Vermont Best Food and Drink Festivals 

Beyond the allure of farm-to-table restaurants and quaint country stores, a clandestine world of great food and drink festivals exist in Vermont. Annually, the Green Mountain State bursts forth with a vibrant array of food, wine, and beer festivals, each offering a distinctive fusion of flavors, entertainment, and local allure.

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Burlington Wine & Food Festival: June

 

On the shores of Lake Champlain, this intimate wine and culinary celebration showcases Vermont's finest food and beverage artisans. The Burlington Wine & Food Festival makes its home at HULA Lakeside, maintaining an exclusive atmosphere with attendance limited to 600 guests per the events 2 sessions. Local favorites like Dedalus Wine Shop, Shelburne Vineyard, and Zero Gravity Craft Brewery share space with regional artisans and celebrated restaurateurs from across New England. Festival-goers enjoy chef demonstrations, wine education seminars, and exclusive tasting opportunities featuring Vermont's acclaimed farm-to-table cuisine alongside international wines.

 

The festival features a Grand Tasting Tent where master sommeliers guide visitors through world-class wine selections, while the Vermont Artisan Village showcases local cheeses, chocolates, and craft spirits. Live music from local jazz ensembles and acoustic performers creates an elegant backdrop as guests explore themed pairing stations and interactive culinary workshops during two distinct afternoon and evening sessions, making this 21+ event a sophisticated celebration of regional flavors.

 

Vermont Brewers Festival: July

 

Craft beer enthusiasts gather annually at picturesque Waterfront Park in Burlington to celebrate Vermont's renowned brewing culture. The Vermont Brewers Festival, now in its third decade, showcases over 30 breweries including notable names like Hill Farmstead, Foam Brewers, and The Alchemist. Over this 2 day celebration, thousands of attendees sample more than 200 different beers while food vendors, including Bluebird Barbecue, Cornerstone Pub & Kitchen, and Woodbelly Pizza, offer a variety of delicious options to complement the beer tastings.

 

Live music fills the air throughout the festival, with local Vermont bands performing folk, bluegrass, and indie rock on the main stage overlooking Lake Champlain. Each participating brewery brings special releases and festival-exclusive beers, giving attendees the opportunity to taste unique creations not available elsewhere. The festival features educational seminars with master brewers, brewing demonstrations, and a special VIP session that includes early access and rare beer tastings.

 

Taste of Montpelier: September

 

The heart of Vermont's capital city transforms into a vibrant culinary celebration each September, drawing food enthusiasts from across New England to the Taste of Montpelier. Spanning Langdon and State Street, this beloved community gathering showcases an impressive array of Central Vermont's finest restaurants and artisanal food creators, with notable participants including Royal Orchid's authentic Thai cuisine and locally-crafted spirits from Caledonia Spirits.

 

Visitors can sample exquisite handmade confections from The Daily Chocolate while sipping Vermont-grown wines from Montpelier Vineyards in the historic downtown setting. The festival kicks off with a special Hispanic Heritage Month celebration at Barr Hill, featuring salsa dancing and authentic Hispanic cuisine. Local artists display their work throughout the venue, adding a cultural dimension to the culinary experience. The combination of live music, dancing, and diverse food offerings creates an intimate atmosphere that highlights the best of Vermont's capital city food scene.

 

Vermont Wine & Harvest Festival: September

 

The annual celebration of Vermont's finest wines and local harvest bounty spans two distinct venues in the Deerfield Valley. The festival kicks off with a Wine Stroll and Soup Contest in historic downtown Wilmington, where attendees sample more than 15 locally crafted soups and 20 different wines while exploring the charming village shops. The main event, hosted at Mount Snow Resort in West Dover, showcases over 70 vendors under expansive tents provided by Green Mountain Tents, featuring Vermont's top wineries, distilleries, cider-makers, and breweries offering tastings of their craft beverages.

 

Visitors can enhance their experience by taking the Bluebird lift to the summit for spectacular autumn foliage views of Southern Vermont. The Grand Tasting & Artisan Expo features local artisans and food producers offering Vermont specialties such as aged cheeses, maple products, handcrafted chocolates, and farm-fresh produce. The 15th annual festival has grown into one of Vermont's most anticipated autumn events, combining the best of the state's craft beverage industry with its renowned culinary culture.

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Whether you're a foodie, wine or craft beer aficionado, or simply enamored with all things delicious, Vermont's food, wine, and beer festivals pledge an unforgettable experience.