Family Fun on New Year's Eve in Burlington, Vermont

New Year's Eve celebrations in Burlington, Vermont are centred around family activities involving the arts. The Burlington New Year's Eve celebration is a First Night festival. This means that it is an alcohol free festival that has numerous events for children and adults throughout the downtown Burlington area.

First Night Burlington has been running for 24 years. First Night festivals first began in Boston in 1976 and there are now over 130 cities around the world holding these alcohol free, arts centred New Year's Eve celebrations. Burlington was the fourth city to adopt a First Night as its main New Year's Eve event. First Night Burlington has activities and entertainment at 25 locations throughout the downtown area with over 1000 artists participating. It is the largest single day arts festival in Vermont.

There are over 50 different events that make up Burlington's First Night New Year's Eve celebrations. Some of the most popular are:

Flynn Arts: Run by Flynn Arts this is a fun encouraging way for children to try different performing arts. Classes are conducted for different age groups ranging from age 3 to 14. Children can choose the performing art of the preference from classes in dance, theatre and music.

Firehouse Center For Visual Arts: At the Firehouse Center For Visual Arts children can enjoy a variety of activities including making their own addition to a giant painting. They can also make their masks and spirits sticks for their participation in the Drum & Dragons Parade. This event runs from 12 noon until 5:30pm.

Circus Smirkus: Be entertained by this great circus atmosphere. You will be amused and amazed by acrobats, contortionists and aerialists. Circus Smirkus is held at the Memorial Auditorium. This event and requires guaranteed seat tickets. It is advisable to buy these tickets early as this popular event usually sells out. There are two performances on New Year's Eve in Burlington, 12-1pm and 6-7pm.