Events in Burlington today

A nostalgic corn roast pairs with a car show highlighting the Champlain Valley Street Rodders. 1950s rock and roll sets the tone, and The Sausage Shack will be there. This event is alcohol-free.

Milton Freedom Fest 2026 is a family friendly celebration in Milton, Vermont with live music, great food, and plenty of activities. The event runs all afternoon and includes time for relaxing with a lawn chair, enjoying bands, and taking part in lawn games. Food trucks and other fun options will be available, and there is plenty of free parking. Kids under 13 are free for general admission, and VIP options include reserved seating under a tent along with a catered lunch.

Barbacoa Smoke sets aside Saturdays for timeless barbecue staples, featuring smoked ribs, pulled pork sandwiches, properly smoked brisket, and other comforting favorites. Anyone arriving in a vehicle at least 20 years old can get $3 off their choice of ribs, a pulled pork sandwich, or a brisket sandwich. It is a simple pairing of classic rides, classic barbecue, and a relaxed Saturday vibe.

New England Plant Expo presents an exotic plant market featuring a wide selection from vendors specializing in uncommon and rare plants, alongside artisans and crafters with botanical-themed creations. Plants, food, and beer will be available in a setting that welcomes all ages. For vending inquiries, contact only the official page or owner Katherine Feist, as any other outreach is a scam.

Step into a storybook setting as favorite fairy tale characters come to life with sweeping views of the Adirondacks and Green Mountains. Enjoy a family-friendly afternoon featuring character meet-and-greets, royal activities, and the new Princess Cruise Menu. Tickets are priced at $79.99.

A fun dance party welcoming children and grandchildren. Help spread the word to others who may be interested. For more information, contact Audra Turner.

Enjoy a DJ-powered dance party at City Hall Park featuring DJ Love. This free, family-friendly summer event is set up with an interactive, wheelchair-accessible splash fountain for kids and their caregivers. Come for the music and stay for the splash-fountain fun.

At Red Square, the Burlington, Vermont group Left Eye Jump serves up deeply rooted blues shaped by Chicago, Texas, New Orleans, California, and Delta traditions from the 1940s through the 1960s. The music ranges from gritty slide guitar journeys to brisk jump swing in the spirit of T Bone Walker, with a flow that can kick off with a stomping West Side Chicago groove, sink into a soul searching slow blues, and rise again with Texas funk or a New Orleans rumba. Formed in 1997 by musicians steeped in the genre, the band has worked as everything from a tight trio to a horn powered octet while maintaining its unmistakable character. Guitarist, vocalist, and bandleader Dennis Willmott traces his path from early listening to Leadbelly and Mance Lipscomb to inspiration from Lightning Hopkins and the duo of Sonny Terry and Brownie McGhee, coffeehouse performances around Boston in the early 1960s that featured Piedmont, Delta, and Texas twelve bar styles, and a shift to electric blues in the early 1990s through connections made at Vermont Blues Society jam sessions. The performance celebrates the blues as a cornerstone of modern music and aims to reach listeners at their core.

Mind Magic brings a lively mix of mentalism and comedy to the stage with Dr. Steve Taubman at the helm. He shines a light on the psychological workings behind human behavior, creating an experience that surprises and entertains. John Cleese of Monty Python has praised his performances as both funny and astonishing. This special show benefits NAMI Vermont, an organization dedicated to advocacy, education, and support for individuals and families affected by mental illness. Tickets are $35 plus tax.

Join Dr. Steve Taubman for a high-energy evening of world-class mentalism and side-splitting comedy. The show blends mind-reading style astonishment with a look at the psychological mechanics behind human behavior, leaving you entertained and amazed. This special performance is a benefit for NAMI Vermont, an organization providing advocacy, education, and support for people and families affected by mental illness. Doors open at 7:10 PM.

The festival marks 20 years of this Vermont dragon boat tradition at the Waterfront. Teams and individual paddlers aged 14 to 100 can participate, and individuals can also register as free agents to be placed on a team. No experience is necessary, and instruction is provided during a practice weekend to build skills and teamwork. Fundraising supports Dragonheart Vermont, a breast cancer survivor and supporter organization, and the Cancer Patient Support Foundation. Expect a high-energy atmosphere with plenty of camaraderie, laughter, and encouragement. Those not paddling can volunteer or cheer on the boats while enjoying music, entertainment, and food and drink.

All aboard The Big Blue Express for a free kids train ride perfect for families. Kids and kids at heart can enjoy a festive ride winding around a towering Christmas tree and along the Top Block of Church Street. The event runs during the afternoon window listed.

Barbacoa Smoke hosts a relaxed Sunday meet-up for riders centered on the open road and smoked barbecue. Guests who arrive by motorcycle receive $3 off their choice of ribs, a pulled pork sandwich, or a brisket sandwich. The atmosphere is unhurried and friendly, making it a great stop during a ride or a place to settle in for hearty BBQ and good company.

Set outdoors at The Spanked Puppy, this event features Dan Parks along with lunch and drinks, plus music in the sunshine for a relaxed, open air vibe.

Make and share skills with a welcoming community at Burlington Odd Fellows. These relaxed weekly gatherings invite everyone, whether you are an experienced maker or just getting started. Bring a craft, art, mending, or hobby project to work on, or use materials from the community art supply library. The activities happen upstairs in the Odd Fellows Hall. Please note that the space is accessible only by stairs and there is no elevator.

Take in sunset views on a dance cruise while learning from professional local instructors. Vermont Swings leads a one hour lesson, followed by 90 minutes of open dance to put new moves into practice. Each week highlights a different style, so there is something for everyone. A full bar and the Ethan Allen Cafe will be open for purchases, from snacks to refreshing beverages. The cruise is $59.99 per person.

Beth Stelling takes the mic for a stand-up set that showcases the sharp humor and perspective that have defined her work as a comedian, writer, and actress. Audiences may recognize her from The Standups on Netflix, season 1 episode 5, which is currently streaming.

This all-ages concert spotlights Save Ferris, a cornerstone of third wave ska that took shape in Orange County in 1995. Mixing ska, punk, and rock with Monique Powell’s powerful vocals, the band built early momentum at house parties and local venues before a breakout when KROQ’s Rodney Bingenheimer began playing their version of Dexys Midnight Runners’ "Come on Eileen," which soon moved into regular station rotation. After winning a Grammy showcase for best unsigned band, with Epic Records’ David Massey among the judges, they signed to Epic, reissued the Introducing Save Ferris EP, released the debut album It Means Everything, followed with Modified, and spent years touring worldwide. After a hiatus that began in 2003, Powell became an in-demand studio vocalist, contributing to releases by The Used, Goldfinger, Foxy Shazam, Lost Prophets, Mest, and Hilary Duff. In 2015, following a successful neck surgery, she revived Save Ferris with a new lineup, returning to a sold-out night at the Pacific Amphitheater and a massive Santa Monica Pier show later released on vinyl. A fan-funded EP, Checkered Past, arrived with production by John Avila of Oingo Boingo and a guest appearance from Neville Staple of The Specials. The group went on to perform on the main stage of the 2017 Warped Tour, headline shows, and play festivals around the world. Work is underway on the first new full-length in nearly two decades, and recent performances highlight Powell’s commanding stage presence and the band’s lively, crowd-pleasing energy.

Get ready for a girls-only ice hockey goalie camp where players ages 7 to 16 can focus on developing their goalie skills. The camp runs over four days with on-ice training scheduled each day from late morning through the afternoon at Douglas Cairns Arena in South Burlington.

Girls Rock! Junior Expedition: Rocks and Rivers is a 4-day overnight adventure for ages 11 to 14 that blends rock climbing with paddling and outdoor camping. Campers work together to challenge themselves at an adventure course, climb granite, paddle on lakes and rivers, and spend nights in the northern forest. The program is gender inclusive for Femme, Trans, and Non-Binary campers.

Music in the Park and the Milton Farmers Market have introduced a refreshed brand. The Milton Farmers Market is presented in collaboration by Milton Recreation & Parks and the Milton Family Community Center with this new identity.

Top Hat Entertainment hosts a fast-paced trivia night at On Tap Bar & Grill in Essex Junction, Vermont, featuring picture and music rounds. It is free to play, and prizes are awarded to the top teams. The venue fills quickly, so early arrival is recommended. Expect spirited competition and plenty of bragging rights for those who come out on top.

Learn the basics of swing in a welcoming beginner class led by teachers Ginny, Luc, and Eric. Build 6-count footwork, a comfortable lead and follow, and clear partner communication so dancing together feels natural. The class suits newcomers as well as those with a little experience, and no partner is required. Each month brings a fresh set of material in the Beginning Swing series, giving returning students a chance to keep progressing with new combinations and confidence. Enrollment includes complimentary entry to a Practice Dance held right after the lesson, offering time to try out the steps you just learned. This is a series class, so plan to attend throughout the month. Please arrive early to allow time for parking and changing shoes, wear clean soles that will not track grit or leave black marks, and expect limited parking with nearby street options.

Learn The Tranky Doo, a joyful jazz line dance rooted in the swing tradition, with teachers Lisa and Celia. The routine highlights rhythmic movement, expressive shapes, and shared energy. Instruction breaks the choreography into manageable sections, inviting musicality, personality, and plenty of fun. No partner is required. This class runs as a monthlong series, so plan to attend the full set of sessions. The class fee includes complimentary entry to a Practice Dance held right after class, offering a chance to try out new steps. To prepare, bring clean shoes that will not track in grit or leave black heel marks. Parking is limited, so consider using nearby street parking and walking to North Star Hall. Arriving a little early will help with parking and shoe changing.

Catch Lake Street Dive and Couch live at Shelburne Museum in Shelburne. The show is scheduled to start at 7:00 PM.

Barbacoa Smoke rolls out a weekly surprise for Wild Card Wednesday, offering a one-off special that changes every time. It might be a short-run menu addition, a creative smoked dish, the return of a past favorite, or something completely new. The selection stays a secret until it is announced, and it is offered in limited quantities. Each week brings a fresh twist designed to keep guests guessing and looking forward to what comes next.

Art Amplified brings together a dynamic mix of DJs, live music, and a lively gallery atmosphere. Burlington-based vinyl DJ Collin Hagood, a fresh face on the Vermont nightlife scene, spins classic alternative inspired by early MTV and the 1980s sound of KROQ, weaving new wave, punk, post-punk, goth, and industrial into a set that ranges from brooding textures to bright, danceable rhythms. Vermont’s Troy Millette & the Fire Below follow with a spirited blend of rock, pop, folk, and Americana that explores love, loss, and the human experience. Millette’s heartfelt songwriting and playful stage banter have made him a regular presence in venues across the Northeast and Quebec, earning the group Seven Days Magazine’s Vermont Best Folk Group honors in 2022 and 2023, with Noah Kahan taking the title in 2024. His “Errors Tour” and “Less Than 1% of the World Tour” have reached more than 20 states since fall 2023. The gallery setting pulses with lights, DJs, live performances, and drinks for a festive night out. Presented as part of Summer in the City with support from the Pomerleau Family Foundation, Burlington Telecom, Myti, Soundtoys, Lake Champlain Chocolates, American Flatbread Burlington & Mothership Brewery, and media partners Seven Days and WCAX.

Bring a sketchbook and settle in to draw scenes around the store, a friend, or the beautiful view from the second floor. If you do not have a sketchbook, there are many brands and styles available to choose from. This gathering is part of Church Street Marketplace’s Una Passeggiata.

Play Scrabble with the Burlington Scrabble Club during an open session for enthusiasts and newcomers alike. Everyone can take part, from seasoned players to those just learning the ropes. Club membership is not required.

During July and August, the space remains open for an informal practice night instead of the usual seasonal pause. It starts with a freeform practice period without class structure, then transitions into a social dance. Use the practice time to focus on technique, test a move you discovered online, or dance to a favorite track. A suggested donation of $10 is appreciated. Wear clean, soft, non-marking shoes to protect the wooden floor and your knees. Masks are not required, and vaccination is encouraged. If you are feeling unwell or have recently tested positive for COVID, please plan to attend another time. Parking is available on North Avenue, and Crowley Street should be left open for neighbors.

Noah hosts a weekly trivia night with prizes to win and drinks available. A relaxed setting for friendly competition.

Catch Lake Street Dive live at the Shelburne Museum. The show features indie pop, folk pop, easy listening, funk, and pop soul vibes, and starts in the evening.

Bay & Brisket Trivia Thursday turns a visit to Barbacoa Smoke into a quick game of knowledge with weekly questions themed around BBQ and Vermont. Answer correctly to earn an entry in a monthly drawing for a $25 Barbacoa Smoke gift card, with one winner chosen each month and the drawing held Friday morning after the final Thursday of the month. It is free to play, simply place an order and take your shot at the question prepared for you. Questions are presented individually at the truck so your answer stays private while ordering, and participation is limited to one trivia question per person per order. Each week offers another chance to learn something new and build up entries.

Music bingo takes place on the second and fourth Thursday of each month, hosted by Top Hat Entertainment.

Hosted by Emanata Art Collective at the Burlington Odd Fellows, this figure drawing session features a live model in a welcoming, low-pressure setting. Artists of any experience level can refine their skills and sketch alongside others. Participants must be 18 or older and should plan to show ID at entry. A suggested donation of $15 to $20 supports the models and helps sustain the series. Bring your preferred drawing supplies. To receive updates about upcoming sessions, email k10.shull@gmail.com.

Catch Rick Maguire (of Pile) for a live show at Radio Bean in Burlington. Doors open at 7:30 PM, with the performance starting at 8:00 PM and running until 10:00 PM. Tickets are $15, and the event is for ages 18 and up.