Vermont

Here are 5 of this year’s best Christmas light displays in Vermont

Published

3 months ago

December 6, 2025

Press Room

Here are 5 of this year’s best Christmas light displays in Vermont

Rockefeller Christmas tree lights up in New York City

This year’s tree is 75-foot-tall Norway Spruce from just outside Albany, New York, with a 900 lb Swarovski star.

As December begins, Christmas lights are popping up all across Vermont to welcome the holiday season, bringing joy and brightness to the dark, cold days of winter.

Luckily, if you’re a fan of Christmas lights, you don’t have to go far to see them. Vermont has plenty of professional Christmas light displays ready to dazzle you this season, including everything from a walkthrough at a beautifully lit nature center to a museum full of decorated exhibits with a different theme in each room.

Here are five of the best Christmas light displays to check out in Vermont this holiday season.

Winter Lights at Shelburne Museum

On nights during the holiday season, Shelburne Museum turns into a winter wonderland full of colorful light displays. Each building and garden of the museum’s campus is uniquely decorated, from cascading twinkling lights at Beach Woods to the 220-foot illuminated steamboat “Ticonderoga.”

Those who do not want to walk can enjoy the magic of the lights on specific drive-around nights throughout the season. The museum will also have two gift shops, as well as a cafe with snacks and hot chocolate open until 8 p.m. each night of the light display.

Online tickets cost $15 for adults, $10 for children ages 3-17 or $30 for VIP. Tickets can be purchased in person, but are more expensive and not guaranteed. Drive-around tickets, which must be purchased online, cost $65 per vehicle.

When: 4-8 p.m. Thursday through Sunday from Nov. 21, 2025 through Jan. 4, 2026, plus every day between Dec. 26 and Jan. 1. Drive-around hours offered on Nov. 24-25, Dec. 2-3, Dec. 9-10, Dec. 16-17 and Jan. 5-6. Sensory-friendly nights on Dec. 1 and Dec. 15.

Where: Shelburne Museum, 6000 Shelburne Road, Shelburne

Winter Lights in the Park

This free, family-friendly light display allows guests to walk through lit trees and tunnels in Maple Street Park while holiday music floats through the air. Winter Lights in the Park also doubles as a scavenger hunt for hidden ornaments throughout the decorated trees.

When: 5-8 p.m. daily from Nov. 27, 2025 through Jan. 1, 2026

Where: Maple Street Park, 75 Maple St., Essex Junction

A Forest of Lights

Nature lovers can experience the beautiful Vermont outdoors lit up for the holiday season at the Vermont Institute of Natural Science (VINS) Nature Center in Quechee. A Forest of Lights, the nature center’s holiday light special, is an outdoor walkthrough experience with thousands of lights in exciting displays, including new attractions like the Sparkle Dome, the Dancing Lights Pavilion and Under the Black Light Sea.

When you finish walking through the illuminated forest, hot chocolate and light snacks are available for purchase to enjoy by the campfire.

Tickets cost $15 for adults or $9 for children over three.

When: 4:30-7 p.m. on Thursday through Saturday until Dec. 20, then daily until Jan. 3, 2026

Where: VINS Nature Center, 149 Natures Way, Quechee

Christmas Lights at the Joseph Smith Birthplace

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints celebrates Christmas with an outdoor light display at the birthplace of the church’s founder, Joseph Smith. Over 200,000 colorful lights decorate the grounds of the South Royalton monument.

Visitors can walk or drive along the decorated path for free.

When: 4-9 p.m. daily from Nov. 28, 2025 through Jan. 1, 2026

Where: Joseph Smith Birthplace, 357 Lds Lane, S. Royalton

Spruce Peak Lights Festival

Held for one night only at The Village at Spruce Peak, the Spruce Peak Lights Festival illuminates the ski village and surrounding evergreen trees with thousands of holiday lights.

Other attractions at this event include ice dancing performances, photos with Santa, a complimentary photobooth and a firework show.

When: Saturday, Dec. 20 from noon to 7 p.m. Village lighting at 7 p.m.

Where: Spruce Peak Village, 559 Spruce Peak Road, Stowe

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Vermont

Vermont high school playoff scores, results, stats for Monday, March 2

Published

9 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

Vermont high school playoff scores, results, stats for Monday, March 2

The 2025-2026 Vermont high school winter season has begun. See below for scores, schedules and game details (statistical leaders, game notes) from basketball, hockey, gymnastics, wrestling, Nordic/Alpine skiing and other winter sports.

TO REPORT SCORES

Coaches or team representatives are asked to report results ASAP after games by emailing sports@burlingtonfreepress.com. Please submit with a name/contact number.

▶ Contact Alex Abrami at aabrami@freepressmedia.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter: @aabrami5.

▶ Contact Judith Altneu at JAltneu@usatodayco.com. Follow her on X, formerly known as Twitter: @Judith_Altneu.

MONDAY’S H.S. PLAYOFF GAMES

ALPINE SKIING

State championships (giant slalom) at Burke Mountain

D-I GIRLS BASKETBALL SEMIFINALS

At Patrick Gym

No. 2 Rutland (19-2) vs. No. 3 St. Johnsbury (16-5), 6 p.m.

No. 1 Mount Mansfield (20-1) vs. No. 4 North Country (19-3), 7:30 p.m.

D-IV GIRLS BASKETBALL SEMIFINALS

At Barre Auditorium

No. 1 Richford (19-2) vs. No. 4 Mid Vermont Christian (6-2), 5:30 p.m.

No. 3 West Rutland (14-8) vs. No. 7 Rivendell (12-10), 7:30 p.m.

D-I BOYS BASKETBALL PLAYDOWNS

Games at 7 p.m. unless noted

No. 13 North Country (3-17) at No. 4 Rutland (14-6)

No. 12 Essex (4-16) at No. 5 Champlain Valley (12-8)

No. 10 St. Johnsbury (5-15) at No. 7 Burr and Burton (12-8)

No. 11 Colchester (5-15) at No. 6 BFA-St. Albans (12-8)

D-III BOYS BASKETBALL PLAYDOWNS

No. 11 BFA-Fairfax (10-10) at No. 6 Thetford (12-8), 7 p.m.

D-IV BOYS BASKETBALL PLAY-INS

No. 17 Sharon (3-17) at No. 16 Long Trail (4-16), 6 p.m.

TUESDAY’S H.S. PLAYOFF GAMES

ALPINE SKIING

State championships (slalom) at Burke Mountain

D-II GIRLS HOCKEY PLAY-INS

No. 9 Brattleboro (0-17-1) at No. 8 Stowe (4-16), 5:15 p.m.

D-I BOYS HOCKEY PLAY-INS

No. 8 Burlington (8-12) at No. 9 St. Johnsbury (3-16-1), 5:30 p.m.

D-II BOYS BASKETBALL PLAYDOWNS

No. 13 Lake Region (4-16) at No. 4 Montpelier (11-9), 7 p.m.

D-IV BOYS BASKETBALL PLAYDOWNS

Games at 7 p.m. unless noted

No. 9 Arlington (11-9) at No. 8 Richford (12-8), 6 p.m.

Winner Game 1 at No. 1 Twinfield/Cabot (19-1)

No. 13 Grace Christian (4-15) at No. 4 Mount St. Joseph (17-2)

No. 12 Poultney (6-14) at No. 5 Twin Valley (16-4)

No. 15 Blue Mountain (3-17) at No. 2 West Rutland (20-0)

No. 10 Proctor (11-9) at No. 7 Danville (14-6)

No. 14 Northfield (3-17) at No. 3 Mid Vermont Christian (2-0)

No. 11 Rivendell (10-10) at No. 6 Williamstown (14-6)

(Subject to change)

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Vermont

VT Lottery Pick 3, Pick 3 Evening results for March 1, 2026

Published

21 hours ago

March 2, 2026

Press Room

Powerball, Mega Millions jackpots: What to know in case you win

Here’s what to know in case you win the Powerball or Mega Millions jackpot.

Just the FAQs, USA TODAY

The Vermont Lottery offers several draw games for those willing to make a bet to win big.

Those who want to play can enter the MegaBucks and Lucky for Life games as well as the national Powerball and Mega Millions games. Vermont also partners with New Hampshire and Maine for the Tri-State Lottery, which includes the Mega Bucks, Gimme 5 as well as the Pick 3 and Pick 4.

Drawings are held at regular days and times, check the end of this story to see the schedule.

Here’s a look at March 1, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Pick 3 numbers from March 1 drawing

Day: 8-7-7

Evening: 0-3-3

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from March 1 drawing

Day: 1-8-1-2

Evening: 0-3-1-1

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Millionaire for Life numbers from March 1 drawing

10-11-12-35-56, Bonus: 04

Check Millionaire for Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

For Vermont Lottery prizes up to $499, winners can claim their prize at any authorized Vermont Lottery retailer or at the Vermont Lottery Headquarters by presenting the signed winning ticket for validation. Prizes between $500 and $5,000 can be claimed at any M&T Bank location in Vermont during the Vermont Lottery Office’s business hours, which are 8a.m.-4p.m. Monday through Friday, except state holidays.

For prizes over $5,000, claims must be made in person at the Vermont Lottery headquarters. In addition to signing your ticket, you will need to bring a government-issued photo ID, and a completed claim form.

All prize claims must be submitted within one year of the drawing date. For more information on prize claims or to download a Vermont Lottery Claim Form, visit the Vermont Lottery’s FAQ page or contact their customer service line at (802) 479-5686.

Vermont Lottery Headquarters

1311 US Route 302, Suite 100

Barre, VT

05641

When are the Vermont Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 11 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
Gimme 5: 6:55 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Lucky for Life: 10:38 p.m. daily.
Pick 3 Day: 1:10 p.m. daily.
Pick 4 Day: 1:10 p.m. daily.
Pick 3 Evening: 6:55 p.m. daily.
Pick 4 Evening: 6:55 p.m. daily.
Megabucks: 7:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Millionaire for Life: 11:15 p.m. daily

What is Vermont Lottery Second Chance?

Vermont’s 2nd Chance lottery lets players enter eligible non-winning instant scratch tickets into a drawing to win cash and/or other prizes. Players must register through the state’s official Lottery website or app. The drawings are held quarterly or are part of an additional promotion, and are done at Pollard Banknote Limited in Winnipeg, MB, Canada.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Vermont editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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Vermont

Vermont’s oldest museum opened almost 150 years ago. How to visit

Published

1 day ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Vermont’s oldest museum opened almost 150 years ago. How to visit

Colorblind museum helps visitors see color for first time

A North Carolina museum is offering special glasses so that colorblind visitors can see art in full color.

Fox – Seattle

Looking for a new museum to visit this winter?

As a historic state with European settlements going all the way back to the 1600s, Vermont is home to many historical museums dedicated to preserving the state’s foundational role in United States history.

In fact, the state’s oldest museum dates all the way back to 1884, making it almost 150 years old. Originally founded from a personal collection, Henry Sheldon Museum is not only the oldest museum in Vermont, but also the oldest community-based museum in the whole country.

Here’s a brief history of the oldest museum in Vermont, as well as how to visit.

History of Henry Sheldon Museum

According to the museum’s website, Henry Sheldon Museum was founded by its namesake, Henry Sheldon. A local businessman and avid collector, Sheldon turned his personal collection of furniture, paintings, documents, household objects and artifacts into a museum, which opened to the public in July of 1884, says the Vermont Historical Society.

The museum’s collection has expanded greatly since then and still continues to grow. Today, the Sheldon aims to help community members gain a deeper appreciation of Vermont’s local art and history through engaging art and history exhibits, programs, events and an extensive archival collection at the museum’s research center.

This spring’s upcoming feature exhibit will focus on the idea of time, displaying the museum’s collection of timepieces like clocks, watches, calendars, journals, time capsules and more.

How to visit Vermont’s oldest museum

Want to explore Vermont history and art at the oldest museum in the state? Henry Sheldon Museum is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday throguh Saturday.

Admission costs $10 for adults or $5 for seniors, with free admission for members, students and children ages 18 and under. Appointments to visit the museum’s research center must be made by emailing archives@henrysheldonmuseum.org.

Henry Sheldon Museum is located at 1 Park St. in Middlebury.

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