downtowns, pop-up makers' markets, and family-friendly strolls. Check out our Holiday Gift Guide for ideas on how to shop local, and show up for Small Business Saturday, when many small shops offer deals and activities!

For festive, local fun where you can support Vermont makers, don’t miss these Holiday Markets over the Thanksgiving break:

• Local Maverick Holiday Market @ Hotel Champlain, Burlington - November 22 @ 10am-2pm
• 18th Annual St. Francis Xavier Holiday Craft Fair, Winooski – November 22, 9am – 3pm
• 2025 Stowe Free Library Holiday Book Sale Pop Up, November 28 & 29, 9am – 2pm
• Northeast Kingdom Craft Fair @ Good Shepherd Catholic School, St. Johnsbury - November 29, 9am – 2pm
• BTV Winter Market, Pine Street – November 29, 11am – 5pm

Ways to Give Back as a Family

Thanksgiving is the perfect moment to start a gratitude tradition helping neighbors in need. Here are kid-friendly ways to give back this season:

• Donate food to a local food shelf
• Participate in a clothing or winter outerwear drive
• Make cards for seniors at a nearby care home
• Help pack Thanksgiving meals with community groups
• Volunteer at holiday fun runs or turkey trots
• Contribute to a holiday toy and gift drive.

Here are a few great organizations to check out to give back:

• Feeding Champlain Valley – Food distribution, meal programs, and the Holidays Without Hunger campaign.
• Our Place Community Food Center – Food shelf, community meals, and a Holiday Basket Program.
• BROC Community Action – Community meals, food pantry, & social service resources for the Bellows Falls area.
• Milton Family Community Center – Empowering individuals and families through innovative quality services.
• Lund – Supports children, youth, and families through education, treatment, family support, and adoption
• COTS – Committee on Temporary Shelter – Emergency shelter, family housing programs, and holiday gift drive.

Giving Tip: Let kids choose the giving activity or cause — it helps build empathy and ownership.

Share Your Thanksgiving Week Fun!

FindandGoSeek loves seeing your family adventures. Tag us on Instagram @findandgoseek for a chance to be featured in our stories. We will even gift a few lucky families with two $10 arcade cards to Spare Time!

Have an event or activity we should add? Send it our way — we’re always building the most complete guide for Vermont families.