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Weather & Weekend Rundown:
Happy Friday, Burlington. If the morning felt a bit rowdy, you weren't imagining things. Heavy rain rolled through late morning and early afternoon, dropping anywhere from half an inch to an inch and a half. The good news: rivers should stay below flood stage unless ice jams throw a wrench in things. The less convenient news: temperatures are crashing this evening, and that rain is flipping to snow. The mountains could see a few inches by Saturday morning, and any standing water on roads may freeze once the mercury dips below 32, so keep an eye out for slick spots. The weekend shapes up quieter, with some Saturday morning sunshine giving way to clouds and a few flurries Sunday. Expect highs in the 30s. Monday turns properly cold, lows in the teens, but a Tuesday snow event could build the snowpack nicely and improve our odds for a White Christmas.
Now for the good stuff: your Friday night options are borderline overwhelming. Church Street kicks off Festive Friday: Light Up the Night from 4 to 8 PM, featuring a fun run at 5:30 (dress bright) and a Light Parade at 6 PM with decorated trucks from SD Ireland, Milton Rental, Burlington PD, and more. Over at First Congregational Church on South Winooski, Jingle Jam with Grace Palmer & Friends runs 6:30 to 8:30 PM, a donation based, all ages holiday show with raffle prizes and a hot chocolate bar benefiting JUMP. If you're in the mood for live Americana, The Rustics play at St. John's Club in Lakeside from 6 to 8 PM, covering the Dead, Van Morrison, John Prine, and more. Pub food available, open to the public.
The self care minded among us should head to Kula in South Burlington for Warm-Up & Recharge, a yoga, sauna, and dance party combo running until 10 PM with live DJ sets and a pop up sauna trailer. Meanwhile, J Skis on Main Street hosts their Ugly Sweater Party & Mogul Masher Launch from 6 to 9 PM. Higher Ground has a double header tonight: Adam Ezra Group with Griffin William Sherry at the main venue and Chmura & Duffrey at the Showcase Lounge, both at 7:30 PM. The Venetian Soda Lounge welcomes EmaLou & The Beat at 8 PM for their holiday album release show. And Town Meeting TV's Winter Celebration runs 4 to 6 PM at 294 North Winooski Ave if you want to mingle with local media makers. Before the evening sets in, catch the Skida Flagship Shop Night at 6:30 PM for 15% off (plus an extra 5% if you bring a nonperishable food item). And don't miss the final day of the Snail Mail Magic Postcard Club at Daydream Art Supply, where you can send a handwritten holiday postcard with a stamp provided.
Saturday brings a packed slate. Start the morning at the Winooski Food Shelf from 9 to 11 AM, where they're distributing turkeys and fixings for holiday meals. Kula hosts a Community Gift Swap from 8 AM to 2 PM (bring a gently loved item for free entry). The Old North End Repair Cafe at Laboratory B runs 11 AM to 3 PM, fixing everything from small appliances to clothing for free. The South End Art Hop folks open their new digs at 400 Pine Street for the 'Last Minute' Market from 11 AM to 5 PM, featuring 30 vendors. Down in South Burlington, Spark the Park Hot Chocolate Night lights up Market Street from 5 to 7 PM, courtesy of NorthCountry Federal Credit Union. The Family Series at City Hall offers ornament making and cookie decorating from 5 to 7 PM. Sisters of Anarchy in Shelburne holds a Holiday Open House from 10 AM to 4 PM with free hot cocoa and s'mores by the fire pit. The South Burlington Community Chorus performs The Boar's Head, a carol celebration in the Anglican tradition, at the Elley-Long Music Center in Colchester at 7:30 PM. At The Venetian, South End's Speakeasy Drag & Burlesque Show starts at 8 PM. Over at True Value Village Hardware, Passion 4 Paws hosts a holiday adoption event starting at 11 AM. And for the adventurous, Submit Yourself to Glorious Noise at Community of Sound at 7 PM showcases experimental and noise artists from across New England.
Sunday rounds out the weekend nicely. The 3rd Annual New North End Holiday Market at Robert Miller Community Center runs 10 AM to 3 PM with 40 local makers, plus a food drive for North End Food Pantry. The Holiday Farmers Market at Winooski Senior Center goes 10 AM to 2 PM, and EBT users can triple their benefits up to $20. Hotel Champlain hosts Sundays with Santa from 10 AM to 1 PM with free admission (bring a food pantry item or toy for a treat). Church Street's 9 foot Menorah Lighting celebration happens at sundown, 4 to 5 PM. Queen City Brewery celebrates Steinbier Day at 1 PM if you want to watch them brew one of their most anticipated beers. A Very Hairy Swalemess brings holiday carols to the Light Club Lamp Shop at 7 PM. And in Essex, the 5th Annual Holiday Light Parade rolls out at 6 PM from Essex High School with an impressive lineup of decorated vehicles. For tabletop fans, Board Game Brunch meets at Old Town Cafe & Comics in Williston.
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The designs are subtle nods to the places and things that make this city what it is: Church Street, lakefront sunsets, and yes, even those invasive little zebra mussels. Steering away from the typical "I ❤️ Burlington" stuff. If you've ever wanted to rep the city without looking like a tourist, and support your very own Burlington city guide (me!), this is the easiest way to do it! Every purchase helps keep this thing going.
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Local News (All Links Clickable)
"It really hasn't even set in yet, still. Every time I see a picture or something, I'm like, holy — I can't believe it," said senior Jack Worobel, per VTDigger.
A 71-5 rout of the University of Chicago capped an undefeated season for the Catamounts, who play in National Collegiate Rugby's Division II (not NCAA). This marks UVM's second national title in about a year, following last December's men's soccer championship. Worobel credited team chemistry built over four years together rather than raw talent, a reminder that the club sports scene at UVM punches well above its weight.
"They're just saying, 'To hell with you,'" said Richard Wheeler, a 30-plus year resident of Browe Court, per Seven Days.
The Department of Public Works announced it would stop servicing 54 roads, many of which are private or "unaccepted" streets not built to city code, by next October. The proposal caught residents off guard, with at least 600 homes affected. After pushback from councilors, officials agreed to slow down, but the underlying question remains: should tax dollars maintain roads the city doesn't technically own? Expect community meetings and a long untangling process ahead.
"There's this sense of freedom now that it's over," said Jeanne Hulsen, 65, who worked at Burlington High School for 22 years, per VTDigger.
Hulsen sued the district in 2020 after her position was redefined and a younger, less experienced man was hired at a starting salary more than $30,000 higher than hers. The settlement, reached through mediation just before trial, includes $295,000 for lost wages and $180,000 for legal fees. The district's insurance covers nearly all of it. BSD maintains no admission of wrongdoing, but the case underscores ongoing scrutiny of pay equity in local institutions.
"From an ethical point of view, I don't think it's right for one person to live in this much room," said Marjorie Minot of Jericho, per VT Community News Service.
After local opposition derailed her plan to subdivide her property, Minot turned to HomeShare Vermont, which matched her with nursing instructor Paul Kruglov, who was on the verge of turning down a job because he couldn't find housing. Vermont needs up to 36,000 new homes by 2029, and Chittenden County's vacancy rate sits at just 1%. Minot's story illustrates both the barriers to adding housing and the creative workarounds some Vermonters are finding.
"You're taking your life in your hands crossing this road. Even at the intersections," said Shelburne resident John DuBrul, per WCAX.
Mauricio Martinez, 52, of Schenectady, New York, was killed Tuesday evening while crossing Route 7 between Lakeview and Champlain Drives. Police say crashes along the corridor have increased markedly, with pedestrian incidents frequently occurring away from crosswalks. Interim Police Chief Josh Flore pointed to poor lighting as a contributing factor. The tragedy adds urgency to longstanding concerns about pedestrian safety on this busy stretch.
"It's really exciting that this has been the vision for the city for a long time to establish a mixed-use downtown core," said Paul Conner, South Burlington's director of planning and zoning, per The Other Paper.
The Scale (poke bowls), Bliss Bee (healthy fast food), and soon Folino's pizza and Bijou Blu spa are all setting up shop on Market Street. Nearly 56,000 square feet of commercial space has been added to the densest parts of City Center in the last decade. New zoning amendments extend requirements for ground floor commercial space along Dorset Street and mandate minimum three story buildings, signaling the city's commitment to building a walkable downtown core.
"The moral of the story to me is that this is a dynamic process," said CVSD Chief Financial Officer Gary Marckres, per The Shelburne News.
The Vermont Department of Taxes projected an average 11.9% rise in education property taxes, which would push CVSD's rate up 12.3% even with a modest 5% budget increase. The district has already cut 82 positions over two years and is now aiming for what superintendent Adam Bunting calls "level service-ish." Much of the pressure comes from factors outside local control: mandated special education staffing, negotiated raises, and health care costs that have more than doubled in recent years.
"I knew it might be coming. It's kind of hard to know what words or phrases might trigger a question," said Sandra Graves, director of Champlain Valley Head Start, per VTDigger.
Graves had her federal funding application flagged because the phrase "cultural and linguistic responsiveness" was deemed similar to DEI language, despite being drawn directly from federal Head Start performance standards. The Office of Head Start, now under HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has taken a markedly different approach to applications under the Trump administration. Graves made semantic changes and received her funding, but providers across Vermont are navigating unclear and sometimes contradictory federal guidance.
"What we're able to do is have solar production coexist with agriculture. And it's not just window dressing. It's real agriculture," said Lewis Fox, a sheep farmer in Leicester, per VT Community News Service.
Fox and his wife run Agrivoltaic Solutions, bringing sheep to graze vegetation on solar farms across the Northeast. Meanwhile, the nonprofit Bee the Change has transformed 30 solar sites into pollinator habitat. With solar making up about 16% of Vermont's energy generation, these dual use approaches are easing tensions over agricultural land conversion while providing real economic and environmental benefits.
"What we're asking them to do is apply for a federal Clean Water Act permit which would cover the 11 outflows shown to be spewing alarming levels of pesticides into water that people recreate in," said Elena Mihaly, attorney at the Conservation Law Foundation, per VTDigger.
The lawsuit against Vorsteveld, LLP, a 2,300 cow dairy operation in Addison County, alleges pipes on the farm discharge pesticides into Dead Creek at levels up to 50 times federal safety standards. The herbicide atrazine, banned in Europe and linked to birth defects, was among the chemicals detected. This is reportedly the first citizen suit filed under the Clean Water Act in Vermont, coming after the EPA determined last summer that the state had failed to properly administer the federal rule on agricultural lands.
"We really rely on as close to home supply chains as possible," said Kyle Clark, CEO and founder of Beta Technologies, per The Other Paper.
Fresh off ringing the bell at the New York Stock Exchange following a $1.2 billion IPO, Clark outlined plans to hire roughly 1,000 new employees over the next 18 months while keeping about 90% of the workforce in Vermont. The electric aviation company offers employees free lunches, onsite healthcare, snow tires, and soon a childcare facility. With a $3.5 billion aircraft backlog and new federal programs potentially accelerating certification, Beta's growth could reshape the state's economic landscape.
"We do have such a good snow pack early in the season. But, as always, there's a lot of variability as the season goes on," said National Weather Service meteorologist Adrianna Kremer, per VTDigger.
Mount Mansfield hit 63 inches of snow depth this week, the deepest recorded for this date in history and nearly three times the seasonal average. Jay Peak leads all U.S. ski mountains with 192 inches of total snowfall. The early season bounty has skiers celebrating, though Friday's flash freeze following Thursday's warm spell could create hazardous road conditions.
Quick Hits
Burlington-based Fluency, which powers nearly $3 billion in annual media spend and over 250,000 monthly campaigns, closed a $40 million Series A round funded by Integrity Growth Partners. The company, founded in 2017, plans to use the investment to enhance automation and AI capabilities. Fluency's founding team previously built Dealer.com, which sold for $1.1 billion in 2014.
The former owners of Winooski's Mountain Valley Restaurant are opening Mountain Valley Indian Cuisine at 10 Farrell Street in South Burlington in January. Dhanbahadur Chhetri and Rozee Pardha sold their Winooski location after ongoing road construction sliced sales in half. The new spot, in the former Domino's space, will serve the same Indian, Nepali, and Indo-Chinese menu with on-site dining.
Green Mountain Power ranked first among midsize utilities in the East Region for customer satisfaction in JD Power's annual national survey of 127,000 customers. The survey focused on reliability, cost, and customer service. GMP credited recent initiatives including energy storage savings, improved outage communications, drone-assisted restoration, and enhanced assistance for low income customers.
Twenty percent of all misdemeanors in Vermont over the past three years have been handled through restorative justice programs, costing just 15% of what a trial costs, according to a new report from Attorney General Charity Clark's office. The programs aim to reduce court backlogs while focusing on healing for victims and offenders. Results show the approach has been less successful with repeat offenders and suspended license cases.
May Day in the Old North End launched weekly Sandwich Saturdays on December 13, running 11 AM to 2 PM through the winter. Owner Matthew Peterson and 2025 James Beard Award finalist chef Avery Buck are running bar-style counter service themselves, offering a rotating menu of three sandwiches, fries, Bloody Marys, and mimosas. Opening week featured Ave's Hot Chicken and Matty P.'s Meatball Sub.
UVM Athletics: Men's Basketball Extends Streak; Dubois Returns to Lead Men's Soccer
It was a significant week for Vermont athletics, marked by a decisive victory at Patrick Gymnasium and a major coaching announcement. In men’s basketball, Gus Yalden delivered a career-high 29 points to power Vermont past Siena 83-69, securing the team's third consecutive win. The Catamounts shot 52.6 percent from the field, with Sean Blake adding 14 points and a career-best eight rebounds, while TJ Hurley contributed 13 points to the effort.
Off the court, the department announced a leadership change for the men’s soccer program. Adrian Dubois has been named the new head coach, returning to Burlington after serving as Associate Head Coach at San Diego State. Dubois, who previously spent five seasons on the Vermont staff and helped guide the team to the 2022 NCAA Quarterfinals, becomes the ninth head coach in program history.
The women’s basketball team suffered a narrow defeat on the road, falling to Holy Cross 46-45 at the Hart Center Arena. Despite the loss, senior Jadyn Weltz achieved a career milestone by reaching 1,000 career points. Nikola Priede led the team with 11 points, and Malia Lenz grabbed a team-high nine rebounds, but the Crusaders used a 10-2 run in the final minutes to secure the win.
2:00pm Saturday, Dec 20 2025-26 Men's Basketball vs. Iona
Events:
Friday, December 19, 2025
General Events
3:30 PM – 6:00 PM: Beary Magical Lights Tour at Vermont Teddy Bear Factory, Shelburne ($10)
4:00 PM: Solstice Yin Experience at Chace Mill, Burlington
4:00 PM: Holiday Sale Tasting at Rt 7 Liquor & Deli, Shelburne
4:00 PM – 6:00 PM: Town Meeting TV's Winter Celebration at 294 North Winooski Ave, Burlington (Free)
4:00 PM – 7:30 PM: Winter Lights at Shelburne Museum, Shelburne ($10-30)
4:00 PM – 8:00 PM: Festive Friday: Light Up the Night at Church Street Marketplace, Burlington (Free; Fun Run 5:30 PM, Light Parade 6:00 PM)
5:00 PM: SATURNALIA: A Celebration of Light at 6 Lincoln St, Essex Junction
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM: UGLY Sweater Party & Mogul Masher Launch at J Skis Burlington, 247 Main St (Free)
6:00 PM: Winooski VFW Holiday Celebration at Winooski VFW Post #1767
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM: [MEETUP] Learn and Play Clinic with Dave at The Boardroom, Burlington (Free)
6:30 PM: Skida Flagship Shop Night at 16 Kilburn Street, Burlington
6:30 PM: Friday Night Ballroom at Vermont Swings
6:30 PM: Jay's "Starry Night" Party at 105 Pearl St, Essex Junction
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM: [MEETUP] Movie - The Housemaid at Essex Cinemas (Free RSVP; movie tickets required)
7:00 PM – 10:00 PM: Warm Up & Recharge (Sauna & Social) at KULA, South Burlington ($25-40)
Ongoing: Strike Out Hunger - Community Food Drive at Spare Time, Colchester
Ongoing: Santa Claus Is Coming To The Country Christmas Loft at 3155 Shelburne Rd, Shelburne
Ongoing: Vermont Sports Card & Collectible Show at 155 Dorset St, South Burlington
Ongoing: Snowflake Hunt at Church Street Marketplace (Free)
Ongoing: Postcard Club at Church Street Marketplace (Free)
Performances
4:00 PM & 7:00 PM: Film: In The Mood For Love at Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center, Burlington ($6-12)
6:00 PM & 8:30 PM: Maria Bamford (Comedy) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington (Sold Out)
7:00 PM: Candlelight: Christmas Carols on Strings at First Unitarian Universalist Society, Burlington ($35)
Various times: Film: Sea Monsters 3D / Space: The New Frontier 3D at ECHO Leahy Center, Burlington ($3-5 plus admission)
Check showtimes: Sentimental Value at Main Street Landing Film House
Live Music/DJ
6:00 PM: Dan Parks at The Spanked Puppy, Colchester
6:00 PM: Live Music at 211 Main Street, Winooski
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM: The Rustics (Americana/Blues) at St. John's Club, Lakeside (Free)
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM: King Me! at Vermont Cider Lab, Essex Junction (Free)
6:30 PM: Jingle Jam: Grace Palmer & Friends at First Congregational Church, Burlington (Donation)
7:00 PM: Two Sev, JP Black, Ron Stoppable (DJ) at Red Square, Burlington (Free)
7:30 PM: Adam Ezra Group with Griffin William Sherry at Higher Ground Ballroom, South Burlington ($26.42)
7:30 PM: Chmura & Duffrey (EDM) at Higher Ground Showcase Lounge, South Burlington ($26.42)
7:30 PM – 9:30 PM: Live Music at Bleu! at Bleu Northeast Kitchen (Free)
8:00 PM: Dark Xmas DJ Set at Standing Stone Wines, Winooski (Free)
8:00 PM: Burly Bear presents: The Sleigh Ball with DJ Aras at Red Square Blue Room, Burlington (Free)
8:00 PM: The Discussions at Foam Brewers, Burlington (Free)
8:00 PM: EmaLou & The Beat - Holiday Album Release Show at Venetian Soda Lounge, Burlington ($15)
8:00 PM: The Phil Abair Band (Covers) at The Old Post, South Burlington (Free)
9:00 PM: Sparkomatik (EDM) at Monkey House, Winooski ($10)
9:00 PM: 90 Proof (Covers) at On Tap Bar & Grill, Essex Junction (Free)
9:00 PM: DJ Frenetic at Monkey House, Winooski (Free)
10:00 PM: DJ Chaston at Ri Rá Irish Pub & Whiskey Room, Burlington (Free)
10:00 PM: Grippo Funk Band at Einstein's Tap House, Burlington ($14.64)
11:00 PM: DJ Taka at Light Club Lamp Shop, Burlington ($10-15)
Ongoing: Dave Mitchell Blues Jam at Red Square, Burlington
Saturday, December 20, 2025
General Events
8:00 AM – 2:00 PM: Community Gift Swap at Kula, South Burlington (Free with swap/class or $7)
9:00 AM – 11:00 AM: Winooski Food Shelf Holiday Distribution at 24 West Allen Street, Winooski (Free)
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM: [MEETUP] Board Game Brunch at Old Town Cafe & Comics, Williston (Free)
10:00 AM: Holiday Open House at 4947 Spear St, Shelburne
10:00 AM: Ornament Blowout Sale at 416 Pine Street, Burlington
10:00 AM: Wrap-Skirt & Apron-Dress Blowout Sale at 416 Pine St, Burlington
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM: Santa Visits at Church Street Marketplace, Burlington (Free)
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM: Snowflake Hunt at Church Street Marketplace, Burlington (Free)
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM: Procrastinator's Paradise Holiday Market at Meach Cove Farms, Shelburne (Free entry)
10:00 AM – 11:00 AM: [MEETUP] BTown Coffee Club at Zero Gravity Brewery, Burlington (Free)
10:30 AM: Warhammer 40K 1000pt Winter Tournament at Quarterstaff Games, Burlington
11:00 AM: Here to Help at 21 Buell St, Burlington
11:00 AM – 2:00 PM: Chess Club at South Burlington Public Library & City Hall (Free)
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM: Passion 4 Paws Holiday Pawp-Up Pawrty at True Value - Village Hardware, Williston (Free)
11:00 AM – 3:00 PM: Old North End Repair Cafe at Laboratory B, Burlington (Free)
11:00 AM – 5:00 PM: Last Minute Artist Market at SEABA Center, 400 Pine St (Free entry)
12:00 PM: Santa Claus Is Coming To The Country Christmas Loft at 3155 Shelburne Rd, Shelburne
12:00 PM: Holiday Singalong with Linda Bassick at BCA Center, Church Street, Burlington (Free)
12:00 PM: [MEETUP] Alien RPG with Cole - Hopes Last Day at The Boardroom, Burlington (Free)
12:00 PM – 2:00 PM: ICE Out Christmas Caroling Protest at Church Street Marketplace, Burlington (Free)
1:00 PM: Jay's Christmas Party for Kids at 105 Pearl St, Essex Junction
1:00 PM: Holiday Hugs Workshop at Vermont Teddy Bear Factory, Shelburne ($60)
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM: New Member Orientation at The Media Factory, Burlington (Free/Donations)
2:00 PM: Community Carol Singing at Birchwood Terrace, Burlington (Free)
2:00 PM: Create Holiday Magic at 185 Pine Haven Shores, Shelburne
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM: Rad History: Kropotkin in America at Peace & Justice Center, Burlington (Free)
2:00 PM – 6:00 PM: Drop-In Winter Workshop: Lanterns at Leaf Harbor Arts, Burlington ($25)
3:00 PM: Candy Cane Delivery Attempt #2 at 2 Lincoln St, Essex Junction
3:00 PM – 4:30 PM: Illuminated Crowns (Crafts) at Brownell Library, Essex Junction (Free)
3:30 PM: Beary Magical Lights Tour at Vermont Teddy Bear Factory, Shelburne ($10)
3:30 PM: [MEETUP] VTH3 Trail #082: A Fifth of Hashmas Carols at Maple Street Park, Essex Junction (Free; bring unwrapped toy)
4:00 PM: Sacred Breath: Hawaiian HA Healing Journey at Chace Mill, Burlington
4:00 PM – 4:30 PM: Winooski Historical Society Caroling at Rotary Park, Winooski (Free)
4:00 PM – 7:30 PM: Winter Lights at Shelburne Museum, Shelburne ($10-30)
5:00 PM: DongZhi (Winter Solstice) Festival at Faith United Methodist Church, South Burlington
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM: Family Series - Ornament Making & Cookie Decorating at South Burlington Senior Center (Free)
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM: Spark the Park: Hot Chocolate Night at Market Street, South Burlington (Free)
6:00 PM: Ugly Sweater Night at The Spanked Puppy, Colchester
6:00 PM: Empowered Flow & Reflection at 100 Dorset Street, South Burlington
6:00 PM – 6:45 PM: Community Stress Release Seminar (Tai Chi) at Oom Yung Doe VT, Burlington (Free)
6:30 PM: Auditions at Brownell Library, Essex Junction
7:00 PM: Holiday Cheers and More Beers at 137 Pearl Street, Essex Junction
7:00 PM: Submit Yourself to Glorious Noise at Community of Sound, Burlington
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM: Sisterhood Campfire at Leddy Park, Burlington (Free)
8:45 PM: Revival Halaqah at 400 Swift Street, South Burlington
Performances
2:00 PM: UVM Men's Basketball vs. Iona at Patrick Gymnasium
2:00 PM & 7:00 PM: Vermont's Own Nutcracker at Flynn Main Stage, Burlington ($22-52)
6:00 PM & 8:30 PM: Maria Bamford (Comedy) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington (Sold Out)
7:30 PM: The Boar's Head: A Carol Celebration at Elley-Long Music Center, Colchester
8:00 PM: Green Mountain Cabaret (Drag) at Venetian Cocktail & Soda Lounge, Burlington ($15)
Live Music/DJ
2:00 PM: Dave Mitchell's Blues Revue at Red Square, Burlington (Free)
5:00 PM: Kyle Stevens (Covers) at On Tap Bar & Grill, Essex Junction (Free)
5:30 PM: Moonbird (Folk) at Switchback Beer Garden, Burlington (Free)
6:00 PM: Paul Webb (Piano) at Venetian Cocktail & Soda Lounge, Burlington (Free)
6:00 PM: Mr. Cheng, DJ Chaston, DJ Aras at Red Square, Burlington (Free)
6:00 PM: Almost SturCrazie (Rock) at 1st Republic Brewing, Essex (Free)
6:00 PM: Holiday Jazz with In The Pocket featuring Taryn Noelle at 6308 Shelburne Rd, Shelburne
6:00 PM – 8:30 PM: Unruly Allies at Vermont Cider Lab, Essex Junction (Free)
6:30 PM: Flint & Steale (Folk) at Radio Bean, Burlington ($10)
6:30 PM: Home for the Holidays Concert ft. Wheatus at Higher Ground, South Burlington (~$74)
7:00 PM: Adam Ezra Group at Higher Ground Ballroom, South Burlington ($26.42)
7:00 PM: Chmura, Duffrey (EDM) at Higher Ground Showcase Lounge, South Burlington ($26.42)
7:00 PM: Hiroya Tsukamoto (Folk) at Radio Bean, Burlington ($15)
8:00 PM: The Discussions (Jazz) at Foam Brewers, Burlington (Free)
8:00 PM: Andrew Richards (Jazz) at Foam Brewers, Burlington (Free)
8:00 PM: WiseAcres, Sunroom (Indie) at Radio Bean, Burlington ($10)
8:00 PM: The Phil Abair Band (Covers) at The Old Post, South Burlington (Free)
8:00 PM: Emalou & the Beat Holiday Show at Venetian Cocktail & Soda Lounge, Burlington ($15)
9:00 PM: Connor Young & Friends (Jazz) at Radio Bean, Burlington ($10)
9:00 PM: Rap Night Burlington at Drink, Burlington ($5)
9:00 PM: Mirage (Covers) at On Tap Bar & Grill, Essex Junction (Free)
9:00 PM: Queeraoke with Goddess at Standing Stone Wines, Winooski (Free)
10:00 PM: Matt Payne, DJ Raul at Red Square Blue Room, Burlington (Free)
10:00 PM: Ron Stoppable (DJ) at Ri Rá Irish Pub & Whiskey Room, Burlington (Free)
10:30 PM: moon ppl (Funk/Jazz) at Radio Bean, Burlington ($10)
11:00 PM: Roost World (DJ) at Light Club Lamp Shop, Burlington ($10)
Sunday, December 21, 2025
General Events
9:30 AM: Animist Forest Circles in Rock Point at 20 Rock Point Rd, Burlington (Free/Donation)
9:30 AM: Divine Worship Service at 1560 Williston Rd, South Burlington
9:30 AM: Shelburne Toddler Open Gym at Shelburne Town Hall
10:00 AM: Holiday Farmers Market at Winooski Senior Center
10:00 AM: Winter Whirl Kids DisGLOW Open Party at University Mall, South Burlington
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM: Santa Visits & Snowflake Hunt at Church Street Marketplace, Burlington (Free)
10:00 AM – 2:00 PM: Kids Train at Church Street Marketplace, Burlington (Free)
10:00 AM: Sundays with Santa at Hotel Champlain
10:00 AM – 3:00 PM: 3rd Annual New North End Holiday Market at Robert Miller Community Center, Burlington (Free)
10:45 AM: Adult Bible Study and Sunday School at 1560 Williston Rd, South Burlington
11:30 AM: NFL Sunday Ticket at Spare Time, Colchester
12:00 PM: Sunday Funday (Games) at 1st Republic Brewing, Essex (Free)
12:00 PM: [MEETUP] The Amazing Puzzle Race at The Boardroom, Burlington ($40/team)
1:00 PM: Steinbier Day at Queen City Brewery
1:00 PM – 9:00 PM: Sunday Football at the Press House Pub at Switchback Brewing Company (Free)
2:30 PM – 5:00 PM: Adults Puzzle Swap at South Burlington Public Library & City Hall (Free)
3:00 PM: Solstice Yule O' Ween Lunacy at Queen City Brewery
3:00 PM: Chanukah on the Church Street Marketplace at Church Street, Burlington
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM: Menorah Lighting at Church Street Marketplace, Burlington (Free)
4:00 PM – 6:00 PM: Drop-In Tech Support at Fletcher Free Library, Burlington (Free)
4:00 PM – 6:00 PM: Community Christmas Dinner at The Salvation Army, Burlington (Free)
4:00 PM – 7:30 PM: Winter Lights at Shelburne Museum, Shelburne ($10-30)
4:30 PM – 6:30 PM: Holiday Senior Dinner at ONE Community Center, Burlington (Free; preregister)
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM: Winter Solstice Yule Adventure Dinner at Adventure Dinner Clubhouse, Colchester ($85)
6:30 PM: Holiday Light Parade at Essex High School
6:30 PM: Sunday Skates at Leddy Studio at Gordon H. Paquette Arena, Burlington
Performances
1:00 PM & 6:30 PM: Vermont's Own Nutcracker at Flynn Main Stage, Burlington ($22-52)
5:00 PM: Maria Bamford (Comedy) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington (Sold Out)
Live Music/DJ
10:00 AM: Sunday Brunch Tunes at Hotel Vermont, Burlington
1:00 PM: Abbey B.K. (Singer-songwriter) at Foam Brewers, Burlington (Free)
1:00 PM – 3:00 PM: Acoustic Brunch at Foam Brewers, Burlington (Free)
2:00 PM: Sing We Now Noel (Organ Concert) at Chapel of Saint Michael the Archangel, Colchester (Free)
4:00 PM: Solaris Vocal Ensemble - Holiday Cheer at College Street Congregational Church, Burlington (Pay what you can/~$15)
5:00 PM: Wine & Jazz Sundays at Shelburne Vineyard (Free)
6:00 PM – 9:00 PM: Venetian Karaoke at Venetian Soda Lounge, Burlington (Free)
6:30 PM – 7:30 PM: Rowan (Folk) at Pierson Library, Shelburne (Free)
7:00 PM: A Very Hairy Swalemess (Indie/Holiday) at Light Club Lamp Shop, Burlington ($20)
9:00 PM – 2:00 AM: Karaoke Sundays at Einstein Tap House (Free)
Watch for Wednesday Editions!
I hope you’re enjoying those Wednedays editions! I have plans for a rotation of Food Deal highlights, Poll Questions, Top Reddit Posts, Volunteer Opportunities, Reader Photos, Restaurant Spotlights, Small Business Features, and Btown Explained (quick local deep dive). Or Dine Out Review, Podcast Pick, Pet of the Week (adoptable to user submitted), new local Job Highlights, a Burlington Throwback Photo or Fact, and a quick Burlington Game like “Spot That Location”, VT crossword, or unscramble popular Burlington terms.
Here are some of my favorite btownbrief links:
Full list of 202+ activities to do at anytime is always waiting here when you need a plan: 202+ Things to Do
Full list of restaurant reviews here.
Soon to be updated with even more Burlington food deals. View the full list of food & drink deals here.
That’s All, Burlington!
Stay warm out there tonight. If the power flickers, at least you've got options for getting out of the house. And if you read something in the linked articles that makes you want to dig deeper, please do. Local journalism keeps us all informed and connected.
If you like what I do, help support the newsletter by buying me a coffee using the link below. Or, right to our Venmo @btownbrief. Or, buy an advertising spot for your business.
