The Vermont Department of Fish & Wildlife reminds Vermonters that it’s probably safe to put out those backyard birdfeeders, as bears are likely taking their winter break.

But, unlike humans, animals that travel long distances must rely on their own senses. And some of them have a long-range navigational sense called magnetoreception that is like a built-in compass or imprecise GPS. 

The Valley Players, the Mad River Valley’s all-volunteer community theater company, will pause most of its productions for 2026 in order to focus on building repairs and safety upgrades at its namesake theater in Waitsfield. 

We’ve compiled a list of holiday happenings in Waterbury and around the nearby region. Bookmark and check back as it will be updated as we receive more.

On Saturday, Dec. 6, the Duxbury Historical Society will present a special holiday program with roots dating back to the late 19th century. 

As 2025 winds down, TURNmusic in Waterbury’s calendar still has several live performances in store at The Phoenix Gallery & Music Hall, starting with Saturday, Nov. 29. 

Here are some highlights of December’s free programming at the Waterbury Public Library and upcoming holiday schedule changes.  

Wild turkeys exist throughout Vermont today, but that was not always the case. 

Entries are open in the 2026 Vermont Student Fish Art Contest run by the Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department along with the nonprofit Wildlife Forever organization.

So much of our public debate these days centers on polarization from families to Congress, a deep divide over upcoming election processes, and worry over the information ecosystem as social media and internet voices eclipse traditional sources of facts.

The Vermont Ski and Snowboard Museum celebrates one of the most prolific photographers in the history of mountain sports with the exhibition, “Hubert Schriebl: From the Alps to Vermont,” opening on Dec. 5. 

The Vermont Recreation & Parks Association recently announced its annual awards and winners included multiple recipients from Waterbury.

Little River State Park was the site recently for an inaugural gathering of 21 tree care professionals from around Vermont for an arborist’s day of service. 

With Thanksgiving right around the corner, volunteers in the community are gearing up to run two annual events that help ensure that many get to celebrate the holiday.

Winter is at the doorstep and Waterbury LEAP is running a Button Up weatherization workshop on Friday for homeowners.

At its recent annual meeting, MakerSphere brought together artists, makers and community supporters to celebrate creativity, volunteerism, and the organization’s growing impact on the local arts community.

The Friends of Waterbury Reservoir share a November update on wildlife, water and ice safety, and a report from its annual meeting where more than 200 people turned out to meet birds from the VINS Nature Center in Quechee.

Marking their 20th season, the Eleva Chamber Players collaborate this weekend with Counterpoint, Vermont’s professional choral ensemble in performances Saturday in Waterbury and Sunday in Waitsfield.

From music and art, acupuncture and silent reading, writing discussions and gaming, here are highlights from the Waterbury Library for November.

Most northern lakes have at least 10 feet of mud beneath the basins. The technical term for this lake bottom mud made of mineral silt and decaying organic matter is gyttja, a Swedish word pronounced “yitcha.” 

This month in connection with Veterans Day, a number of Vets Town Hall events will be held, starting on Sunday, Nov. 2, at the Vermont State House in Montpelier. 

The Waterbury Rotary Club hosts a presentation on Tuesday by local historian Brian Lindner about a little-remembered piece of post-World War II history with a timely anniversary and a Vermont connection. 

Across Vermont, 911 operators have begun connecting Vermonters directly to trained mental health counselors under a new 911-to-988 protocol.

When Justin Highet moved to Vermont in 2016, photography was something he fit in “when there was time.” This fall, it takes the spotlight. After winning First Prize in Axel’s 2025 Photography Shoot Out, Highet now steps forward for his first solo exhibition at Axel’s Gallery & Frame Shop — a collection that celebrates his wide-ranging love for the craft itself.

The Friends of Stowe Free Library extend an invitation to the Waterbury community to join them for a Howl-O-Ween Pet Party on Sunday, Oct. 26, 10 a.m to noon.