July is high summer in Vermont, when locals book every moment of every weekend with barbecues, outdoor concerts, camping trips, and other adventures that require long days, short nights, and balmy temperatures.
On any given July weekend in Vermont, you will have your pick of celebrations, festivals, and opportunities for summer shenanigans. Don’t believe me? Here are a few of the best events to celebrate July in Vermont and endless summer vibes.
Vermont Events: July 1-7, 2024
Vermont Symphony Orchestra’s Summer Festival Tour: Symphony of Stars, July 2-7, 2024: VSO celebrates its 90th birthday this year with a beautiful summer season in beautiful venues across the state.
Join the orchestra for spectacular evenings of music by Sufjan Stevens, Margaret Bonds, Vermont’s own Erik Nielsen, John Philip Sousa marches, John Williams’ E.T. score, plus spectacular solos from VSO’s musicians.
Music Director Andrew Crust leads the ensemble, featuring Principal Cello John Dunlop, Principal Clarinet Kelli O’Connor, and Principal Percussion D. Thomas Toner. Bring your picnic and relax under the balmy summer skies.
Celebrate July in Vermont with the following VSO concerts (unless otherwise noted, all concerts start at 7:30 pm with grounds opening at 5:30 for picnicking):
- July 2, 2024: Vermont State University Castleton Pavilion in Castleton, VT
- July 3, 2024: Grafton Trails and Outdoor Center in Grafton, VT
- July 4, 2024: Shelburne Museum in Shelburne, VT (followed by fireworks)
- July 5, 2024: Saskadena Six Ski Area in South Pomfret, VT (concert begins at 6:30. Fireworks in nearby Woodstock at 9:15).
- July 6, 2024: Burke Mountain Ski Resort in East Burke, VT
- July 7, 2024: Trapp Family Lodge Concert Meadow in Stowe, VT
Independence Day Celebrations in Vermont
Almost every Vermont town celebrates the Fourth of July in some way, shape, or form. Here are just a few of the distinctive celebrations across the state in 2023.
- July 3, 2024, 5-11 pm: Burlington, VT: Celebrate Independence Day on Lake Champlain with a beautiful mountain backdrop, live music, tasty treats, and of course, fireworks!
- July 3, 2024, starting at 3 pm in Montpelier, VT: Capital City’s largest festival of the year includes a Food Truck and Family Fest, a mile road race, parade, live music, and of course, fireworks.
- July 4, 2024, 10 am in Warren, VT: This year marks the 75th almost-consecutive year of celebrating Independence Day in Warren with a wild and wacky parade and street dance that would make our forefathers proud.
- July 3 and 4, 2024 in Bristol, VT: Two days of festivities featuring live music, games, food and craft vendors, a 5K road race, a parade, outhouse races, and fireworks.
- July 4, 2024, starting at 10 am in Plymouth Notch: Celebrate the birth of our nation as well as the birth of our 30th president at President Calvin Coolidge State Historic Site in Plymouth Notch. Festivities include a chicken barbecue, a naturalization ceremony, live performances, and horse-drawn carriage rides.
Read Next: 17 of the Best Things to Do in Manchester, Vermont
Mad Marathon, Mad Half & Relays in the Mad River Valley, July 7, 2024: Runner’s World has named the Mad Marathon a ‘Bucket List Race’ many times over, and very few will argue that it’s one of the most gorgeous marathon routes in the country. Multiple races are offered for all levels of participants, including the full Mad Marathon, a Mad Half, relays, a 5K, and a 10K.
Travel on back roads with gorgeous views of the Green Mountains, past rolling farm fields, covered bridges, and historic barns. It’s a road race for the ages!
Vermont Events: July 8-14, 2024
45th Annual Middlebury Festival on the Green, July 7-13, 2024: A full week of festivities, including free nightly concerts, family-friendly noontime entertainment, and a street party on Saturday featuring the Vermont Jazz Ensemble. This incredible tribute to summertime in Vermont crosses multiple musical genres to celebrate community, culture, and the outdoors.
Dead of Summer Music Festival in Manchester, July 12-14, 2024: Dance and jam to your favorite tunes in one of the most beautiful outdoor settings in Vermont.
Dead of Summer features two full days of incredible live music, food and craft beer vendors, family-friendly activities, and camping in Manchester, Vermont.
This year’s stellar line-up includes Pink Talking Fish Ensemble, Neighbor, Max Creek, and more than a dozen additional bands that will keep you dancing till the wee hours.
Waterbury Arts Fest, July 12-13, 2024: This signature summertime event is held each July and proudly hosted by Revitalizing Waterbury. Festivities start with a free Friday night block party, and on Saturday, thousands of art enthusiasts, visitors, and families descend on Waterbury to browse the works of more than 100 artists, eat delightful festival fare, and listen to live music.
Craftsbury Antiques and Uniques, July 3, 2024: This is the place to find vintage pieces, delightful antiques, artisan crafts, local food, plants, flowers, and so much more.
Meander around beautiful Craftsbury Common, starting at 9 am for a day of shopping and eating, while live performers keep your toes tapping and your heart smiling. This is a free event sponsored by the Town of Craftsbury for the benefit of local nonprofits.
Do Good Fest in Montpelier, July 13, 2024: Four fantastic bands, food trucks, kids’ activities, and a nonprofit village round out this year’s Do Good Fest supporting Branches of Hope Cancer Patient Fund and the Howard Center.
Vermont Events: July 15-21, 2024
Jeezum Crow Festival at Jay Peak, July 19-20, 2024: This is the 9th Jeezum Crow Festival celebrating two days of music at the Stateside Amphitheater with an outstanding lineup of great bands, including The Del McCoury Band, Pigeons Playing Ping Pon, and the Infamous Stardusters, and more. Camping is not permitted, but lodging packages are available.
Jerry Jam in Cabot, July 19-21, 2024: Lovers of jam bands and Deadheads of all ages will congregate at Pransky Farm in Cabot for the annual Jerry Jam, featuring Keller Williams’ Grateful Grass ft., The Hillbenders, Nth Power, Max Creek, and more. All general admission tickets include tent camping, and you can buy an RV camping pass for an additional fee.
Vermont Brewers Festival in Burlington, July 19-20, 2024: Beer enthusiasts won’t want to miss the 31st annual Vermont Brewers Festival in Burlington, with three tasting sessions showcasing the best beer coming out of Vermont and beyond, from old favorites to upcoming stars on the brewing scene.
Sip your favorite brews while enjoying spectacular views of the Adirondacks and Lake Champlain. Choose from a Friday evening tasting session or one of two sessions on Saturday. 21+, rain or shine.
Read Next: 6 Outstanding Breweries in Burlington, Vermont
Killington Wine Festival, June 19-20, 2024: Enjoy two days of fantastic wine tastings, tasty treats, and live music at the Killington Wine Festival. In addition to two tastings at Killington on Friday and Saturday, be sure to follow the Killington Wine Trail to local businesses in the region.
Vermont Fresh Network’s 25th Annual Forum Dinner, Shelburne, Vermont, July 21, 2024: One of Vermont’s most anticipated culinary events, the Annual Forum Dinner highlights the best food in the area, as farmers and chefs from all across Vermont come together to prepare a sensational meal for you and fellow food enthusiasts.
This delightful dinner is a fundraiser for the Vermont Fresh Network — all proceeds go to continuing programming that helps bring more Vermont-grown and raised food to tables across Vermont.
Vermont Events: July 22-28, 2024
Maple Roots Festival in Montpelier, July 27, 2024: This full-day festival at Morse Farm Maple Sugarworks celebrates live music, great food and drink, and family-friendly fun. The 2024 Maple Roots lineup includes Steady Betty, Avi Salloway, the Vermont Jazz Ensemble, Mikahely, The Eames Brothers Band, and more, along with food trucks and kids’ activities.
The Om Festival in Arlington, July 24-28, 2024: Head to the beautiful West Mountain Inn for five days of transformational experiences that feature yoga, dance, healing arts, and community building.
This beautiful festival, set on 150 acres on the Battenkill River, includes mountain hikes, farm-to-table food, and live music. Primitive camping and lodging are also available.
Cabot Arts and Music Festival, July 26-27, 2024: A multi-genre festival including 12 bands on four stages, contra dances, kids’ activities, food trucks, crafts vendors, and fantastic community arts projects.
The weekend kicks off on Friday night with the Pointe Noir Cajun Band at 7 pm, followed by a full line-up of bands on Saturday that includes two contra dances and more bands in the evening.
Cabot Arts is committed to bringing beautiful events and transformative arts experiences to Cabot and the surrounding communities.
Vermont Blueberry Festival in the Deerfield Valley, July 26-August 4, 2024: How many days does it take to celebrate the deliciously humble blueberry? In Vermont’s Deerfield Valley, it takes 10!
This expansive festival celebrates the agricultural roots of the Deerfield Valley — with live music performances, blueberry-themed menus at local restaurants, special sales, pick-your-own blueberries at Boyd Farm, a craft fair, a blueberry parade, and more!
Even more iconic events in Vermont: 26 Iconic Fairs and Festivals You Won’t Want to Miss!
July in Vermont wouldn’t be the same without these fantastic outdoor festivals to celebrate summer in style. Did we forget your favorite event? Send us an email, and we’ll check it out!
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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.
