Highlight New Year’s Eve 2023: Burlington’s Biggest Midnight Bash

When the calendar’s final page turns, Burlington, Vermont throws the party that New England talks about all year. Highlight New Year’s Eve—Burlington’s official send-off to 2023—returns on December 31 with an electrifying, homegrown twist on the traditional midnight countdown. From 12 p.m. to 1 a.m., the city’s downtown core and scenic Waterfront morph into a multi-venue playground packed with live music, avant-garde theater, gut-busting comedy, locally sourced tasting menus, and a jaw-dropping fireworks finale over Lake Champlain.

More than 50 performances and experiences are woven into one seamless passport-style adventure. Grab your event button and wander from the Flynn Center’s cabaret-style pop-up shows to the Church Street jazz parade, then warm up inside the Burlington Beer Company’s limited-release tap takeover. Kids can craft LED lanterns at ECHO Aquarium before the family-friendly 8 p.m. laser-light spectacle, while 21+ revelers sip craft cocktails in hidden speakeasy lounges curated by the city’s top mixologists.

Foodies can graze through a Vermont-only food hall featuring farm-to-table small plates, maple-bacon doughnuts, and a late-night poutine bar. Sustainability matters: all vendors use compostable serviceware, and a free bike-valet service helps you go green while you ring in 2024.

The night peaks at midnight with the region’s largest pyrotechnic display launched from a floating barge, synchronized to a custom score by local musicians. Whether you’re dancing in the snow-globe streets, laughing under marquee lights, or toasting with a barrel-aged cider at the Waterfront ice lounge, Highlight New Year’s Eve guarantees authentic Vermont hospitality and unforgettable memories. Tickets are all-inclusive and sell out early—secure yours now and start the new year with a true northern celebration.