Annual Events
The Burlington area hosts a variety of annual events throughout the year. Here is a sampling of what we offer:
- First Night
- New Year's Eve festival showcasing 500 performing artists including children's activities, magic, comedy, theater, music and more at 32 venues downtown. Attracts over 20,000 people.
- December 31
- Magic Hat Mardi Gras Parade
- Attracts over 12,000 people to the Church Street Marketplace.
- Feb.
- Winter Festival
- Cultural and recreational activities, such as ice sculpting and dog sled rides, indoors and out with a winter theme.
- Late Feb.
- Burlington Irish Heritage Festival
- A week-long celebration of Irish heritage. Traditional music and dancing, art exhibits, lectures, theater performances, poetry readings, and film festival.
- Mid-March
- Burlington Farmers' Market
- Local farmers, bakers, and craftspeople sell their wares.
- Saturdays, May through Oct. in City Hall Park
- Kid's Day
- A festival for children including a parade, art displays throughout the city, and a fun day of free activities on the waterfront. Attracts 15,000 people.
- Early May
- KeyBank of Vermont City Marathon & Relay
- Quality, regional road race consisting of a 26.2 mile scenic course through city streets and along the lake.
- Late May
- Art's Alive Annual Juried Festival of Fine Arts
- Vermont artists exhibition in the "Window Galleries." Art activities, workshops, artists' demonstrations.
- Early June
- Discover Jazz Festival
- Discover the hottest jazz this side of New Orleans! Voted one of the "Ten Best Festivals in the Country" by US News and World Report, this multi-day celebration brings great music to the streets, parks, restaurants, clubs and waterways of Burlington. Attracts 45,000 people.
- Early June
- Lake Champlain International Fishing Derby
- A fun-for-the-whole-family tournament on Lake Champlain that benefits aquatic resource education. Attracts 6,000 people.
- June
- Green Mountain Chew-Chew
- A three-day food festival with live entertainment and food samples. Attracts over 60,000 people.
- June
- Independence Day Celebration
- Fabulous fireworks, activities, and entertainment celebrating our nation's birthday. Attracts 60,000 people.
- July 3rd
- Vermont Brewers Festival
- A celebration of the art of draft brewing. Twenty-five breweries and 100 different brews.
- Mid-July
- Vermont Mozart Festival
- A celebration of classical music with concerts in spectacular indoor and outdoor settings.
- July-Aug. and Oct.-March
- Sidewalk Sale
- A premier sales event held for over forty years on the Church Street Marketplace.
- Late July
- Champlain Valley Folk Festival
- Experience the best of traditional folk music and dance 'til dawn.
- Early Aug.
- Howard Bank Criterium
- Premier national bicycling event in the heart of downtown Burlington.
- Latino Festival
- A cultural and musical extravaganza featuring performances, dance workshops, language and more.
- Mid-Aug.
- Burlington Craft Fair
- Over 200 juried craft artisans present superior craft work with live music, demonstrations, food and children's activities.
- Mid-August
- Champlain Valley Fair
- Vermont's largest fair – ten days at the end of Aug., beginning of Sept. – with over 300,000 people attending.
- South End Art Hop
- A celebration of the thriving arts community in Burlington's South End with an evening of 50 open studios featuring 140 Burlington area artists.
- Intervale Organic Food & Garden Festival
- Vermont's premier organic food event. Foods, music, farm animals, workshops and hay rides.
- Early Sept.
- Marketfest
- Celebrates Vermont's most beautiful season. Free entertainment highlighting local youth, and shopping and dining discounts on the Church Street Marketplace. Attracts over 10,000 people.
- Mid-Sept.
- Lighting Ceremony
- 100,000 tiny white lights illuminated on the Church Street marketplace accompanied by a free musical performance to kick off the holiday season.
- Late Nov.
