Feel the Music and the Love: Vermont Symphony Orchestra's Summer Festival Tour Returns

Is there anything better than live music under the stars in Vermont? How about a picnic blanket, and a dash of Shakespearean romance with a side of Star Wars?

The Vermont Symphony Orchestra’s Summer Festival Tour is back from July 1–6, 2025, and this year’s theme is one we could all use a little more of: Summer of Love.

Vermont Symphony Orchestra Summer Concert

This joyful, genre-bending program is traveling to six picture-perfect locations across the Green Mountain State, bringing classical favorites, iconic movie themes, and pop hits to towns and mountainsides near you.

What’s in this Year’s Mix?

Whether you’re a die-hard classical fan or just someone who loves a good outdoor concert, this year’s lineup has a little something for everyone.

The program includes:

Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet
Selections from West Side Story
The Star Wars love theme (yes, really!)
“I Put a Spell on You” by Nina Simone
“Nature Boy” by Nat King Cole
A couple of rousing Sousa marches for good measure

And bringing extra sparkle to the stage this year is Nikola Printz, a powerhouse mezzo-soprano known for blending drama, charisma, and magnetic vocals.

Leading the orchestra is Music Director Andrew Crust, who’ll guide the audience through an evening of romance, rhythm, and a little intergalactic flair.

Also Read: 16 Epic Festivals to Celebrate July in Vermont

Come for the Music, Stay for the Fireworks

Fireworks burst over the Green Mountains in Vermont.

If you’ve never been to a VSO Summer Festival Tour performance, this is the year to change that. Each concert is held outdoors, where the setting sun becomes your stage lighting, and the stars come out just in time for the encore.

Arrive early to grab a good spot, spread out your picnic, and explore the Musical Petting Zoo — an interactive tent where kids (and curious grown-ups) can try out orchestral instruments. You might just discover your inner tuba player.

And don’t rush off too soon — shows in Grafton, East Burke, and Shelburne will end with fireworks!

2025 VSO Summer of Love Tour Schedule

July 1 – Vermont State University, Castleton Pavilion, Castleton
July 2 – Saskadena Six Ski Area, South Pomfret
July 3 – Grafton Trails and Outdoor Center, Grafton
July 4 – Shelburne Museum, Shelburne
July 5 – Burke Mountain Ski Resort, East Burke
July 6 – Trapp Family Lodge Concert Meadow, Stowe

Grounds open at 5:30 PM for picnicking and fun, concerts start at 7:30 PM

Why We Love the VSO

The Vermont Symphony Orchestra has been inspiring Vermonters since 1934, bringing music to concert halls, rural towns, mountaintops, and school gyms across the state. With programs like SymphonyKids and the Musical Petting Zoo, the VSO ensures that music is not only accessible but also fun for all ages.

This summer, pack a blanket, grab some friends, and experience a musical evening that celebrates love in all its forms: the romantic kind, the star-crossed kind, and the community kind, bringing us together for a summer of musical magic across Vermont.

For tickets and more info, visit VSO.org.