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Weather & Monday Rundown:
If you ventured out this morning, you already know: Monday was a slick one. The good news is the Champlain Valley has warmed above freezing and the worst of the icing concerns have passed for downtown Burlington. The bad news? A sharp cold front is pushing through tonight, bringing scattered snow showers and gusty westerly winds that could reduce visibility in spots. By Tuesday morning, expect to wake up to temperatures in the single digits and teens, with wind chills dipping below zero. Snow showers will linger, particularly in the mountains, through midweek. New Year's Eve itself looks chilly but quieter, with highs only reaching the teens and lows in the single digits as we ring in 2026.
We got so, so much going on for NYE, I’ll try my best to highlight my favorites. I couldn’t do it all, so be sure to scroll to the Events section to see ‘em all. To start, if you're looking to connect with Vermont's tech community before the celebrations begin, Tech Tuesdays [Meetup.com]at Zero Gravity Brewery runs tomorrow morning from 8am to 10am. No agenda, no slides, just waffles and conversation, I even think I might make my first appearance there. Then on Wednesday, Burlington is absolutely packed with ways to celebrate New Year's Eve. The flagship event is Highlight NYE, BCA's beloved 12+ hour celebration that takes over downtown and the waterfront. From 2pm to 10pm, Waterfront Fest fills the lakeside with live music from The Barr Brothers, Dwight & Nicole, Dari Bay, and more, plus food trucks, bonfires, s'mores, and the gloriously weird tradition of setting a wooden Champ sculpture ablaze before fireworks. Grab an all access button for $18 before the 31st (day of tickets jump to $20). Over at Contois Auditorium, Circus Smirkus brings its family favorite stage show with performances at noon, 2pm, and 4pm. These shows tend to fill up fast, so arrive early. And storytelling fans won't want to miss The Moth StorySLAM at the First Unitarian Universalist Society at 4pm. The theme is "That's a Wrap," calling for stories about endings, breakthroughs, and knowing when it's time to box it up and move on. Tickets are included with your NYE Highlight ticket.
A Btown Brief favorite DJ Kwame Vibe is ringing in the new year at The Venetian Soda Lounge's Roaring 20's NYE. The Midnight Affair runs from 9pm to 12:30am, with Kwame spinning a mix of modern grooves and vintage swing from 10pm until the final countdown, plus a prosecco toast and decadent dessert at midnight ($35). Dust off your flapper dress or fedora because 1920s attire is the theme. (And stay tuned: Kwame is teaming up the Btown Brief team in 2026 to bring you monthly arts-focused features and event coverage.) The Venetian is also hosting a Matinee Soiree from 5pm to 8pm featuring Paul Webb and the Hokum Brothers, or you can grab a Golden Ticket for both celebrations. For those who prefer to close out 2025 with some movement, RunVermont's NYE Run/Walk to Highlight starts at 2pm from ECHO, offering 1 mile, 5K, and 5 mile options along the bike path. It's free and open to all paces. For something more intimate, the Paul Winter Consort performs at the Cathedral Church of St. Paul at 3pm, featuring Theresa Thomason and the legendary soprano sax of Paul Winter in a celebration of renewal. For the family crowd, Burnham Library in Colchester hosts a "Noon Year's Eve" celebration from 10:30am to 12:15pm with crafts, activities, snacks, and a countdown to noon. And if you want free and local, Sparky's Bar & Grill has Chris & Erica at 5:30pm followed by 90 Proof at 9pm with no cover, plus midnight champagne toast. The Old Post in South Burlington promises "the best party around" with Fran Briand at 7pm and Quadra at 9pm.
As the evening deepens, the brand new SEABA Center at 404 Pine Street is hosting its inaugural show with Kat Wright, Dwight & Nicole, Ali McGuirk, Bob Wagner, and special guests. Doors open at 8pm with a DJ set, live music runs 10pm to 1am, and there's a balloon drop and champagne toast at midnight (21+, sliding scale $30+). Foam Brewers keeps the waterfront energy going with Ponyhustle and Tenderbellies from 8:30pm to midnight, while The Skinny Pancake hosts Soul Porpoise featuring Paul Asbell and Dave Grippo starting at 9pm for a funky, organ driven dance party. Over at Higher Ground, New Queer's Eve celebrates the best pop culture moments of the 21st century with DJ Kate Kush, drag performances featuring Velma Johnny Jones from Canada's Drag Race, burlesque, and a champagne toast at midnight (18+). On Tap Bar & Grill offers Sticks And Stones at 9pm with party favors, champagne, and no cover. Santiago's Cuban Cuisine gets the party going at 10pm with DJ MezKyle, a heated patio, and Cuban cigars available from Garcia's ($10). And if you're looking for a social group to join for the festivities, Forever 38's Meetup is gathering at Foam around 9pm so be sure to RSVP and buy your Highlight ticket.
Once we've survived the revelry, New Year's Day offers some wonderful ways to ease into 2026. Broadacres Bingo in Colchester runs a NYD Super Bingo starting at 1pm with doors at 11am, featuring a guaranteed $1,999 tax free jackpot coverall. Foam Brewers hosts a Daytime Disco from 2pm to 6pm with DJs Rice Pilaf, Cre8, and Four-D spinning vinyl alongside fresh pours and waterfront views. The Green Mountain Mahler Festival presents its annual Beethoven's Ninth at 3pm at the Elley-Long Music Center at St. Michael's College, benefiting Green Mountain Habitat for Humanity. If you'd rather get outside, Catamount Outdoor Family Center hosts a Tour De Moon from 7pm to 8:30pm, a guided ski or snowshoe through the moonlit winter woods ($25, rentals available).
The Btown Brief merch store is live with 15 Burlington inspired designs, each with 3–7 color options and your choice of front or back print. T-shirts, long sleeves, and cropped tees. Printed on a personal favorite, Comfort Colors, for that vintage, lived-in feel.
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.
Shop here: [Btown Brief Merch]
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We’ve got an official Meetup group for Burlington! The city’s packed with things to do. Btown Brief highlights it, and Btown Brief IRL gets you out experiencing it with people.
Always a great turn out, ranging anywhere from 7-10 people each week! Another coffee meetup this Saturday at 10am at Zero Gravity. It’s always great seeing familiar faces, and even better meeting new ones each week. We’ll chat about Vermont living, touch on a bit of local news, and share what’s worth checking out around town this weekend. Come hang, have a coffee, and join the conversation.
If you want to connect outside of coffee meet-ups, join the Telegram chat. It’s the easiest place to see what others are up to, share ideas, and make casual plans while I keep improving how these events run. Feedback is always welcome! It’s just a one-man team so any sounding boards are great.
Click here to: Join Meetup group | RSVP here | Support the Newsletter
Here’s July 4th fireworks on the Waterfront to remind you of Burlington NYE Highlight fireworks on Wednesday night!
Local News (All Links Clickable)
There’s a new 60 second Btown Brief News Quiz! Win monthly Btown merch by reading with intention. So focus up:
"Burlington is facing another structural budget gap, which we estimate will be roughly $10-12 million for FY27. I want to emphasize that this is not an anomaly," per Vermont Biz.
Mayor Mulvaney-Stanak is laying the groundwork for what promises to be a difficult budget season. The gap stems from workforce growth in prior administrations, overreliance on temporary funding, and a grand list that's only grown about 1% annually. Her proposed solutions include a 5 cent Police and Fire Tax on the March ballot (raising $3M) and an advisory question on a $30,000 universal homestead tax exemption aimed at providing relief to roughly two thirds of Burlington homeowners. Expect this to dominate NPA conversations in January and February.
"If you have organized opposition that is willing to, you know, do it for the long haul, you're looking at years. People hear that and, I mean, all predictability is thrown out the window," per VTDigger.
The case in point: 32 homes near South Burlington's Wheeler Nature Park that took three years and two court battles before construction could begin. The Land Use Review Board is now recommending that Act 250 appeals be removed from the court system entirely and handled by the board itself, which could set stricter timelines and prioritize housing related permits. Not everyone is sold. Some worry a politically appointed board invites bias, while others think the courts just need more staff and deadlines. Either way, housing advocates agree the current system is broken and legislative action is coming in 2026.
"I'll be honest there were more existential concerns than I've ever seen. I've been working here for about a decade and things got tougher than I've really ever seen here," per WCAX.
That's Paddy Donnelly of Bern Gallery, describing a summer where sidewalk closures and construction barriers made customers think Church Street simply ended. The good news: with construction halted and snow bringing folks downtown, Main Street businesses are feeling the love again. Pearl, North Star Sports, and Bern Gallery all reported a holiday boost and strong community support heading into 2026.
"We demonstrated that Burlington residents would rather support local, independent, small cannabis businesses than give handouts to large cannabis corporations," per Vermont Community News.
Back in 2021, Burlington voters passed ballot language giving local owners a 36 month head start over corporate chains. The result: at least 10 of Burlington's 12 cannabis retailers are locally owned. But the market isn't without challenges. Donnelly (yes, the same Paddy from Bern Gallery, which added a dispensary in 2023) describes an oversaturated market and a "race to the bottom" on pricing. The solution, he argues, isn't more regulation but conversation within the community to maintain sustainable value.
"Absolutely blown away. You can imagine, I cried all afternoon. Nobody else gets a birthday present like that," per WCAX.
Hilda White, 95, has volunteered at UVM's Pringle Herbarium for 28 years, mounting an estimated 50,000 plant specimens. For her birthday, herbarium director Wes Testo surprised her by naming a Christmas fern he discovered in Colombia after her: Polystichum hildae. White helped save much of the collection after a 2017 fire at Torrey Hall and plans to keep working. "I'll be here as long as I can," she said.
"If you think today's news cycle is full of dramatic twists and turns, you should hear the behind-the-scenes sagas of getting the news," per Seven Days.
Seven Days' annual Backstories feature pulls back the curtain on how reporters actually do their jobs. Highlights include Kevin McCallum sweating through deadline after deadline as Congress upended his Bernie Sanders cover story, Courtney Lamdin catching city councilors texting during meetings, and Lucy Tompkins nearly getting arrested at the Canadian border before finding refuge in a hobbit house with a baby raccoon. It's a reminder that local journalism requires more grunt work than glory.
"Everyone has a story and everyone has an interesting life," per Other Paper.
Monkton resident and lawyer Samara Anderson is on a mission to host storytelling events at every library in Vermont. Last week's Best of 2025 event at South Burlington Public Library featured nine storytellers from across the state sharing true tales without notes. Stories ranged from a hiking trip gone wrong on Mount Pisgah to a 7th grader who taught his teacher to cherish life. Anderson's tour continues in 2026 with stops in Georgia, East Corinth, Hyde Park, Randolph, and Killington.
"It just never gets old, I just keep coming back. I go to other places, and then I go, no, I'm going back to Red Rocks Park. It's just a magical place," per Other Paper.
While many Vermonters are preparing to bundle up indoors, Red Rocks Park in South Burlington remains busy year round. The 100+ acre park stays open for snowshoeing and cross country skiing, and regulars say the winter views of Shelburne Bay and the frozen lake are worth braving the cold. Park Foreman Dan Gregory notes it's "about the only park that stays busy all the time."
"New Yorkers deserve transparency. With the amount of information that can be shared online, it is essential that we prioritize mental health," per NBC5.
New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed legislation requiring warning labels on social media platforms that use features like autoplay and infinite scrolling. The labels would mirror those on alcohol and tobacco products, and violations carry a $5,000 civil penalty. While this is New York law, Vermont legislators have shown interest in similar youth mental health measures, making this one worth watching as our own session gets underway.
Quick Hits
Vermont to Receive $12M in Restored Disaster Funding — A federal judge ruled against the Trump administration's attempt to reduce disaster grants to sanctuary states, restoring Vermont's $12 million share as part of a $223 million ruling affecting 12 states. The grant terms are back to three years instead of one.
World Cup Finals Move to Lake Placid Due to Warm Weather in Utah — Lake Placid's ski jumping complex will now host the FIS Freestyle Aerials World Cup finals January 16-18 after warm conditions out West forced a venue change. Athletes are expected to stick around the region to train before heading to the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics.
Killington's New Skyeship Gondola Opens — The $10 million upgraded Skyeship Gondola started spinning Christmas morning, opening up the resort's sixth mountain just in time for the holiday rush. The new cabins are similar to those at K-1.
Burlington Country Club Sled Hill Draws Crowds on Winter Break — Sunny skies and fresh snow brought dozens of sledders to the Burlington Country Club hill over the weekend. If you're looking for a free, classic Vermont winter activity, this is your spot.
Tons of people played last week! Keep the momentum going, or simply just start your first one to make your way towards a prize!
How good of a reader are you? Think you’re keeping up with Burlington news? It's time to prove it. Every Monday and Friday, we're dropping a quick 5-question quiz covering the local news you just finished reading. You've got just 60 seconds to answer them all. No looking back allowed. Use the same unique name each time you play so everyone can track your stats in our Hall of Fame, where you'll compete for titles like Sharpshooter (highest accuracy), Speed Demon (fastest average time), and Streak Leader (most consistent player). Make your name (or cool nickname) known to Btown!
And yes, there are PRIZES. Each month, we'll reward the top performers based on the best combination of Total Score and Average Score. That means playing consistently AND playing well will pay off. The more quizzes you complete with high scores, the better your chances of winning. I mean, who doesn’t want cool Btown Merch gear sent to them?
Ready to play? Click the link below, enter your name, and show us what you've got. Btown Brief Quiz
View the potential prizes on the Btown Brief Merch Store
UVM Athletics: Coach Kresge Makes History in UVM Comeback Victory
The University of Vermont women’s basketball team (11-4) closed out its non-conference schedule in dramatic fashion on Sunday, securing a 61-59 comeback victory over Dartmouth at Patrick Gymnasium. The win was a landmark moment for Coach Alisa Kresge, who recorded her 129th career win to officially become the all-time winningest coach in the program's history.
Trailing by six points at the start of the final quarter, the Catamounts mounted a fierce rally, scoring 25 points in the frame to overtake the Big Green. Jadyn Weltz hit a clutch go-ahead jumper with only 41 seconds remaining to seal the lead. Nikola Priede anchored the offense with a team-high 18 points, as Vermont shot 41.8% from the floor to secure the historic win.
Dec 29: 2025-26 Men's Hockey vs. Merrimack (Mon ⦁ 6:00pm)
Jan 2: 2025-26 Women's Hockey vs Dartmouth (Fri ⦁ 6:00pm)
Jan 3: 2025-26 Women's Basketball vs. New Hampshire (Sat ⦁ 2:00pm)
Jan 3: 2025-26 Men's Hockey vs. RPI (Sat ⦁ 6:00pm)
Events:
Monday, December 29
General Events
9:00 AM: December Skateboard Clinics at 266 Queen City Park Road, Burlington ($)
10:00 AM: Sled Dogs LIVE at ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain (Free with Admission)
10:00 AM: Animationland Exhibit at ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain (Free with Admission)
11:00 AM: De-Beard Hardwick Post #7 Adjutant Matt Greaves for Special Olympics at Hampton Inn & Vermont Event Center (Fundraiser)
Gallery Hours: BCA Center Exhibition "How to Say Goodbye: Grief, Loss, and Mourning" at 135 Church Street, Burlington (Free)
4:00 PM: Sentimental Value Film Screening at Main Street Landing Film House ($6-$12)
4:00 PM: Skiff Oyster Hour at Original Skiff + Oyster (Half-price oysters)
6:00 PM: Crafters Drop-In at Fletcher Free Library, Burlington (Free)
6:00 PM: Monday Night Open Mic at Pearl Street Pub, Essex Junction (Free)
6:00 PM: Trivia Monday at Black Flannel Brewing & Distilling, Essex (Free)
6:00 PM: SASA Night at UVM Hockey vs. Merrimack at UVM Gutterson Fieldhouse ($)
6:00 PM: Monday Night Line Up at On Tap Bar & Grill, Essex Junction (Free)
6:00 PM: Kwanzaa at Church in Burlington, VT (Free)
7:00 PM: Trivia Monday with Top Hat Entertainment at McKee's Original, Winooski (Free)
7:00 PM: Monday Night Pickup Dodgeball at Robert Miller Community and Recreation Center ($5)
7:00 PM: Music Bingo at Ri Ra Irish Pub, Burlington (Free)
Tuesday, December 30
General Events
8:00 AM: Tech Tuesdays - Breakfast at Zero Gravity Brewery (Free) [MEETUP]
8:15 AM: Shut Up & Write!® at Vivid Coffee Roasters (Free) [MEETUP]
10:00 AM: Current Events Discussion Group at Brownell Library, Essex Junction (Free)
11:00 AM: Poetry Group at South Burlington Public Library (Free)
Noon: Special Holiday Drop-In Tech Support at Fletcher Free Library (New North End), Burlington (Free)
1:30 PM: Winter Cookie Decorating at Winooski Memorial Library (Free)
2:00 PM: Saving Grace Family Ministries Street Outreach at 64 Main St, Burlington (Free)
3:30 PM: Games Galore at Brownell Library, Essex Junction (Free)
4:00 PM: Writing Circle at Pathways Vermont, Burlington (Free)
4:30 PM: Traditional Tuesday at Mesmer Kava, Burlington ($20/Pay by shell)
5:00 PM: Pause-Café French Conversation at Fletcher Free Library, Burlington (Free)
5:00 PM: Taco Tuesday at Four Quarters Brewing, Winooski ($3.50 each or 3/$9)
5:15 PM: Community Meditation at First Unitarian Universalist Society of Burlington (Free)
6:00 PM: Vermont Figure Drawing Collective at 47 Maple St, Burlington ($20 cash)
6:30 PM: Eddie AUDITION at Essex Police Department (Free)
6:30 PM: Book Club For Busy Women at Ladies Social Group, Essex Junction (Free) [MEETUP]
7:00 PM: Caribbean Tuesdays • Salsa & Bachata at South End Studio ($)
7:00 PM: Trivia Tuesdays at 4 Park St, Essex Junction (Free)
7:00 PM: Trivia Tuesday at On Tap Bar & Grill, Essex Junction (Free)
7:00 PM: Trivia with Craig Mitchell at Monkey House, Winooski (Free)
7:00 PM: Open Mic Night at Monkey House, Winooski (Free)
7:00 PM: All That Jazz Open Mic Comedy at The 126, Burlington (Free)
8:00 PM: Game Night (Halo One) at Ri Ra Irish Pub, Burlington (18+, $10 min tab)
Live Music/DJ
6:00 PM: Bashment Tuesday (DJ) at Akes' Place, Burlington (Free)
7:00 PM: Eastern Mountain Time, GOOD BABY (Singer-songwriter) at Radio Bean, Burlington ($10)
8:00 PM: Dead Is Alive with Dobbs' Dead (Tribute) at Einstein's Tap House, Burlington ($15)
9:00 PM: Big Easy Tuesdays with Jon McBride (Jazz) at The 126, Burlington (Free)
9:00 PM: Honky Tonk Tuesday with Wild Leek River (Country) at Radio Bean, Burlington ($10)
Wednesday, December 31 (New Year's Eve)
General Events
8:00 AM: Tech Breakfast at Zero Gravity Beer Hall, Burlington (Free, cost of food)
10:30 AM: Noon Year's Eve Party at Burnham Memorial Library, Colchester (Free)
11:15 AM: Noon Year's Eve at Winooski Memorial Library (Free)
12:00 PM: Mending Wall: Community Quilt Project at O.N.E. Community Center (Free)
12:00 PM: Highlight NYE: Waterfront Fest at Waterfront Park & Downtown Burlington ($18-$40)
1:00 PM: Colchester Deaf Club & GBDC Bowling at Spare Time Colchester ($)
2:00 PM: NYE Run/Walk to Highlight at ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain (Free)
3:00 PM: Family New Year's Eve Parties at Spare Time Colchester ($)
4:30 PM: New Year's Nachos! at 12-22 North, Burlington (Free)
5:00 PM: Roaring 20's NYE at Venetian Soda Lounge, Burlington ($)
5:30 PM: FREE NO COVER NYE BASH at Sparky's (Free)
6:00 PM: Scrabble Night at The Boardroom, Burlington (Free) [MEETUP]
6:00 PM: War Game Wednesday at The Boardroom, Burlington (Free) [MEETUP]
6:00 PM: Doma: No Resolutions at 388 Pine St, Burlington (~$13)
6:30 PM: Trivia Night at Citizen Cider, 180 Flynn Ave, Burlington (Free)
7:00 PM: Trivia Night at Dumb Luck Pub & Grill, Winooski (Free)
7:00 PM: Trivia Night at Ri Ra Irish Pub, Burlington (Free)
7:00 PM: Venetian Trivia Night! at The Venetian Soda Lounge, Burlington (Free)
7:00 PM: New Year's Eve Party @ Bar Renée at Bar Renée, Burlington (No cover)
8:00 PM: Adventure Dinner New Year's Eve Dance Party at Adventure Dinner Clubhouse, Colchester ($49)
8:00 PM: PSP New Years Celebration at Pearl Street Pub, Essex Junction (Free)
8:00 PM: New Year's Eve Spectacular at The SEABA Center, Burlington ($30+)
9:00 PM: NYE Highlight @ Waterfront at Foam Brewery, Burlington (Free meetup; $18-$20 Highlight buttons) [MEETUP]
Evening: New Year's Eve Celebration at Delta Hotels Marriott, South Burlington ($99+)
10:00 PM: Santiago's NYE Party at Santiago's Cuban Cuisine, Burlington ($10)
10:00 PM: 2nd Annual Original Skiff New Year's Eve Oysterball at Original Skiff, Burlington ($50)
10:30 PM: New Year's Eve Late-Night Bash at Spare Time Colchester ($)
Performances
12:00 PM: Highlight: Circus Smirkus at Contois Auditorium, City Hall, Burlington ($)
1:00 PM, 3:00 PM & 5:00 PM: Highlight: Family-Friendly Comedy at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington ($20)
4:00 PM: New Years with The Moth StorySLAM at First Unitarian Universalist Society, Burlington ($)
4:00 PM: Highlight: Story & Song at First Unitarian Universalist Society, Burlington ($)
6:00 PM: Highlight: Highlighting New Heights at Contois Auditorium, City Hall, Burlington ($)
7:00 PM: Highlight: The Will to Dance at ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain ($)
7:00 PM: Rí Rá's Double New Year's Eve Party – Irish New Year with Black Velvet Toast at Ri Ra Irish Pub, Burlington
8:00 PM & 10:30 PM: Marina Franklin (Comedy) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington ($45-$55)
8:30 PM: New Queer's Eve (Drag) at Higher Ground Showcase Lounge, South Burlington ($32)
Live Music/DJ
12:00 PM: Adam McMahon Trio (Blues) at Red Square, Burlington (Free)
2:00 PM: New Year's Daytime Disco ft. Rice Pilaf, Four-D, Cre8 at Foam Brewers, Burlington (Free)
3:00 PM: New Year's Eve at the Opera at Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Burlington ($10-$35)
4:00 PM: Jerborn (Acoustic) at 1st Republic Brewing, Essex (Free)
4:00 PM: North Beach Dub Allstars (Tribute) at Red Square, Burlington (Free)
4:00 PM – 8:00 PM: Dale & Darcy Band at Ri Ra Irish Pub, Burlington (Free)
7:00 PM: Quadra with Fran Briand (Rock) at The Old Post, South Burlington (Free)
8:30 PM: Jazz Night with Ray Vega at Hotel Vermont, Burlington (Free)
8:30 PM: Gogol Bordello (Punk) at Higher Ground Ballroom, South Burlington ($53+)
8:30 PM: Ponyhustle and The Tenderbellies (Folk) at Foam Brewers, Burlington ($20)
9:00 PM: Jazz Sessions at The 126, Burlington
9:00 PM: Sticks And Stones (Covers) at On Tap Bar & Grill, Essex Junction (Free)
9:00 PM: New Year's Eve Dance Party at The Skinny Pancake, Burlington
9:00 PM: NEW YEAR'S EVE PARTY at Einsteins
10:00 PM: DJ CRE8 at Red Square, Burlington
10:00 PM: NYE with DJ Taka at Light Club Lamp Shop, Burlington ($15)
10:00 PM – Close: Live DJ at Ri Ra Irish Pub, Burlington
11:59 PM: Clive (Indie) at Radio Bean, Burlington ($15)
11:59 PM: Mr. Cheng (DJ) at Red Square, Burlington
Thursday, January 1 (New Year's Day)
General Events
7:30 AM: Rotary Club Morning Meeting at 180 Market Street, Burlington (Free)
12:00 PM: NYD Fun Run/Walk and Lunch at Pizza 44, Burlington (Free; lunch at own expense) [MEETUP]
1:00 PM: NYD Super Bingo at Broadacres Bingo Center, Colchester ($80)
3:00 PM: Annual Beethoven's Ninth at Elley-Long Music Center, Colchester ($20-$30)
6:00 PM: Trivia Night at Four Quarters Brewing, Winooski (Free)
6:00 PM: Trivia Night at 1st Republic Brewing, Essex (Free)
6:00 PM: Crokinole at The Boardroom, Burlington ($6) [MEETUP]
7:00 PM: Tour De Moon: New Year's Night Adventure at 592 Governor Chittenden Rd, Williston (Free)
7:00 PM: Thursday Night Figure Drawing at Queen City Oddfellows Lodge, Burlington ($15-$20)
7:00 PM: Live, Laugh, Lava: A Comedy Open Mic at Radio Bean, Burlington (Free)
7:10 PM: Womxn's Pick-Up Basketball at Allen Brook School, Williston
Performances
10:00 PM: Karaoke Night at Ri Ra Irish Pub, Burlington (Free)
Live Music/DJ
5:00 PM: Eric George (Folk) at The Skinny Pancake, Burlington (Free)
5:00 PM: Lincoln Sprague Rhodes & Drums at The Venetian Soda Lounge, Burlington (Free)
6:00 PM: Country & Western Thursdays at The Venetian Soda Lounge, Burlington (Free)
7:00 PM: Jazz with Alex Stewart and Friends at The 126, Burlington (Free)
7:30 PM: Gogol Bordello (Punk) at Higher Ground Ballroom, South Burlington ($45+)
9:00 PM: Familiar Faces Funk Jam at The 126, Burlington (Free)
Watch for Wednesday Editions!
I hope you’re enjoying those Wednesdays 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!
Bundle up tight this week and get out there to celebrate the end of 2025 in whatever way suits you best. Whether you're dancing at Foam, cheering at Circus Smirkus, or curled up at home with a good book, we hope you ring in 2026 surrounded by warmth.
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.
