Solar Eclipse 2024
The total solar eclipse is almost here! Here’s what’s going on locally on — and in the leadup to — the big day, Monday, April 8:
The state of Vermont has established an eclipse website that gives tips on viewing safety. Text VTECLIPSE to 888777 to sign up for text alerts regarding weather, traffic and other notable information leading up to the eclipse. Check out the list state parks open for eclipse viewing.
The Green Mountain Club cautions people who are planning on viewing the eclipse from a wilderness location that out-of-state visitors in particular might not be ready for dangerous winter at elevation and state emergency resources will be taxed. Hiking is discouraged during mud season.
The Starksboro Volunteer Fire Department is selling T-shirts, as a fundraiser, to commemorate the solar eclipse. Adult/child sizes: $15 each. For details email [email protected] or drop off your check and order at the Starksboro Town Clerk’s office.
Eclipse Day Timeline
2:14 PM:
Partial solar eclipse begins
3:20-3:30 PM:
The total eclipse blankets Vermont’s daytime sky in darkness, before gradually transitioning back to a partial eclipse until 4:37 PM. The length of totality depends on location.
Friday, April 5 – Sunday, April 7
10:00am – 5:00pm
ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain: 1 College Street, Burlington
Free with admission or membership
Solar Eclipse Festival
Join ECHO and fellow science lovers for a prelude to the total solar eclipse, featuring safe viewing methods like sun-oculars and telescope projections. Dive into hands-on family-friendly activities, explore the Mission Aerospace and eclipse pop-up exhibits, and don’t miss out on the chance to snag personal eclipse glasses with admission.
Friday, April 5- Monday, April 8
6:00am Friday – 4:00pm Monday
Downtown Brandon
Brandon Eclipse Celebration
Celebrate the eclipse all weekend in downtown Brandon. Eclipse activities will culminate with “Eclipse Viewing Fun” from 2:00 PM-4:00 PM at Estabrook Park, 760 Grove Street. Open to all, with plenty of parking and restrooms. The Brandon Recreation Department will have games to keep the kids busy leading up to the eclipse.
Saturday, April 6
9:00am – 3:00pm
Lawrence Memorial Library: 40 North Street, Bristol
Eclipse Activities at LML
Visit the Library to pick up free solar eclipse glasses and enjoy some solar eclipse activities before the event! Want to reserve your glasses ahead of time? Register below to pick up your glasses on Monday, April 8th from 10AM-1PM.
7:30pm
Congregational Church of Middlebury: 2 Main Street, Middlebury
Champlain Philharmonic Performs “In the Key of Spring”
This concert demonstrates not only how fun and entertaining classical music can be, but also showcases some of the most powerful and exhilarating music written that promises to be just as breathtaking and stratospheric as the eclipse itself. Tickets are $5-$15.
Sunday, April 7
4:30pm – 6:00pm
Open Sky Studio: 1 Main Street, Bristol
Pre-clipse Astrology Meet-up
Join Open Sky Studio for journaling, a discussion about current events as they relate to the astro weather, and get your eclipse season + Mercury retrograde survival guides dusted off for the road ahead. $2 donation.
RSVP at [email protected]
Monday, April 8
12:30pm – 4:00pm
Middlebury Rec Park, Near Mary Hogan School
Middlebury Great Solar Eclipse Party
Enjoy food trucks, games, music, as well as the pump track, a disc golf course, and the mini ramp while you wait for totality!
Eclipse glasses will be available at this event. Ilsley Public Library will also have some glasses to distribute from the library beginning on April 5th.
This event is sponsored by Middlebury Dept. of Parks and Rec., Brandon Dept. of Parks and Rec. With partners: Ilsley Public Library, Brandon Public Library, BMP, MESA and ASCS.
1:00pm – 4:30pm
Monkton Town Hall: 280 Monkton Ridge Road, Monkton
Monkton Eclipse Viewing Party
Please RSVP to help organizers better plan for the party. Please make some time to get your solar eclipse glasses, the library and the town hall have a limited number to distribute. Check out this link from the American Astronomical Society to purchase safe eclipse glasses. The event will feature food vendors, including Queen Bee and ReMarcAble Bakery.
2:15pm – 4:30pm
Village Center: 2849 Route 116, Starksboro
Starksboro Solar Eclipse Party
Bring along your best eclipse pie, cookies, cupcakes, or cake to share with neighbors. Group photo at 2:15 p.m. Parking and bathrooms will also be available at Robinson School. After the eclipse is completed, a potluck supper will be hosted by library staff at the First Baptist Church of Starksboro.
3:00pm – 4:00pm
Marbleworks, Middlebury
Solar Eclipse Viewing with MALT
Join MALT for this once-in-a-lifetime experience as we observe a total solar eclipse! MALT will be hosting a viewing of the solar eclipse at Marbleworks GreenSpace, right next to the waterfall. This event will feature an information table about the eclipse and the opportunity to be part of the Eclipse Soundscape Project, a citizen science endeavor focused on recording changes in the soundscape during the eclipse.