Montpelier MudFest | April 25-27, 2025

Celebrate mud season in true Vermont style with Montpelier MudFest! From outdoor adventures to local craftsmanship, this three-day event embraces spring’s messiest, most fun traditions. Get ready to embrace the mud, adventure, and community spirit of Montpelier.

While you're in town for MudFest, take time to explore all that downtown Montpelier has to offer. From cozy cafés and craft cocktails to unique shops and local art, there’s something for everyone. And don’t miss the magic after dark—our iconic bridges will be glowing all weekend long. Check out our Community Calendar for everything going on around town!

Hungry for more? Discover where to eat in Montpelier.

Weekend Highlights

Friday:

Live music and lots of options for food and drinks around downtown Montpelier! Be sure to check out local businesses and eateries for special promotions, mud-themed deals, and unique offers.


Photo Credit: Jeb Wallace Brodeur	Photo Credit: Onion River Outdoors	Photo Credit: Jeb Wallace Brodeur

Saturday:

Muddy Onion Gravel Grinder – 8:30am
A classic Vermont gravel ride through scenic backroads hosted by Onion River Outdoors. Come out of your winter hibernation for a fully supported gravel grinder covering (almost) all of the amazing dirt roads Central Vermont has to offer. This year there are three loops: a short loop (about 20 miles), the classic long loop (about 40 miles), and an even longer loop (about 55 miles) All loops will give you plenty of dirt, fun, and cow sightings. For more info and to register visit the Muddy Onion webpage.

Start time for the 55-mile loop: 8:30am.

Start time for the 40-mile loop: 9:00am.

Start time for the 20-mile loop: 10:00am.


Photo Credit: Onion River Outdoors	Photo Credit: Jeb Wallace Brodeur	Photo Credit: Onion River Outdoors

Gear Makers Festival: 11:00am-4:00pm @ School Street Shop Vermont-made outdoor gear, goods and apparel, meet the makers, and get gear repaired.
	North Branch Nature Center: 10:30-11:30am Departing from the Kellogg-Hubbard Library (135 Main St) Explore wildlife tracks and signs with a guided tracking walk with North Branch Nature Center. After the walk, look for their nature table set up downtown later in the afternoon!
Photo Credit: North Branch Nature Center
Mud-Themed Story Time at Bear Pond Books: 11am-12:30pm Join Bear Pond Books on Independent Bookstore Day for a special mud-themed story time in the kid's room for a read aloud of all things trucks, dirt, mud and construction. Grace Safford will be reading to the kiddos so stop on by for a story or two!

Sunday:

The Mucker Mud Run: 9:00am
Green Mountain Community Fitness invites you to a fun outdoor trail adventure: The Mucker - an exciting event rounding out a full weekend at this year's Montpelier Mudfest! This isn't your typical trail event - oh no! You get to choose your adventure through the beautiful Hubbard Park.

Will you Hike, Haul or Hustle? Whether you want to take a leisurely 5k Trek, test your stamina with a 5k Ruck, or lace up those running shoes for a speedy 5k Run, there's fun for everyone - even the kiddos, with our kid friendly pricing and a Mini Mucker around the statehouse lawn!

Mini Mucker: Designed for kids 10 and under, this fun-filled course on the State House lawn will be open throughout the event! It will feature an engaging layout with some fun obstacles and challenges; bring the whole family!

Pit Party:
10am-12pm @ the intersection of State & Main Streets
Join the Montpelier Department of Public Works for a Pit Party and construction discovery event.

Night Life:

Charlie O’s:

70 Main St

Friday: Pilgrims, Cousin Greg (rock) 9pm-12am

Saturday: Moth Mouth, Leatherbound Books, Funeral Date (punk) 9pm-12am

Sunday: Free pool all day!

Hugos:

44 Main St

Friday: Monachino, Jarrett & Stats (electric guitar forward jazz) 7:30 pm

Saturday: Dan Ryan Express featuring Brooklyn bassist Diallo House (dynamic jazz trio) 7:30pm

Bent Nails Bistro:

4 Langdon St

Friday: Sarah Bell Band followed by the Krishna Guthrie Band, starts at 8pm

Saturday: Kids Open Mic 5pm / HiFi (EDM) 9pm

Don't forget the movies! We have two great theaters in town!

Savoy Theater - 26 Main St

Capitol Theater - 93 State St


Photo Credit: Paul Richardson	Photo Credit: Jeb Wallace Brodeur	Photo Credit: Paul Richardson

Downtown Deals:

Blossom Wellness Center
Spring Detox Special: Ease the transition into spring with detoxifying and invigorating treatments! Featuring principles of a Vishesh-style massage, therapists will weave together warm Kapha-Balancing massage oil with firm, rhythmic strokes to elongate contracted muscles, break up adhesions, open energy channels, and reduce ama (toxins). Other elements of your treatment may include: garshana (raw silk dry-brush), gua sha, cupping, steam therapy and/or hot compresses. Please reach out to us if you have any particular requests for this treatment and we'll help to pair you up with the appropriate therapist.

Rise from the Mud: 10% off 5 class passes- See website for details.

Zutano
Score big at the Zutano Outlet Store during MudFest Weekend! Enjoy an extra 10% off their sale rack — with savings up to 60% off adorable, high-quality kids’ clothing.

Artisans Hand Craft Gallery

During the weekend, Artisans Hand is offering 10% all work made by Vermont's best Mud Slingers (a.k.a. ceramic artists).