Winter Holiday Guide 2025
❄️ Can't-miss holiday fun throughout the Northeast kingdom
Winters in Vermont's Northeast Kingdom are as idyllic as they come. Against the backdrop of snow-capped rolling hills you'll find streets filled with holiday fun! From concerts, choruses & karaokes to films, festivals, and feasts - this guide will connect you to it all!
Use the links below to view events week by week and be sure to check back in regularly as we continue to update this page.
Jump to Week of December 1st through December 6th
Week of December 1st through December 6th
Friday, December 5th 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Danville Village, US-2 & Peacham Rd, Danville, VT 05828, USA
Come celebrate the holidays with our local businesses and community organizations while you enjoy holiday treats, caroling, business open houses, pics with Santa, crafts and the Tree Lighting at the gazebo.
Starting at 5pm, join us at the Town Green Gazebo for carolers and our tree/gazebo lighting! Afterwards, be sure to check out all the stops along the stroll for crafts, food, drinks and fun.
North Country Chorus Holiday Concert - MESSIAH
Friday, December 5th 7:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Wells River Congregational Church, 76 Main Street North, Wells River, VT 05081, USA
The North Country Chorus sings Handel’s Messiah in their annual holiday concert. Accompanied by a chamber ensemble, the 80 voices in the North Country Chorus are directed by Alan Rowe. Admission by donation.
Composed in 1741 by George Frideric Handel, Messiah is one of the best-known and most frequently performed choral works in Western music. It was first performed in Dublin in April the following year and received its London premiere a year later. The North Country Chorus has sung Messiah periodically in its 78-year history, the last performance being six years ago.
Saturday, December 6th 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Island Pond Country Market & Deli, 99 Cross Street, Island Pond, VT 05846, USA
Fuel up for a magical weekend! The Island Pond Country Market & Deli is offering a full Christmas breakfast on Saturday, December 6 from 8:00am - 10:00am. Enjoy eggs, meat, toast, potato, and beverage for just $9.99.
North Country Chorus Holiday Concert - MESSIAH
Saturday, December 6th 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
United Community Church, 1325 Main Street, St Johnsbury, VT 05819, USA
The North Country Chorus sings Handel’s Messiah in their annual holiday concert. Accompanied by a chamber ensemble, the 80 voices in the North Country Chorus are directed by Alan Rowe. Admission by donation.
Saturday, December 6th 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Main Street, Brighton, VT 05846, USA
Experience Holiday Magic at the annual Island Pond Tree Lighting! Enjoy hot chocolate and cookies, provided by Brighton Recreation, the GIANT stocking give-away, donated by Gervais ACE, sugar cookie-decorating and cocoa, courtesy of the Island Pond Country Inn, and a good ol' fashioned singalong in the warmth of firepits. Santa will be catching a ride with Brighton Fire Department, just in time to light the tree.
Holiday Lighted Wine Bottle Paint & Sip
Saturday, December 6th 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
American Legion Brighton Post 80 Auxiliary, 60 Railroad Street, Island Pond, VT 05846, USA
American Legion Brighton Post 80 Auxiliary is excited to host a holiday paint & sip ! Come paint a snowman or gnome lighted wine bottle. $35 per person, includes one wine bottle, lighted cork, and painting and sealing supplies with light instruction. Must reserve your seat with Betsy Choquette in Facebook Messenger or text 802-673-9899. PayPal or Venmo accepted to hold your spot! Appetizers provided by the Auxiliary, donations accepted. Cash bar for purchasing wine, beer, or cocktails.
Saturday, December 6th 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Essex House & Tavern, 138 Cross Street, Island Pond, VT 05846, USA
Time to dig out your ugliest sweater and tune up your pipes. Ugly Sweater Karaoke is back at the Essex House & Tavern! Join the fun on Saturday, December 6, starting at 7:30pm. The annual contest for Ugliest Sweater, Best Performance, and the Grand Prize - Best Performance IN an Ugly Sweater - starts at 9:00pm. The event is open to all ages. Let's show the new owners of the Essex House how merry and cheery ugly can be!
Week of December 7th through December 13th
North Country Chorus Holiday Concert - MESSIAH
Sunday, December 7th 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Peacham Congregational Church, 56 Church St, Peacham, VT 05862, USA
The North Country Chorus sings Handel’s Messiah in their annual holiday concert. Accompanied by a chamber ensemble, the 80 voices in the North Country Chorus are directed by Alan Rowe. Admission by donation.
‘Tis the Season—Music and Readings with Kingdom Mountain Dulcimers
Wednesday, December 10th 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM
St. Johnsbury Athenaeum, 1171 Main St.
Join us for music and poetry for the holiday season. The Kingdom Mountain Dulcimers play seasonal music including sing-along carols, and Reeve Lindbergh and Dakota Butterfield read poetry by Susan Cooper, Robert Frost, and Glover poet Burt Porter. The Friends of the Athenaeum will provide refreshments. This event is free, ADA accessible, and open to the public.
VT Symphony Brass Quintet & Counterpoint Chorus
Friday, December 12th 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
United Church of Newport, 63 3rd Street, Newport, VT 05855, USA
VT Symphony’s annual tour of festive brass and vocal music with Counterpoint Chorus returns to Newport for the holiday season. The evening includes carols such as Silent Night, Deck the Halls and The First Nowell, and a focus on compositions by Vermont composer Erik Nielsen alongside works of Moses Hogan, and a world premiere by Music-COMP Vermont high school student. The Halcyon Choral of St. Johnsbury joins in as special guest performers!
St. J Sparkles! Holiday Weekend
Friday, December 12th 5:00 PM - Saturday, December 13th 2:00 PM
St. Johnsbury Welcome Center & All Around Town, 51 Depot Square, St Johnsbury, VT 05819, USA
Experience St. Johnsbury sparkle and shine during the holidays with seasonal fun on the evening of Friday, December 12 and all day long on Saturday, December 13.
Featured activities include horse drawn wagon rides, giveaways and shop local promotions, hot cocoa, kids crafts & activities, holiday performances, toy & food drives, and more all throughout the event.
Friday night don't miss the Sparkle Outfit Competition at 7:30pm, and Northstar Fireworks display at 8pm.
Saturday features family-friendly activities at the Welcome Center from 10am - 2pm, and lots more all around town, including visits from Santa!
Make sure to check the event website for the full lineup of activities: www.discoverstjohnsbury.com/stjsparkles
Holiday Family Fun & Movie Night
Saturday, December 13th 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Danville School Gym, 148 Peacham Road, Danville, VT 05828, USA
Sponsored by the Danville PTG this Holiday Family Fun and Movie Night is sure to delight! The event is free to attend but the PTG will be accepting donations. FREE admission, popcorn and hot chocolate. Located in the Danville School Gym at 148 Peacham Road.
3-5pm: Bounce house, holiday games (bowling, bean bag toss, holiday twister and others), crafts, face painting, and more! Dinner will be available for purchase from Lady Shaye including her famous Mac & cheese.
5-7pm: Featured film is
The Grinch.
Handel’s Messiah at the Haskell Opera House
Saturday, December 13th 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Haskell Opera House, 93 Caswell Avenue, Derby, VT 05830, USA
Burlington Baroque presents the oratorio MESSIAH, Georg Frideric Handel’s timeless baroque masterpiece for the holiday season at the historic Haskell Opera House in Derby, Vermont.
In an extraordinary collaboration of professional performers from both sides of the border, the Burlington Baroque Festival singers will be joined by Montréal’s two-time Juno Award-winning period-instrument orchestra L’Harmonie des saisons, and internationally acclaimed vocal soloists.
The audience is offered the rare opportunity to experience MESSIAH as it was first conceived by Handel and heard in the 18th century. The Haskell Opera House offers the acoustically perfect, intimate venue for this revelatory performance.
Week of December 14th through December 20th
Sunday, December 14th 3:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Essex House and Tavern, 138 Cross Street, Island Pond, VT 05846, USA
It's time to start thinking about our Holiday tables! Join Brighton Recreation, 802 Wreaths, and the Essex House and Tavern for a fun-filled afternoon assembling your holiday centerpiece. Price ($38) includes materials and instructions. Beverages and food purchases are separate. Limit 25 participants - so sign up now at https://brightonrecreationvt.org/holiday/
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