Summer Festivals and Fairs That Bring Vermont to Life
Each summer, the town of Stowe, nestled about 40 minutes north of Burlington, hosts events that capture the quintessential Vermont spirit. The Stowe Foliage Arts Festival, though primarily an autumn highlight, has roots in summer preparations that visitors can glimpse through local art galleries and studios scattered around the village. These spots, such as the Helen Day Art Center, offer workshops and exhibitions featuring Vermont’s vibrant arts scene, where painters and sculptors draw inspiration from the Green Mountains’ lush landscapes. Summer visitors can stroll through this charming village, enjoying farm-to-table fare at outdoor cafés and exploring the surrounding trails like the easy, family-friendly Stowe Recreation Path, which winds five miles along the West Branch Little River, offering glimpses of wildflowers and birdlife.
Heading east from Stowe, the town of Barre, roughly 20 minutes southeast of Montpelier, bursts with culture during its annual Barre Granite Festival. It honors the city’s legacy as the “Granite Center of the World.” Visitors can explore the Vermont Granite Museum, where exhibits delve into the intricate craft of granite carving and the lives of immigrant stonecutters who shaped the city’s character. The festival days are alive with demonstrations in granite sculpting, plus live music and local food vendors showcasing Vermont’s hearty culinary traditions. Summer weather here feels crisp and invigorating, perfect for walking tours of historic granite quarries and monuments scattered throughout the city, which stand as silent testaments to Barre’s industrial heritage and artistic ambition.
In southern Vermont, the town of Brattleboro, about 30 minutes south of Keene, New Hampshire, offers the lively Brattleboro Arts Festival, a summer gathering that highlights the region’s eclectic creative spirit. The festival unfolds in and around the downtown district, where visitors can browse open-air galleries, street performances, and artisan booths. Key places include the Brattleboro Museum & Art Center, which features contemporary exhibitions alongside community art projects. Summer evenings here come alive with concerts in the park and food trucks serving Vermont-grown specialties. The nearby West River Trail provides a scenic escape, following the gentle waterway through forested hills, ideal for casual biking or hiking after festival hours.
Central Vermont’s capital, Montpelier, the smallest state capital in the country, embraces summer with the Montpelier Alive Street Festival. This event, located about 30 minutes east of Burlington, transforms the city’s historic downtown into a vibrant stage for musicians, craft vendors, and food artisans. Visitors can savor Vermont’s local cheeses and maple products while experiencing live jazz and folk music. In addition to the festival buzz, Montpelier’s Hubbard Park offers a peaceful retreat just a short walk from the hubbub. The park’s 194-acre expanse includes trails leading to a viewing tower with panoramic views of the Green Mountains. The contrast between the cultural energy downtown and the serene natural beauty of the park exemplifies the best of Vermont’s summer atmosphere.
Further north, near Lake Champlain’s eastern shore, the city of Burlington pulses with activity during the Burlington Discover Jazz Festival. This renowned event draws world-class musicians to venues across the city, from the outdoor Waterfront Park to intimate clubs around Church Street Marketplace, about a 30-minute drive from the Canadian border. Beyond the music, visitors can explore the ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, where interactive exhibits highlight the ecology and history of the region’s signature waterway. Summer evenings by the lake offer stunning sunsets over the Adirondacks, with festivalgoers often gathering on the Burlington Bike Path to soak in the views and sounds. The mixture of urban vitality and natural splendor sets this festival apart as a must-experience destination.
In the southeastern corner of the state, Wilmington sits about 25 minutes south of Brattleboro, hosting the Deerfield Valley Farmers Market and a series of summer arts events that celebrate local agriculture and craftsmanship. The nearby Mount Snow ski resort area transforms in summer into a playground for hikers and festival attendees alike. One standout trail is the 3.2-mile Milton Flat Trail, a moderate loop offering expansive valley views and wildflower blooms, perfect for pairing with an afternoon visit to the farmers market. The community’s focus on sustainable farming and artisanal foods shines during these summer gatherings, making Wilmington an inviting stop for those who appreciate the farm-to-table culture embedded in Vermont’s identity.
Finally, the small village of Middlebury, about 45 minutes south of Burlington, hosts the Middlebury Art Festival, where galleries and studios throughout the town open their doors to showcase a wide range of fine arts and crafts. Middlebury College’s campus, central to the village’s cultural life, provides venues for theater performances and temporary exhibitions during the summer months. After savoring art and music, visitors can hike the nearby Mt. Abe Trail, a strenuous 6.7-mile route that ascends to one of the highest peaks in the Green Mountains, rewarding hikers with sweeping views of the Champlain Valley and Adirondacks. The combination of intellectual vigor, creative expression, and outdoor adventure makes Middlebury a distinctive place to experience Vermont’s summer vitality.