As the snow begins to melt and Vermont thaws out from a long, snowy winter, our thoughts quickly turn to spring.
To farmers’ markets bursting with fresh veggies and colorful bouquets. To vibrant green forests and cocktails on outdoor patios. And to friendly faces smiling toward the spring sunshine.
We celebrate spring in Vermont with a full calendar of special events, highlighting everything from maple syrup and fly fishing to farm animals and beer.
Ready to shake off those winter blues and celebrate spring in Vermont? Check out these fantastic events and festivals in April and May.
Things to Do Vermont in April: 2024 Events and Festivals
Poem City in Montpelier, Vermont
Throughout the whole month of April
Celebrate National Poetry Month in April with a visit to Poem City, AKA Montpelier.
Poem City celebrates Vermont poetry with a walkable anthology of poems as well as a full schedule of readings, workshops, and discussions throughout April.
Presented by the Kellogg-Hubbard Library, this month-long event is an ideal way to immerse yourself in Vermont’s literary landscape while honoring outstanding Vermont poets.
After all, we could all use more poetry in our lives!
Vermont Craft Beer and Chili Stroll in Wilmington, Vermont
April 5, 2024
If you’ve been reading Vermont Explored for any length of time, you probably already know that Wilmington is one of my favorite small towns in Vermont. It’s got mountains, a big shining lake, and an adorable downtown.
And apparently, it’s also got craft beer and chili. What’s not to love about that?
Be sure to head to downtown Wilmington on April 5 from 4 to 7 pm. Listen to live music, stroll the street, and taste 20 craft beers and 15 different chili varieties.
Registration will open at 3:45 at the Southern Vermont Deerfield Valley Chamber of Commerce with limited tickets available. We recommend getting your tickets early to avoid disappointment.
Pride Weekend at Sugarbush in Warren, Vermont
April 6-7, 2024
Welcome to Pride Weekend at Sugarbush, a spring celebration of dancing, music, great food and drink, and of course, skiing.
Featured events include a Pride Party, a dance party in the courtyard, a comedy show at Castlerock Pub, and a fantastic Drag Brunch on Sunday. Get your tickets early and bring non-perishable food items to support the Mad River Valley Food Pantry.
2024 Solar Eclipse in Vermont
April 8, 2024
A once-in-a-lifetime natural phenomenon, the solar eclipse will be visible from all of Vermont, with the path of totality in the northern part of the state. There will be up to 3.5 minutes of total darkness in the middle of the day between 3:20 and 3:30 pm.
There are so many Vermont events taking place during that short spell, that I won’t share them all here. I encourage you to head over to Vermont Vacation’s eclipse page to plan your perfect eclipse escapade.
Kingdom Maple Festival 2023 in St. Johnsbury, Vermont
April 20.2024
Celebrate St. Johnsbury’s history as the “Maple Center of the World” on Saturday, April 29, 202, with the Kingdom Maple Festival — a town-wide festival that draws more than 7,000 people each year.
This year’s sweetest festival will showcase local maple history and producers, along with delicious treats and fun activities, including a pancake breakfast, a festive street fair, and fantastic maple products.
Local restaurants will also be offering maple-themed menus all over town. There’s truly no such thing as too much maple during the Kingdom Maple Festival!
Baby Farm Animal Celebration at Billings Farm & Museum in Woodstock, Vermont
April 27 & 28, 2024
Spring in Vermont means it’s time for the cutest event of the year — Baby Farm Animal Celebration at Billings Farm & Museum in Woodstock. This year’s celebration takes place on Saturday, April 27, and Sunday, April 8, from 10 am-5 pm.
Come out to welcome this year’s new babies, including chicks, ducklings, turkeys, woolly lambs, soft bunnies, boisterous goat kids, and the cutest Jersey calves.
Learn about how animals are cared for at the farm, take a wagon ride through the fields, and plant heirloom seeds before grabbing lunch from the Wicked Awesome BBQ Food Truck.
If you’re a sucker for farm critters, this is the best way to celebrate spring in Vermont!
Vintage Market Days of Vermont in Rutland
April 26-28, 2024
Vintage Market Days of Vermont is an indoor/outdoor market showcasing vintage-inspired original art, antiques, clothing, jewelry, handmade treasures, home décor, outdoor furnishings, consumable yummies, and seasonal plantings.
This annual event celebrates spring in Vermont, upcycling, and repurposing at the Vermont State Fairgrounds.
Part flea market, part community gathering, welcome spring with three days of one-of-a-kind creations, vintage finds, and delicious food.
Read Next: The Best Things to Do in Bennington, Vermont
Vermont in May: 2024 Events and Festivals
Green Up Vermont Day 2024: Throughout the State
Green Up Day is one of the most special days in Vermont. It’s an opportunity to gather with members of the community to clean up roadsides, rivers, and trails in preparation for spring in Vermont.
Vermont’s 53rd Green Up Day happens on May 4, 2024, and while cleaning up trash may not sound like the best way to celebrate spring, you may be surprised by how festive the atmosphere is throughout the state.
Each year, participants gather thousands of pounds of trash and bag them in bright green bags to be collected by local municipalities.
Volunteers are the lifeblood of Green Up Day, and it’s a great way to give back to your community, preserve our beautiful landscapes, and protect wildlife.
Southern Vermont HomeBrew Festival in Bennington, Vermont
May 4, 2024
For nearly a decade, the Southern Vermont HomeBrew Festivals in Bennington have showcased talented home brewers in the Northeast with two incredible events.
The winter edition takes place on May 4, 2024, from 12-4 pm, and it’s the perfect way to celebrate spring in Vermont — with food trucks, vendors, and of course, the finest home-brewed beverages in the Northeast!
This year’s festival features 30+ of the region’s best homebrews, unlimited beverage sampling, and delicious food from local food trucks.
Not only will you have the chance to try a huge variety of home-brewed beverages (beer, cider, wine, and mead), but you’ll also have a chance to vote for your favorites.
This event is child and dog-friendly, and it will take place outdoors, rain or shine.
Battenkill Fly Fishing Festival in Arlington, Vermont
May 2-5, 2024
The Battenkill River has long been considered one of the best fly-fishing rivers in the east. It’s got an abundance of trout, but also beautiful surroundings that make this area such a fun destination for anglers.
Experience this enchanting spot for yourself at the Battenkill Fly Fishing Festival presented by Arlington Common in Arlington, Vermont. Festival highlights include indoor and outdoor workshops and demonstrations, live music, and delicious food.
Proceeds from this fun weekend event will go to protecting and enhancing the Battenkill River.
3rd Annual Kingman Fest in St. Albans, Vermont
May 11, 2024
Part block party, part rock concert, Kingman Fest in St. Albans is a high-energy festival designed to get people outside to celebrate spring in Vermont.
Located on Kingman Street in downtown St. Albans, this is a great event to kick off the festival season while catching up with locals and listening to great music.
Kingman Fest gets underway at 5 pm, and it’s entirely free for all ages. Festivities will include live music with Jesse Agan & Morgan Myles, fabulous food and drink vendors, activities for kids, and the Kingman Stree Business Showcase.
All proceeds from this exciting street fair will benefit St. Albans For The Future.
Family Sheep and Wool Weekend at Billings Farm & Museum in Woodstock, Vermont
May 25-26, 2024
Come meet the sheep at Billings Farm & Museum in Woodstock and learn what it takes to turn all that fluffy wool into sweaters, blankets, and more!
This family-friendly event takes place on Saturday and Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm.
MayFest 2024 in Bennington, Vermont
May 25, 2024
Every Memorial Day Weekend, downtown Bennington closes Main Street to traffic and opens it up to a huge variety of arts and craft vendors, food trucks, and musicians to celebrate the end of May and the beginning of the summer season.
Welcome to Mayfest! Last year’s event featured four stages of live entertainment and a wonderful crowd of locals and visitors. We can’t wait to learn more about Mayfest 2024.
M&T Bank Vermont City Marathon in Burlington, Vermont
May 26, 2024
The annual M&T Bank Vermont City Marathon has been welcoming runners to Burlington since 1989. Produced by RunVermont, this beautiful road race attracts athletes from New England and beyond.
The race starts in Waterfront Park, overlooking Lake Champlain, and travels through Burlington’s roads, residential streets, and along the Burlington Greenway, finally ending up back at the Burlington Waterfront for a post-race celebration.
Anyone who is familiar with Burlington would assume that this is a grueling course — it’s actually flat to rolling and is one of the fastest marathon courses in the USA.
Vermont City Marathon also offers a Marathon Relay, the first marathon in the USA to do so. The relay offers leg distances from 5k to half marathon.
Visit RunVermont for 2024 race details.
As mud season in Vermont gives way to blue skies, mild temperatures, and new life, it’s time to celebrate spring in Vermont. These fantastic events in April and May are dedicated to Vermont’s most time-honored traditions, historic downtowns, and wonderful people.
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Tara Schatz is a freelance writer and the founder and editor-in-chief of Vermont Explored and Back Road Ramblers, an American road trip blog. She is also the co-author of the 3rd edition of AMC’s Best Day Hikes in Vermont, released in May 2023, and the author of 100+ Wonderful Ways to Experience Vermont.