Vermont has 5 Christmas events for kids we could confirm for the 2026 season, from Downtown Rutland Tree Lighting in Rutland on November 27 to Winter Lights in Shelburne, which runs through January 3. 3 of them are free, and every listing links straight to the host. It is one stop on our guide to Christmas events for kids in every state.
The short version
- 5 kids’ Christmas events confirmed in Vermont for 2026, in Burlington, Rutland and Montpelier
- First: Downtown Rutland Tree Lighting, Rutland, November 27. Runs latest: Winter Lights, Shelburne, through January 3
- Free: Downtown Rutland Tree Lighting, Jolabokaflod and Holiday Stroll 2026
- Checked on each host’s own page; each listing links straight to it
Below is every event we could confirm, grouped by city, with the date, time, cost and the small things parents ask about (sign-ups, ages, what is included). Looking for a Santa train instead? Those are on our Vermont Christmas train rides page.
Vermont Christmas events for kids at a glance
- Kids’ Christmas events
- 5 confirmed for 2026
- Cities
- Burlington, Rutland and Montpelier
- Season
- November 27, 2026 to January 3, 2027
- Free events
- 3
- Kinds of events
- tree lighting, holiday lights, holiday story time and Santa visit
- Last checked
Plan your December
When each Vermont Christmas event for kids happens
The first is Downtown Rutland Tree Lighting in Rutland on November 27; the last runs to January 3. Each bar spans an event’s dates, not every hour in them, so check the host’s page for times.
- Downtown Rutland Tree LightingRutland · Nov 27
- Winter LightsShelburne · Nov 27 to Jan 3
- JolabokaflodBurlington · Dec 2
- Holiday Stroll 2026Rutland · Dec 12
- Cozy Up at KHLMontpelier · Dec 19
Look inside the book
Story time with Santa in Vermont? Bring Rally home.
Rally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi’s first train ride, hand-painted in real watercolor. It makes a cozy bedtime story after a big day with Santa. Turn a few pages here.
Rally Takes the Train
Eight pages from the book
Turn the page
That's 8 of 25 pages
See who’s waiting at the station
Grandmommy and Papa are at the last stop. Get the full hand-painted book, $16.99 on Amazon.
See the full bookPage 1 of 8
Like it so far? See the full book
25 hand-painted pages, paperback, $16.99 with fast shipping from Amazon.
Every page is real watercolor on paper, painted by hand by Leslie Dunn. Nothing in this book was made with AI.
Christmas events for kids in Burlington
2 confirmed events for kids in Burlington, including nearby Shelburne, soonest first.
Shelburne: Winter Lights
Holiday lightsShelburne Museum · Shelburne
- Host
- Shelburne Museum (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Shelburne Museum, 6000 Shelburne Road, Shelburne, VT 05482 (near Burlington)
- When
- Fri November 27 (4:30 to 8 pm), Sat November 28 (4:30 to 8 pm), Sun November 29 (4:30 to 8 pm), Mon November 30, Thu December 3 (4:30 to 8 pm), Fri December 4 (4:30 to 8 pm), Sat December 5 (4:30 to 8 pm), Sun December 6 (4:30 to 8 pm), Thu December 10 (4:30 to 8 pm), Fri December 11 (4:30 to 8 pm), Sat December 12 (4:30 to 8 pm), Sun December 13 (4:30 to 8 pm), Mon December 14, Thu December 17 (4:30 to 8 pm), Fri December 18 (4:30 to 8 pm), Sat December 19 (4:30 to 8 pm), Sun December 20 (4:30 to 8 pm), Mon December 21 (4:30 to 8 pm), Tue December 22 (4:30 to 8 pm), Wed December 23 (4:30 to 8 pm) and Sat December 26 (4:30 to 8 pm), 2026
- Cost
- Advance online $20 adults, $10 ages 3 to 17, under 3 free; walk up $25 and $12
- Ages
- All ages; under 3 free
- Sign-up
- Recommended
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Winter Lights fills the Shelburne Museum campus, just south of Burlington, with glittering light installations on the darkest evenings of the year. Favorites include the 220 foot steamboat Ticonderoga outlined in lights and the model train village in the Diamond Barn, and this season adds woodland creatures by artist Calvin Laituri in the pine grove of Beach Woods. On November 29, whimsical woodland puppets wander the grounds singing to visitors.
Walk through evenings run from 4:30 to 8 pm, with last entry at 7, generally Thursdays through Sundays plus every night of school break from December 26 to January 3. Advance timed tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for ages 3 to 17, and children under 3 are free; walk up prices are higher. Sensory friendly evenings on November 30 and December 14 use separate registration. The cafe serves light snacks and hot chocolate. The museum is closed December 24 and 25.
Parent tip: Buy timed tickets online to save money and secure a slot. Sleds are not allowed on the grounds, so plan on walking or a stroller.
See dates and details from Shelburne Museum (opens in a new tab)Burlington: Jolabokaflod
Holiday story timeFreeFletcher Free Library · Burlington
- Host
- Fletcher Free Library (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Fletcher Free Library, Main Library, Fletcher Room, 235 College Street, Burlington, VT 05401
- When
- Wednesday, December 2, 2026, 4 to 6:30 pm
- Cost
- Free, registration required
- Ages
- Recommended for ages 2 to 8 and their families
- Sign-up
- Required ahead of time
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Jolabokaflod, pronounced Yola Boka Flod, is the Icelandic winter tradition of giving books and spending a cozy evening reading with chocolate. Burlington's Fletcher Free Library brings it to life for young children with stories, treats and a craft, all in the Fletcher Room at the Main Library downtown. Cozy clothes and pajamas are encouraged.
The program is recommended for ages 2 to 8 and their families, and it runs as two identical sessions on the same evening, from 4 to 5:15 pm and from 5:15 to 6:30 pm. Space is limited and registration is required for either session through the library's online calendar. Treats come courtesy of local sponsors Vermont Cookie Love, Price Chopper and Lake Champlain Chocolates.
Parent tip: Register for one session ahead of time, since space is limited. Kids are welcome to come in pajamas.
See dates and details from Fletcher Free Library (opens in a new tab)Christmas events for kids in Rutland
2 confirmed events for kids in Rutland, soonest first.
Rutland: Downtown Rutland Tree Lighting
Tree lightingFreeDowntown Rutland Partnership · Rutland
- Host
- Downtown Rutland Partnership (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Depot Park, Evelyn Street and Merchants Row, Rutland, VT 05701
- When
- Friday, November 27, 2026, 5:30 to 6:30 pm
- Cost
- Free
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Downtown Rutland kicks off the holiday season the evening after Thanksgiving with a traditional tree lighting in Depot Park. Festive activities start at 5:30 pm, building up to Santa's arrival by fire truck at 6 pm, when he helps light the holiday tree.
Volunteers hand out hundreds of holiday light specs and candy canes during the event, which runs about an hour. The tree lighting is a free community event supported by the Downtown Rutland Partnership, Rutland City and the Rutland Recreation and Parks Department. The partnership posts updates on its Facebook event page, and questions can go to info@downtownrutland.com. The next day, November 28, is Small Business Saturday downtown, and the Holiday Stroll with a visit from Santa follows on December 12.
Parent tip: Arrive by 5:30 pm for the activities before Santa's 6 pm fire truck arrival. Dress warmly for an outdoor evening.
See dates and details from Downtown Rutland Partnership (opens in a new tab)Rutland: Holiday Stroll 2026
Santa visitFreeDowntown Rutland Partnership · Rutland
- Host
- Downtown Rutland Partnership (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Downtown Rutland historic district, Merchants Row, Rutland, VT 05701
- When
- Saturday, December 12, 2026, 10 am to 4 pm
- Cost
- Free to attend
- Ages
- Family friendly
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
The Downtown Rutland Partnership's Holiday Stroll fills the historic downtown district with a day of holiday cheer. Local shops offer sales, specials and promotions, and the organizers promise family friendly fun throughout the day, including a special visit from Santa.
The stroll runs from 10 am to 4 pm on Saturday, December 12. When this listing was checked, the partnership said more details were coming, including Santa's location and timing and the list of participating merchants, so check the event page or its Facebook event before you go. The event is free to attend and is supported by sponsors and community partners. Families who missed the November 27 tree lighting in Depot Park can still catch the downtown decorations and see Santa on this day. Questions can be sent to info@downtownrutland.com.
Parent tip: Check the event page close to the date for Santa's exact time and spot, which had not been posted yet.
See dates and details from Downtown Rutland Partnership (opens in a new tab)Christmas events for kids in Montpelier
1 confirmed event for kids in Montpelier, soonest first.
Montpelier: Cozy Up at KHL
Holiday craftsKellogg-Hubbard Library · Montpelier
- Host
- Kellogg-Hubbard Library (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Kellogg-Hubbard Library, 135 Main Street, Montpelier, VT 05602
- When
- Saturday, December 19, 2026, 10:30 am to noon
- Cost
- Check the host's page
- Ages
- All ages
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Kellogg-Hubbard Library in Montpelier hosts Cozy Up at KHL, a winter morning inspired by the Danish idea of hygge. The schedule includes a build-your-own hot cocoa bar near the fireplace from 10:30 am, a sled dog program with Siber Sled Dogs on the library lawn from 10:30 to 11:30 am, and a craft in the Hayes Room from 11:30 am. Families can meet the Huskies, ask questions and take pictures with the dogs hitched to a sled.
The library invites all ages and says you can stay for the whole event or just drop in, which makes it easy with young kids. The sled dog portion is outside, so bring warm layers, then head indoors for cocoa and crafts. The library lists the event as 10:30 am to noon, though the cocoa bar and craft are scheduled until 12:30 pm.
Parent tip: Drop in anytime; arrive by 10:30 am to catch the sled dogs, which are outside on the lawn until 11:30 am. Dress warmly for the outdoor portion.
See dates and details from Kellogg-Hubbard Library (opens in a new tab)Near a state line? Our guides to Christmas events for kids in New Hampshire, Christmas events for kids in Massachusetts and Christmas events for kids in Rhode Island list more confirmed events, and the national search sorts every event by distance from your town.
A story for the drive home
A morning with Santa or an evening of holiday stories tends to end the same way: tired kids, a long drive and one more book before bed. Our picture book follows Rally the corgi on his first train ride to see his grand-paw-rents, and every page is painted by hand. If your family is spending December missing someone, it was written for that too. For the car, print our free corgi and train coloring pages.
A bedtime story after seeing SantaRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi’s first train ride, hand-painted in real watercolor by Leslie Dunn. $16.99 on Amazon, ages 0 to 8.
Buy on AmazonVermont Christmas events for kids: questions parents ask
What Christmas events for kids are in Vermont in 2026?
We confirmed 5 Christmas events for kids in Vermont for 2026 on each host’s own page: Downtown Rutland Tree Lighting in Rutland (November 27), Winter Lights in Shelburne (November 27), Jolabokaflod in Burlington (December 2), Holiday Stroll 2026 in Rutland (December 12) and Cozy Up at KHL in Montpelier (December 19). Every one is listed below with times, cost and a link to the host.
What Christmas events for kids are in Burlington, Vermont?
For families in and around Burlington, the confirmed Christmas events for kids this season are: Winter Lights (in Shelburne, Thursdays to Sundays, Nov 27 to Jan 3, plus nightly Dec 26 to Jan 3, 4:30 to 8 pm, advance online $20 adults, $10 ages 3 to 17, under 3 free; walk up $25 and $12); Jolabokaflod (Wed, Dec 2, sessions at 4 pm and 5:15 pm, free, registration required). Details and the host’s link for each are in the Burlington section of this page.
What Christmas events for kids are in Rutland, Vermont?
For families in and around Rutland, the confirmed Christmas events for kids this season are: Downtown Rutland Tree Lighting (Fri, Nov 27, 5:30 to 6:30 pm, free); Holiday Stroll 2026 (Sat, Dec 12, 10 am to 4 pm, free to attend). Details and the host’s link for each are in the Rutland section of this page.
What Christmas events for kids are in Montpelier, Vermont?
For families in and around Montpelier, the confirmed Christmas events for kids this season are: Cozy Up at KHL (Sat, Dec 19, 10:30 am to noon, see the host for cost). Details and the host’s link for each are in the Montpelier section of this page.
Are there free Christmas events for kids in Vermont?
Yes. 3 of the 5 events here are free: Downtown Rutland Tree Lighting in Rutland, Jolabokaflod in Burlington and Holiday Stroll 2026 in Rutland. Some free events still ask you to register, so check each listing.
Where can kids see Santa in Vermont this December?
Santa appears at Downtown Rutland Tree Lighting in Rutland (November 27) and Holiday Stroll 2026 in Rutland (December 12). Times and booking rules are in each event’s listing above.
Where are there Christmas story times for kids in Vermont?
Holiday story times on this page: Jolabokaflod in Burlington. Library story times are usually free; story times with a meal or show are ticketed.
Are there kids' Christmas events in Vermont on Christmas Eve or after Christmas?
Yes: Winter Lights in Shelburne (through January 3).
How much is Downtown Rutland Tree Lighting in Rutland?
Free. Downtown Rutland Tree Lighting is on Friday, November 27, 2026, 5:30 to 6:30 pm at Depot Park. Confirm on the host’s page before you go.
How much is Winter Lights in Shelburne?
Advance online $20 adults, $10 ages 3 to 17, under 3 free; walk up $25 and $12. Winter Lights is on Fri November 27 (4:30 to 8 pm), Sat November 28 (4:30 to 8 pm), Sun November 29 (4:30 to 8 pm), Mon November 30, Thu December 3 (4:30 to 8 pm), Fri December 4 (4:30 to 8 pm), Sat December 5 (4:30 to 8 pm), Sun December 6 (4:30 to 8 pm), Thu December 10 (4:30 to 8 pm), Fri December 11 (4:30 to 8 pm), Sat December 12 (4:30 to 8 pm), Sun December 13 (4:30 to 8 pm), Mon December 14, Thu December 17 (4:30 to 8 pm), Fri December 18 (4:30 to 8 pm), Sat December 19 (4:30 to 8 pm), Sun December 20 (4:30 to 8 pm), Mon December 21 (4:30 to 8 pm), Tue December 22 (4:30 to 8 pm), Wed December 23 (4:30 to 8 pm) and Sat December 26 (4:30 to 8 pm), 2026 at Shelburne Museum. Confirm on the host’s page before you go.
How much is Jolabokaflod in Burlington?
Free, registration required. Jolabokaflod is on Wednesday, December 2, 2026, 4 to 6:30 pm at Fletcher Free Library, Main Library, Fletcher Room. Confirm on the host’s page before you go.
How much is Holiday Stroll 2026 in Rutland?
Free to attend. Holiday Stroll 2026 is on Saturday, December 12, 2026, 10 am to 4 pm at Downtown Rutland historic district. Confirm on the host’s page before you go.
When is Cozy Up at KHL in Montpelier in 2026?
Saturday, December 19, 2026, 10:30 am to noon, at Kellogg-Hubbard Library. The host has not posted a price on its page, so check there before you go.
Are there Christmas train rides for kids in Vermont?
Yes, but they have their own guide. Santa trains and holiday train rides are listed in our Vermont Christmas train rides guide, so this page sticks to story times, Santa visits and other events off the rails.
How do you confirm these events?
We list an event only after we find this season’s date on the host’s own website or an official city or tourism calendar. We last checked every listing on November 2, 2026. Hosts change details, so always confirm on the host’s page before you go.
Event names belong to their hosts. Rally Takes the Train is a family picture book and is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by any host listed here. Confirm dates, times and prices on each host’s own site before you go.
