una passeggiata

Let's build community and support our treasured local businesses by doing something simple.

Bring your family and friends to participate in the centuries-old tradition of the Italian passeggiata. A passeggiata is a traditional evening stroll in the central square of a town by its residents. It's an integral part of Italian culture that brings out everyone, young and old, to socialize and connect with their community. It's a time to shop, enjoy an aperitivo or ice cream, and even stay for dinner at a local restaurant.

Stroll along Church Street and the downtown core with your friends and neighbors. Join us on Wednesday evenings, anytime between 4 and 8pm!

We sat down with Lisa DeNatale, longtime Burlington resident and President of the Vermont Italian Cultural Association (VICA), to learn more about una passeggiata—a weekly downtown stroll she helped bring to life alongside her friend Michele Asch. With a background in marketing and a former role as President of Special Olympics Vermont, she’s long been an active and passionate member of the community. Michele shares that same love for Burlington, and together, they’re building a new tradition inspired by an old one.

What is an ‘una passeggiata’?
"A passeggiata is a traditional evening stroll in the central square or main pedestrian area of a town by its residents. It's an integral part of Italian culture that brings out everyone, young and old, to socialize and connect with their community."

What made you both want to bring this ‘social ritual’ concept to Burlington? What’s the intention (long term)?
"My friend Tom mentioned the idea of a passeggiata to me last winter, perhaps because of my role as VICA President. It sounded like a great idea, but it was winter. For months, it languished in my brain until I began to feel the need to do something to help support the downtown. I contacted my friend Michele, and we decided to send an email to a bunch of friends and post it to Front Porch Forum. I hoped it would generate some interest and have been surprised by the response. It seems to be growing each week."

How can the community participate? How can they help spread the word?
"Show up! Anytime between 5 and 8pm every Wednesday. The hours are not firm. There is no starting point. The idea is to come together as a community. Inviting friends and family, or posting to Front Porch Forum, is the best way to get the word out."

Offers from downtown businesses

Check out the list below of amazing offers from our Burlington businesses for Wednesday evenings. 

• Ahli Baba's Kabob Shop: Free lemonade with a purchase of a pita.
• American Flatbread Burlington: Live music 5-8pm on Wednesdays
  
• Bar Renée: Italian wines by the glass. Also, our normal small markup (especially on whole bottles to share).
• Ben & Jerry's: From 7 to 10pm, get one free specialty cone with any purchase of a Small or Large portion of hand-scooped ice cream - just say "Cono"!
• Bern Gallery: Free gift with any purchase. Live music.
• City Market: Every Wednesday is Sushi Wednesday at the Co-op! All day, select rolls are $5.99 each. Our sushi comes from our partners at Hissho Sushi and is made fresh in-house every day!
• Daily Planet: $5 off all our burgers and sandwiches, including vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options!
• Devil Takes A Holiday: Complimentary snack with the purchase of a cocktail, NA 'Atonement', Beer, or Wine. Snack choices: Aperol Almonds, Marinated Olives, Pickled Vegetables, Prosciutto, or Berry Cup.
• ECCO Clothes: 20% off an item from 5-8pm on Wednesday nights! Just say "Dolce Vita".
• Fletcher Free Library: Special bookmark coloring station and summer bingo cards. Come inside and learn more.
• Harbour Thread: Complementary can of Bitter Bubble.
• Jubilance Salon: $35 spray tans, $40 detox foot bath, $50 winter escape
• Ken's Pizza and Pub: $12 for a Large Cheese Pizza (normally $18). Eight slices, perfect for sharing with your friends. Mention 1973 for the discount! The year we were established. Enjoy $2 off a glass of wine on Wednesdays!
• Lake Champlain Chocolates: Try our signature affogato: A scoop of our delicious, house-made, small-batch ice cream with George Howell espresso poured over the top.
• Leunig's Bistro: 8 - 9pm bistro dinner for $25.
• Lucky You: Every Wednesday evening from 5-7pm through August 27th, Lucky You will be doing a Puff, Puff, Passeggiata promotion on pre-rolls: BOGO 50% Off singles and multipacks (includes CBD pre-rolls). 
• Outdoor Gear Exchange: 10% off one full-priced item (excluding consignment) when you mention you're participating in una passeggiata.
• Pascolo: $5 wine and snack deal! Get a glass of your choice of house red or white wine and a small snack tray consisting of Castelvetrano olives, house potato chips, and taralli crackers.
• Phoenix Books: 15% off any Phoenix-branded merchandise when you mention you're participating in una passeggiata.
• Saratoga Olive Oil: Stroll by and sample our fresh extra virgin olive oil from Puglia & Sicily and aged Balsamic Vinegar from Modena. Che bontà! $5 off purchase of 2 or more bottles.
• Soulshine Power Yoga: Attend 3 "Surrender to the Flow" yoga classes in a month and get a $10 gift card from Kru Coffee.
• The Archives Bar: Try our special trio of Italian Spritz Cocktails available on Wednesday evenings.
• The Whiskey Room: Live music from 8-10pm!
• Tradewinds Imports: Lotus Wheel of Fortune, spin for a discount up to 30% off earrings on 12/3 and 12/10. Seasonal Surprise on 12/17 and 12/24.
• Trattoria Delia: Enjoy a bottle or glass of wine (including non-alcoholic wine) from our curated list and receive a 50% discount on the wine and a 10% off coupon to try our Sotto Sunday Brunch on their next visit to downtown Burlington.
• Vermont Pub & Brewery: 20% off food. Just say "Passeggiata"!
• Whizbangs Candy Lab: 5-9pm all purchases over $10 will receive 10% off entire purchase.
• Zinnia: Free Cookie with purchase.

Are you a Burlington business and would like to share a promotion or highlight a special product for passeggiata? Let us know and we'll add it to the list!

Downtown businesses open late

Explore businesses staying open late as you stroll through the downtown core. 

• Ahli Baba's Kabob Shop: 11pm
• American Flatbread Burlington: 10pm
• Bar Renée: 10pm
• Bern Gallery: 8pm
• Burlington City Arts Gallery: 8pm
• City Market: 9pm
• Common Deer: 6pm
• Crow Bookshop: 8pm
• CVS: 8pm
• Daily Planet: 9pm
• Danforth Pewter: 6pm
• Dear Lucy: 7pm
• Devil Takes A Holiday: 12am
• ECCO Clothes: 8pm
• Fletcher Free Library: 8pm
  
• FP Movement: 8pm
• Free People: 8pm
• Frog Hollow: 6pm
• Gaku Ramen: 9pm
• Golden Hour Gift Co: 7pm
• Harbour Thread & Harbour Thread Men's: 8pm
• Jubilance Salon: 9pm
• Ken's Pizza and Pub: 10pm
• Lake Champlain Chocolates: 8pm
• Leunig's Bistro: 9pm
• Lucky You: 7pm
• Outdoor Gear Exchange: 12/3, 12/10, 12/17 open until 7pm and 12/24 open until 5pm
• Pascolo: 9pm
• Phoenix Books: 8pm
• Ri Ra Irish Pub and the Whiskey Room: 12am
• Simon Pearce: 12/10 and 12/17 open until 7pm
• Soulshine Power Yoga: 7pm
• The Archives Bar: 2am
• The Whiskey Room: 12am
• Tradewinds Imports: 23/3, 12/10, and 12/17 open until 8pm and 12/24 open until 6pm
• Vermont Pub & Brewery: 10pm
• Whizbangs Candy Lab: 9pm
• Zinnia: 7pm

Are you a Burlington business and staying open late for passeggiata? Let us know and we'll add you to the list!

How do you pronounce passeggiata?

It’s pronounced PASS-eh-JAH-ta—easy and fun to say once you get the hang of it!

Here’s the breakdown:

• PASS - put the emphasis here, like you're saying "pass the salt."
• eh - like the "e" in "get."
• JAH - sounds like the "j" in "judge."
• ta - like "ta-da!"

So all together: PASS-eh-JAH-ta. Give it a try on your next stroll!

Want to hear it being pronounced? Click here.