Step into the holiday season with these remarkable local events—an opportunity to celebrate and actively uplift our community. As we immerse ourselves in the festivities, let's rally behind our local businesses, farmers, and artisans. Embrace the ethos of shopping small and sustaining our community's economy by keeping our dollars close to home. Keep reading to learn more about these joyful traditions in the Lake Champlain Islands of Vermont.

Holiday Hoopla at Coldwell Banker Islands Realty 

Our office is hosting a festive celebration open to the community with a free wreath giveaway, Polaroid Pictures with Santa, and an incredible Cookie and Hot cocoa bar from Let’s Pretend catering. The event is at our Coldwell Banker Islands Realty office in South Hero on December 2nd from 10 am to 1 pm.   

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Holiday Markets at Viva Marketplace 

Viva Marketplace will be reopening its doors and hosting two holiday markets with an array of unique gifts on the Saturdays of the first and second week of December. These will run from 11 am to 5 pm in South Hero, Vermont. 

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Champlain Islands Christmas Parade

The annual Christmas parade will occur on December 2nd, starting at 5 pm in South Hero! It will kick off at the Community Health Center on U.S. 2, wind its way to South Street, and conclude at the Folsom School parking lot. Enjoy food trucks from El Gato Cantina and Pizza at the Folsom School lot after the parade. It's a free, fun-filled celebration for all! 

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Alburgh Fire Department's Craft Fair & Cupcake Walk

Mark your calendars for the annual Alburgh Volunteer Fire Department’s Craft Fair on December 2nd, from 10 am to 3 pm. They will have various vendors, food and drink, a Christmas raffle, and a pie and cupcake walk.  The event is located at the Alburgh Fire Department Hall. 

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Grand Isle Craft Fair 

The Grand Isle Craft Fair will return with over 35 local vendors this year at Grand Isle Elementary School. Stop by to shop from 9 am to 3 pm on December 2nd. There will also be a raffle table with local goods! 

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Tree Lighting at North Hero House

The North Hero House will light its Christmas tree on Sunday, December 3rd, from 5 to 5:30 pm. The event will have cookies and caroling, and they will light their 20-foot tree near their event barn. 

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Holiday Makers Market @ Kraemer and Kin 

Kraemer & Kin will be hosting multiple Maker's Markets throughout December. Saturdays from 3 pm to 8 pm and Sundays from 11 am to 3 pm at their tasting room at Alburgh Golf Links. There will be local makers, growers, and artisans. They will also have live music, food, and their local beers at every market gathering.

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Indoor Winter Farmers Market 

You can find the Champlain Islands Farmers Market at their indoor winter market location on the first three Saturdays of December from 10 am to 2 pm at the South Hero Congregational Church. They will have local food, fresh veggies, & handmade goods and more. 

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From enchanting local holiday markets to heartwarming gatherings, these festive happenings infuse the islands with a contagious sense of cheer and camaraderie. We hope this guide inspires you to join in on these joyful community events and embrace this season's magic in the Lake Champlain Islands.

                

This holiday season, impress your guests with a charcuterie board! Carefully crafted and presented quite elegantly, a charcuterie board is essentially a fancy title for a meat and cheese board. Here are five easy steps to help you prepare the perfect appetizer!

1. Select Your Provisions.

Having a medley of diverse cured meats is the first step to create your cheese board. Aim for thinly sliced provisions such as prosciutto or peppered salami. Then try rolling the slices or layering them on your board. Typically these meats can be found at local food stores including Keeler Bay Variety, Healthy Living, and City Market. 

Photo Source: FN Sharp

2. Choose Your Cheese.

The next step is choosing your fromage. While it's hard to go wrong in this department, incorporating multiple contrasting textures will keep your board fun and interesting! Include artisanal cheeses like Isle La Motte’s Happy Bird Poultry Farm’s Smoked Seriously Sharp Cheddar slices and then mix in a softer cheese like Vermont Creamery’s  herb goat cheese. For one stop shopping, check out Arbor Farm Market or Cheese and Wine Traders for a wide selection of local Vermont products.

Photo source:  Happy Bird Poultry

3. Incorporate Fruit And Nuts.

Adding fruit to your board provides a pop of color and also creates a sweet mixture of flavors. Select fruit that goes with your cheeses of choice. Include an assortment of fresh and dried fruit then try to add a fruit spread or chutney! Test out My Kid's Kitchen's excellent selection of fruit preserves. Plus,  don’t forget to add a mix of nuts in there...Do we dare suggest candied walnuts?  

Photo source:  Arbor Farmstead

4. Add Crackers and Bread

When making your decision on what crackers to incorporate, think about the type of cheese and meats you’ve selected. Vermont’s Castleton’s Crackers complement nicely with harder cheeses while hand crafted bread such as a seeded baguette from Wally's Place would be ideal to pair with your spreads or dips. 

Photo source: Wally's Place

5. Assemble the Board

Firstly, we recommend using your largest cutting board or a sizable serving platter. Then, layer the cheese and meats on top of each other and sprinkle the fruit and nuts in where you see fit. Additionally, you can use a small bowl for creamy dip or olives. Include any necessary utensils such as cheese knives and garnish with an herb like rosemary or thyme for a pleasant aroma!

Photo source: A Dash of Megnut 

Now pour yourself a glass of wine, sit back, marvel at your board, and dive in! Whether you're gathering with family at the holidays or going to housewarming parties charcuterie boards will be sure to amaze your company and their taste buds!

Photo source: Edyta via Eating European