What Is Highlight?

Highlight is Burlington’s go-to NYE celebration, produced by Burlington City Arts & Signal Kitchen, taking place at multiple locations in the City throughout the 31st. Many of the festivities are crowdsourced through the Bright Ideas Project, which asks artists and innovators to submit projects for Highlight to fund and produce. Other events help round out the evening with an incredible showcase of music, art, food, and community.

For Highlight 2022, we’re welcoming revelers from far and wide to celebrate with unique, in-person experiences in downtown Burlington and at the Waterfront. We’ll set the stage for the biggest party of the year as we come together to count down the experiences and ideas that make our community a hub of incredible creativity. Artists, food vendors, musicians, and everyone in between helps build an event that HIGHLIGHTS the best of Burlington, live for one glorious night as we cheers to auld lang syne.

Questions? Email hello@highlight.community 

 

 

 

FAQ

Why the button?
The Highlight Button is your all-access ticket to every single Highlight event. Buttons are $10 in November and $12 in December for adults and kids, except those 5 years old and under get in free. You can make the most of this ticket price, depending on how many events you get to check out. With accessibility in mind, if you or anyone you know find the pricing to be an obstacle, send an email to hello@highlight.community and we will be happy to help you.

 

Does my button guarantee me entrance to events?
While the Highlight button is a universal ticket to each event, some indoor activities are limited by capacity and operate on a first-come, first-served basis. So if there’s something that you absolutely cannot miss, be sure to get there early!

 

What about COVID?
Highlight is programmed with everyone’s personal choices and community safety in mind. With both indoor and outdoor events, there are activities to accommodate all comfort levels and any additional guidance from public health officials. While masks are not required, guests are more than welcome to wear them. We strongly encourage anybody who is feeling unwell to celebrate at home.

 

When & Where is Highlight?
Highlight starts midday on Saturday, December 31, 2022 and ends at 12:30 am on January 1, 2023. Check out the Events page and download the BCA Events app for the most up-to-the-minute program schedule and listings. Most venues are located in Burlington’s downtown and waterfront areas.

 

Who is Highlight for?
Everyone! From daytime activities for kids and families to theater performances, comedy, live music, unique culinary experiences, mind-blowing art installations, fire dancing, fireworks, and more, there is truly something for everyone.

 

Are we serving alcohol? Yes we are, thanks to our generous sponsors at Citizen Cider, Foam Brewers, and Tito’s Handmade Vodka.

Are there Fireworks?
Of course! NorthStar Fireworks lights up the sky at 8 pm at the waterfront. Head to Waterfront Park for a front-row view. There will be bonfires and fire-dance performances from Cirque de Fuego to keep us all toasty. Fireworks are generously sponsors by Pomerleau Real Estate.

What is the Bright Ideas Project?

Highlight’s events are designed and built by your friends and neighbors. Through the “Bright Ideas Project,” Highlight crowdsources ideas from Vermonters for all kinds of New Year’s Eve happenings. Through an open call for proposals, we grant funds and support to select ideas that come to life at Highlight.

Highlight’s Bright Ideas Project is proudly Powered By VSECU. VSECU is a member-owned cooperative and not for profit credit union for everybody who lives or works in Vermont, offering a full range of affordable financial products and services to its member-owners. VSECU is committed to improving the lives of Vermonters by empowering the possibilities for greater social, environmental, and financial prosperity.

Community Guidelines

Our Mission

Create a safe space for a global community to celebrate and support Vermont-grown performers with friends, family, and neighbors, both near and far.

Who are our community members?

Vermont is Highlight’s home, but our community reaches far and wide beyond Vermont’s borders. We welcome people from around the world to celebrate and be a part of our community.

What values does our community hold?

We expect all members of our community to support and celebrate:

  • Diversity
  • Creativity
  • Kindness
  • Open-mindedness
  • Respect
  • Safety

All community members must follow our community rules including: 

  • Helping other community members when needed
  • Showing respect to others at all times
  • Keeping an open mind about creative works
  • Celebrating our differences and similarities alike

We will NOT tolerate those who engage in interactions or content that may be: 

  • Inappropriately sexual or graphic
  • Dangerous, harmful, or unsafe
  • Hateful, violent, threatening, or harassing
  • Misleading or intending to spam or scam
  • Illegal in any way
  • Encroaching on the privacy of others
  • Unsafe for children