Manchester Merriment – 2025
Manchester Merriment brings festive cheer to the heart of Manchester each winter season. This beloved annual celebration captures the true magic of the holidays in classic New England style, featuring unique music, shopping, crafts, experiences, and more. The festivities begin on November 29 with the cherished Holiday Tree Lighting, marking the start of a month-long celebration filled with joy and community spirit. Visitors and locals alike can enjoy signature events such as the Lighted Tractor Parade, Shires Holiday Inn Tours, and the always-popular Santa Express, along with special shopping promotions and seasonal activities—all set against the picturesque backdrop of the Green Mountains.
Check back often for updates, as even more events and details will be added in the coming weeks! Manchester Merriment continues to grow each year, offering new ways to celebrate the season with family and friends.
“Christmas 1912” Hildene Holidays
December 4th – 29th
Step back in time to experience the home festooned with hand-crafted, elegant holiday décor of the period. The Lincoln family home will be cheerfully decorated as though it were Christmas Eve 1912 — one of three dates Mary and Robert Lincoln were in residence for the holidays at their beloved Hildene.
On weekends, talented musicians play both the organ and Steinway piano, creating an ambient atmosphere while guests enjoy the music in the background as they leisurely stroll through the house.
Taconic Music – New Year’s Family Concert
Monday, 12/30, 2pm- 3pm
Taconic String Band and Strings for Kids students perform side-by-side in an engaging program for attendees of all ages.
Taconic Music – New Year’s Celebration
Tuesday, 12/31: 5pm- 6:30pm
Greet 2025 in style—dress up for the night, enjoy a drink and beautiful music, before going out to dinner or celebrating at home.
The Taconic String Band performs Baroque favorites, tangos, Viennese waltzes, Broadway tunes, and more. Led by Taconic’s artistic directors Joana Genova and Ariel Rudiakov.
Stratton Mountain NYE Celebrations
Tuesday, 12/31: 5:30pm – 1:00am
Buffet Dinner – 5:30pm – 8pm: Ring in the new year at Stratton. Come out to celebrate the turn of the calendar with your family and friends and enjoy a celebration with those most important to you. The NYE buffet style dinner will take place in the main Base Lodge from 5:30PM to 8PM and is open to all ages.
New Years Eve Fireworks: Send off 2024 and ring in 2025 with New Years Eve Fireworks at Stratton Mountain. Fireworks will take place in the main Base Area and are free for all to come and enjoy. Fireworks are planned to hit the sky at 9PM and last for an approximate duration of 30 minutes.
Past Events from Manchester Merriment 2025
The following events have already taken place as part of this year’s Manchester Merriment. Be sure to mark your calendar for 2026 so you don’t miss any of your favorites, and continue to follow us at manchestervermont.com for updates. You can also stay informed by signing up for our monthly newsletter using the – SIGN UP FORM.
Thanksgiving Concert – Taconic Music
Saturday, 11/29 2pm – 3pm
Celebrate the season of gratitude with beautiful music performed by the Taconic String Quartet in their beloved annual Thanksgiving concert.
Holiday Tree Lighting Festivities
Saturday, 11/29 5pm – 6pm
Join us at Factory Point Green for Manchester’s annual holiday tree lighting! Enjoy caroling, Santa Claus, sweet treats, and festive cheer at the Manchester Visitor Center. This is a FREE event for all ages. Click link to learn more below.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Jr.
December 5, 6 & 12 at 7pm
December 7, 13 & 14 at 2pm
“You know Dasher, and Dancer, and Prancer, and Vixen…but do you recall the most famous reindeer of all?” The Dorset Players is proud to present the enduring holiday classic Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, Jr. performed entirely by a local youth ensemble. The beloved story soars off the screen in this Broadway Junior, 60-minute musical adaptation of the well-known television special. For tickets, visit: dorsetplayers.org.
Shires Holiday Inn Tours
Saturday, 12/6 11am- 3pm
Join the 2025 Shires’ Holiday Inn Tours on Dec 6 and 13! Visit 17 festive inns, enjoy local treats, and experience Vermont’s holiday charm and hospitality. In the true spirit of giving, each ticket sold helps fight food insecurity, with proceeds benefiting the Manchester Community Food Cupboard, Arlington Food Shelf, and Bennington County Meals on Wheels. TICKETS ON SALE NOW!
Manchester Village Tree Lighting
Friday, 12/5 – 6pm
Join us in front of the First Congregational Church, in picturesque Manchester Village, for our annual holiday tree lighting ceremony.
- Holiday tree lighting with the singing of carols,
- Open house of the old Bennington County Courthouse,
- Bake sale arranged by the Daughters of the American Revolution, and
- Hot cider and cocoa!
Santa Party at Barrows House
Saturday, 12/6 11am – 3pm
Join us from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for a festive Santa Party at Barrows House! Enjoy private visits with Santa, a delightful hot cocoa bar, and a souvenir ornament craft for the kids. Guests can also savor à la carte brunch bites and drinks from the bar. Reservations are required. The cost is $55 per child for the first two children in the same family, with each additional child priced at $25.
Holiday Lighted Tractor Parade
December 6th, 5:30pm – 6:30pm
Join us for the 15th Annual Holiday Lighted Tractor Parade! This beloved event parades through downtown Manchester Center. Tractors and floats adorned with lights and festive décor will cruise through, spreading holiday cheer. Rumor has it, Mrs. Claus and Santa will be there too! NEW route for 2025. If you want to join in the fun and enter a float or tractor register HERE!
Canine Holiday Slumber Party
Friday, 12/5 – Sunday,12/7
A weekend of activities centered around your four-legged loved one. This Doggie Slumber Party is so legendary, Yankee Magazine featured it in their 2022 holiday issue! Get swept up in the joyful holiday spirit. Meet the 3 fun loving guests who transform The Wilburton into a winter wonderland, dress up in multiple matching costumes and embody the spirit of holiday magic.
Maxine Linehan – Holiday Concert
Saturday, 12/6 7:30pm
Maxine Linehan returns to the Southern Vermont Arts Center for the 5th year with her wildly popular holiday show, This Time Of Year. The Taconic String Quartet joins the concert orchestra led by Ryan Shirar. Presented by the French Family.
Santa Brunch at the Dorset Inn
Sunday 12/7 11am – 2pm
Celebrate the magic of the season with a festive Santa Brunch at The Dorset Inn! Enjoy a delicious holiday meal, a visit from Santa himself, and a horse-drawn carriage ride through charming Dorset Village. $75 per adult | $40 per child (ages 2–10). Reservations are recommended—don’t miss this classic holiday tradition!
Northshire Bookstore
Sunday, 12/6: 6pm – 7pm
Join acclaimed novelist Brad Kessler and award-winning photographer Dona Ann McAdams as they discuss The Woodcutter’s Christmas—a heartwarming holiday story blending Vermont’s quiet beauty with Manhattan’s energy. Featuring elegant photographs, the book explores tradition, generosity, and the true meaning of Christmas.
4th Annual Christmas Concert
Sunday, 12/7: 4pm – 5pm
Join us for a festive early-evening performance filled with the spirit of Christmas — a joyful blend of traditional sacred and secular holiday songs. Featuring the First Congregational Church Chancel Choir & Handbell Choir with special guest artists.
Santa Express Evening Train
Friday, 12/12: 7:30pm – 9:30pm
NEW in 2025! All aboard the 21+ Holiday Cheer on Rails! Enjoy a festive 2-hour train ride with cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, live jazz, and holiday décor—benefiting the Manchester Lions Club Holiday Appeal.
Shires Holiday Inn Tours
Saturday, 12/13 11am-3pm
Join the 2025 Shires’ Holiday Inn Tours on Dec 6 and 13! Visit 17 festive inns, enjoy local treats, and experience Vermont’s holiday charm and hospitality. In the true spirit of giving, each ticket sold helps fight food insecurity, with proceeds benefiting the Manchester Community Food Cupboard, Arlington Food Shelf, and Bennington County Meals on Wheels. TICKETS ON SALE NOW!
Santa Express
Sat, 12/13 10:00am, 11:30am, 1:00pm, 2:30pm, 4:00pm
This whimsical holiday train ride will take riders on a one-hour enchanting journey through the valley nestled between the Green & Taconic Mountain. Passengers will be entertained with holiday melodies and a guest appearance by Mr. and Mrs. Claus!
MCL – Gingerbread House Decorating
Saturday, 12/13 2pm – 4pm
While grownups are busy wrapping gifts in the Hunter Room, little ones are invited to assemble and decorate a gingerbread house that’ll never get stale or moldy. Hot glue your pre-cut cardboard pieces together, then add foam roof tiles, popsicle stick windows, and cotton snow to transform your gingerbread house into a festive gingerbread home.
This is a kid’s companion program to the Holiday Gift Wrapping Party.
MCL – Holiday Gift Wrapping Party
Saturday, 12/13 2pm – 4pm
Get ready for a fun and cozy gift-wrapping party! We’d love for you to bring your gifts, along with any wrapping paper, ribbons, or decorations you’d like to trade and share with everyone. Let’s get creative together!
MCL – Sounds & Sweets of the Season
Saturday, 12/13 5:30pm
The Manchester Community Library invites everyone to join Collections Development Librarian Carrie Gutbier for a Holiday Sing-Along on Saturday, December 13, from 10:30 to 11:00 a.m. in the Hunter Community Room.
Felting Holiday Ornaments at Hildene
Sunday, 12/14 1pm – 3pm
Felting Workshop: Ornaments and Snowmen! Join us for a festive fundraiser in support of our Annual Fund. New this year: Learn to felt both ornaments and darling snowmen figures, using a mix of roving from Hildene’s flock of Corriedale sheep and Huacaya alpaca. Handmade items make lovely gifts as well as cheerful decorations.
$40 Members / $50 Non-members, which includes materials fee.
Appropriate for adults and young adults. Limited to 15 participants. Preregistration required by Wednesday, December 10th.
Public Menorah Lighting
Sunday, 12/14 – 4:30pm
All men, women, and children are invited to the public Menorah Lighting in Manchester Center! Join Chabad of Bennington County in Adams Park at 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 14. Enjoy donuts, latkes and sing along as we share a few holiday songs. The event is free of charge, and all are welcome.
For more information, contact us at 518-506-8678.
Hanukah Pop-Up Shop
12/9 – 12/17: Open Daily from 12-2pm
Located in the Crystal Palace at 58 Depot Street—stop in to pick up everything you need to celebrate Hanukkah and find the perfect gifts for the season. Fresh challah available on Fridays only.
Chanukah Musical Celebration
Wednesday, 12/17, 5:30pm – 7pm
Come celebrate the Festival of Lights at our Community Chanukah Musical Celebration featuring congregant Jason Weinberger along with Cantor Scott Buckner. Enjoy a Pizza Dinner! Sufganiyot! Chanukah Games!
All are welcome!
RSVP required to office@icmvt.org by December 14th
