February 7, 2023 – We may still be in the midst of winter, but longer days will be here soon enough and a lot of Southern Vermont Festivals are already on the calendar. We’re looking forward to enjoying the warmer weather when it comes, taking in the scenic views, and immersing ourselves in local culture.
To help plan (and daydream!), we’ve started a list of the many festivals and celebrations that will happen in the region to help fill our 2023 with art, music, food, beverages, and the great outdoors.
Stay tuned for more events as dates are confirmed!
2023 Southern Vermont festivals and celebrations
March & April
Spring Maple Open House Weekend
March 25-26 & April 1-2, throughout Vermont
Celebrate the first maple syrup of the season with Vermont’s sugar makers as they open up their sugarhouses and invite visitors in to experience the tradition of making pure maple syrup. From the sweet aroma of boiling sap to the magic of sugar and snow, visitors will be in for a sweet treat.
The Vermont Craft Beer and Chili Stroll
March 31, Wilmington, VT
Stroll through historic downtown Wilmington while enjoying local shops, great chili, and some of the best Vermont craft beers. Tasting stations and live music will be located throughout businesses in the downtown area.
Winter Brewers Festival at Mount Snow
April 1, West Dover, VT
Enjoy live music, beer, and cider from a variety of breweries in the main base lodge at Mount Snow. The adult 21+ ticket includes admissions, a souvenir glass, and two drink tickets. Tickets for designated drivers and minors are also available for $5.
Battenkill Fly Fishing Festival
April 28-30, Arlington, VT
The 2nd annual Battenkill Fly Fishing Festival in Arlington will offer presentations and workshops celebrating the wild brown and brook trout of the Battenkill Watershed and the art of fly fishing. Festival highlights include a keynote presentation by Orvis’s Chief Fly-Fishing Enthusiast and free fly-casting clinics and workshops, along with craft beer, local food vendors, and live music.
Southern Vermont HomeBrew Festival – winter edition!
April 29, Bennington, VT
Since 2015, the Southern Vermont HomeBrew Festival has highlighted the exceptional homebrewing in the region. Over 30+ of the best regional HomeBrewers will offer samples of over 100 beverages, including beer, cider, wine, and mead. Expect a variety of styles, including sours, pastry stouts, NEIPAs, porters, pilsners, fruited Meads, Belgians, hard ciders, wines, and more.
May
Booktopia 2023: May 5-6
May 5-6, Northshire Bookstore, Manchester, VT
This 2-day event is a celebration of reading, readers, and authors. Originally hosted in collaboration with “Books on the Nightstand”, a podcast hosted by Random House Publishers, Ann Kingman and Michael Kindness, this special event continues on the first weekend of May with exclusive author events, presentations, book signings, meet and greets, and a celebratory dinner.
Brattleboro Brewers Festival: Cheers to 11 years
May 27, Brattleboro, VT
The Brattleboro Brewers Festival has built a highly recognizable tri-state event in Southern Vermont and raised thousands of dollars for local charities. What started out as a local beer event with a few hundred tasters has grown into a craft beer and cider festival with a few thousand tasters. There will be live bands and even a keg toss tournament, as well as specialty food and craft vendors and food trucks.
June, July & August
Vermont Summer Festival
June 23-August 13, East Dorset, VT
One of the most popular horse show series in the country, this all-inclusive equestrian show just outside Manchester, Vermont, features divisions for every level of rider, from the Short Stirrup Classic to the $40,000 weekly Grand Prix.
Manchester Music Festival
Various dates between June 29-July 30, Manchester, VT
The Manchester Music Festival engages, inspires, and grows a supportive audience for classical music, performed at the highest level of artistic excellence, and teaches exceptional young performers in the art of chamber music.
Dead of Summer Music Festival
July 7-9, Manchester, VT
Two days of music and camping in the green mountains of Manchester, Vermont with plenty of live music, food, and craft beer at this family and kid-friendly festival with options for both RV and tent camping. The musical lineup includes Melvin Seals, Pink Talking Fish, Steely Dan, Damn the Torpedos, Bearly Dead, Bella’s Bartok, Dead Man’s Waltz, Hayley Jane, Deadgrass, Clare Maloney & The Great Adventure, Saints & Liars, Misty Blues, and ARUKAH.
Marlboro Music Festival
July 15-August 3, Marlboro, VT
Since 1951, generations of the world’s most respected musicians have come together in rural Vermont to share their perspectives and learn from one another. The musicians rehearse together for three weeks and share a portion of their collaborations with audiences at weekend concerts.
Vermont Blueberry Festival
July 28-August 6, Deerfield Valley, VT
Southern Vermont’s Deerfield Valley presents 10 days of blueberry celebrations that kicks off with a street fair, followed by a whole host of blueberry-themed events, and of course, plenty of time to pick your own blueberries. The full program is coming soon.
16th Annual Fly Fishing festival
August 12, Manchester, VT
Join the American Museum of Fly Fishing for their signature summer event on the museum grounds in Manchester for fly tying and casting demonstrations, and try your hand at casting vintage rods and learn how to tie a fly. Visitors can also visit the museum and enjoy a unique collection of vendors, including painters, appraisers, artisans, and angling-related non-profits.
Green Mountain Bluegrass & Roots Festival
August 18-20, 2023, Manchester, VT
This music festival showcases a variety of bluegrass, roots, and Americana music from icons of the industry and up-and-coming artists. Expect live music on multiple stages, local food trucks, and Vermont craft beer and wine, along with camping options.
September
Southern Vermont Art and Craft Festival
September 8-10, Manchester, VT
125 juried artists and artisans from throughout New England and the North East, will display and sell contemporary craftwork. Visitors can expect live demonstrations from master craftsmen, great food, and live music.
14th annual Vermont Wine and Harvest Festival
September 22-23, Wilmington and West Dover, VT
Set against the backdrop of Vermont’s fall foliage, this festival showcases Vermont wineries, distilleries, cider makers, and breweries. The event kicks off with a stroll and soup contest on Friday evening in historic downtown Wilmington. This is followed by the grand tasting and artisan expo at Mount Snow on Saturday with over 60 vendors. Visitors can also buy tickets to ride the Bluebird ski lift for a spectacular view of the foliage.
October
Brattleboro Literary Festival
October 13-15, Brattleboro, VT
The Brattleboro Literary Festival is an annual three-day festival that is 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.
There is a lot to choose from! Which Southern Vermont festivals and celebrations are you planning on going to in 2023? As always, let us know if we missed anything by sending an email to jill@themaplebear.com!