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Winter casts a spell across Vermont. For the coldest months, the Green Mountain State dons a coat of white, puffy snow. As its ski resorts fill with eager athletes and its towns glitter with enchanting upholstered lights, the holiday cheer spreads to every one of its corners. It's felt especially in the Church Street Marketplace, an award-winning pedestrian mall in the beating heart of Burlington.
For the past few years, Church Street Marketplace has routinely been voted among the best public squares in the U.S. In 2022, it won USA Today's Readers' Choice, and in 2023, it took a respectable 3rd place. Sprawling across four historical blocks in Burlington's downtown, the mall features a variety of local restaurants and businesses, showcasing the artisan crafts Vermont has to offer. Annual activities and events, such as its stunning tree lighting ceremony and its kids' train, are just some of the fun experiences to be had in Burlington.
Festive Activities To Experience In Church Street
Church Street Marketplace encompasses over 100 stores and businesses, many locally owned and operated. Just strolling along its car-free streets allows for a good deal of sightseeing. It's no wonder that over 1.5 million visitors each year. Founded in 1981, it is designated as a National Register Historic District for its historic architecture. Inspired by pedestrian districts in Copenhagen, the outdoor mall embraces a car-free space. It enjoys a relaxed, leisurely atmosphere as music and delicious smells drift through its air.
- Location: 131 Church St, Burlington, VT 05401, United States
Tree Lighting Ceremony
Burlington hosts a variety of holiday happenings. In November, the annual tree lighting ceremony takes place in the Church Street Marketplace. A holiday play and caroling event starts off the evening at 5:30 PM on the Friday after Thanksgiving each year. Afterward, 100,000 lights come to life across the marketplace, including in the branches of a 30-foot Christmas tree.
Holiday Window Contest
To go along with its shimmering exteriors, the store windows in Church Street are also decorated to celebrate the season. Visitors can vote for their favorite display. The winning shop receives a large gift basket as congratulations.
Visit Santa Claus
During the holidays, Church Street begins to resemble the North Pole. Pop-up carolers routinely fill its avenues with joyful hymns. Santa mailboxes dot its avenues in December, allowing children to send their wish lists to Old Saint Nick and potentially get a reply. They can even get a picture with Santa Claus if they catch him taking a tour of the mall.
For more ways to celebrate Christmas in Vermont, check out this guide on how to plan a budget ski trip or this list of its most scenic winter drives.
Where To Find Sweet And Savory Christmas Treats
There is no shortage of yummy treats on Church Street. Around the holidays, shopping locally at participating stores rewards customers with vouchers for free hot chocolate.
Beyond its seasonal offers, the market includes over 30 local restaurants that serve a variety of cuisines - from Asian to Italian. Popular venues include Pascolo Ristorante (83 Church Street), which offers an Italian fine dining experience, and Honey Road (156 Church Street), which is famous for its Eastern Mediterranean dishes. Additionally, cart vendors sell a variety of snacks, including crêpes at the Skinny Pancake Cart and Turkish kebabs at the Café Istanbul Cart.
Its drink menu includes local brews at Black Cap Coffee & Beer of Vermont (42 Church Street), freshly-pressed juices at Thorn + Roots (92 Church Street), and whiskey in at the cozy, reconstructed Ri Ra the Irish Pub (123 Church Street).
For a sweeter selection, make a stop at Ben & Jerry's (36 Church Street) or Lake Champlain Chocolates (65 Church Street).
Christmas Shopping For Those On The Nice List
Unique shops are a staple of Church Street Marketplace. While plenty of name brands do make an appearance within its perimeter, the area is better known for its locally-owned stores. Handmade jewelry retailers, adorable boutiques, and craft stores ensure that the region's talent is highlighted. As a result, there is no shortage of one-of-a-kind gifts to be found.
Parking is available at multiple garages and on-street locations. Free parking is available on-street, in the Marketplace Garage, and in the Downtown Garage on Sundays and holidays. At other times, parking is free for 2 hours at the Lakeview/College Garage. Visitors must use ParkMobile to check-in.
The Crow Bookshop
The Crow Bookshop is a must-see on Church Street and a particular favorite among tourists and locals. Quaint and quirky, it features a variety of genres for children and adults. Its shelves brim with a wide variety of new and used literary works, ensuring that everyone from the casual creative to the passionate bookworm can find a special present.
- Location: 14 Church Street, Burlington, Vermont 05401
- Hours: Sunday - Thursday, 10:00 AM - 8:00 PM; Friday - Saturday, 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM