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 5 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.
• Bern Gallery: Free gift with any purchase and 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!
• 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.
  
• Frog Hollow: Special events and pop-ups on Wednesday evenings.
• Harbour Thread: Complementary can of Bitter Bubble.
• Jubilance Salon: $35 spray tans, $30 hair cuts, 10% off retail.
• 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.
• 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
• 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.
• Vermont Pub & Brewery: 20% off dinner. Just say "Passeggiata"!
• 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
• Bern Gallery: 8pm
• City Market: 9pm
• Common Deer: 6pm
• CVS: 8pm
• 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
• 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
• Pascolo: 9pm
• Phoenix Books: 8pm
• Ri Ra Irish Pub and the Whiskey Room: 12am
• Simon Pearce: 8pm
• Soulshine Power Yoga: 7pm
• The Archives Bar: 2am
• Vermont Pub & Brewery: 10pm
• 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.