26 Iconic Vermont Festivals and Fairs You Won’t Want to Miss in 2026
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Only in Vermont will you find a festival dedicated to turnips, one celebrating street performers, and another embracing the sweet indulgence you can only get from maple trees.
Vermont’s got long-running music and food festivals, traditional country fairs, and some random oddballs that are as delightful as they are eccentric. For such a small state, Vermont highlights an extraordinary number of fairs and festivals.
If you’re planning a trip to New England this year, consider checking out a few of these Vermont festivals and fairs while you’re here, and if you’re local, put these time-honored Vermont festivals on your calendar!
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Spring Festivals in Vermont
Sure, the flowers are blooming, the birds are singing, and the mud is drying up, but spring in Vermont is really all about maple syrup!
Sap starts flowing in February when sugarhouses across the state begin the process of “sugaring off” — turning the clear sap from the maple tree into our beloved sweetener.
It’s a little-known fact that Vermonters have maple syrup flowing through their veins, which is why we are more tolerant of Vermont’s frigid winters. Live here long enough, and you become part maple tree!
Here are two fantastic maple festivals in Vermont that you won’t want to miss.
Kingdom Maple Festival in St. Johnsbury, VT
April 18, 2026
Celebrate St. Johnsbury’s history as the “Maple Center of the World” on Saturday, April 19, 2026, with the Kingdom Maple Festival — a town-wide festival that draws more than 7,000 people annually.
This year’s sweetest festival will celebrate local maple history and producers, along with delicious treats and fun, family-friendly 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!
100+ Wonderful Ways to Experience Vermont
Whether you’re a local who has lived here for years or a visitor eager to explore, there’s always more to Vermont than most guidebooks would have you believe. Sure, you can easily find the popular tourist spots, but Vermont is so much more than that.
100+ Ways to Experience Vermont is the only guide you’ll need to find popular and obscure trails, waterfalls, attractions, museums, farms, breweries, and more. And unlike printed guidebooks, this digital guide included links to relevant businesses, articles, and event listings to make trip planning easier.
Formatted as a PDF file, this beautiful ebook is available to download on your phone, tablet, or e-reader and can be easily printed for off-grid exploring.
Vermont Maple Festival in St. Albans, VT
April 24-25, 2026
This year marks 59 years for the annual Vermont Maple Festival in St. Albans, and the festival grows more robust and well-known each year.
Featuring sugarhouse tours, a maple beverage tasting, food trucks, live entertainment, a photo contest, a sappy art contest, and a fiddler’s variety show, you’ll want to set aside the whole weekend for this one!
St. Albans features a vibrant downtown with a nice selection of shops and restaurants, making it an ideal spring getaway destination!
Also Read: Spring in Vermont: 14 Fun Events in April and May
Summer Festivals in Vermont
Summer is festival season in Vermont, with every town and city working hard to capitalize on the lovely weather, gorgeous scenery, and out-of-town visitors.
Vermont’s got some truly distinctive summer events — not to mention all the other fun summer attractions like farmers’ markets, outdoor patios, and fantastic swimming holes.
Here are a few wacky and wonderful summer festivals in Vermont to add to your itinerary.
40th Burlington Jazz Festival in Burlington, VT
June 3-7, 2026
This year marks the 43rd anniversary of the Burlington Discover Jazz Festival, a five-day festival celebrating a stellar lineup of celebrated jazz musicians from around the world.
Discover Jazz Festival features free music throughout Burlington, as well as a robust lineup of ticketed shows.
This incredible festival is one of the most celebrated and anticipated events of the year. For a full line-up of free and ticketed performances, visit The Flynn.
46th Annual Quechee Hot Air Balloon Festival in Quechee, VT
June 19-21, 2026
The annual Quechee Hot Air Balloon, Craft & Music Festival is the longest-running hot air balloon festival in New England.
This exciting festival features magnificent hot-air balloons floating over the Upper Valley of Vermont. Both tethered rides and ascension rides (untethered) will be offered throughout the weekend, plus music and entertainment will be abundant for all ages.
More than 50 craft artisans and commercial vendors will sell crafts, wares, and specialty foods, and several interactive activities will be available in the free Kids Zone. There will be festival food available to purchase, with local healthy options and a beer and wine garden.
This iconic Vermont event always draws a crowd!
4th of July Parade and Festivities in Warren, VT
July 4, 2026
Fourth of July parades are nothing new in Vermont or anywhere else, but you haven’t likely experienced a parade like the one in Warren, Vermont, where “keep Vermont weird” is a way of life worth celebrating!
This year marks the 76th almost-consecutive year of celebrating Independence Day in Warren with a wild and wacky parade and street dance that would make our forefathers proud. The July 4th parade starts at 10 am sharp, and the day just gets better from there!
Grab a “buddy badge” at the entrance to the event and spend the day looking for your new BFF with the matching badge. Once you find them, head to the town gazebo to claim a matching pair of prizes.
As the sun sets on another one of the best summer festivals in Vermont, head up to Sugarbush Resort for the annual Independence Day fireworks.
Independence Day Celebration in Burlington, VT
July 3, 2026
Celebrate Independence Day on Lake Champlain with a beautiful mountain backdrop, live music, tasty treats, and, of course, fireworks!
This annual event at Waterfront Park in Burlington features the largest and arguably the best fireworks displays in the state.
The festivities begin at 5:30 p.m., and the fireworks start at 9:30 p.m. This event is free and open to the public. Keep an eye on the BTV July 3 website for the full event schedule.
For unparalleled views of the fireworks, book a spot on the Spirit of Ethan Allen for a three-hour fireworks cruise that features a dinner buffet and dancing with a DJ.
For brevity, we’ve chosen to highlight two of our favorite Fourth of July celebrations in Vermont, but there are plenty more to choose from. Here are seven Independence Day festivities in Vermont that we love.
Vermont Blueberry Festival in Wilmington, VT
July 31-August 9, 2026
Celebrate the humble blueberry in southern Vermont this year with a full week of festivities that include jam-making, pie tasting, toe-tapping, and, of course, blueberry picking! The Vermont Blueberry Festival always draws a crowd.
Local restaurants invite visitors to taste an array of blueberry-infused specials, shops will roll out the blue carpets and offer sales and special events, and live music will be offered throughout the region. The week culminates with a blueberry block party in downtown Wilmington, a pie-eating contest, vendors, live music, and dancing.
If you’re a fan of blueberries, this is one of the tastiest summer festivals in Vermont.
Festival of Fools in Burlington, VT
August dates TBA
The Festival of Fools is a celebration of acrobats, dancers, comedy, and live music on the Church Street Marketplace in downtown Burlington, Vermont. This curated event is put on by Burlington City Arts, who invited world-renowned street performers across a variety of disciplines to perform delightful feats to inspire onlookers.
The three-day event culminates in a grand finale featuring all the festival performers. Burlington is already one of our favorite spots to spend a summer weekend, and this event makes a day on Church Street hard to resist!
15th Annual Taste of Woodstock
August 8, 2026
The annual Taste of Woodstock celebrates all the local flavors and culinary delights that the town of Woodstock is known for. This one-day event closes down Elm Street in Woodstock Village as more than 50 vendors fill the street with wonderful Vermont provisions, including wine, beer, and spirits.
While food and drink may be the main attraction, you’ll also have a chance to dance to live music, participate in kids’ activities, and check out arts and crafts from local artisans.
Foodaroo 11 in Middlebury, VT
August dates TBA
Presented by Middlebury UndergrounD (MUD), Foodaroo 11 unites the state’s most talented culinary artisans and beverage makers, with an emphasis on Addison County and Chittenden County vendors and farms.
Attendees will have a chance to taste their way through delectable culinary offerings while enjoying live music and talented street performers.
This tasty annual event takes place at Middlebury Marbleworks from 4-8 pm. $5 for adults. Kids under 12 are free.
Vermont State Fair in Rutland, VT
August 18-22, 2026
The first Vermont State Fair took place in 1846, making it one of the oldest state fairs in the United States. 2024 marks 178 years of this robust agricultural showcase.
Put on by the Rutland Agricultural Society, the Vermont State Fair features a traditional midway with rides for kids and adults, local food trucks and vendors, live entertainment, and agricultural shows and demonstrations.
An annual visit to the fair seems to be the last hurrah of summer, where kids can soak up the sunshine, kick up dust as they run from ride to ride, and fall into bed smelling like a barnyard.
Champlain Valley Fair in Essex Junction, VT
August 28 – September 6, 2026
The 104th Champlain Valley Fair occurs at the end of August each year.
Featuring world-class music performances, a rollicking demolition derby and monster truck show, and all the farm animals you can pet, this popular fair attracts families from all over Vermont and beyond.
Follow the scent of fried dough through the midway full of laughing kids, try your hand at an old-fashioned carnival game, or meander past rows of sparkling jam jars, hand-quilted blankets, and giant pumpkins.
For Vermonters, the Champlain Valley Fair evokes a nostalgia that brings you right back to the days of horse-drawn carriages, massive veggie gardens, and running barefoot along dirt paths to the swimming hole. We’re so fortunate to feel that every year at the fair.
Green Mountain Bluegrass and Roots Festival in Manchester, VT
August 13-16, 2026
This year’s weekend-long Green Mountain Bluegrass and Roots Festival features a stellar line-up of acclaimed musicians in a gorgeous setting among the mountains of southern Vermont.
2024 marks the fifth annual event celebrating Americana music in all its forms.
A weekend pass includes camping, entertainment on the late-night “Lamplighter” stage, and access to a variety of local food trucks and Vermont craft beer and wines.
Also Read: 17 of the Best Things to Do in Manchester, Vermont
Fall Festivals in Vermont
In the fall, Vermont puts on its finery and wears it as a colorful showpiece for all to enjoy. Autumn in Vermont may be reason enough to visit, but if you need more suggestions, here are some fantastic fall festivals to keep things interesting!
Plymouth Folk & Blues Festival in Plymouth, VT
September 5 & 6, 2026
During Labor Day Weekend, the Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site in Plymouth Notch, Vermont, comes alive with authentic folk and blues music for two afternoons of beautiful tunes and gorgeous views.
This year is the 19th annual Plymouth Folk and Blues Festival, which takes place over Labor Day weekend from 2-5 pm on both Saturday and Sunday.
In addition to a fantastic line-up of music featuring three performers daily, be sure to tour the birthplace of the 30th US president, who was sworn into office right here in Plymouth Notch.
This event is completely free, but donations of non-perishable food items are appreciated.
Garlic Town USA in Bennington, VT
September 5, 2026
One of Vermont’s most popular events, Garlic Town USA in Bennington, is billed as the state’s largest family farmers’ market.
This is the place to stock up on garlic products, try garlic ice cream and other garlic-infused creations, and listen to fantastic live music. With more than 50 vendors, you will have no trouble finding delightful goodies to satisfy every palate.
This is Bennington’s biggest event of the year!
Annual Pride Parade and Festival in Burlington, VT
September dates TBA
Celebrate LGBTQIA+ joy and solidarity at the Pride Parade and Festival in Burlington. Enjoy a full day of activities featuring live entertainment, tasty food and drink offerings, and a colorful celebration where all are welcome, supported, and celebrated.
The parade kicks off at the south end of Church Street and ends at Waterfront Park, where the party continues through the afternoon.
Tunbridge World’s Fair in Tunbridge, Vermont
September 17-20, 2026
September in Vermont means a trip to Tunbridge!
The 153rd Tunbridge World’s Fair allows you to step back in time with demonstrations of farming and agricultural traditions, working antique displays, horse and ox pulling, horse racing, cattle and horse shows, junior exhibits, floral and 4-H exhibits, contra dancing, gymkhana, and many free shows.
Also Read: 17 Festivals to Kick Off Fall in Vermont
37th Annual Vermont Sheep & Wool Festival in Tunbridge, VT
October 3-4, 2026
Showcasing natural fiber and fiber art, as well as the animals, farms, and fiber artists that make this a thriving Vermont industry, the Vermont Sheep & Wool Festival gets more robust each year!
Come out and meet the animals, take a class, or find inspiration for a winter fiber project of your own. This is the 36th celebration of Vermont’s wooliest residents and the humans that love them.
Vermont Apple Festival and Craft Show in Springfield, VT
October 10, 2026
This old-fashioned festival features a pie contest, more than 60 craft and food vendors, a farmers’ market, a beer and wine tent, live music, and family-friendly activities, all celebrating the humble apple, Vermont’s most abundant and delicious fruit!
Gllfeather Turnip Festival in Wardsboro, VT
October 24, 2026
Yes, in Vermont, we celebrate a turnip that isn’t quite a turnip, the famous Gilfeather turnip, which was first cultivated in Wardsboro, Vermont, and became the Vermont State Vegetable in 2016.
Most experts agree that the Gilfeather is more of a rutabaga— or a rutabaga/turnip cross at the very least. Whatever it is, the town of Wardsboro celebrates this humble vegetable each fall at the Gilfeather Turnip Festival.
The volunteer-run Gilfeather Turnip Festival is put on by the Friends of the Wardsboro Library. You can show your support by heading to Wardsboro at the end of October and buying Gilfeather soup, Gilfeather turnips by the pound, Gilfeather turnip seeds, and some Gilfeather turnip souvenirs to take home.
This little festival is sure to make you appreciate rural Vermont in all its quirkiness!
Winter Festivals in Vermont
And then comes winter, when the hardy among us take to the slopes, and the rest of us head inside to catch up on knitting and novels by the warmth of a wood stove.
Whichever category you fall into, experiencing one of these fantastic Vermont festivals will surely warm your heart and put a smile on your face.
St. J Sparkles Holiday Weekend in St. Johnsbury, VT
December 11-12, 2026
Horse-drawn carriage rides, an evening wine tasting, a downtown scavenger hunt, beautiful holiday light displays, and fireworks after dark.
Welcome to St. Johnsbury, where the season’s most festive weekend gets underway on December 8th.The weekend is full of festivities for both kids and adults, and many of them are entirely free. For a full schedule of events, check out Discover St. Johnsbury.
Also Read: 14 Spectacular Events to Celebrate December in Vermont
Wassail Weekend in Woodstock, VT
December 11-13, 2026
This year will be the 42nd Wassail Weekend in Woodstock, a cherished weekend when locals and visitors gather to celebrate a picture-perfect holiday that could easily be a scene from your favorite Hallmark movie.
Come see Woodstock transformed into a winter wonderland with horse-drawn carriage rides, holiday music, and special events throughout the village.
Spending the weekend? Read Next: Spend a Winter Weekend in Woodstock, Vermont
Stowe Winter Carnival in Stowe, VT
January 22-26, 2025
The 50th annual Stowe Winter Carnival will take place in January 2025. This is a family-friendly, town-wide event with ice carving demonstrations and competitions, the iconic Snow Volleyball tournament, and stargazing at Trapp Family Lodge.
Coinciding with the annual carnival, the 42nd Winter Rendezvous in Stowe is described as “five days of wintery bliss” on their website, and it’s the perfect way to fall in love with snowy Vermont winter. Eclectic Festivities include a bowling party, pool party, LGBTQ+ Winter Pride Festival (and Gay Ski Week), live music, drag bingo, theater, cocktails, and a huge dance party.
While the Vermont festivals listed here are some of the most iconic annual events in the state, there’s something going on just about every weekend. Check out these posts for even more special events in Vermont.
- Winter events in Vermont: January and February
- 10 Delightful Events to Celebrate March in Vermont
- Spring in Vermont: 14 Events in April and May
- September in Vermont: 17 Festivals to Kick Off Fall
- October in Vermont: 15 Festivals to Celebrate the Season
- 14 Spectacular Events to Celebrate December in Vermont
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No Rockfire this year! Last year was the last, sadly. The rockfire website is gone.
Thank you! I haven’t been able to update the post, but I will. Sad to see it go!