DAY TRIPPING A Season of Light at Shelburne Museum • Shelburne, Vermont

If you're looking to add a little sparkle to the darkest months of the year, consider a day (or night) trip to experience Winter Lights at Shelburne Museum in Shelburne, Vermont. This annual event transforms the museum's campus into a dazzling wonderland of color, creativity and holiday magic. &emsp;Now in its fifth year, Winter Lights showcases brilliant light installations and musical moments throughout the museum's 45-acre grounds. The event captivates visitors of all ages with buildings and gardens imaginatively adorned in twinkling displays. One of the most impressive highlights is the 220-foot steamboat Ticonderoga, which appears to float in a glowing sea of light. Another fan favorite is the Beach Woods, where thousands of cascading, firefly-like lights create an enchanting, otherworldly atmosphere. &emsp;Whether you choose the walk-through experience or one of the special drive-around nights, Winter Lights has become a cherished holiday tradition that should not be missed. &emsp;Each year brings new surprises to keep the experience fresh and exciting. This season, the museum's Great Lawn will feature an all-new installation. &emsp;"It will look like sailboats sailing on the lawn. Some of them are 18 feet high," says Leslie Wright, director of marketing and communications at Shelburne Museum. &emsp;Select evenings will also include added entertainment. "Some nights we'll have giant animal puppets roaming the grounds and we will have what we are calling 'an illumination station' for children, which will be an interactive chance to work with light," adds Wright. &emsp;Sensory-Friendly Evenings are scheduled for Dec. 1 and 15, offering a more relaxed environment for those with sensory sensitivities. &emsp;The walk-through route is approximately 0.5 miles and takes about 30 to 45 minutes to complete. The path is made of packed gravel, which can be uneven in places. The experience is almost entirely outdoors, except for access to the cafe and the model train station. &emsp;The cafe will be open during Winter Lights nights from 4:30 to 8:00 p.m., offering light snacks and hot chocolate, provided by Lake Champlain Chocolates. &emsp;Timed tickets are required for walk-through nights: Adults: $15; Children (ages 3–17): $10; Children under 3: Free. Tickets are sold for specific time slots, so booking in advance is recommended. &emsp;The museum will also host 10 drive-around nights, where guests can enjoy the lights from the warmth and comfort of their vehicles. &emsp;"People bring their dogs; the dogs love the lights. They come in their pajamas, sometimes people come alone in their car," says Wright. "It's a little less busy and boisterous when you're in your car." &emsp;Drive-around tickets are $65 per vehicle and are available online only. They often sell out quickly, so plan ahead. &emsp;Shelburne Museum includes 39 buildings, 25 of which are historic and were relocated to the site. Highlights include the iconic Shaker Round Barn, a classic general store, a vintage carousel, and the majestic steamboat Ticonderoga. &emsp;Visitors can also explore 22 beautifully landscaped gardens, as well as indoor exhibitions at the Pizzagalli Center for Art and Education and the Webb Gallery, which features works by renowned American artists such as Andrew Wyeth, Winslow Homer, Grandma Moses, and John Singleton Copley. BOX with LOGO Shelburne Museum 6000 Shelburne Road Shelburn, Vermont Winter Lights runs from Nov. 21, 2025, through Jan. 4, 2026 To purchase tickets, visit: Shelburnmuseum.org