How To Get Here

Thousands of people visit Burlington for the Independence Day Celebration.

Plan carefully to avoid long wait times when departing the event.

Driving

Following the fireworks, Main Street will be closed to through traffic except buses and authorized vehicles.

All traffic will flow from Burlington Waterfront East up Main Street. There will be dedicated bus lane leaving the city, heading EAST on Main Street.
All north/south traffic will be held at Main St. until 11:30 p.m. Traffic flow on College Street, Cherry Street and Pearl Street will be directed to Colchester Avenue or Route 127. Motorists are encouraged to use these designated streets, and avoid neighborhoods or cross-town routes.

Recommended Parking at UVM's
Gutterson Fieldhouse Parking Lot

Parking by the Waterfront is limited and will result in 1 hour + wait at the end of the evening. Don't want to deal with stressful downtown traffic? Free shuttlebus service from UVM's Patrick Gymnasium to 1 Main Street will be available from our event partner, Green Mountain Transit. This will be the fastest way in and out of the Burlington Waterfront!

Park at UVM’s Gutterson Fieldhouse parking garage and adjacent lots and catch the bus in front of Patrick Gymnasium.
Buses will run from 3 p.m. to 11:15 p.m.

Visit GMT's website for more details.

Additional Parking

If you park at the Waterfront, be prepared to wait at least one hour from the end of the fireworks to leave the parking areas due to priority pedestrian and CCTA bus traffic.

All parking lots off Lake Street will exit up Depot Street on to North Avenue at the end of the night.
Perkins Pier Parking is $12 for cars and $12 for trailers.
Waterfront Pease Parking Lot (bottom of College St) is reserved for handicap users and seasonal boaters, on a first come first serve basis, until lot is full.
We encourage folks to park at the City garages: the Downtown (Lakeview/College) and the Marketplace garage. City parking garages will charge $5 per car (expect to wait 45 minutes to an hour to exit after event).

Accessible Parking

Accessible parking spaces are available at Perkins Pier, the Waterfront Pease Lot, and North lot next to the skatepark. Please keep in mind all parking is limited for all so space is not guaranteed later into the evening.

Biking

You are encouraged to cycle to the event, if possible! Free valet bike parking by Local Motion is available at Lake and College Street. Please proceed with caution on the Burlington Greenway as large crowds will be present.

Boat Traffic

Boat Traffic in the harbor must end by 8:00 p.m. as the US Coast Guard will enact a full harbor closure, however we recommend getting to your destination prior to that, at least by 7pm.

Boat traffic from King Street Dock or Perkins Pier should exit to the south only. A No-Boat-Traffic-Zone has been extended to include the entire inner harbor. This safety zone is strictly enforced. The Perkins Pier and Waterfront boat ramps will be closed during this time.
All watercraft, including canoes and kayaks, must have working lights if they are on the water after dusk.
Boaters can expect crowded conditions in Burlington Bay throughout the day of the event, please proceed with caution while traversing.