Montpelier's Valentine Phantom Decorates Storefronts Overnight

The city's annual tradition of anonymous heart decorations continues to spread holiday cheer.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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The golden dome in Montpelier, Vermont was surrounded by a sea of red hearts on Friday night as the city's unknown "Valentine phantom" struck again, decorating local storefronts with the festive displays. The annual tradition has become a beloved part of the community, with residents waking up to the whimsical decorations and local businesses seeing a boost in holiday traffic.

Why it matters

The Valentine's Day decorations brought by the anonymous phantom have become a cherished tradition in Montpelier, sparking excitement and community spirit each year. As the tradition spreads to other Vermont towns, it highlights the power of small acts of kindness and holiday cheer to bring people together.

The details

The phantom's handiwork was spotted across Montpelier's downtown, including at the Wildling Flower Shop and Bear Pond Books. Local business owners like Jenny Sebold say the holiday boost is especially welcome during the slower winter months. This year, elementary and middle school students also contributed handmade hearts to the displays.

  • The phantom struck again on Friday night, February 14, 2026.

The players

Jenny Sebold

The owner of Wildling Flower Shop and Rebel Hearts, who says the Valentine's Day tradition brings a much-needed boost to business during the slow winter season.

Mackie Naylor

An employee at Bear Pond Books, who says the community is always excited to see the Valentine bandit's work each year.

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What they’re saying

“Oh it's just magical. It's like, you know, I think it's a nice way to bring a little more whimsy into the winter.”

— Jenny Sebold, Owner, Wildling Flower Shop and Rebel Hearts (WCAX)

“It's something we're always excited to see whenever the Valentine bandit strikes again. I mean, even though it's a tradition that's continued for many years, it still has a lot of turnout I think every time, and it's something we all just get really excited about.”

— Mackie Naylor, Employee, Bear Pond Books (WCAX)

What’s next

The hearts are expected to stay up for a few days, and locals will eagerly await the return of the Valentine phantom next year.

The takeaway

The annual Valentine's Day decorations left by Montpelier's anonymous "phantom" have become a beloved tradition, bringing holiday cheer and community spirit to the city. As the tradition spreads to other Vermont towns, it highlights the power of small acts of kindness to brighten people's lives.