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!

Montpelier Alive ArtWalk Icon

Art Walk, supported by Northfield Savings Bank
First Fridays in February, April, June, August, October, December

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.

Ice on Fire icon

Ice on Fire
Early February

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. 

 

Cure for Cabin Fever Weekend

March 15-17 2024

Montpelier Alive’s Cabin Fever weekend’s goal is to help folks to experience all the City has to offer during the transition to Spring. During the weekend, the downtown will feature its amazing locally-owned stores with sales and specials, along with demos and talks from wellness businesses – blending the theme of getting out, supporting the downtown, and staying healthy!

PoemCity
April

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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All Species Day
Held the 1st Sunday in May

Come Dressed as your Favorite Species and join in Celebrating our Interdependence with All of Life with a parade and Birth of Spring Pageant. 

Montpelier Mayfest icon

Montpelier Mayfest

The first weekend in May is host to a full calendar of fun, family friendly events in the Capital City. But that's not all, enjoy a whole month of spring activities in Montpelier with a month-long Mayfest!

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Green Up Day
May 4, 2024

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!

July 3rd calendar day

July 3rd Independence Day Celebration
Wednesday, July 3, 2024

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 3 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.

Parkapalooza icon Parkapalooza
Thursday Evenings, July-August

Each summer, Hubbard Park hosts a free summer concert series known as Parkapalooza. These family-friendly, open-air concerts are held at the Tuning Forks Stage, next to the Old Shelter, and feature live music from talented local and regional artists. With plenty of space for young legs to roam, spread out a picnic blanket and play outside, these events are the perfect end to a summer day. 

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Do Good Fest
July 15, 2023

A free summer concert benefitting cancer patients | Music, food, games, fireworks, and more. For local resources during your Do Good Fest weekend experience, click HERE.

Brown Bag Concert Series logo

Hunger Mountain Co-op Brown Bag Summer Concert Series
Thursdays at noon, July-August

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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Point to Point
September 23rd, 2023

Support a great cause and have a good time at the 22nd annual Point to Point, powered by VSECU! Join us at the State House Lawn in Montpelier on Saturday, September 23rd as the whole community comes together to support the Vermont Foodbank. Sign up today to ride or run and help us raise $150,000 to help fight hunger.

Taste of Montpelier Food Festival icon

October 7th, 2023

Enjoy signature dishes from Montpelier's eclectic restaurants (Eater calls us a "food destination"), Vermont food truck favorites, tastes from artisans showcasing the best Vermont food products, a cocktail garden hosted by award-winning distillers Barr Hill, and more. Add on world-class street performers, and it's an event not to be missed. 

Enchanted Forest poster

Enchanted Forest
October 13 & 14, 2023

 

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.

 

 


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.