Vermont Annual Events
While it would be impossible to include all of the state's going-ons in one list, we've compiled this calendar of major events that will keep the good times rolling all year round!
Winter
Event |
Description |
Dates |
| Highlight New Year's Eve | Music, dance, comedy, circus acts and a midnight fireworks display take over the Queen City at this substance-free festival. Fun for all ages, head into the new year with a bang. | January |
| Hotel Vermont Ice Bar | Chill with ice sculptures and grab festive sips and snacks. Outdoor ice bars feature frosty cocktails with local spirits, ciders, and brews, with a DJ spinning hits all night long. | March |
| Winter Lights | When darkness falls on winter evenings from Thanksgiving through early January, Shelburne Museum’s campus glows in a bedazzling display of lights and music. | November-December |
Spring
Event |
Description |
Dates |
| Vermont Maple Festival | Enjoy everything maple, from sugarhouse tours and pancake breakfasts, to maple beverage tasting and music, this event has it all! | April |
| Vermont Restaurant Week | Foodie's get their fill of prix-fixe menus and themed events that put local fare front and center—and won't break the bank. Look out for delicious deals all week long. | April-May |
| Vermont City Marathon | Runners from all over pound 26.2 miles of pavement or split the distance with relay teams. Non-runners can order brunch at outside tables and cheer on! | May |
| Waking Windows | Indie-music lovers can catch their favorite bands at this ever-hip extravaganza of live tunes, comedy, art, food and drink taking place in and around the Onion City's traffic circle. | May |
Summer
Event |
Description |
Dates |
| Free First Friday Eve | Free First Friday Eve is a favorite summer tradition at Shelburne Museum. From June through August on the first Friday of the month during the evening hours, admission to the Museum is free. It’s the perfect time to visit galleries, enjoy a picnic on the grounds, stroll through gardens, and take in the splendor of a summer’s evening. Art-based activities, live music, food trucks, lawn games, and community! Free admission. Live music: June 7, Andriana and the Bananas; July 5th, Mai Maiz; August 2, Dwight + Nicole. | June 7, July 5, August 2 |
| Burlington Discover Jazz Festival | Cool cats tap their toes to the swingin' sounds of local, regional, and legendary jazz masters on indoor and outdoor stages during this week-long event. | June |
| Burlington Wine and Food Festival | Several days of taste-bud tempting events culminate in a culinary affair with palate-pleasing vinos, gourmet bites, and seminars with celebrated winemakers. | June |
| Vermont Brewers Festival | More than 150 craft beers beckon suds lovers of legal age, who sip samples during the scheduled tasting sessions that often sell out. | July |
| Stowe Balloon Festival | Watch in awe as a parade of hot air balloons take off at sunrise and twilight, dotting the sky with colorful patterns. Adventurous goers can even make advance reservations to ride. | July |
| Festival of Fools | Along with area venues, Queen City streets host internationally renowned buskers, comedians, musicians and quirky performers. | August |
| Vermont Cheesemakers Festival | Find out why Vermont is at the forefront of producing premium cheeses. Spend the day sampling and meet the artisans themselves. | August |
| Champlain Valley Fair | Known as the 10 best days of summer, fried foods fuel revelers at the annual amusement featuring rides, games, agricultural displays, a demolition derby and grandstand concerts by big-name acts. | August-September |
Fall
Event |
Description |
Dates |
| South End Art Hop | Thousands flock to South End studios and businesses for exhibits, fashion shows, artist markets, live demos and music from more than 600 participating creatives. | September |
| Vermont Pride Festival and Parade | LGBTQ individuals and allies paint the town red—er, rainbow, that is—with a lively procession from Church Street to Battery Park, where an epic all-day party awaits. | September |
| Grand Point North Music Festival | Bona fide rock star and Vermont native Grace Potter headlines two nights of lakeside live tunes by area and national acts. Also "gracing" this fest? Beer, wine, local eats and an art installation. | September |
| Vermont International Film Festival | A showcase of international, independent and local flicks hits silver screens for a celluloid celebration with filmmaker Q&A's, receptions and discussions. | October |