For live music, stand-up comedy, fire-breathing and more on Dec. 31, bundle up: The 4th Highlight New Year’s Eve in Burlington The celebration has moved outdoors this year due to COVID-19.
Festival organizers announced on December 27 that their eclectic lineup of New Years Eve performances will be moving outdoors and online to reduce the spread of the omicron variant.
Most of the events that were previously scheduled to be indoors will now take place in downtown Waterfront Park, as well as outside the Burlington City Arts studios at 405 Pine St. in the South End. Some events have been moved online for live streaming.
These changes come as an average of 5.1% of COVID tests in Vermont have come back positive over the past week. The World Health Organization recommended last year, states should have positive tests below 5% before considering reopening.
Tickets for virtual events sell for $ 10. Full access tickets for virtual and in-person events sell for $ 15.
Some highlights of the festival on December 31 include:
- Big Little [NYE] Love (11 AM to 1 PM, Waterfront Park)
- An event for children with games, interactive activities, live music by music educator Emma Cook and improvisation by Kamikaze Comedy.
- Lot @ 405 (11:30 am-10:30pm, 405 Pine St.)
- Heat lamps will keep the crowd warm during this full day of live sets from the Brazilian samba group Sambatucada, the extraordinary musical Jenni Johnson and the Jazz Junketeers, the comedy group Front Porch Follies, the fiery Burlington Burn Club, the rocker. folk Sylvie, independent artist Ryley Walker, and psychedelic dance party All You Need is Love.
- Fireworks (8-8: 15pm, Waterfront Park)
- Fireworks will light up the sky and dazzle audiences along Lake Champlain. Hot and cold drinks will be served at a nearby ice bar.
Ticket sales, a full calendar of events and more information about the festival can be found at: https://highlight.community/