Quality of Life - 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 Ferstivals 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 in 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.