No matter how you celebrate the holiday season, downtown Montpelier offers something for everyone throughout December, culminating in a “uniquely Montpelier” New Year’s Eve celebration.
During the darkest month of the year, downtown lights up the evening (or afternoon, at 4 p.m.!), with holiday lights, greens, and festive window displays. Local artists display their artwork in storefronts yet to open from the summer floods, as part of the City’s Renewal Project. Montpelier’s unique and diverse stores offer a festive place to shop and supporting Montpelier’s locally owned businesses is the best gift you can give store owners impacted by the July floods. While shopping, pick up a Share the Love punch card at downtown participating stores and enter to win a gift card to your favorite store or restaurant!
Montpelier Alive hosts a number of events on weekends, and its Community Calendar lists many other activities happening weekdays and weekends.
The Montpelier Art Walk and the Unitarian Church Holiday Fair kicked off the month on Dec. 1.
On Dec. 9, horse-drawn wagon rides leave from the corner of State Street and Elm Street from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Santa will be at Christ Church from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.; and evening caroling at the Unitarian Church from 4 to 5:30 p.m.
On Dec. 16, Montpelier’s “Cocoa Crawl” features chocolate offerings throughout the city. What could be cozier than a mug of hot chocolate, chocolate sweets, and anything with chocolate! Downtown cafes will feature local music throughout the day.
Montpelier’s New Year’s Eve on Dec. 31 features events throughout town for celebrants of all ages, culminating in a “uniquely Montpelier” early evening ball drop!
For more information, visit https://montpelieralive.com/holidays or our Community Calendar for a full list of downtown events.
Montpelier Alive works to create a more livable and vibrant Montpelier by celebrating our community’s heart and soul: its downtown. We bring community together through our diverse events, make downtown more beautiful through public art and streetscape improvements, support our local businesses, and share Montpelier’s story with visitors from near and far.
Carolyn Grodinsky is Montpelier Alive’s marketing and events coordinator.
