Celebrate the Holiday Season in Downtown Montpelier

Horse-drawn wagon rides
Saturdays, (12/1, 12/8, 12/15 and 12/22); noon-3pm
There are only 37 Overlander horses in the country and two of them will be pulling Buck’s Horse Drawn Wagon through the streets of Montpelier this holiday season. The rides start at City Center and follow a route that brings passengers past the State House. First night buttons will be available here! The wagon rides are made free thanks to the sponsorship of WCVT (102.5 in Montpelier) and the Montpelier Downtown Community Association.

Make an Ornament for the Tree Lighting
Saturday 12/1 from 2-4pm at Langdon St Café
Come to Langdon Street Café to make an ornament, then bring your ornament with you when you meet Santa. Everyone’s ornaments will decorate the tree at City Center. Organized by Langdon Street Café.

Santa Comes to Town for Montpelier Tree Lighting
Saturday 12/1 at 4pm
Come to City Center to hear carolers, watch the lighting of the holiday tree, add your ornament and meet Santa. Toys for Tots will also be collecting donations of new toys. Tree donated by Morse Farm. Event sponsored by the Montpelier Downtown Community Association and the Montpelier Business Association.

Art and Artisan Confection Walk
Friday 12/7 from 4-8pm
Check out new art at participating venues around town and sample chocolate treats from some of Vermont’s finest chocolatiers. Over 20 venues will be displaying art. Many will also feature artist talks or receptions. Maps and information available at The Lazy Pear and other participating venues or online at www.lazypear.com. Organized by the Montpelier Downtown Community Association

Griswold Holiday Cement Mixer tours Montpelier
Friday, 12/7 from 5-6pm
Thousands of little lights create a magical display on this ST Griswold cement mixer. Catch this holiday favorite as it tours downtown Montpelier during the Art and Artisan Confection Walk.

Window Display competition comes to an end
Friday 12/7
A jury will decide who has the best holiday window downtown. Stay tuned to see if you agree with their decision.

Free Parking
12/8-25
Two hours of free parking in downtown Montpelier! (Only in metered spaces. Does not include long term parking lots, two-hour limits enforced on weekdays).

Holiday Gift Market
12/8
Buy your holiday gifts from Vermont owned small businesses while helping to raise money with an amazing raffle benefiting OUR House of Central VT. There are raffle prizes from every single vendor as well as grand prizes. Second floor of City Hall.

Free showing of “The Court Jester” at the Savoy Theater
Saturday, 12/15 at 11am
Danny Kaye spoofs Robin Hood and Scaramouche in this inventive slapstick swashbuckler. Portraying the clownish but good-hearted entertainer Hawkins, he infiltrates the court of the corrupt Basil Rathbone (up to his usual brand of cruel villainy) disguised as the legendary king of jesters, Giacomo. After a court sorceress hypnotizes Hawkins into believing he is also a legendary assassin, Hawkins has more identities than he can keep straight, and Kaye zips back and forth between them at, literally, a snap of the fingers. Sponsored by the Savoy Theater and the Montpelier Downtown Community Association.

First Night Montpelier
Monday, 12/31 from 3pm-midnight
Ring in the New Year at First Night with over 60 performances and activities including music, children’s programs, a food court, 5 K road race, parade and fireworks! Early birds can start the festivities by ice skating from 1-3. Buttons on sale at locations throughout Central Vermont. In advance: $10 individual, $40 family pack of 5 buttons. New Year’s Eve prices go up to $12 individual, $50 family pack of 5. Brought to you by the Montpelier Downtown Community Association and the City of Montpelier. For more information, go to www.mdca.org.

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Don’t forget about Capital City Cash! Accepted at more than 60 downtown merchants, restaurants and service providers, these gift-certificate-like vouchers make the perfect holiday gift! Pick them up at Artisan’s Hand, Chittenden Bank, Onion River Sports, Capitol Stationers, Bear Pond Books, The Peach Tree & Woodbury Mountain Toys.