The Holidays Are Back on Church Street!! Where church street magic comes to life

12/10/2025 05:02PM ● By Best of Burlington VT

There’s a special kind of magic that settles over Burlington each winter, and nowhere does it shine brighter than along the cobblestones of the Church Street Marketplace. As the first flakes fall and storefronts begin to glow, the historic pedestrian corridor transforms into a living holiday postcard—one where creativity, community, and hometown pride take center stage.

At the heart of this seasonal sparkle is the beloved Church Street Winter Window Contest, a tradition that invites local shops to turn their front displays into miniature worlds of whimsy. For locals and visitors alike, wandering Church Street in December has become a cherished annual ritual: part festive stroll, part art walk, and entirely Burlington.

Holiday Window Contest

Friday, December 5 - Sunday, December 14

Who has the best holiday window display on the Marketplace? Take a stroll down the street and vote for your favorite! Pick up a card at participating businesses and vote in person. Winners will be announced the week of 12/15. Categories are Best Overall Church Street, Best Overall Side Street, Most Creative, and Most Festive.

A TRADITION OF CREATIVITY AND COMMUNITY

Each year, the Winter Window Display Contest brings together Burlington’s vibrant business community and its enthusiastic residents. Local shops compete to create the most imaginative and festive window displays, transforming the Marketplace into a gallery of holiday cheer.

The contest isn’t just about winning—it’s about celebrating the spirit of the season and the creativity that makes Burlington unique.

Categories included:

• Best Overall Church Street

• Best Overall Side Street

• Most Creative

• Most Festive

As Llyndara Harbour, Owner of Harbour Thread, shares: “The joy of the window contest is not about winning. The whole purpose is to come together as a community and create a downtown that feels festive and magical for everyone.”