The Vermont Chamber of Commerce and the Vermont Department of Tourism and Marketing have announced the winners for the 2026/27 Vermont Signature Events program. These signature events offer experiences that fuel the Vermont visitor economy. In 2024, visitor spending hit a record by contributing $4.2 billion to Vermont’s economy. 

2026/27 Vermont Signature Events: 

• Hardwick State (April 17-19, 2026): For one weekend, Hardwick becomes a townwide university where community members teach and learn from one another. Anyone can be a teacher, and everybody is a student, with free or donation-based classes ranging from practical skills like tire changing and chainsaw repair to philosophy, crocheting, cake decorating, and improv comedy. 

• Battenkill Fly Fishing and Art Festival (April 30–May 2, 2026): Held in Arlington, this three-day festival celebrates the spring-fed Battenkill River with speakers, workshops, fly-tyers, live music, a casting competition, a beer tent, and events centered on history, aquatic life, and sustainability. 

• M&T Bank Vermont City Marathon & Relay Weekend (May 22–24, 2026): Vermont’s largest single-day sporting event takes over Burlington with a scenic, spectator-friendly marathon course, a sports and fitness expo, youth mini-marathons, and a lively post-race festival at Waterfront Park. 

• Community Concerts on the Green (May 22–September 6, 2026): In Middlesex, Camp Meade hosts free live music every Friday and Sunday from Memorial Day through Labor Day, featuring local performers, art activities, artisan studios, food, drinks, and a relaxed community atmosphere. 

• Naulakha Estate and Rhododendron Tour (June 5–7, 2026): Normally reserved for overnight guests, Rudyard Kipling’s historic Dummerston estate opens for self-guided tours, offering rare access to the grounds and the iconic rhododendron tunnel during peak bloom season. 

• Jeezum Crow Festival (July 10–11, 2026): At Jay Peak Resort, this high-energy summer music festival features national and regional acts, local food and craft vendors, and a laid-back mountain setting. Past performers include Del McCoury, Dark Star Orchestra, and Yonder Mountain String Band. 

• New World Festival (September 6, 2026): Downtown Randolph hosts this celebration of Celtic and Québécois traditional music and dance, with performances across five stages, street acts, called dances, kids’ activities, and food and drink from local vendors. 

• Puppets in the Green Mountains (September 11–20, 2026): Based in Brattleboro, this biennial international festival showcases puppet theater for all ages through performances, workshops, and forums that emphasize creativity, compassion, and storytelling. 

• Vermont Cheese Week (September 13–20, 2026): A statewide celebration featuring cheese-themed restaurant specials, farm tours, dinners, tastings, and special events that highlight Vermont’s award-winning cheesemakers and the landscapes behind their craft. 

• Cores and Pours (September 18, 2026): In Woodstock, this evening event invites visitors to explore Vermont’s small-batch cider scene with guided tastings led by a local pommelier, meet artisanal cider-makers, and enjoy local food offerings. 

• Rocktoberfest (September 26, 2026): Morrisville’s Portland Street transforms into a lively fall street festival with live bands, an Adirondack Chair Auction, dance performances, family activities, and food and retail vendors in a free, community-focused setting. 

• Vermont Circus Festival (November 1–8, 2026): Presented in Brattleboro by the New England Center for Circus Arts, this weeklong festival features circus workshops, performances, community events, and multiple shows ranging from cabaret to experimental circus. 

The Vermont Signature Events program offers an invaluable opportunity for events to garner widespread recognition. Signature events are awarded annually and showcase the rich variety of experiences to be had in the Green Mountains. These top-rated events offer a true taste of all that is local, bringing visitors into the heart of communities and serving as an important component in the Vermont visitor economy. 

Learn more about the Vermont Signature Events program and access the 2027/28 application here.