Festivals and Events
The Capital City loves a celebration!
Montpelier is a vibrant community with a very full festival and event calendar. Below is a general list of events hosted in Montpelier annually so you can get an idea of what we are like. For more event listings, visit the community calendar and individual event pages on this site.
Montpelier Alive is fortunate to be generously underwritten by our Downtown Champions National Life and VSECU. Due to the support of local companies like these, and others, almost all Montpelier Alive events are free of charge, and we are always adding events to the calendar.
We have many volunteer opportunities assisting our staff with event planning and production. If you are interested in volunteering, email us at [email protected].
See you downtown!
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WinterFest WinterFest is a weekend of fun, connection, and community in the heart of Montpelier, Vermont. This free, family-friendly event is packed with indoor and outdoor activities for all ages. |
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Ice on Fire This annual festival is a celebration of winter. Bring family and friends for an afternoon of sledding, hot drinks and songs. Pop-up storytelling, puppets, fun with snow (weather permitting) and other events take place throughout the day. The event closes with a Christmas tree bonfire! Held in Montpelier on a Sunday afternoon in early February. |
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Art Walk, supported by The Drawing Board Enjoy the local art! Upwards of 20 art openings on one night in Montpelier! Start at any venue and stop by as many participating venues as you like. Many will have the artist in attendance and refreshments for art viewers. Guidebooks will be available at participating business. |
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Restaurant Week Montpelier Alive hosts Restaurant Week in mid-February to support and celebrate Montpelier’s exquisite culinary scene. This event draws visitors from across Vermont and beyond to experience our local food and culture. During the week-long celebration cafes, eateries, and restaurants alike will offer deals, specials, prix fixe menus, events and more! |
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Spice on Snow Winter Music Festival This two day celebration of roots and folk music features outstanding nationally known Cajun and Old-Time musicians. The festival includes concerts, dances, workshops, family events, jam sessions and free performances city-wide in Montpelier, Vermont. |
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Green Mountain Film Festival Since 1997, the GMFF has offered unique independent film programming in downtown Montpelier and the Central Vermont community — showcasing local and international narrative, documentary, and experimental features and shorts. |
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Cabin Fever Weekend The goal of Montpelier Alive’s Cabin Fever weekend is to help shoppers experience all Montpelier has to offer during the transition to Spring. During the weekend, locally-owned downtown shops will feature sales and special events, providing the perfect time to get out and support the downtown. |
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PoemCity PoemCity is presented by the Kellogg-Hubbard Library in celebration of National Poetry Month. For the month of April, poems are displayed in the windows of downtown Montpelier businesses to create a walkable anthology of poetry by Vermonters. A full schedule of poetry programming is also offered including readings, workshops, and discussions. Visit www.kellogghubbard.org/poemcity for more information. |
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Mudfest Featuring every gravel grinder's favorite Mud Season event, The Muddy Onion, hosted by Onion River Outdoors. The Gear Makers Fest is back this year and The Mucker 5K & Mini Mucker, hosted by Green Mtn Community Fitness, is on Sunday. |
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Montpelier Mayfest Mayfest weekend is host to a full calendar of fun, family friendly events in the Capital City including All Species Day & Green Up Day. |
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All Species Day Come Dressed as your Favorite Species and join in Celebrating our Interdependence with All of Life with a parade and Birth of Spring Pageant. |
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Green Up Day Our beautiful Green Mountain state is made greener on this day as thousands of volunteers cooperate to get rid of litter on banks, highways, streets and parks in a massive spring clean up. Join the effort! |
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The Biodiversity Jamboree North Branch Nature Center presents a summer nature festival for all ages! Celebrate birds, bugs, plants, and pollinators in a day of outings, workshops, exhibits, kids activities, live birds, music, food, art, presentations, and more! |
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Montpelier Ramble From 5-7pm every Thursday, linger with your neighbors in Downtown Montpelier. Meet old friends and new, visit shops, grab a bite to eat, and listen to musicians playing in the street. |
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July 3rd Independence Day Celebration Spread your blanket on the State House lawn, or bring your chairs, and enjoy a ringside seat for the Independence Day parade, live music and dance, and spectacular fireworks. July 3rd is the best day of the year in Montpelier when everyone comes together for family activities and picnics in the heart of the Capital City. More than 35 food and craft vendors offer everything from traditional fried dough to fresh falafel. There’s something for everybody—a national holiday celebrated in a small town way. |
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Do Good Fest A summer concert benefit for the National Life Peace of Mind Fund held on the back lawn at National Life. Music, food, games, and more. More info at the link. Make sure to visit Downtown Montpelier while you're here for the festival and enjoy premier shopping and dining! |
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Hunger Mountain Co-op Brown Bag Summer Concert Series FREE music at lunch time! Summer says eat outdoors in Montpelier. Why not grab a lunch from one of the many take-out options in downtown and join us for a diverse line-up of local and regional musicians. |
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Montpelier Fall Festival Annual community wide event that promotes physical activity, wellness and community with all proceeds benefiting the Montpelier Roxbury Partners in Education. Live music, food trucks, bounce house, obstacle course, dunk tank, kids' zone and more! |
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Moonlight Magic Sponsored by EastRise Credit Union Get an early start shopping for the holidays. Discounts and surprises all around town! |
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Enchanted Forest The Enchanted Forest is Montpelier’s night time community celebration of Autumn. Located in historic Hubbard Park, guides bring groups of people deep into the park where they are led by guides through candle-lit paths to stages of storytelling, music, fire, and enchantment. |
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Halloween Halloween might only be one night a year but Spooky Season is all month in the City of Bridges! Explore our Halloween event page to see all the fun spooky activities happening around town. |
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Flannel Friday Held the Friday after Thanksgiving with store discounts throughout town and horse drawn wagon rides the next day during Small Business Saturday. Shop local during the holidays and every day! |
Planning an Event Downtown?
Great choice! Downtown Montpelier is a wonderful place to hold your event, and we can help make your event a success. We offer technical support, funding opportunities, and other resources. Please consult our Downtown Events Guide for more information.