Don’t Miss Out: 5 Memorable Events for Your Winter Getaway in Stowe

A true winter wonderland, Stowe is the ultimate venue to many unique winter events throughout the community. These five events are staples in the Stowe community and are always favorites amongst visitors during the winter time. In addition to these marquee events, there are tastings, live music and specialty holiday meals happening in Stowe this winter. Be sure to check out our full events calendar to plan memorable events during your stay.

A Traditional Christmas in Stowe

December 1-3, 2023
Named a top 10 winter event in 2018 and 2019 by the Vermont Chamber of Commerce, Stowe kicks off the holiday season each year with A Traditional Christmas in Stowe. The beloved community festival features the tree lighting, children’s lantern parade, wagon rides, a holiday bazaar, live holiday music, ornament and cookie decorating, the arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus and much more. Watch the town light up with winter magic to get into the holiday spirit. Click here for the schedule of events.

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Spruce Peak Lights Festival

December 16, 2023
The perfect winter wonderland! Celebrate winter and the festive holiday season at the Spruce Peak Lights Festival with a day filled with beautiful ice dancing performances and family fun, all capped with a tree & Village lighting celebration and fireworks display. Thousands of lights adorn the evergreen trees and light up the Village with a magical glow. Get your photo taken with Santa, watch the Holiday Party on Ice performances with Ice Dance International and take in the spectacular fireworks display with family and friends.

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Winter Rendezvous

January 17-21, 2024
Celebrating 41 years, Winter Rendezvous is an annual LGBTQ pride celebration, which coincides with the Stowe Winter Carnival and attracts hundreds of LGBTQ skiers, riders and winter enthusiasts to the quaint village of Stowe. Recognized as favorite gay ski week by the Gay Travel Awards, participants experience a diverse lineup of activities and entertainment from alpine skiing and snowboarding at Stowe Mountain Resort and Spruce Peak to world class cross-country skiing and snowshoeing at the Trapp Family Lodge.

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Stowe Winter Carnival

January 18-20, 2024
2024 marks the 50th anniversary of the Stowe Winter Carnival. Ranked fifth in the 15 Best Winter Festivals in the U.S. by Country Living Magazine, the Stowe Winter Carnival features fun activities for all ages, from unique sporting events to the famous ice carving competitions. Tour the town, while watching professional ice carvers create masterpieces throughout the village on “Demonstration Day” and experience the annual NICA sanctioned Ice Carving Competition.

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Stowe Derby

February 2024
One of the oldest and most unique ski races in North America, the Stowe Derby will return for its 79th year. The tradition of the Stowe Derby will once again bring together generations of families from all over to take part in the challenging 20 kilometer (km) cross-country ski course throughout Stowe. This race has provided lasting memories to participants as they ski down Mount Mansfield’s Toll Road and along the Stowe Recreation Path before reaching the finish in the Stowe village. 

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