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Weather & Weekend Rundown:
Hang in there through a damp Friday morning, because this weekend is the payoff. A cold front sweeps the leftover showers and mugginess out by early afternoon, the sun takes over, and we top out in the mid 70s with a crisp night in the 40s to follow. Saturday is the day to build everything around, wall to wall sunshine near 78 with low humidity and zero rain in the forecast. Sunday runs warmer near 79 and starts sunny, then showers and storms become possible after 2, so lean toward morning and early afternoon for the outdoor stuff. Track it all week, with patio, swim, and sunset scores, at Burlington Right Now.
The fair is back! The Champlain Valley Fair opens its ten day run today at the Expo in Essex Junction, gates at noon, and opening day is a deal day with kids 5 to 12 getting in for $5. Country riser Warren Zeiders ($39-69) opens the grandstand concert series tonight at 7 with gates at 5:30. Back in town, the legendary Glover troupe Bread & Puppet brings The Upside-Down World Circus to the Flynn Main Stage at 7, stilt dancers, giant papier-mâché beasts and a riotous brass band, with their famous sourdough rye served after the show. Comedy people have options, with YouTube comedian Alex Clark polishing his next special at Jokes From The Brink at Off Center at 7:30, 20% of profits going to Dad Guild, and a free All That Jazz Comedy Showcase in the basement jazz bar at The 126 at 7. Early birds could’ve joined the Skirack x August First run club at 7 AM for a social 3 to 4 miles on the bike path with coffee after, so hit that up next week! After work, the South End Get Down brings the food trucks and DJs back to Coal Collective from 5 to 9 for the second to last time this season, and Moonbird plays a free set in Switchback's beer garden from 5:30 to 8:30. The night side belongs to dancers and tribute crowds, with the Lake Champlain Chamber Music Festival playing Elley-Long at 7:30 with concerts running through Sunday, Tragically Hip tribute The Strictly Hip ($25) in the Higher Ground Ballroom, free Dancing in the Streets with Blues for Breakfast on the Skinny Pancake waterfront patio from 8 to 11, and the 90s and 2000s rave Better Off Alone in the Showcase Lounge with doors at 8:30.
Saturday is stacked, and two of its best things are completely free. A_DOG DAY No. 13 takes over the waterfront skatepark from 12 to 6, the annual skate and music day honoring Andy "A_Dog" Williams, the beloved Burlington DJ and skater the park is named for. Thirteen years on it is the closest thing this city has to a hometown holiday, DJs going all afternoon, skating everywhere you look, and this year's merch designed by Stefan Echo. Down in Shelburne, Burlington Taiko celebrates 40 years of thunderous Japanese drumming with a free afternoon at the Shelburne Farms Coach Barn from 1 to 5, rain or shine. Full performances at 1 and 4 sandwich a 2:30 workshop where anyone can get on the drums, registration encouraged but not required. Our own BTown Coffee Club [MEETUP] holds it down at Zero Gravity at 10, so grab a coffee and come say hi. Market lovers get a double header with the Burlington Vintage Market running its final summer edition at Barge Canal from 9 to 2 and Love Burlington's BTV Market filling City Hall Park with 25 plus makers from 11 to 3. At the fair, Jordan Davis ($39-69) headlines the grandstand at 7 with Matt Lang, and the Green Mountain Mashers judge the 12th annual Champlain Valley Fair Homebrew Competition at noon, 28 entries deep this year. Gamers can grab a morning seat at Board Game Brunch [MEETUP] at Old Town Cafe & Comics in Williston from 9 to 12, and anyone craving a slower start can try Pause & Play, a no experience needed art and play morning at Play Intention from 9 to 11:30, registration required. In the afternoon, Bollywood classic Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge screens at VTIFF at 3. Saturday night, Lebanese born comic Nataly Aukar ($25) plays 7 and 9 at Vermont Comedy Club, local death metal outfit Split in Half says goodbye with one final show in the Showcase Lounge with doors at 7, and It's A 2000's Party turns the Ballroom into a Y2K throwback at 9.
Sunday belongs to Winooski. The Fiber Fair takes over the farmers market from 10 to 2 with a dozen fiber arts vendors, live sheep petting, labor union songs from Rik Palieri and open history museums in the mill, and then the Winooski Friendship Festival runs 2 to 9 at the school on Normand Street with Kenyan born jazz vocalist KeruBo, the African and Bhutanese Nepali dance troupe, a community soccer tournament and free trolley rides around town. Just get the outdoor plans in early, since storms become possible late afternoon. Shelburne Orchards hosts the fifth annual Harvest Festival ($25, kids free) benefiting Food 4 Farmers from 3 to 6 with live music, wood fired pizza and tractor rides, the VT Synth Society takes over Foam for a free night of experimental electronics from 5 to 8, and crossover thrash legends D.R.I. ($15-20) hit the Showcase Lounge with doors at 6:30. Crafty folks can drop into Crafternoons at the Odd Fellows hall on North Ave at 3. And a heads up on the fair's grandstand, the Sunday 4 PM Monster Truck: A Night of Fire & Destruction show is already showing sold out on the fair's page, so if you don't have tickets, plan around it.
Scroll down to Events Section for full list of events this week.
September is right around the corner, one of the best months of the year!
The Btown Brief IRL - Burlington Social & Activities
We’re now seeing 20–30 people at our weekly events! Thanks to everyone helping host events with me. And thanks to those that show up to make it worth it. Be sure to stop by for our weekly Saturday Coffee meetup at Zero Gravity at 10am. It’s a great place to talk about weekend events too, along with news and life updates. So come find things to do this weekend together:
Join the Meetup (It’s FREE): Join Meetup group | RSVP here
Join the Telegram Group Chat: [Telegram Link] – Plan casual hangouts with other Briefers, or just another way to find us for our Saturday coffee event. Download Telegram before clicking link.
This Coming Week:
BTown Coffee Club – Saturday, August 29th @ 10 AM: The weekly no pressure hang at Zero Gravity Brewery, grab a coffee and find either outside on the deck, or at the big table on the right.
Pick-up Basketball – Wednesday, September 2nd @ 5:30 PM: The Wednesday evening run at Pomeroy Park, outdoors and free.
Other Upcoming Events:
Btown at the Champlain Valley Fair – Saturday, September 5th @ 1 PM: We are taking the group to the fair in Essex Junction, rides, fair food and the midway, meet us at the Expo.
Btown Bites at Bluebird Barbecue – Monday, September 14th @ 6 PM: The young adult group grabs dinner at Bluebird Barbecue on Riverside Ave, come hungry. RSVP so we can get a good head count!
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Support the Brief to Keep it Running!
Why support? Every week, I sort through TONS of local sources: Seven Days events, Front Porch Forum calendar, Facebook events, Hello Burlington, Meetup.com, Eventbrite, Church St Marketplace calendar, Flynn, Higher Ground, Vermont Comedy Club, and then news stations like VTDigger, Seven Days, WCAX, WPTZ, Vermont Public, Community News Service, VT Cynic, The Other Paper, Vermont Business Magazine, Williston Observer, MyChamplainValley, The Charlotte News, to keep you connected. It takes a long time to curate and write about all this local content, so if this lengthy newsletter saves you time, or has introduced you to new experiences in Burlington, then definitely consider chipping in!
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Local News (All Links Clickable)
"[Burlington] gets there not on big-city pay but on the highest job-opportunity score in the country—an exceptionally tight labor market where job seekers have real leverage—paired with strong, broadly shared outcomes across groups," per Travel + Leisure.
An Indeed study of metro areas over 200,000 ranked Burlington third in the country for work, behind only Boston and Washington DC and ahead of San Jose and San Francisco. The ranking weighed six pillars, from compensation to work-life balance, and our win came on job opportunity, where apparently Burlington posted the highest score in the nation. That’s an interesting one I didn’t expect, you agree?
"Vermont's children will be healthier, and Vermont's future will be brighter," per VTDigger.
Attorney General Charity Clark's 2023 lawsuit against Meta ended this week in the largest single-company settlement in state history, $92.7 million plus a decade of required protections for users under 18, including a nighttime block, a 2 hour daily limit, better age verification and a school mode that quiets notifications during the day. The deal was negotiated alongside 51 other states and territories, with the national total expected to top $17 billion. Vermont punched above its weight here, since Meta fought all the way to the Supreme Court to argue it couldn't be sued in Chittenden County and lost. Clark is pursuing similar claims against TikTok, YouTube and Snap, and the first changes are due within weeks.
"These are not overt police officers; they're operating covertly, in plainclothes, with a lot of surveillance using technology," per NBC5.
Burlington Police worked with the DEA and ATF on a multi-week covert operation in City Hall Park that produced 11 drug-related arrests between August 6 and 26, with plainclothes officers watching the park and its edges all month. Interim chief Shawn Burke wants to sustain the operations and tied that to the department's push for adequate staffing. The follow-through now shifts to the courts, prosecutors and treatment providers.
"It is crucial for our city government to stand united to advocate for more immediate and stronger state action," per Seven Days.
In a rare moment of consensus, the City Council passed a unanimous resolution alongside Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak asking Gov. Phil Scott for immediate help on homelessness and public safety. The asks include support for a new 100-bed shelter in Chittenden County, faster access to the $83 million the Legislature set aside for emergency shelter overhaul, reversing the planned 70-day annual limit on the motel housing program, reopened mental health beds and more State Police support. Scott said he was "disappointed" by the requests and has already declined to extend the troopers' recent downtown patrols, so the gap between city and state remains wide. The mayor hoped to meet Scott before Labor Day, while he said in the next month or two.
"It is reasonable to believe an attentive driver would have noticed the amber LED lights engaged and upon observing the cyclist in the crosswalk, come to a stop prior to crashing into them," per VTDigger.
Douglas Knapp, 79, the folk artist known around town as dug Nap, pleaded not guilty Thursday to negligent operation with death resulting in the July crash that killed 16 year old Shiloh Skalka, a rising junior at Burlington High School riding her e-bike. The newly public affidavit says Skalka activated the flashing crosswalk signal at Pine and Locust, waited about 3 seconds, and was struck by Knapp's van, which video showed holding a steady 28 mph in the 25 zone with no braking until just before impact. Police calculated he had about 150 feet to stop, per Seven Days. Skalka's death drew a vigil ride of hundreds earlier this month, and her parents attended Thursday's hearing with a group of fellow cyclists. Knapp was released on the condition that he not drive, with the next hearing October 27. If convicted, Knapp faces up to two years in jail.
"We want them to feel like this is their town. It's been our town for our entire life as a university, and as we support Burlington, we support our students," per WCAX.
UVM move-in is underway, and both the university and the city are leaning into safety this year, with required safety modules before arrival, the CatSafe app connecting students to campus police or BPD around the clock, and a resource list from the mayor's office that includes a drug trafficking tipline. The first-years WCAX talked to said they feel safe on campus and plan to keep their heads up downtown.
"There's such rich history here from a NAVY perspective. Even though there's no NAVY here. Some very important battles fought here. Some of our greatest naval heroes here right up the lake, right?" per MyChamplainValley.
Burlington Navy Week rolls on through Sunday, with ship demonstrations, live drills and daily Navy band music on the waterfront, plus a Navy presence at the fair starting today. Fewer than 100 active sailors call Vermont home, but the lake's naval history runs deep, and two vessels carry our city names, the fast-attack submarine USS Montpelier and the support ship USNS Burlington, currently deployed near South America.
"What you're seeing is basically, as that pavement structure starts to deteriorate, it basically actually disintegrates and comes apart. And what you end up traveling on in the worst case scenario is the layer below it," per WCAX.
If you've felt your car wander in the right lane of I-89 between Montpelier and St. Albans, there's now a name for it. VTrans chief engineer Jeremy Reed says those grooves come from raveling rather than rutting, the top layer of pavement disintegrating so that in the worst spots you're driving on the layer underneath. The likely culprits are heavier traffic and a thin preservation treatment laid down 5 to 8 years ago that has reached the end of its life. Drivers told WCAX the grooves fill with water and hydroplane terribly in the rain, worth remembering with holiday weekend traffic ahead. VTrans says it monitors conditions annually, patches anything that becomes a hazard and is experimenting with pavement mixes that ravel less, though no repaving timeline was offered.
"Irene showed us how vulnerable a small town can be but it also showed us just how strong Wilmington is when people take care of each other," per VTDigger.
Fifteen years ago today, Tropical Storm Irene sent rivers over their banks across Vermont, and this remembrance from Wilmington captures what that Sunday cost. Bartleby's Books took 3.5 feet of water and lost 85% of its inventory, roughly $400,000 in damage with less than half insured, and the flood line on Town Hall still sits a few inches above the 1938 record. The through line in every story is how fast the town showed up for itself, neighbors covering car payments and shoveling mud until businesses reopened. The bookstore now keeps empty boxes on the third floor, just in case.
"Seeing an increase in the number of bears killed illegally in conflict situations is a red flag, right? Like that's one of those red flags that we might be starting to push up beyond public tolerance for this animal on the landscape," per Vermont Public.
Vermont's game wardens have fielded roughly 1,800 bear calls so far this year, on pace for a record, and one bear in Jamaica ransacked a house and left the stove burner on. The population has more than tripled over 50 years to an estimated 7,500 to 8,900 animals, about double the state's target, so Fish and Wildlife wants to extend bear season into mid-December, allow two bears per hunter in parts of the state, and ban killing sows with cubs. Wildlife advocates counter that more hunting doesn't reliably reduce conflicts and want stricter food storage rules instead. Public comment runs through September 4, and in the meantime the advice is the usual, secure the trash, take down the feeders and fence the coops.
"I am surprised that Vital Communities did not recognize the value to the community and decided to shut them down in such an abrupt manner," per VTDigger.
The 38 town listservs of the Upper Valley got a stay of execution. After Vital Communities announced it would stop supporting the two decade old email lists, community backlash bought a delay, and a group of residents and list managers is now forming a nonprofit called UV Lists to take them over this fall, with subscribers promised the same emails from a new domain for about $10,000 a year in tech costs. These lists carry town news, lost pets and business deals, and once matched a kidney donor with a recipient.
QUICK HITS
UVM raises free tuition income cap to $125,000 for 2027 school year — At its first State of the University event, UVM announced Vermont families earning up to $125,000 will qualify for free tuition next year, up from $100,000, alongside $96 million in donations and a new division aimed at statewide economic development.
'We do have people in the process, but they are not ready yet'; school bus driver shortage continues — The statewide bus driver shortage has districts doubling up and canceling routes as school starts, with licensing and training taking anywhere from one to five months before a new driver can carry students.
Bret Michaels replaced by John Waite at Champlain Valley Fair — Bret Michaels canceled his remaining 2026 tour dates for health reasons, so John Waite joins Night Ranger for the September 6 grandstand show. Existing tickets remain valid, and refunds are available by phone through September 3.
How good of a reader are you? Think you’re keeping up with Burlington news? It's time to prove it. Every Monday and Friday, we're dropping a quick 5-question quiz covering the local news you just finished reading. You've got just 60 seconds to answer them all. No looking back allowed. Use the same unique name each time you play so everyone can track your stats in our Hall of Fame, where you'll compete for titles like Sharpshooter (highest accuracy), Speed Demon (fastest average time), and Streak Leader (most consistent player). Make your name (or cool nickname) known to Btown!
Ready to play? Click the link below, enter your name, and show us what you've got. Btown Brief Quiz
UVM Athletics: No. 7 Men's Soccer Hosts a Ranked Showdown as Fall Sports Open at Home
The Catamounts are rolling into a big Friday night. No. 7 Vermont hosts No. 18 Charlotte at Virtue Field tonight at 6, a nationally ranked non-conference showdown streaming on ESPN+. The men's side is 2-0 to start the Dubois era after blanking George Mason 2-0 in the opener and then pouring in four goals from four different scorers against Colgate, a 4-1 win in the annual Peter Baldwin Memorial Game that bumped them from 13th to 7th in the rankings.
Field hockey gets its season going today too. The America East preseason favorites open at home against Northeastern at 3 on Moulton Winder Field, streaming on AmericaEast.TV. Women's soccer is still searching for its first win after falling 3-0 at Army on Sunday, and they get a marquee home chance next week when Boston College visits Virtue Field. Further out, UVM announced its Hall of Fame Class of 2026, set for induction October 2 during UVM Weekend.
Aug 28: Field Hockey vs. Northeastern (Fri ⦁ 3:00pm)
Aug 28: Men's Soccer vs. Charlotte (Fri ⦁ 6:00pm)
Sep 1: Men's Soccer vs. Holy Cross (Tue ⦁ 6:00pm)
Sep 3: Women's Soccer vs. Boston College (Thu ⦁ 6:00pm)
Events:
This is the curated cut. The full calendar, 25 sources refreshed twice a day, lives at Burlington events.
Friday, August 28, 2026
General Events
7:00 AM: Skirack x August First Friday Run Club at August First (149 S. Champlain St.), Burlington (Free)
8:00 AM: Weekly Meditation at Outright Vermont, Burlington (Free.)
9:00 AM: Trolley tours at Perkins Pier, Burlington ($35 adults, $30 seniors/veterans, $15 under 12, under 5 free)
10:00 AM: UVM Catamount Educational Summer Farm Stand at UVM Horticulture Farm (Pratt Pavilion), South Burlington
10:00 AM: Dinosaur Safari Exhibit at ECHO at ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, Burlington (Free with Admission or ECHO Membership)
10:00 AM: AO Glass Factory & Storefront Open at AO Glass, Burlington (Free)
10:00 AM: Duplicate Bridge Games at Burlington Bridge Club, Williston ($6.)
10:00 AM: 'Champ: America’s Lake Monster' Exhibit at ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, Burlington
11:30 AM: Shelburne Farms Tour 2026 at Shelburne Farms, Shelburne ($15)
11:45 AM: Lunch with the Poets at The Innovation Café, Burlington (Free) — MEETUP.com
12:00 PM: Champlain Valley Fair (opening day) at Champlain Valley Exposition, Essex Junction (adults $15; kids 5-12 $7, 4 & under free)
12:00 PM: Cruise aboard the Spirit of Ethan Allen III at Spirit of Ethan Allen, Burlington ($36.99 for Adults, $15.99 for Kids 3-11, $4.99 for Infants 0-2)
12:00 PM: Mayor Meet-Up - East District at Fletcher Free Library — Local History Room, Burlington (Free)
1:00 PM: Adult Rummikub at Essex Free Library, Essex (Free)
2:00 PM: Sun to Cheese Tour 2026 at Shelburne Farms Welcome Center, Shelburne ($20)
2:00 PM: The Ultimate Chocolate Tasting at Lake Champlain Chocolates, Burlington ($16)
3:00 PM: Pub Hour at Vermont Pub and Brewery, Burlington (Free)
4:00 PM: Half Priced Oysters at La Reprise at La Reprise, Burlington
4:00 PM: Skiff Oyster Hour at Hotel Champlain, Burlington
4:30 PM: Burlington International Contact Jam 2026 at Contois Auditorium, City Hall, Burlington (Fri pass $55; full weekend $160-$200 sliding scale)
4:30 PM: Mindfulness Meditation at Iyengar Yoga Center of Vermont, Burlington (Free.)
5:30 PM: Moonbird at Switchback Beer Garden & Smokehouse, Burlington (Free)
5:30 PM: French Social Hour at Hilton Garden Inn Burlington Downtown, Burlington (Free; cash bar.)
6:00 PM: Black Artist Showcase at The Sanctuary For Healing & Liberation, Burlington (Free)
6:00 PM: Peace & Justice Center New Location Celebration & Open House at Peace & Justice Center, 22 North St, Burlington (Free)
6:00 PM: Beginner Salsa Dancing & Social at 4 Quarters Brewing, Winooski ($25)
6:00 PM: Rhythm and Reels at Orchard School, South Burlington (Free)
6:00 PM: Friday Fun at the Fair at Champlain Valley Exposition, Essex Junction (Fair admission) — MEETUP.com
7:00 PM: Marina Richie with Trish O'Kana | Feathered Forest: Aloft with Birds in Ancient Trees at Phoenix Books, Burlington (Free)
7:00 PM: Friday Night at Specs at Specs Cafe & Bar, Winooski (Free)
Times Vary: Burlington Navy Week (locations vary) at Various locations, statewide
Performances
6:45 PM: Contra Dance in Shelburne (Queen City Contras) at Shelburne Town Hall, 5374 Shelburne Rd, Shelburne ($12 adults, $5 kids/low-income, under 12 free)
7:00 PM: Nataly Aukar at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington ($25)
7:00 PM: Bread & Puppet Theatre: The Upside-Down World Circus at The Flynn (Main Stage), Burlington ($20.66)
7:30 PM: Alex Clark: Jokes From The Brink (20% of profits to Dad Guild) at Off Center for the Dramatic Arts, Burlington ($22 early bird/$30 advance/$40 door)
Live Music/DJ
2:00 PM: Dave Mitchell Blues Revue & Jam at Red Square, Burlington
4:00 PM: Flatbread Friday at The Wheeler Homestead, South Burlington
5:00 PM: Just Us at On Tap Bar & Grill, Essex Junction (Free)
5:00 PM: Porch Sessions: Remi Russin at The SEABA Center, Burlington (Free)
5:00 PM: South End Get Down at Coal Collective, Burlington (Free; cost of food and drink.)
6:00 PM: Dani-Rae Clark at The SEABA Center, Burlington ($20; free for veterans, nurses, firefighters & farmers)
6:00 PM: Live Music at the St. John's Club at Saint John's Club, Burlington
6:00 PM: AliT at 1st Republic Brewing, Essex (Free)
6:00 PM: Soulshine Revival at Shelburne Vineyard, Shelburne ($5)
7:00 PM: Warren Zeiders w/ Kevin Powers (CV Fair Grandstand) at Champlain Valley Fair Grandstand, Essex Junction ($39-$69; gates 5:30 PM)
7:00 PM: Ariel Zevon & The Wolf at Standing Stone Wines, Winooski
7:00 PM: All That Jazz Comedy Showcase! at The 126, Burlington (Free)
7:00 PM: Kulluh, Goodnight Nobody, the War Turtles at Burlington Odd Fellows Hall, Burlington ($10)
7:00 PM: Luis Betancourt at Venetian Cocktail & Soda Lounge, Burlington (Free)
7:00 PM: Runner, Pleasure Systems, Fowl at Radio Bean, Burlington ($20/$25)
7:00 PM: The Cobras at The Old Post, South Burlington (Free)
7:30 PM: The Strictly Hip (Tragically Hip tribute) at Higher Ground Ballroom, South Burlington ($25; doors 7:30 PM)
7:30 PM: Lake Champlain Chamber Music Festival at Various Chittenden County locations, Burlington
8:00 PM: DANCING IN THE STREETS: BLUES FOR BREAKFAST 🎶 at Skinny Pancake (waterfront patio), Burlington
8:00 PM: Acid Wash at Einstein Tap House, Burlington (General admission $10, $15 for 18+)
8:00 PM: DJ Fattie B at Specs, Winooski (Free)
8:00 PM: Karaoke Friday Night at Park Place Tavern & Grill, Essex Junction (Free)
8:00 PM: Two Sev, Ron Stoppable, Rubi, Aras at Red Square, Burlington (Free)
8:30 PM: Better Off Alone (What The Dance Presents) at Higher Ground Showcase Lounge, South Burlington ($25; doors 8:30 PM)
9:00 PM: Cold Engines at Foam Brewers, Burlington (Free)
9:00 PM: Free Range Band at On Tap Bar & Grill, Essex Junction (Free)
9:00 PM: Mowgli Gianitti Group at The 126, Burlington (Free)
9:00 PM: Planet Grove with the Kwame Vibe at Monkey House, Winooski (Free)
10:00 PM: Live DJ at Ri Ra! at RiRa Irish Pub, Burlington (Free)
10:00 PM: Brass Balagan at Radio Bean, Burlington ($10/$15)
11:00 PM: DJ Taka at Light Club Lamp Shop, Burlington ($10/$15)
11:00 PM: Late Night Karaoke hosted by Owen Leavey at Radio Bean, Burlington ($10)
Saturday, August 29, 2026
General Events
8:00 AM: Weekly Bird Walk at Rock Point Center, Burlington (Free; preregister.)
8:00 AM: BHS/BTC Community Tours at Burlington High School / Burlington Technical Center, Burlington (Free)
9:00 AM: Flora & Fiber: Naturally Dye a Tote Bag! at Shelburne Farms, Shelburne ($27.72)
9:00 AM: Market Street Soccer Tournament at Market St, South Burlington City Center, South Burlington
9:00 AM: Burlington Farmers Market at 345 Pine St, Burlington (Free)
9:00 AM: Trolley tours at Perkins Pier, Burlington ($35 adults, $30 seniors/veterans, $15 under 12, under 5 free)
9:00 AM: Pause & Play: A Morning Retreat at Play Intention, Burlington
9:00 AM: Burlington Vintage Market at Barge Canal Market, Burlington (Free)
9:00 AM: Board Game Brunch at Old Town Cafe & Comics, Williston — MEETUP.com
9:00 AM: Monthly Swaportunity at Old Town Cafe & Comics, Williston (Free.)
10:00 AM: Champlain Valley Fair at Champlain Valley Exposition, Essex Junction (adults $20; kids 5-12 $7, 4 & under free)
10:00 AM: Burton Sample Sale at Burton Snowboards HQ (180 Queen City Park Rd), Burlington (Free)
10:00 AM: BTown Coffee Club at Zero Gravity Brewery, Burlington (Free) — MEETUP.com
10:00 AM: Bottle Drive to Support Troop 611 Eagle Project at Gertrude Chamberlin School, South Burlington (Free (bring returnables))
10:00 AM: Dinosaur Safari Exhibit at ECHO at ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, Burlington (Free with Admission or ECHO Membership)
10:00 AM: AO Glass Factory & Storefront Open at AO Glass, Burlington (Free)
10:00 AM: A Day for the Lake at Various waterfront locations, Burlington (Free; preregister.)
10:00 AM: 'Champ: America’s Lake Monster' Exhibit at ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, Burlington
10:30 AM: Sensing the Season at Rock Point at Rock Point Center, Burlington (Free)
11:00 AM: BTV Market at City Hall Park, Burlington (Free)
11:00 AM: Saturdays Are For The Classics at Bay & Brisket, Colchester
11:00 AM: Saturday morning Fair fun at Champlain Valley Exposition, Essex Junction (Fair admission) — MEETUP.com
11:00 AM: Chess Club at South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, South Burlington (Free.)
11:45 AM: Sculpt HIIT & Flow (Saturdays) at SoulShine Power Yoga Downtown, Burlington
12:00 PM: 12th Champlain Valley Fair Homebrew Competition at Champlain Valley Exposition, Essex Junction
12:00 PM: A_DOG DAY (No.13) 2026 + (#ADOGDAY13) at Andy A DOG Williams Skatepark, Burlington
12:00 PM: Cruise aboard the Spirit of Ethan Allen III at Spirit of Ethan Allen, Burlington ($36.99 for Adults, $15.99 for Kids 3-11, $4.99 for Infants 0-2)
2:00 PM: Intro to Beekeeping Workshop at Rock Point, 20 Rock Point Rd, Burlington (Sliding scale)
2:00 PM: The Ultimate Chocolate Tasting at Lake Champlain Chocolates, Burlington ($16)
3:30 PM: Tibetan Community Group Meeting at Fletcher Free Library — Community Room, Burlington (Free)
4:00 PM: Boulder Boutique at Burly Bloc, Essex Junction ($47.64-$116.15)
4:00 PM: Half Priced Oysters at La Reprise at La Reprise, Burlington
4:00 PM: Skiff Oyster Hour at Hotel Champlain, Burlington
5:30 PM: Saturday evening Fair fun at Champlain Valley Exposition, Essex Junction (Fair admission) — MEETUP.com
6:00 PM: Convent Square Block Party at Convent Square (street closed), Burlington (Free (potluck burrito bar))
7:00 PM: Sisterhood Campfire at Leddy Park, Burlington (Free.)
8:00 PM: Fires with Fathers (Dad Guild, dads only) at Crow's Path at Rock Point, Burlington
Times Vary: Burlington Navy Week (locations vary) at Various locations, statewide
Performances
3:00 PM: Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge at Vermont International Film Festival, Burlington ($6-12)
7:00 PM: Nataly Aukar (early show) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington ($25)
7:00 PM: Natasha's Brian's Nic's Little Treasures at Standing Stone Wines, Winooski (Free)
9:00 PM: Nataly Aukar (late show) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington ($25)
Live Music/DJ
10:30 AM: Lake Champlain Chamber Music Festival at Various Chittenden County locations, Burlington
11:00 AM: Porch Sessions: Tyler George-Minetti at The SEABA Center, Burlington (Free)
1:00 PM: Burlington Taiko 40th Anniversary Celebration at Shelburne Farms Coach Barn, Shelburne (Free)
2:00 PM: Free Concert by Navy Band Northeast's Jack Tar Brass at Church Street Marketplace, Burlington (Free)
3:00 PM: Left Eye Jump at Red Square at Red Square, Burlington
4:00 PM: Chaston, Mr Cheng, Aras, Raul, Matt P at Red Square, Burlington (Free)
4:00 PM: Grace Palmer at Hotel Vermont, Burlington (Free)
5:00 PM: Laura Fedele-Rasco at On Tap Bar & Grill, Essex Junction (Free)
6:00 PM: Moondogs at Shelburne Vineyard, Shelburne (Free)
6:00 PM: The Dad Bods at 1st Republic Brewing, Essex (Free)
7:00 PM: Jordan Davis w/ Matt Lang (CV Fair Grandstand) at Champlain Valley Fair Grandstand, Essex Junction ($39-$69; gates 5:30 PM)
7:00 PM: Split in Half (Final Show) w/ Void Bringer, Chartarum, DISHPIT at Higher Ground Showcase Lounge, South Burlington ($15-$18; doors 7 PM)
7:00 PM: DJ Big Dog at Thingz From Yaad, Burlington (Free)
7:00 PM: Dea and the Drips, Frank Erickson, Oum Kamar at Burlington Odd Fellows Hall, Burlington ($10)
7:30 PM: Acid Wash at Light Club Lamp Shop, Burlington ($10)
7:30 PM: Morning Giants, Guesstimate at Monkey House, Winooski ($10)
8:00 PM: Sojun at Specs, Winooski (Free)
8:30 PM: Hustle Souls at Radio Bean, Burlington ($10-$15; doors 8 PM, 21+)
9:00 PM: Back to Basic 2.0 at Thingz From Yaad (405 Pine St), Burlington ($13.39; sold out online)
9:00 PM: It's A 2000's Party: Burlington at Higher Ground Ballroom, South Burlington ($15-$30; doors 9 PM, 18+)
9:00 PM: Swampytonk at Foam Brewers, Burlington (Free)
9:00 PM: DJ Kwame at On Tap Bar & Grill, Essex Junction (Free)
9:00 PM: Queeraoke with Lizzie Murderz at Standing Stone Wines, Winooski (Free)
10:00 PM: Live DJ at Ri Ra! at RiRa Irish Pub, Burlington (Free)
10:00 PM: Pattern Addict at Light Club Lamp Shop, Burlington ($10)
11:00 PM: Clive at Radio Bean, Burlington ($10/$15)
11:00 PM: DJ Liv & missandri at Light Club Lamp Shop, Burlington ($10)
Sunday, August 30, 2026
General Events
7:30 AM: Dad Guild Run Club (dads only) at Burlington Bike Path, Burlington (Free)
9:00 AM: Trolley tours at Perkins Pier, Burlington ($35 adults, $30 seniors/veterans, $15 under 12, under 5 free)
10:00 AM: Champlain Valley Fair at Champlain Valley Exposition, Essex Junction (adults $20; kids 5-12 $7, 4 & under free)
10:00 AM: Fiber Fair at Winooski Farmers Market at Winooski Farmers Market, downtown Winooski, Winooski (Free)
10:00 AM: Burton Sample Sale at Burton Snowboards HQ (180 Queen City Park Rd), Burlington (Free)
10:00 AM: Dinosaur Safari Exhibit at ECHO at ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, Burlington (Free with Admission or ECHO Membership)
10:00 AM: 'Champ: America’s Lake Monster' Exhibit at ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, Burlington
11:00 AM: Motorcycle Sunday at Bay & Brisket, Colchester
11:00 AM: Back-to-School Supplies & Food Drive (North End Food Pantry) at Odd Fellows Lodge, 1416 North Ave, Burlington (Free (bring donations))
12:00 PM: Bread for Peace (Ohavi Zedek bake sale pickup) at Ohavi Zedek Synagogue, 188 N Prospect St, Burlington (Pay per item (order online))
12:00 PM: Cruise aboard the Spirit of Ethan Allen III at Spirit of Ethan Allen, Burlington ($36.99 for Adults, $15.99 for Kids 3-11, $4.99 for Infants 0-2)
12:00 PM: Sunday Funday at 1st Republic Brewing, Essex (Free)
1:00 PM: Duplicate Bridge Games at Burlington Bridge Club, Williston ($6.)
1:30 PM: House & Garden Tour at the Shelburne Farms Inn 2026 at Shelburne Farms Inn, Shelburne ($15)
1:30 PM: Queer Reads Book Club at Fletcher Free Library, Burlington (Free)
2:00 PM: First-Ever Winooski Friendship Festival at Winooski School District, 60 Normand St, Winooski (Free)
2:00 PM: The Ultimate Chocolate Tasting at Lake Champlain Chocolates, Burlington ($16)
3:00 PM: Craft & Skillshare Afternoons! (Crafternoons) at Queen City Lodge Oddfellows Hall, Burlington
3:00 PM: Sunday Polo Match at Amdez Polo Club, Shelburne ($10-20)
4:00 PM: Monster Truck: A Night of Fire & Destruction (CV Fair Grandstand) at Champlain Valley Fair Grandstand, Essex Junction ($22.02 advance/$24.70 day-of; showing sold out on the fair's page)
4:00 PM: South Union Street Annual Block Party at South Union St between Adams and Spruce Sts, Burlington (Free (potluck))
4:00 PM: Half Priced Oysters at La Reprise at La Reprise, Burlington
4:00 PM: Skiff Oyster Hour at Hotel Champlain, Burlington
5:00 PM: Womxn's Pick-up Soccer - Outdoors at Starr Farm Park at Starr Farm Park, Burlington — MEETUP.com
5:30 PM: Weekly Sunday Metta Meditation (Burlington Insight Meditation) at 187 S. Winooski Ave, Burlington
5:30 PM: New Mindfulness Meditation Gathering at Hood Plant, Burlington (By donation)
6:00 PM: New Leaf Sangha Mindfulness Practice at Hot Yoga Burlington, Burlington (Free.)
Times Vary: Burlington Navy Week (locations vary) at Various locations, statewide
Performances
Live Music/DJ
10:00 AM: Sunday Brunch Tunes at Hotel Vermont, Burlington
1:00 PM: Acoustic Brunch at Foam Brewers, Burlington (Free)
3:00 PM: Lake Champlain Chamber Music Festival at Various Chittenden County locations, Burlington
3:00 PM: Harvest Festival at Shelburne Orchards, Shelburne ($25; free for kids 12 and under)
5:00 PM: VT Synth Society: Synth Night at Foam Brewers, Burlington (Free)
5:00 PM: Wine & Jazz Sundays at Shelburne Vineyard, Shelburne (Free)
6:30 PM: D.R.I. w/ Words That Burn, Slob Drop at Higher Ground Showcase Lounge, South Burlington ($15-$20; doors 6:30 PM)
7:30 PM: Supernova: Warped Tour Summer at Standing Stone Wines, Winooski ($12.)
9:00 PM: Karaoke Sundays! at Einstein Tap House, Burlington (Free)
Here are some of my favorite BtownBrief links:
The full list of things to do around town, always waiting for you when you need a plan: Things To Do in Burlington
Every restaurant and bar in town, with their real hours, so you can see what's actually open right now: Open Right Now
Every happy hour, daily special and cheap-night I've gathered so far: Food & Drink Deals
And if you'd rather just have one link for all of it: the guide, the arcade, the whole lot hub.btownbrief.com
A fresh Burlington flavored word puzzle drops every day at Btown Wordle, a good rainy Friday morning warm-up.
That’s All, Burlington!
That's the weekend, and it's a good one. Get through the gray Friday morning and the rest is sunshine, skate music on the waterfront, taiko drums in Shelburne and fair food in Essex Junction. If the Btown Brief makes your week a little easier, you can support it at ko-fi or on Venmo (@btownbrief), and it genuinely helps keep this thing running. Got a tip, a favorite haunt, or an event we should have on our radar? Send it our way, we are always listening.
See you later, Burlington.
If you like what I do, help support the newsletter by buying me a coffee using the link below. Or, right to our Venmo @btownbrief. Or, buy an advertising spot for your business.
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