Hi there. I am a regular in Burlington as I have siblings living there. Typically all the shops and restaurants are open all the time, every day, weekday or weekend. Given the current COVID situation, I would wait until much closer to the date you want to visit and then "Google" the Church Street mall and call a few places to see what's open and what's (maybe) not. Good luck. It is a wonderful place to walk, window shop, dine and drink, especially in the fall. Peter in Montreal

I will respond in English (S.V.P.). I am not an expert concerning winter activities (les activites d'hiver) in Burlington, because I visited in October, but "hockey a glace" and ice skating for sure are omnipresent along Lake Champlain. There are always the many brew pubs, bistrops, shops, and interesting emporiums at the Church Street Marketplace (such as, one of the first Ben & Jerry Ice Cream Parlors) which are normally open unless there is a severe winter storm.

Sorry not to answer sooner, but I was traveling in New Zealand (enjoying summer) and missed the question. I doubt if the few restaurants on the Church Street Marketplace would offer outdoor seating with heaters in December. In coastal Southern California where I live, yes; in frigid Vermont, no. There might be greenhouse dining areas at some restaurants in Burlington but I don’t recall any along Church Street.

It's probably cold in that period of that year, so be ready to wear heavy clothes. In town, there are nice restaurants and cozy bars where you can warm up.

yes it is dog friendly many dogs walking or sitting with their owners.

Agree with the other writer it would definitely be snowy but I feel it would still be happening place to enjoy..

You probably are arriving on the 13th and leaving on the 15th. I suggest you plan to spend time downtown. The Christmas lights will be up and the street looks magical. Maybe a cocktail at one place, dinner at another, then dessert someplace else. (I endorse Tratorria Delia for dinner; my absolute favorite although not wheelchair accessible) Have one exquisite chocolate at Champlain Chocolates. I count on the website of our local indie paper to tell me what's happening. The paper is called Seven Days. The website is of the same name. It has all the news about events. A little too early to have much listed for your stay dates. I looked at the Flynn theater website for your stay dates and didn't find anything; that's very unusual. The Flynn is an art deco theater that has been updated and it's worth a look but no events scheduled as of now. Drive down to Shelburne to visit the Teddy Bear Factory and learn how the very successful business came to be. You will enjoy it even if you don't have children. There is a free shuttle bus that will bring you from the University of Vermont down to the waterfront. Since Burlington is built on a hill this little bus will climb the hill for you. Do go to the waterfront; it's magnificent in the winter as well as summer. The Courtyard by Marriott has a nice outdoor patio where they have a roaring fire in winter; great to sit and stare at the flames. If you go to the very top level of the many parking garages you get a wonderful view of the city as well as the lake and across to New York. Great spot; and free! Hope this helps.

Church Street Marketplace, a four block pedestrian street in the heart of the downtown, is lined with shops and restaurants of all descriptions and interest. Not sure when they close for the day, but most should be open late in early September. There is an extensive bikeway in Burlington and the walk along the lake is really nice. More to do in Burlington than I had initially expected.

We have a dog that we bring downtown during the outdoor eating season, however I am not aware of any eateries where a dog (excepting service dogs, of course) are allowed into the establishment. Sorry

Church Street Marketplace runs N-S for several blocks beginning at Main Street and ending at Cherry (I think). The two streets that run parallel on either side are Winooski (east) and St. Paul (west). If you're walking on Main st and can see the Flynn Space (big theater marquee), you're practically there. It starts on the north side of Main.