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.
Recommended Parking: UVM's
Gutterson Fieldhouse Parking Lot / Shuttle Bus
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? Here's the fastest way in and out of the Burlington Waterfront:
Take the Shuttle Bus Service from UVM's Patrick Gymnasium to 1 Main Street, operated by our event partner,
Green Mountain Transit.
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Fare is $2 roundtrip.
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Bus will accept cash, credit/debit, GMT Smart Card, or Ride Ready Mobile App.
How to take the shuttle:
Park at UVM’s Gutterson Fieldhouse parking garage and adjacent lots for free and catch the bus in front of Patrick Gymnasium. Buses will run from 3 p.m. to 11:15 p.m., with the last departing shuttle from UVM leaving at 8:30 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 onto North Avenue at the end of the night.
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Perkins Pier Parking: $3 / hour ($12 max) for cars and $12 for boat trailers.
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Waterfront Pease Parking Lot (bottom of College Street): Reserved for Handicap / ADA parking and seasonal boaters on a first-come, first-served basis, until the lot is full.
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Oakledge Park Lots (Flynn Ave) $2 / hour and North Beach Lot (off North Ave) is $3 / hour ($12 max). Parking is limited at these lots; we advise riding or walking if possible.
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City Garages - Downtown (Lakeview / College Streets), Marketplace Garage: $15 / car.
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Skate Park Lot (at the end of Lake Street): Additional ADA accessible parking only.
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 and space is not guaranteed later into the evening.
Driving
Following the fireworks, Main Street will be closed to through traffic except buses and authorized vehicles.
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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.
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All north / south traffic will be held at Main Street 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.
Biking
You are encouraged to cycle to the event, if possible! Free valet bike parking by Local Motion is available at Lake and College Streets. Please proceed with caution on the Burlington Greenway as large crowds will be present.
Boat Traffic
U.S. Coast Guard will enact a full harbor closure at 8:00 p.m. when all boat traffic in the harbor will end. We recommend boaters plan to arrive at their destinations by 6 p.m. at the latest. ​
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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.
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All watercraft, including canoes and kayaks, must have working lights if they are on the water after dusk.
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Boaters can expect crowded conditions in Burlington Bay throughout the day of the event. Please proceed with caution while traversing.
Train
The Vermont Rail Liberty Limited train will leave Vergennes at 6:00 p.m. and arrive at Waterfront Park One Main Station at 7:15 p.m. The train will depart One Main Station at 10:30 p.m. Cost is $35 roundtrip.