Vermont Tourism Calendar: December's Holiday, Sports and Shopping Events
Montpelier, VT (PRWEB) November 20, 2013 -- Choose from slopeside events and special offers at ski resorts, plus festive holiday lodging deals at inns statewide. Enjoy bustling shops and vibrant galleries in Vermont’s 24 Designated Downtowns. Several towns host the 50/50 Challenge, a series of holiday events and sales that ensure a jolly good time for shoppers filling hard-to-stuff stockings! Complete listings and websites for these events are at http://www.VermontVacation.com/pressroom.
Festival of Trees
Nov. 24 - Dec. 30, Bennington
Festival of Trees "Around the World" is a community created exhibit of 20 uniquely designed and decorated holiday trees. Additional items from the museum’s collection produce a perfect blend of current design with historical elements. There’s also several traditional and tabletop trees created by local schoolchildren to admire. Benningtonmuseum.org
Chandler Gallery Holiday Bazaar
Wednesdays, now – Dec. 23, Randolph
Quality, fine and functional arts and crafts and local specialty food products by 40 artisans will be showcased in a festive holiday setting. Shoppers find a wide array of affordable fine gifts for the holidays, open Wednesdays 6-8 p.m., Thursdays through Saturdays 9 a.m.-3 p.m., and Sundays 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Chandlergallery.blogspot.com/
Candy Cane Making
Nov. 27 - Dec. 22, Stowe
Fun, family-friendly demonstrations begin at 11 a.m. on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Additional 2 p.m. demos take place on Saturdays. Watch for free or register ahead to make your own candy cane for $6.00. The folks at Laughing Moon do their best to accommodate everyone but please note registering ensures a lesson. Laughingmoonchocolates.com
Bellows Falls & Walpole Artisan Tour
Nov. 29 - Dec. 1, Bellows Falls
Studio artists open their studios and sell their wares on Thanksgiving weekend. Several artists will have work for sale and demonstrations at 33 Bridge Street in Bellows Falls. Walpoleartisans.org
35th Annual Putney Craft Tour
Nov. 29 - Dec. 1, Putney
Demos, food, handcrafted shopping along scenic back roads. Blacksmiths, glass blowers, potters, jewelers, weavers, woodworkers – even artisan cheesemakers. Putneycrafts.com
Manchester Merriment
Nov. 29 - Jan. 1, Manchester
Come enjoy the dozens of events happening in Manchester all holiday season! Lighted tractor parade, wine tastings, inn tours, tree lightings, horse-drawn wagon rides and world-class shopping are how Manchester & the Mountains celebrates the holiday season! Visitmanchestervt.com
Ri Ra's Santa 5k Run
Dec. 1, Burlington
The Ri Ra's Santa 5k Run is Vermont's first and only all Santa Race! The course starts on historic Church Street and features a rolling course with one tough hill on Battery Street. All participants receive a full Santa suit and a great Irish breakfast after the race at Ri Ra Irish pub. Events.runningroom.com/site/?raceId=8881
Star Party
Dec. 6, Peacham
Join fellow stargazers for an evening of observing under clear skies using the Northeast Kingdom Astronomy Foundation’s main 17" and portable telescopes. Learn with neighbors, newcomers and amateur astronomers. Facebook.com/nkaf.org
Holiday Celebrations at Shelburne Museum
Dec. 3-8, Shelburne
The new Pizzagalli Center for Art and Education will be humming with holiday-themed art activities, games and live music. The Center will be a sight to behold bedecked with 10 holiday trees, each decorated in a different theme inspired by the museum’s collections. Shelburnemuseum.org
Holiday Stroll
Dec. 7, Vergennes
Eat breakfast with Santa, shop at the craft fair, find rare gifts at the Bixby Library silent auction, grab your rotary wreath and sing carols as you stroll. Read with Mrs. Claus; make cookies and decorations in Santa's workshop. Enjoy the music of Champlain Brass Quintet, Victory Baptist Church Choir, Dickens carolers and Addison County Gospel Choir. Addisoncounty.com/holidaystroll
Capital City Farmers Market
Dec. 7 & 21, Montpelier
35 farmers, food producers, and craftspeople sell local fare. Also enjoy live music and ready-to-eat foods. Join us at the Vermont College of Fine Arts Gym at the corner of E. State St. and College St. Montpelierfarmersmarket.com
Stowe Community Church Christmas Fair
Dec. 7, Stowe
The Christmas Fair features decorated wreaths, needlecrafts, baked goods, and our original mugs, cookbooks, puzzles and historic Stowe afghans. The Trinkets & Treasures Room contains jewelry and other surprises. This year's quilt raffle features a queen-sized, "Crazy Quilt" pattern. Stowechurch.org
19th Annual Brewfest
Dec. 7, Smugglers' Notch Resort
Enjoy a day of outdoor fun on the mountain and a night of savoring the region’s finest libations. Sample local & regional beers and wines, with music, munchies and prizes. Smuggs.com
Christmas at Billings Farm & Museum
Dec. 7 - Jan. 1, Woodstock
Discover the simplicity of a 19th century Vermont Christmas in an authentically decorated farmhouse and working dairy farm. Partake in horse-drawn sleigh ride and children’s activities. Open every weekend and December 26 - Jan. 1. GPS: 69 Old River Road Billingsfarm.org
Classic Films of the 1950s
Dec. 8, Stowe
The 1950s were a fascinating time for Hollywood films. Several directors who began their careers in the silent era were in their prime and new stars such as Marlon Brando, James Dean and Audrey Hepburn were making their mark. Films addressed vital issues of the time such as juvenile delinquency, conformity, and racial attitudes, while the shadow of the Hollywood blacklist loomed. A Vermont Humanities Council event at the Jewish Community of Greater Stowe. Vermonthumanities.org
Wassail Weekend in Woodstock
Dec. 13 – 15, Woodstock
Voted one of Vermont's Top Ten Winter events, the term has its roots in Medieval England referring to the Norse, "ves heill" meaning "to drink to the health." Ale brewed with spiced apples and sugar was the warm drink given to the singers who went door to door during the Solstice. Parades, theatre, dining events and carolers’ songs of the season fill the air. Woodstockvt.com/wassail
Holidays on the Newbury Common
Dec. 14, Newbury
An old-fashioned winter party with music, traditional craft demonstrations, winter games, bonfire, tree lighting, hot chocolate, cookies, a visit from Santa and more! Enjoy a community supper and join the moonlight snowshoe and square dance after the fireworks show! Celebrate250.org
Winter's Eve
Dec. 14, Burlington
Come calling on Ethan and Fanny Allen for a Winter's Eve celebration! Begin your experience in the 18th Century Tavern; take part in group dances, hear live music, or watch historical craft demonstrations. Come along for a lantern tour of the Allen House where historical re-enactors will entertain you! Ethanallenhomestead.org
22nd Annual Coolidge Holiday Open House
Dec. 15, Plymouth Notch
The Coolidge Birthplace will be decorated as it would have been in 1872, the year the future president was born. Holiday music will fill the village. Sleigh rides, children’s activities, crafts, foods and the Plymouth Memory Tree lighting ceremony enliven this holiday celebration. HistoricSites.Vermont.gov/Coolidge
Solstice Snowshoe over Moose Mountain
Dec. 21, East Charleston
Hike four miles along the Moose Mountain Trail. This beautiful trail runs through hardwood forest and rolling terrain. The journey to the 2,339’ peak offers scenic vistas of the northern range of the Green Mountains, Lake Willoughby and Wheeler Pond. Bring lunch, a hot drink and warm layers. Registration is required and snowshoes are available. Northwoodscenter.org
Celebrate Annual Holiday Show
Dec. 23- 28, Barre
Celebrate Annual Holiday Show includes a wide variety of fine art and crafts. Hundreds of one-of-a-kind gifts made by local artists are exhibited on three floors of Barre’s beloved downtown gallery. Studioplacearts.com
Jen Butson, Vermont Tourism & Marketing, http://www.vermontvacation.com, +1 (802) 522-7323, [email protected]
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