October in Vermont: 19 Fall Festivals to Celebrate the Season in 2026
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As summer fades away and the nights lengthen, touched by frost, the forests of Vermont heed the call to shed their summer attire for something more celebratory.
In turn, villages and towns across Vermont join in the revelry — with song and dance, ample culinary delights, and a great deal of Vermont hospitality.
We take fall seriously in Vermont, as demonstrated by the many “last hurrah” festivals throughout the state. Celebrate October in Vermont with the locals by checking out these incredible fall events all month long.
Insider tip: The short fall foliage season is busy across Vermont, so be sure to make your lodging and dining reservations as early as possible.
Plan Your October in Vermont: Festival Map
Here’s a hand map featuring all the events mentioned below. Just click on a location to see the name and dates of each event. Click on the box in the upper right to open the map in a new tab.
Vermont Events: October 1 – 4, 2026
Vermont Sheep & Wool Festival, Tunbridge, Vermont, 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. Come out and meet the animals, take a class, or find inspiration for a winter fiber project of your own. This is the 38th celebration of Vermont’s wooliest residents and the humans that love them. Sorry, dogs are not permitted at this event.
Harvest Celebration and Billings Farm & Museum, Woodstock, Vermont, October 3-4, 2026: Local hot cider and donuts, a plethora of adorable farm animals, 19th-century harvest demonstrations, and a traditional barn dance. Celebrate harvest season the old-fashioned way at this family-friendly event in one of Vermont’s most beautiful towns. Sorry, dogs are not permitted at this event.
Planning a trip to Woodstock? Read our guide to the best things to do in Woodstock in the fall.
Dog Mountain Fall Dog Party, St. Johnsbury, Vermont, October 3, 2026: Celebrate October in Vermont with your favorite canine at Dog Mountain’s annual Fall Dog Party!
This unique event is located at one of the most dog-centric spots in Vermont.
Listen to live music, eat great food, enter your dogs in a contest, and take them on a scavenger hunt, all among the season’s gorgeous fall foliage. Your dogs will thank you with many tail wags and wet kisses. Looking for a dog-friendly festival in Vermont? This is the one you want to attend!
Planning to attend the fall dog party? Here are a few more great spots to explore in the Northeast Kingdom in the fall.
Autumn on the Green, Danville, Vermont, October 4, 2026: This lively event is an award-winning showcase for artisans, crafters, cottage industries, and businesses, set amid the spectacular autumn views and color of Danville, Vermont. With more than 200 vendors, this is the spot to pick up hand-crafted Vermont gifts, sample delicious food, and take in the gorgeous fall foliage that symbolizes October in Vermont. Leashed dogs are welcome at this event.
27th Annual Mount Snow Oktoberfest, West Dover, Vermont, October 3 and 10, 2026: It wouldn’t be October in Vermont without Oktoberfest! Check out this traditional Oktoberfest at Mount Snow, featuring beer, bratwurst, and Oom-pah music, along with a keg toss, yodeling contest, and stein-holding competition. There’s also a festive kids’ zone with fall games and activities. Dogs are not permitted at this event.
Planning a trip to West Dover? Read our guide to exploring nearby Wilmington, Vermont.
Vermont Events: October 5 – 11, 2026
HarvestFest at Stratton Mountain, Bondville, Vermont, October 10, 2026: Stratton Mountain’s HarvestFest is a family-friendly celebration of fall’s best things — gorgeous scenery and fantastic food and drink. Ride the gondola to the summit, climb the Stratton Mountain fire tower, sample some of Vermont’s best beer and chili, and rock out to live music at the BrewFest on Saturday. While dogs are generally welcome on leash at Stratton, they are not permitted at this particular event.
Killington Harvest Faire, Killington, Vermont, October Dates TBA: Pumpkin painting, apple launching, horse-drawn carriage rides for the kiddos, and a stein hoisting competition for the adults. Events and activities at the Killington Harvest Faire are set to live music and accompanied by fabulous food and drink. Leashed dogs are welcome in outdoor areas at this event.
Planning a trip to Killington in the fall? Why not make a weekend of it? Here’s an itinerary that explores Ludlow, Killington, Plymouth, Londonderry, and Peru
40th Annual Vermont Apple Festival & Craft Show, Springfield, Vermont, 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.
Middlebury Car Show & Fall Festival, Middlebury, Vermont, October 11, 2026: Classic cars, vendors, live music, and fantastic fall food. The Middlebury Car Show & Fall Festival is the perfect event for families and old-car fanatics. The day starts with a pancake breakfast, followed by free events throughout downtown Middlebury. Leashed dogs are welcome at this event.
Newfane Heritage Festival, Newfane, Vermont, October 10 – 11, 2026: For the past 54 years, locals and visitors have descended on Newfane to celebrate fall at the annual Newfane Harvest Festival. This volunteer-run festival features a juried arts and crafts show, local specialty foods (including famous apple pie), a raffle, children’s activities, and live entertainment. The festival is located in the village of Newfane and is set against the backdrop of peak fall foliage. Leashed dogs are welcome at this event.
Chaffee Art Center’s Annual Art in the Park Festival, Rutland, Vermont, October 10 – 11, 2026: In case you’ve been out of the loop, Rutland, Vermont, has quickly become one of the most creative hubs in the state, embracing and showcasing artistic talent all over town. Leashed dogs are welcome at this event.
Get a taste at the annual Art in the Park Festival, which will feature an array of fine artisans and craftspeople, specialty foods, locally crafted beer, wine, and spirits, and live music in a gorgeous downtown setting.
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 Events: October 12 – 18, 2026
Enchanted Forest, Montpelier, Vermont, October 16-17, 2026: This family-friendly event celebrates autumn after dark in Hubbard Park.
Hay wagon rides bring guests deep into the forest, where they are led by guides along candle-lit paths, treated to live music, enchanting stories, and fire illuminating Hubbard Park’s 50-foot stone tower. This unique event showcases the magic of Vermont evenings. Dogs are not permitted at this event.
17th Annual Bean & Brew Festival, Jay Peak, Vermont, October 17, 2026: What happens when you combine locally roasted coffee and New England’s most exemplary beers among the world’s best fall foliage? Head to Jay Peak for the annual Bean & Brew festival to find out. Come thirsty to sample a variety of coffee, beer, and ciders, listen to live music, and play lawn games. Dogs are not permitted at this event.
Champlain Valley Craft Show and Antique Expo, Essex Junction, Vermont, October 16 – 18, 2026: We don’t want to rush the season, but fall is a great time to start a little holiday shopping. This annual event is a grand expo of more than 150 exhibitors selling the region’s finest arts and crafts, unique gift items, and specialty foods. Dogs are not permitted at this event.
25th Annual Brattleboro Literary Festival, Brattleboro, Vermont, October 16-18, 2026: The festival has grown from year to year to become one of the region’s most significant annual events, drawing more tourists, more sponsors and has presented over 900 authors, including winners of the Pulitzer Prize, National Book Award, National Book Critics Circle Award, Women’s Prize, Newbery Medal, and Caldecott Medal, among others. Dogs are not permitted at this event.
Read more about the best things to do in Brattleboro while you’re there.
5th Annual Bennington Harvest Fest, Bennington, Vermont, October Dates TBA: Main Street and School Street will be alive with the hustle and bustle of Harvest Fest, featuring an array of craft and food vendors, tantalizing tastings from distillers and brewers, and toe-tapping live music on not just one but two stages! Let the kids loose in Merchants Park, where they’ll find endless entertainment in our dedicated kid zone. Leashed dogs are welcome at this event.
Here’s a weekend itinerary for enjoying Bennington in the Fall.
Vermont Events: October 19 – 31, 2026
Annual Gilfeather Turnip Festival, Wardsboro, Vermont, 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.
The Trustees of the Wardsboro Library put on the volunteer-run Gilfeather Turnip Festival. You can show your support by heading to Wardsboro and buying Gilfeather soup, Gilfeather turnips by the pound, Gilfeather turnip seeds, and some Gilfeather turnip souvenirs to take home. Dogs are not permitted at this event.
October in Vermont is about appreciating the colors of fall before winter opens up a whole new set of opportunities. These fantastic fall festivals in Vermont are perfect for embracing October all over the state!
Did we forget something? Send us an email, and we’ll add it to our list!
FAQs About Celebrating October in Vermont
Is October a good time to visit Vermont for leaf-peeping?
October is Vermont’s most popular month for tourism, and for good reason. Fall foliage is drop-dead gorgeous, festivals and events are happening all over the state, and the weather is crisp and beautiful. The tradeoff is crowds and higher lodging prices; book as early as you can.
When is peak foliage in Vermont in October?
The second weekend of October is historically the sweet spot for peak foliage across most of the state, though this varies by elevation and region. Northern Vermont and higher elevations tend to peak earlier, in late September into early October, while southern Vermont often holds color into the later half of October.
What should I wear in Vermont in October?
Layer up. October days can be warm and sunny, especially early in the month, but evenings get cold fast. A light jacket won’t cut it by mid-October; bring a warm layer, a waterproof shell, and comfortable walking shoes. Read our guide for what to pack for Vermont in October.
How far in advance should I book lodging for October in Vermont?
As early as possible, ideally three to six months out if you’re targeting the second weekend of October. Vermont’s most popular towns, like Stowe, Woodstock, and Manchester, fill up quickly, and last-minute options are limited and expensive.
Are Vermont’s fall festivals family-friendly?
Most of them, yes. Events like the Harvest Celebration at Billings Farm, the Vermont Apple Festival, and the Newfane Heritage Festival are all designed with families in mind. The Oktoberfest events skew more adult but typically have a kids’ zone.
Are there dog-friendly festivals in Vermont?
Yes! Many festivals allow leashed dogs to attend. We’ve recently updated this post to show which ones permit dogs. Find the info for each festival up above.
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Excellent info