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Vermont Chamber Events Calendar
Guiding you to some of Vermont's Best Events
Please use the events calendar on this page to guide you to some of Vermont's best events! Click on a date above, or page down to the bottom of this page to plug in the dates you'll be here and view all events that will be happening during your stay.
You may also want to check out the Vermont Chamber Top Ten Events listed below, which have been chosen by a panel of judges to represent the best of Vermont's seasonal celebrations.
Top Ten Winter 2008-2009 Events
Top Ten Summer 2008 Events
Top Ten Fall Events 2008 Event
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Wassail Weekend
Woodstock, December 12 - 14, 2008
Wassail Weekend in Woodstock celebrates twinkling holidays in the quintessential New England Village. A festive holiday weekend with a spectacular horse parade, caroling around the village green, holiday house tour, musical events, yule log, and Santa’s visit to the Winter Wonderland. Shop, dine, stay - find gifts for everyone in our unique stores or relax in a cozy inn and enjoy fine cuisine. Experience holiday magic in Woodstock, Vermont! Some events have fees. Sponsored by the Woodstock Area Chamber of Commerce.
888-496-6378or visit: www.woodstockvt.com.
First Night Montpelier - 15th Anniversary
Montpelier, December 31, 2008, 1 p.m. to 1 a.m. (January 1, 2009)
Central Vermont’s drug and alcohol-free, family friendly New Year’s Eve celebration. There’s something for everyone with music, dance, theater, storytelling and magic, plus children’s activities, an international food court, poetry slam, 5 km road race, ice skating, parade & fireworks. Twelve incredible hours of entertainment for one price! Before December 31: $10/single, $40/family. Day of: $12/single, $50/family.
802-223-9604 or visit: www.mdca.org.
Art in the Snow
Brandon, January 24-25, February 28-March 1, March 28-29, 2009; Saturdays 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m, Sundays 11 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
On the fourth weekends of January, February, and March, Brandon’s artists open their studio doors to visitors for the opportunity to experience their creative community. Brandon has been called "the art and soul of Vermont" and the creative economy is red hot. This is the public’s unique chance to see that creative process in action! Open studios to include painters, potters, jewelers, sculptors, photographers, folk artists, fabric artists, and glass artists.
802-247-6401 or visit: www.brandon.org.
Brookfield Ice Harvest - 30th Year
Brookfield, January 31, 2009, 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The 30th Annual Brookfield Ice Harvest recalls the history of ice harvesting in Brookfield through a talk, demonstration, and hands-on competition for young and old. Prizes are awarded. This is a great family event, with food, skating, dog sledding and many other features. 802-276-3959.
TD Banknorth Craftsbury Marathon
Craftsbury Common, January 31, 2009, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
This point-to-point cross-country ski race and tour has been presented by the Craftsbury Outdoor Center for 27 years. Offering exciting competition, the marathon is the largest x-country ski event in the Eastern United States, with half of the 725 participants coming from out of state. The marathon (25 or 50 km) has a special Family Touring Class. Registration fees.
802-586-7767 or visit: www.craftsbury.com.
INDIGENOUS EXPRESSIONS: Native Peoples of the Lake Champlain Basin
Burlington, February 14, 2009 and ongoing, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
Explore more than 11,000 years of regional Native American history and culture at ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center’s special, facility-wide Quadricentennial experience. You’ll discover the indigenous people’s intimate connections to the landscape that allows them to survive and thrive in the ever changing Lake Champlain Basin. Through exciting exhibits, activities, imaginative interactives, a contemporary portrait gallery, lectures, films, artifacts and multimedia presentations, you’ll connect with the past, present, and vibrant future of our native neighbors. Free with ECHO admission.
877-ECHOFUN (877-423-6386) or visit: www.echovermont.org.
Burke Mountain Dog Sled Dash
East Burke, February 28 - March 1, 2009, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Watch over 100 dog sled teams compete for their share of the $8,000 purse. Enjoy BBQ, raffles, and kids games to benefit Northeast Kingdom children and families. Attend the benefit dinner and meet NHL Hall of Famer Clark Gillies!
802-626-7300 or visit: www.skiburke.com.
Vermont Flower Show
Essex Junction, March 6 - 8, 2009; Fri. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m, Sat. 9 a.m. to 6 p.m, Sun. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Vermont’s premier flower show offers three days of Spring the first weekend in March. Visitors see a grand central display filled with flowering plants, water features and stonework. The 2009 theme is "Child’s Play" with a focus on encouraging garden play for children and the young at heart. The central display includes a fairy house forest, kinetic sculpture, Mr. McGregor’s veggie garden, water features, a tree house and a star gazing tent. Over 100 exhibitors display at the show. Three days of seminars and educational workshops are held. There is a professional floral competition. Kids will find a special room all their own devoted to hands-on activities and scheduled performers to entertain them. Vermont Certified Horticulturists are on hand all three days to answer any gardening or landscaping questions. Fee.
888-517-6484 or visit: www.vermontflowershow.com.
Relay for Life Nordicstyle
Stowe, March 7-8, 2009; Sat. 6 p.m. to Sun. 6 a.m.
Join us as we Celebrate, Remember and most importantly Fight Back against cancer at the 6th Annual Relay For Life NordicStyle at the Trapp Family Ski Touring Center. Join us this year as we camp out during this all night event, cross country ski, snowshoe the trails and put the fun into fundraising to find a cure for cancer. Be part of American Cancer Society’s historical event...Relay For Life NordicStyle.
866-466-0626 or 802-872-6304. E-mail: www.cancer.org.
Chevy U.S. Snowboarding Grand Prix
Killington, March 14-15, 2009
More than 100 of the top snowboarders in the world compete in Slopestyle and Superpipe at Bear Mountain. Competition venues and live entertainment venue are open to the public, free of charge. The excitement will peak on Saturday with a concert and Superpipe finals. The overall winners of the three-stop Grand Prix series will be crowned at Killington. The entire event will air nationally on NBC.
802-422-6867 or visit: www.killington.com.
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Vermont Maple Festival
St. Albans – April 25, 26, & 27, times vary.
At the end of winter, it’s time to celebrate Vermont’s first agricultural harvest of the year: MAPLE! The Vermont Maple Festival is three days of fun and learning. There’s something for everyone- kids, teens, families, singles, and seniors. Main Street entertainment, maple exhibit hall, antique, craft and specialty food shows, cooking demonstrations, sugarhouse tours, face painting, pancake breakfast, fiddlers’ and youth talent shows.
802-524-5800 perleygates@surfglobal.net or visit: www.vtmaplefestival.org.
Vermont Chocolate Show
Essex – May 17, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and May 18, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m..
The Vermont Chocolate Show features chocolatiers, chefs, and other vendors from Vermont and throughout the Northeast. The show includes educational programs, a chocolate art exhibit, product sales and other culinary activities. It is an opportunity for chocolate lovers of all ages to buy chocolate products, learn from noted Vermont pastry chefs and food experts, and enjoy chocolate spa treatments.
802-244-8354 darrick@vermontchocolateshow.com or visit: www.vermontchocolateshow.com
Seventh Annual Strolling of the Heifers Parade & Festival
Brattleboro – June 6, 7, & 8, times vary.
This Mardi Gras-like celebration annually occurs during the first weekend in June. The light hearted Strolling of the Heifers Parade on Saturday, June 7, is the festival's focal point. The animal and entertainment cavalcade culminates at Brattleboro Retreat Healthcare's ground where the Dairy Fest and Marketplace, which features food, agricultural demos, Vermont farm products and the Family Farm Fun Tent, takes place. This year, a Vermont Farm Aid concert is a new element of the event! 802-254-4565 stuartcomm@comcast.net or visit: www.strollingoftheheifers.com
Vermont History Expo
Tunbridge –June 21 - 22, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission info: Adults $10 for both days; children/students (under 18) $5 for both days; children 5 and under free; weekend family pass $20; ½ price admission for visitors in period dress.
The Vermont History Expo is a two day summer festival where Vermonters and Vermonters at heart experience our state’s living history. The Expo features distinctive exhibits from the collections of 150 local historical societies, museums and heritage attractions. For 7 years, the last weekend in June at the Tunbridge World Fairgrounds has become the time for visitors to be immersed in a hands-on Vermont history lesson - in the spirt of fun and discovery.
802-479-8505. E-mail: vhs-expo@state.vt.us or visit: www.vermonthistory.org/expo
Warren 4th of July Parade and Celebrations
Warren – July 4, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. with fireworks in the evening.
Come dance in the streets! The Warren 4th of July Parade and Celebrations has the funkiest collection of pageantry this side of Burning Man. Many folks who have moved away make this holiday their homecoming, so you’ll see dyed-in-the-red-white-and blue Vermonters, new babies, second cousins, city folk up for the week and political satire all rolled into one big block party.
802-496-3409. E-mail: chamber@madriver.com or visit: www.madrivervalley.com.
SolarFest 2008 – Vermont’s Renewable Energy Festival
Tinmouth – July 12, 9 a.m. to midnight and July 13, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m..
SolarFest’s 14th annual festival in Tinmouth, is a renewable-energy powered celebration of the performing arts, sustainable living, and community. The weekend is packed with education and entertainment. Three tents house over 40 workshops on renewable energy and sustainable living topics, plus wold class performers on two solar-powered stages. Theatre-in-the-Woods, dozen of exhibitors, crafts, food, and children activities, bonfire art and much more.
802-235-1513. E-mail: info@solarfest.org or visit: www.solarfest.org
Vermont Mozart Festival
Shelburne, Stowe, Vergennes, Grand Isle, North Hero, Essex, Colchester, & North Ferrisburg – July 13 - August 3, evenings.
Summer 2008 features the piano and orchestral music of Beethoven, opening with Beethoven’s First Symphony and concluding with his Ninth Symphony. Beethoven’s five magnificent Piano Concerti will be the centerpieces of the 35th season. 802-862-7352 tim@vtmozart.org or visit: www.vtmozart.org.
Antique & Classic Car Meet at Stowe
Stowe – August 8, 9, & 10, 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.
This family friendly event features over 800 antique and classic vehicles of great diversity. Everything from Model T Fords to great classic Duesenbergs and Packards to 1970's muscle cars and even street rods are present. This is one of the oldest and largest antique car shows in the country, and is the premiere antique automobile show in New England. Free spectator parking and low admission price make this show a great family outing. 802-253-4897 www.vtauto.org.
13th Annual Southern Vermont Garlic & Herb Festival
Bennington – August 30, 31, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m..
This fun-filled festival has something for all ages. Area restaurants cooperate in a food tent with a huge variety of garlic-inspired goodies from their menus. Children’s games and activities keep the little ones entertained. Live music can be enjoyed throughout the festival. Everything from garlic ice cream to garlic jelly, picked garlic, roasted garlic, and more... Plain garlic bulbs of every variety will be available to purchase and sample. 802-447-3311 lindyslynch@yahoo.com or visit: www.benningtonchamber.com
New World Festival at Chandler Music Hall
Randolph – August 31, 12:00 to Midnight.
The New World Festival celebrates the Celtic and French Canadian heritage of northern New England through music and dance, as well as the vitality of a small Vermont town. In the midst of a historic village center, 5 continuous performance stages feature fiddlers, pipers, storytelling and dance. The festival includes children’s activities, crafts and food. Performances take place in all-weather tents, Bethany Church and Chandler Music Hall. Festival profits are used to support programming for youth at Chandler throughout the year.
802-728-9878 becky@chandler-arts.org or visit: NewWorldFestival.com.
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South End Art Hop
Burlington – September 5, 5 p.m. - 11 p.m., September 6, 10 a.m.- 5 p.m., with activities and events all month.
The south end of Burlington is home to the kindest and greatest concentration of start-up businesses and artists studios in Vermont. For the Art Hop, 500 artists are featured in over 100 locations, indoors and out. SEABA (South End Arts & Business Association) is proud to present this event to Burlington, and all over New England.
802-859-9222 or E-mail: info@seaba.com or visit: www.seaba.com.
Tunbridge World’s Fair
Tunbridge – September 11, 12, 13, & 14, 8 a.m. until around midnight; Sunday till 6 p.m..
Where the past, present, and future meet up for 4 days of the fair! The World’s Fair 2008 may be an agricultural fair with great livestock shows, but a good half of the fair is made alive by our vendors and amusements, many vendors having come for years now. Gillett’s Shows brings the trademark ferris wheel every year, and where would we be without a bit of fried dough? Or Italian sausage, or fudge, or maple cotton candy or...???
802-889-5555 or E-mail: info@tunbridgefair.com.
Plymouth Cheese & Harvest Festival
Plymouth Notch – September 20, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m..
Celebrate the bounties of the harvest and the award-winning world of Vermont-made cheese! The festival features cheese sampling by members of the Vermont Cheese Council, wagon rides, historic farm & craft demonstrations, old-time fiddling, guided tours of the Plymouth Cheese Factory, and activities for the entire family. 802-672-3773 or E-mail:William.Jenney@state.vt.us or visit: www.HistoricVermont.org/Coolidge
Fairbanks Festival Of Traditional Crafts
St. Johnsbury –September 20, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m..
Celebrate rural creativity at this colorful festival that fills Main Street with interesting sounds and fascinating traditions that shaped northern New England! Artisans demonstrate their unique skills, passed from one generation to the next. From butter churning to wood turning, candles to soap, cider to barrels, dolls to toys, and so much more. Ask a basket weaver what textures you can find in our forest, then see the colors of everyday plants become part of a woven tapestry with natural fiber dyeing. Learn about blacksmithing, using the tools and techniques that shaped our heritage. A great family event in the gateway to Vermont’s stunning Northeast Kingdom.
802-748-2372 or E-mail: arubin@fairbanksmuseum.org or visit: www.fairbanksmuseum.org.
Vermont Fine Furniture & Woodworking Festival
Woodstock – September 27 -28, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m..
Vermont’s Fine Furniture & Woodworking Festival showcases Vermont artists-in-wood and their commitment to keeping traditional skills and crafts alive. Guests mingling and shopping see that the exhibitors live their lives with tools of the craft in hand. World-class creativity and craftsmanship are unparalleled in the exquisite array of Vermont-made furniture and wood products. Browse the displays, make purchases, chat with woodworkers, or see them at work carving, turning, and crafting their wares. Live music, food, and forest tours make this a must do!
802-747-7900 or E-mail: kwanner@gwriters.com or visit: www.vermontwoodfestival.org.
Weston Craft Show
Weston – October 10, 11, & 12, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.
In a very crowded field, the Weston Craft show, celebrating its 25th anniversary, stands apart. Only the best Vermont artisans survive the jurying process! Enjoy imaginative displays of fine art and craftsmanship with a gourmet lunch in the beautiful Weston Playhouse surrounded by glorious fall colors - a show within a show not to be missed.
802-824-3576 or E-mail: knowlwoods@comcast.net or visit: www.westoncraftshow.com.
Art in the Park Fall Foliage Festival
Rutland – October 11, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and October 12, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m..
Vermont’s oldest continuing arts tradition. Celebrating its 47th year, a treasure for the exhibitor and the attendee. The setting is an outdoor park with a gazebo in the center that is used by musicians in inclement weather, and by attendees enjoying the atmosphere. There is something for everyone with free children’s activities, musical entertainment, daily door prizes and grand prize drawings, food concessions, demonstrations, and high quality arts and craft booths. 802-775-0356 or E-mail: beyondmarketing@yahoo.com or visit: www.chaffeeartcenter.org.
Dummerston Apple Pie Festival
Dummerston – October 12, 9 a.m. until sold out.
For 40+ years, the Dummerston Apple Pie Festival has been held each year on the Sunday of Columbus Day weekend, the peak of colorful autumn foliage in Southern Vermont. A full 1500 apple pies are made by many church members and friends. Folks from all over the United States travel by motorcycle and automobiles to take part in the festivities. Join us for a piece or take home a whole pie. In addition, we serve Vermont cheddar cheese, homemade ice cream, cider, coffee, donuts. 802-254-9158 or E-mail: janart54@sover.net.
Haunted Forest
Williston – October 16 - 18 & 24, 25, shows times vary.
What is the Haunted Forest like? The Haunted Forest features outdoor community theater set amidst the magic and enchantment of a dark forest. A pair of mysterious guides lead guests through the Haunted Forest. The flickering faces of over 1,000 jack-o’lanterns light the dark trails. Throughout their passage, visitors encounter strange and sometime hilarious characters in a variety of Halloween-theme scenes. In doing so it provides a truly unique experience for all who visit or participate.
802-238-0923 or 802-879-9160 or E-mail: herbs@doc.state.vt.us or visit: www.thehauntedforest.org.
The 3rd Annual Great Pumpkin Challenge
Bennington – October 25, 12 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Our third attempt to attain the Guinness Book of World Records title for the most jack-o-lanterns displayed in one place! Pumpkins must be carved and candled by 5:30 p.m. A parade will start at 4:00 p.m. in the Banknorth parking lot. Main Street will be aglow with talent and fun!
802-442-5758 or E-mail: betterbc@sover.net or visit: www.bennington.com/bbbc.
Upcoming Events
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