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Christmas with kids in Montpelier
Christmas in Montpelier, Vermont's small capital, centers on the Statehouse. Each December a Vermont-grown tree is lit on the steps, children sing, and downtown bridges and windows glow all season.
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Cozy Up at KHL
When: Sat, Dec 19, 10:30 am to noon
Where: Kellogg-Hubbard Library, Montpelier
Cost:
The story of Christmas in Montpelier
How Montpelier celebrates
Montpelier's best-known Christmas tradition is the annual lighting of the Vermont Statehouse tree. Every year a tree from somewhere in Vermont is lit in early December, with the governor and children, a school chorus, free cookies and hot cider. Over the years the evening has added snow, fire spinning, horse-drawn rides and animals for children to meet. The Statehouse also holds a menorah lighting. Downtown, Montpelier Alive decorates the district with garlands, lamp post lights and ten illuminated bridges, and local shops dress their windows.
Christmas last year in Montpelier
The 2025 Statehouse tree lighting took place on Tuesday, December 9, with a 41-foot blue spruce that had stood on Route 2 near the Moretown landfill. Fire dancers and a drumming performance entertained the crowd, and children could meet and pet goats from Cedar Brook Homestead. The following week, a Complete Streets Glow Walk on December 17 celebrated the illuminated bridges, including the Shaw's pedestrian bridge. All ten of the city's bridges were lit in multicolored lights, and New Year's Eve ended with fireworks on the State House lawn.
Fun facts about Christmas in Montpelier
The Statehouse tree comes from a different Vermont spot each year. In 2024 it came from the front of the American Legion Post 10 in Barre, where it had grown for 24 years, and stood in memory of those who serve. In 2022 a 40-foot balsam came from Northlight Tree Farm in Calais, one of Vermont's oldest Christmas tree farms, dating back to the 1920s. At the 2024 ceremony, Governor Phil Scott read The Night Before Christmas inside the Statehouse, and a reindeer attended.
Trains and Christmas near Montpelier
Montpelier once had its own rail story, the Montpelier and Wells River Railroad, nicknamed the Milk Run, which ran from 1873 to 1956. There is no museum, but its old turntable survives on Stone Cutters Way and the Cross Vermont Trail follows much of its route. For a depot, the Shelburne Museum has an 1890 station with a stationmaster's office and telegraph equipment. The Rutland Railway Museum, in the old Center Rutland depot, has N and HO scale layouts.
- Montpelier & Wells River Railroad: A vanished central Vermont line, the Milk Run, whose old turntable survives on Stone Cutters Way in Montpelier.
- Shelburne Museum Railroad Station and Freight Shed: An 1890 depot with a stationmaster's office, waiting rooms, telegraph equipment and a freight shed of railroad tools.
- Rutland Railway Museum: A friendly museum in the old Center Rutland depot with local railroad artifacts and N and HO scale layouts.
Traditions today
- Vermont Statehouse tree lighting: A Vermont-grown tree is lit on the Statehouse steps in early December, with children, carols, cookies and cider.
- Statehouse menorah lighting: The Statehouse also lights a menorah during the holiday season.
- Illuminated bridges: All ten of Montpelier's downtown bridges glow in multicolored lights through the season.
- Complete Streets Glow Walk: An evening community stroll in December to see the lit bridges, including the Shaw's pedestrian bridge.
- Storefront windows: Shops dress their windows with scenes, such as a penguin waiter at Bohemian Bakery, and lamp posts wear garlands.
- New Year's Eve fireworks: Fireworks on the State House lawn and bridge lights in champagne tones ring in the new year.
A fact for kids
In Montpelier, the Christmas tree in front of the Statehouse comes from a different Vermont spot each year. One year it was a tree that had grown for 24 years in front of a Barre veterans' hall.
Questions about Christmas in Montpelier
How does Montpelier celebrate Christmas?
Montpelier celebrates with the annual Vermont Statehouse tree lighting in early December, a menorah lighting, ten illuminated downtown bridges, decorated storefronts and a New Year's Eve fireworks show. The tree lighting is the best known, with carols, cookies and cider. Our Montpelier Christmas events guide on this page has this year's dates.
Where does the Montpelier Christmas tree come from?
A different Vermont tree is chosen each year. In 2025 it was a 41-foot blue spruce from Route 2 near the Moretown landfill, in 2024 a tree from the American Legion Post 10 in Barre, and in 2022 a 40-foot balsam from Northlight Tree Farm in Calais.
When was the 2025 Statehouse tree lighting?
The 2025 lighting took place on Tuesday, December 9, in Montpelier. The tree was a 41-foot blue spruce. Entertainment included fire dancers and a drumming performance, and children could meet goats from Cedar Brook Homestead. Dates change each year, so check our Montpelier Christmas events guide on this page.
What happened at the 2024 Statehouse tree lighting?
On December 5, 2024, snow fell as children sang and the tree was lit. The evening had fire spinning, horse-drawn rides and a reindeer. Afterward people gathered inside the Statehouse for cookies, and Governor Phil Scott read The Night Before Christmas. The tree came from the Barre American Legion Post 10.
Why did Barre's American Legion tree matter?
The 2024 tree grew for decades in front of the American Legion Barre Post 10. Its president, Shannon Capron, said the post was honored that its tree of 24 years was chosen. The tree stood in memory of those who serve through the holiday season, which is a good way to talk with kids about thanking helpers.
What was special about the 2022 Montpelier tree?
The 2022 tree was a 40-foot balsam topped with a bright blue star and thousands of multicolored lights. It came from Northlight Tree Farm in Calais, described as one of Vermont's oldest Christmas tree farms, dating to the 1920s. Governor Phil Scott and children helped light it on December 5.
Who sings at the Statehouse tree lighting?
Children often sing. In 2022 the U-32 High School chorus performed carols, and in 2024 children sang as snow fell. The evening has also included free cookies and hot cider. Arrive a bit early with warm layers so your little ones can hear the music and find a good spot.
Is the Statehouse tree lighting free?
The sources we found describe a public ceremony on the Statehouse steps and say attendees received free cookies and hot cider in 2022. We did not find a ticket or fee. As details can change each year, check our Montpelier Christmas events guide on this page and the Statehouse listing before you go.
Does Montpelier have a menorah lighting?
Yes. A Montpelier downtown holiday post said that both the State House tree and menorah had been lit in the 2025 season. Dates differ each year, so see our Montpelier Christmas events guide on this page for the current schedule.
What are the Montpelier bridge lights?
Montpelier has ten illuminated bridges, and in December 2025 all ten were lit in multicolored lights. The Rialto Bridge also had a garland hung by a local florist. On New Year's Eve the lights shifted to champagne tones. Walking across the bridges after dark is a simple, free outing for families.
What is the Complete Streets Glow Walk?
It is an evening community stroll held on December 17, 2025. It promoted pedestrian safety and showed off the illuminated bridges, including the Shaw's pedestrian bridge. It is a good fit for families who like to walk, so bring reflective gear and warm mittens. Check Montpelier Alive for the next one.
Are there Montpelier storefront window displays?
Yes. In December 2025, Bohemian Bakery showed a penguin waiter scene, and a Bailey Road display used greenery, poinsettias and red dresses. Garlands and lights also hung on lamp posts across the downtown district. A slow window-shopping walk is an easy way to see Christmas in Montpelier with kids.
Is there fireworks on New Year's Eve in Montpelier?
Yes. In 2025 the city's New Year's Eve celebration included events through the day and night, fireworks on the State House lawn, and bridge lights that turned champagne-colored to welcome 2026. Check the Montpelier Alive Holidays page and our Montpelier Christmas events guide on this page for this year's times.
Does Montpelier have a Christmas parade?
We did not find a Christmas parade in Montpelier, Vermont, so its season centers on the Statehouse tree lighting, the lit bridges and downtown events such as the glow walk. Families usually plan around the tree lighting evening and a stroll over the bridges. Our Montpelier Christmas events guide on this page lists what is planned in Vermont.
Are there animals at Montpelier holiday events?
Sometimes. In 2025 children could meet and pet goats from Cedar Brook Homestead at the tree lighting, and in 2024 there was a reindeer and horse-drawn rides. Animals vary each year, so ask your child to choose their favorite and check our Montpelier Christmas events guide on this page for what is coming.
How can I explain the state Christmas tree to my kids?
Tell them every December, Vermont picks one special tree from somewhere in the state to stand outside the Statehouse, where the government works. People light it together and sing. Ask your child to guess where the next tree will come from, such as a farm, a veterans' hall or a roadside.
What should we wear to the Montpelier tree lighting?
Dress very warmly, since the ceremony is outdoors on the Statehouse steps in early December, and in 2024 snow fell during it. Bring hats, mittens and boots, plus a thermos for little ones. Hot cider and cookies were served in 2022. Check the weather and our Montpelier Christmas events guide on this page.
What was the Montpelier and Wells River Railroad?
It was a central Vermont line, nicknamed the Milk Run, that ran from 1873 to 1956. There is no museum, but its old turntable survives on Stone Cutters Way in Montpelier and the Cross Vermont Trail follows much of its route. It is a nice place to talk with kids about trains that used to run.
Where can kids see a historic train station near Montpelier?
The Shelburne Museum has its own 1890 depot, moved onto the campus in 1959, with a stationmaster's office, separate waiting rooms, telegraph equipment and a freight shed of railroad tools. Tickets cover two days on the 45-acre campus. The Rutland Railway Museum in Center Rutland is open Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Is there a model railroad near Montpelier?
Yes. The Rutland Railway Museum, inside the old Center Rutland depot, has an N scale layout and an HO scale layout, along with local railroad artifacts. It is a small, friendly museum with members who are happy to talk trains, and it is open Saturdays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Sources
- Photos: Carols, cookies and cider warm hearts at the Statehouse tree lighting ceremony, VTDigger
- Vermonters gather to see Statehouse tree lit up for the holidays, WCAX
- Montpelier celebrates holidays with Statehouse tree lighting, WCAX
- Let It Glow: Holiday Highlights in Downtown Montpelier, Montpelier Alive
- Montpelier & Wells River Railroad, Rally Takes the Train
- Shelburne Museum Railroad Station and Freight Shed, Rally Takes the Train
- Rutland Railway Museum, Rally Takes the Train