Vermont in August: 14 Fabulous Fairs and Festivals to Celebrate Late Summer
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Vermont in August means expansive fields of goldenrod, too much zucchini, and long sunburned days frolicking in mountain lakes.
Vermonters hold tight to August, lest those long summer days slip through our fingers before we’ve eaten enough corn-on-the-cob or danced at enough concerts in the park.
There’s nothing like an August afternoon spent exploring Vermont’s small towns and villages, discovering hidden swimming holes, and checking out the last of the summer festivals.
Need some end-of-summer inspiration? Celebrate August in Vermont by putting these fabulous events on your calendar.
Vermont Events: August 1-4, 2024
Vermont Blueberry Festival, Wilmington and Dover, Vermont, July 26-August 4, 2024: Celebrate late summer’s most iconic fruit for 10 full days in Vermont’s Deerfield Valley.
The expansive Vermont Blueberry Festival celebrates the agricultural roots of the Deerfield Valley — with live music performances, blueberry-themed menus at local restaurants, special sales throughout the region, pick-your-own blueberries at Boyd Farm, a craft fair, a blueberry parade, a blueberry block party, and more!
Royalton Old Home Days, South Royalton, Vermont, August 1-3, 2024: Old Home Days was first established in 1899 in New Hampshire as a way to draw people who had left their hometowns for various reasons back home. After the World Wars, it was also a way to honor those who served.
The tradition lives on in Royalton, where Old Home Days have celebrated community since 1901. Come out and enjoy the fun with food trucks, a movie screening, live music, and the most delicious strawberry shortcake!
Festival of Fools, Burlington, Vermont, August 2-4, 2024: The Festival of Fools is a celebration of acrobats, dancers, comedy, and live music on the Church Street Marketplace in downtown Burlington.
This curated event is put on by Burlington City Arts, showcasing world-renowned street performers across a variety of disciplines who perform delightful feats to inspire onlookers. It’s a must if you’re visiting Vermont in August.
Vermont Events: August 5-11, 2024
Central Vermont Chamber Music Festival, Randolph, Vermont, August 5-11, 2024: This is the 32nd year for the Central Vermont Chamber Music Festival, which will be held at Chandler Center for the Arts in Randolph and the Unitarian Universalist Church in Woodstock.
Highlights include an open rehearsal, a visit with Walter Parker on Vermont Public (to be confirmed), a special event with the fabulous guitar and cello duo — Boyd Meets Girl, a Saturday night concert in Chandler, and another repeat concert on Sunday afternoon in Woodstock presented by Pentangle Arts.
76th Addison County Fair & Field Days, Vergennes, Vermont, August 6-1, 02024: August is fair season, and the 2024 Addison County Fair & Field Days promise to be another fantastic culmination of summer and an iconic celebration of Vermont’s farmers, homemakers, artisans, and food producers.
Dozens of exhibits will be on display to honor farming and Vermont’s incredible rural heritage. These will include a horse and pony show (of course), sugarmaking exhibits, ox-pulling demonstrations, a demolition derby, and a children’s barnyard.
Come out and applaud the 4-Hers, frolic at the Midway, and enjoy a fantastic evening at the fair!
20th Annual August West Festival, Jay, Vermont, August 10, 2024: Dead Heads, it’s time to make your way up to northern Vermont to celebrate togetherness, music, good food, and a whole lotta dancing.
This free kid—and dog-friendly event features live music from Dead Sessions Lite, Rick Redington, and Tuff Luv. There will also be tie-dying and lots of food and craft vendors to enjoy.
Vermont Plein Air Festival: Barns and Bridges, Waitsfield, Vermont, August 9-11, 2024: This unique painting event, organized by Mad River Valley Arts, is open to both painters and casual observers. Artists come from all over to gather and paint in the fresh air, while everyone comes to meet friends, share stories, and enjoy artistic endeavors.
There will be a sidewalk art show, children’s paint-outs, and other art-centric activities. The Mad River Valley, with its three covered bridges and quaint villages, is the ideal spot to experience plein-air painting.
Foodaroo 9, Middlebury, Vermont, August 11, 2024: This year’s Foodaro 8 is a rescheduled event that was postponed in June because of foul weather.
Presented by Middlebury UndergrounD (MUD), Foodaroo 9 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.
Vermont Events: August 12-18, 2024
Vermont State Fair, Rutland, Vermont, August 13-17, 2024: The first Vermont State Fair took place in 1846, making it one of the oldest state fairs in the United States.
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. This year’s Vermont State Fair includes iconic favorites like the DNA Motorsports Demolition Derby and Pond Hill Pro Rodeo.
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.
Green Mountain Bluegrass & Roots Festival, Manchester, Vermont, August 15-18, 2024: Four days of world-class bluegrass music in one of Vermont’s most beautiful outdoor settings, the Green Mountain Bluegrass & Roots Festival for 2024 features a stellar lineup that includes Watchhouse, Crooked Still, The Travelin’ McCourys, Aoife O’Donovan, Rayland Baxter, and dozens more bands for your listening pleasure.
This is a family-friendly event, and onsite camping is available.
Vermont Events: August 19-31, 2024
41st Annual Vergennes Day in Vergennes, Vermont, August 24, 2024: Vergennes Day begins with a pancake breakfast at the Fire Department and then heads right into a full day of festivities, which include the Little City Road Race, live music, food and craft vendors, activities for kids, and the Lions Club’s famous chicken barbecue. Come out to Vermont’s smallest city for a full day of fun and entertainment.
4th Annual Best of Vermont Summer Festival, Ludlow, Vermont, August 24-25, 2024: This spectacular two-day event features more than 60 vendors selling everything from fine art to local wine and spirits, as well as live music (five bands!), agricultural demonstrations, antique tractors, and fun activities for kids.
29th Annual Mount Snow Brewers Festival, West Dover, Vermont, August 31, 2024: Welcome to the 29th Annual Mount Snow Brewers Festival, where you can sample beer and cider from dozens of brewers, enjoy fantastic culinary offerings, and dance to live music. This day-long event is perfect for all Vermont beer lovers.
Garlic Town USA, Bennington, Vermont, August 31, 2024: One of Vermont’s most popular events, Garlic Town USA in Bennington, is a celebration of all things garlic and agriculture! Garlic Town USA, formerly known as the award-winning Garlic Fest announced that the festival will return to downtown Bennington for the 2024 Labor Day weekend.
Marketed as the largest family farmers’ market in the state, 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.
Champlain Valley Fair, Essex Junction, Vermont, August 23 to September 1, 2024: The Champlain Valley Fair has been a Vermont institution for the past 102 years! This spectacular Vermont event lasts for a full ten days, with too many special events to list.
This year’s grandstand includes the Gin Blossoms and Cole Swindell, as well as a freestyle motocross show, a huge demolition derby, and a monster truck show.
You’ll also witness traditional farm animals, acrobatic dogs, racing pigs, and sand castle sculptures. Come experience a bit of country life — ride the rides, eat the funnel cake, and enjoy the over-the-top fun at Vermont’s most beloved fair!
Vermont in August is about celebrating the remnants of summer with fantastic outdoor events. These incredible festivals and fairs are ideal for making the most of those hot August days and nights.
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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.
