Top Five Holiday Traditions for Vermont Families
Vermont in December is a snow globe come to life: twinkle lights glowing against the snow, cozy small towns bustling with cheer, and special traditions families look forward to all year. When you’re raising kids in the Green Mountain State, the holidays aren’t just a season — they’re a memory-making playground.
These five much-loved Vermont holiday traditions are perfect for building joy, slowing down, and celebrating the season together. And the best part? They’re all kid-approved, parent-loved, and found right here in your backyard.
Basking in Magical Lights
Vermont’s long winter nights shine bright with family-friendly light installations and glowing adventures. These events transform dark December evenings into pure wonder.
Favorite Vermont Light Experiences:
- Winter Lights @ Shelburne Museum — The museum campus comes to life with twinkling lights gracing buildings, trees and the most magical – the Ticonderoga! A model train awaits families that want to warm up! Open through January 5.
- Forest of Lights @ VINS — Wander illuminated woodland trails, warm up by a campfire, and feel like you stepped into a magical winter forest. Open through January 3.
- Winter Lights @ Maple Street Park – Take a free stroll through the festive park and kids can even drop letters off for the North Pole! Open through January 1.
- Spark the Park @ Veteran’s Memorial Park – Join the kickoff event December 5 or stroll the park lights an evening through January 6.
- Dino Lights @ the Montshire Museum of Science – As darkness descends in December, our herd of friendly dinosaurs is ready to light up the night! Open through January 10.
- Nighttime Magic @ Santa’s Land - Experience this classic roadside attraction and walk through a landscape of lights in the Santa Land forest. Open weekends through December 27.
- Beary Magical Lights Adventure @ Vermont Teddy Bear - This holiday season, the Teddy Bear Factory transforms into a glowing winter paradise. Saturdays through January 31.
- Holiday Lights @ the Joseph Smith Birthplace Memorial - A local treasure of a light display - free and open through New Year's Day.
Parent moment: Watch your child’s sparkly under the glowing lights — pure enchantment.
Cutting Your Own Christmas Tree
The hunt for “the one” is a classic Vermont tradition. Kids love tromping through the fields, pointing out their favorites, and watching the tree get bundled up for home. Many local farms add treats, wagon rides, animal encounters, and warm drinks. Bundle up and make it a full family outing.
Find Parent-Rated, Five-Star Vermont Christmas Tree Farms - Explore a full list.
Tip for families: Bring a sled — perfect for hauling both trees and tired toddlers.
Santa Sightings
Vermont offers some of the coziest Santa experiences around — from workshops and breakfasts to charming meet-and-greets. Here are just a few Santa events to add to your list:
- Santa Weekend in Dorset Village – December 5-7 – Meet with Santa, enjoy hot cocoa, and create a souvenir ornament!
- Santa Visits @ Church Street Marketplace - Saturdays and Sunday through December 21 - Kick off the Snowflake scavenger hunt when you stop by!
- Sundays with Santa @ Hotel Champlain – December 7 and 21 – Bring a pantry item or toy to donate and capture festive photos and a delightful treat.
- Breakfast with Santa at The Essex Resort – December 21 - A festive morning with Santa, stories, delicious food, and great photo ops in a beautifully decorated setting.
- Meet Mrs. Claus in Montpelier – December 6 – A gentle, calm photo opportunity, this is perfect for babies and toddlers.
Find more Santa sightings here.
Attending a Holiday Show
Holiday performances bring warmth and nostalgia to the season, and Vermont’s arts community delivers beautifully. These shows are perfect for introducing kids to live theater or simply enjoying a cozy night out together.
Vermont Holiday Shows for Families:
- A Christmas Carol @ Town Hall Theatre in Middlebury – December 5-7 & 11-13
- A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story @ Lost Nation Theatre in Montpelier – December 7
- The Nutcracker @ The Lyndon Institute – December 11
- Elan Ballet Theatre Presents Clara Dreams@ Spruce Peak Arts in Stowe – December 12 & 13
- St. Johnsbury Players Present "A Christmas Carol" in St. Jay – December 13
- Vermont's Own Nutcracker @ The Flynn in Burlington – December 20 & 21
Why they’re kid-approved: Shows often run under two hours and include family-friendly activities before or after.
Meeting Magical Creatures
This is where Vermont goes full storybook. Families can meet real reindeer (yes, like the ones who might be on duty Christmas Eve) or say hello to friendly sled dogs excited for winter adventures.
Where to Find Holiday Creatures in Vermont:
- Reindeer Live @ ECHO – December 13 and 27 - Learn more about what makes reindeer well-suited for flying through cold, snowy weather!
- Reindeer Rendezvous in Waterbury Village – December 14 – See real live reindeer before they go to the North Pole to help Santa. Bonus: NYT best-selling author Matt Tavares will be there to sign his Dasher books, including his newest, Dasher and the Polar Bear!
- Vermont Reindeer Visit @ Smugglers' Notch Resort – December 24 - Meet Dasher & Cupid and the “reindeer keepers”.
- Sled Dogs Live @ ECHO – December 29 - Kids love these gentle, fluffy ambassadors of winter.
Parent bonus: These create adorable holiday photos.
Why These Traditions Matter
Holiday traditions anchor our families. They slow us down, get us outside, fill our homes with stories kids will remember forever, and connect us to our Vermont communities. Whether it’s the smell of fresh pine, the glow of lights, or the joy of meeting Santa’s four-legged helpers, these moments build the holiday magic we carry with us year after year.
Find More Vermont Holiday Fun
Looking for even more light displays, Santa sightings, holiday shows, and seasonal events for kids?
Browse the full list of holiday events, here: https://findandgoseek.net/holiday-fun
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