As the final days of December unfold, Vermont is abuzz with preparations to welcome the year 2026. From Burlington in the north to Brattleboro in the south, residents and visitors alike are gearing up for festive celebrations.
Whether you prefer a lively dance party or a family-friendly outdoor adventure, the state offers diverse options to mark the occasion. Below are five notable events scheduled for New Year's Eve.
Highlight Festival in Burlington
Burlington's waterfront and downtown areas will host the Highlight New Year's Eve Festival, showcasing local artists, musicians, and food vendors. The celebration focuses on creativity and community, ending with a disco dance party at Contois Auditorium, featuring a bar, food, and classic vinyl tunes. Event details and vendor lists are available online. Admission is $18 for adults, with free entry for children aged five and under.
Smugglers' Notch Resort Celebration
Smugglers' Notch Resort invites families to enjoy a day of fun, including arcade games, a bonfire, laser tag, karaoke, and fireworks. A highlight is glow tubing at Sir Henry's Hill, where LED lights illuminate the snow. The event runs from 10:30 a.m. to midnight on Dec. 31 at 4323 Vermont Route 108 South in Jeffersonville. No tickets are required for entry, but some activities need a SmuggsPass or Daycation ticket.
Brattleboro's Last Night Festivities
Brattleboro's Last Night celebration spreads activities across town, such as dancing, free ice skating, a disc golf tournament, horse-drawn sleigh rides, and a circus show. It concludes with a ball drop at Heart Rose Club at 8:30 p.m.
First Night North in St. Johnsbury
First Night North, the state's longest-running New Year's Eve performance festival, features over 150 performers in more than 75 shows at various St. Johnsbury venues. Running from 4 p.m. to midnight, it includes live music, comedy, magic, puppetry, and hypnosis. Food trucks and a pancake supper are available, ending with a community countdown, a Ball of Light raising, and a midnight dance party. Tickets cost $25 for adults before Dec. 25, then $30, with free admission for students 18 and under.
Bolton Valley Resort Party
Bolton Valley Resort offers a mountainside New Year's Eve party with a torch light parade, fireworks, DJ music, and more. The event lasts from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 31, at 4302 Bolton Valley Access Road in Bolton Valley. Lift tickets and season passes can be purchased online.
