Summer is an undeniably beautiful time in Vermont, and the state comes to life with events and activities throughout the season along Vermont’s famed Route 100. The Mad River Valley, Stowe, and Waterbury are home to some of the top events in the state and many of Trip Savvy’s “Things to Do In Vermont During the Summer” so you can make the most of your getaway. Plan your trip around these dates and experience the best of the Route 100 corridor between Waterbury, Stowe, and the Mad River Valley.

Independence Day Celebrations

The wild, wacky, and wickedly fun festivities for the Warren Fourth of July event are a favorite in the Mad River Valley, with a parade, street dance, and fireworks at dusk over Sugarbush’s Lincoln Peak. The Old Fashioned Fourth of July is a Stowe tradition, and includes a parade, concerts, fireworks, and vendors in the evening. Waterbury’s Not Quite Independence Day (NQID) celebration lives up to its name, with the typical Independence Day parade, concert, and fireworks held on July 10.

Farmers Markets

A summer staple in Vermont, the farmers markets along the Route 100 corridor all have a wide variety of local vegetables, fruits, meats, cheeses, maple products, jams, baked goods, and spirits, plus prepared foods using farm-fresh ingredients. Artisans and other makers have jewelry, paintings, woodworking, glassblowing, pottery, and other handmade crafts. Experience all three, and stop by the Waterbury Farmers Market on Thursdays from 4 pm - 7 pm, the Waitsfield Farmers Market in the Mad River Valley on Saturdays from 9 am - 1 pm, and the Stowe Farmers’ Market on Sundays from 10:30 am - 3 pm.

Waterbury

Waterbury has great events and activities throughout the summer, with fun for the whole family! For ongoing enjoyment, the Waterbury Adventure Challenge is an immersive and interactive experience exploring Waterbury while solving puzzles on your own schedule throughout the summer. Other season-long events include the Waterbury Farmers Market and Concerts in the Park, which happen simultaneously and make for the ideal Thursday evening! For the auto enthusiasts, head to Waterbury on August 13-15 for the Vermont Antique & Classic Car Show, a cherished summer tradition with automobile judging, an antique car parade, and more. The season is capped off with the Waterbury Arts Fest, moved this year to September 10-11 but still hosting the same great activities, including the Friday Night Block Party, Saturday arts and crafts market, and food and music throughout the weekend.

Stowe

The time-honored events in Stowe are the perfect way to make the most of your visit to the area! This weekend, June 26-27, Stowe hosts the Fifth Annual Vermont Renaissance Faire, which features medieval demonstrations and activities, artisans, craft beverage makers, local food, music, dance, and other family-friendly fun. Gardners and those who appreciate a good green thumb will love the Gardens of Stowe event on August 8, where self-guided tours take you into some of Stowe’s most interesting and innovative public and private gardens. Enjoy breathtaking performances during the Stowe Tango Music Festival on August 19-22, which includes live music and dance, and the premieres of tango documentaries. For those looking to test their mettle on foot or bicycle, the Race to the Top of Vermont has hikers, bikers, and runners racing against each other and the clock to see how fast they can summit the 4.3 mile-long Mansfield Toll Road, which includes 2,564 feet of vertical ascent. 

Mad River Valley

The Mad River Valley events calendar is packed-full of fun happenings to fill your vacation days! Take in the Mad River Valley arts scene with the Green Mountain Watercolor Exhibition, which is on display through July 24 and features over 100 watercolors alongside miniature paintings from the Whiskey Painters of America. For some outdoor fun and fishing, July 10 is Trout Day at Sugarbush, and includes instructions and demonstrations on various fishing styles, tips and tricks from local guides, vendors, the Trout Unlimited raffle, and more. Enjoy the delicious food from Worthy Burger Too and concerts on the Mad River Green by great Vermont bands during the Worthy Summer Music Series, held on select Sundays in July and August. 

Images courtesy of: Mad River Valley Chamber of Commerce, Waterbury Farmers Market, Heather Glenn Photography, and Sharon Harper.