The winter months in Vermont can be grueling and tiresome to some due to early sunsets and excessive amounts of snow. So… why not try to get out with friends or the whole family and enjoy yourself?! Below is a list of Vermont winter festivals and activities fun for all ages!
1. Stowe Winter Carnival
http://stowewintercarnival.com/
When: January 16, 2016 – January 30, 2016
Where: Downtown Stowe, VT (multiple locations)
2. Shelburne Winterfest
When: January 25, 2016 from 12 PM – 3 PM
Where: Shelburne Farms, 1611 Harbor Road, Shelburne, VT 05482
Ages: 0 and up
Cost: Donations accepted for Shelburne Parks & Rec. Dept. Sleigh Rides $2/person
Parking: Yes
Features: Enjoy wintry activities, indoors and out! Sledding, sleigh rides, crafts, music, and delicious food at this annual, family-fun event! Events include:
- Face Painting
- Renaissance School
- Live Bird Program witn OFES
- Maple Popcorn Ball Making
- Sleigh/Wagon Rides ($2/person)
- Sledding (bring your sled!)
- Thesewood Kennels Sled Dogs
- Snacks sold by Shelburne Explorers 4-H Club
- Shelburne Farms Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
- Chili
3. Ice on Fire @ North Branch Nature Center
www.northbranchnaturecenter.org
When: January 31, 2015
Where: 713 Elm Street, Montpelier, VT 05602
Ages: 0 – 14+
Cost: Suggested Donation: $3 adult | $1 child | $5 family
Parking: Yes
Features: Snack Stand, Restrooms
This is a huge winter festival in the open fields of the North Branch Nature Center. Spend the afternoon participating in wonderful village activities including:
- parade – at 2:00pm
- storytelling
- winter games
- songs
- readings
- outdoor theater
- bonfire – at 5:00pm
There will will be a warming hut serving up hot chili, hot chocolate and cider. Bring XC skis, snowshoes and sleds.
4. Ben & Jerry’s Winter Festival
www.benjerry.com
When: February 27, 2016
Where: Ben & Jerry’s, 1281 Waterbury-Stowe Rd., Waterbury, VT
Ages: 0 – 14+
Cost: Free – Collecting cash and nonperishable food donations for the Waterbury Food Shelf
Parking: Yes – parking lot
Features: Snack Stand, Playground, Restrooms
Gather friends & family, put on an extra layer and come join the fun at Ben & Jerry’s. Elements of this free outdoor festival include:
- flavor samples
- DJ spinning tunes and offering plenty of give-aways
- Outdoor games
- Sugar on Snow-including dill pickles!
- Free factory tours all day serving Waterbury exclusive sample
- Gift shop super sale
- Girl Scout cookie sale table
- Snow sculptures
- Book signing – Brad Edmondson author of Ice Cream Social
- Local Mascots-including Champ, Skip the Moose, Bob the Bobber and our very own Mooky the Cow
- Local sample offerings from: Cabot Cheese, Laughing Moon Chocolates, Fat Toad Farms and Vermont Smoke & Cure.
- Umiak Outfitters guided snow shoe tours (fee)
- VINS Live Bird on Glove program educator 1:00-3:30
5. Great Ice Event in Grand Isle
www.greaticevt.org/
When: February 5, 2016
Where: 3537 US Route 2, North Hero, VT 05474
Ages: 0 and up
Cost: Some events are free, some are paid.
Parking: Yes – Free parking behind Hero’s Welcome Store
Features: The annual Great Ice in Grand Isle events will be condensed into one event-packed weekend in February. This is an annual celebration on the ice in northern Lake Champlain. The events, most of which are free, are held on City Bay in North Hero and are sponsored by local businesses and open to all. Lots of hot food and beverages available. Includes:
- Bonfire
- Kids Ice Fishing Derby
- Dog Sled Rides
- Frozen Chosen Regatta
- Extreme Frisbee
- Flapjack Breakfast
- Nordic Skating
- Chili Cook off
- Ice Bike Racing
- Hockey
We truly hope you can get out and enjoy at least one of these events in the coming months. If you have any other events not listed, feel free to share!