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Weather & Weekend Rundown:
Track it all week, with patio, swim, and sunset scores, at Burlington Right Now.
If you have been waiting all month for a flawless summer weekend, this is the one. Friday is sunny with a high right around 84, low humidity, and a light breeze off the south, and the evening stays clear straight through sunset at 8:30 for anything you have planned outside. Saturday is the warm one, sunny and pushing 88 in the Champlain Valley while the air stays comfortable, with nights settling into the upper 50s and mid 60s. Sunday keeps the sunshine at around 86, with only the smallest chance a stray shower sneaks in late in the afternoon. Rain and storms hold off until Monday afternoon, so wring every drop out of this stretch.
Friday night has serious range. The big one is "Weird Al" Yankovic ($69.50, kids 12 and under free) on the Midway Lawn at the Champlain Valley Expo in Essex Junction at 7:30, with Puddles Pity Party opening, an outdoor evening of accordion mischief and sad clown crooning that should be something to behold. Comedy fans staying downtown can catch Jordan Jensen at the Flynn at 7:30, fresh off her Netflix special "Take Me With You". Music people have choices all over the map, with Seven Daysies winning cover band Sticks and Stones playing the Old Post from 7 to 10, songwriter Jeffrey Foucault doing an early all ages show in the Light Club Lamp Shop room at Radio Bean at 7, and the Zach Nugent Duo bringing free Grateful Dead energy to the Skinny Pancake patio at 8 for their Dancing in the Streets series. Theater folks should note Steal Fire's "No Exit" at Off Center, a new multimedia staging of the Sartre classic at 7:30 tonight with a French existentialism talkback, plus 2 PM matinees Saturday and Sunday.
Earlier in the day Friday works too. The South Burlington Farmers Market runs its Friday evening window from 5 to 7 on Airport Drive, Sisters of Anarchy in Shelburne hosts Food Truck Friday from 5 to 8 with live music from Tom Bisson, Nameless Tacos, and farm grown ice cream for dessert, and downtown lunch breaks get free old time folk from Dana and Susan Robinson in City Hall Park at 12:30.
Saturday belongs to the Old North End. The Ramble takes over the neighborhood from 8 in the morning to 10 at night with over 50 DIY pop-ups, including homemade waffle gardens on Manhattan Drive, a build-your-own bouquet bar at Burly Blooms, and driveway chess with "janky bleachers" on Oak Street. Neighbors will be out all day for front-porch art galleries, sidewalk lemonade stands, street-wide yard sales, the 4:15 PM community bike ride, and the evening Ramble Round Up beer garden. So be sure to come out and enjoy Burlington’s Old North End. The ONE World Market folds right into it from 11 to 3 on Allen Street with dozens of local vendors. Downtown, the BTV Market sets up outside City Hall from 11 to 3, DJ CRWD CNTL spins Splash Dance by the City Hall Park fountain from 1 to 3, and the Burlington Farmers Market does its 70 vendor thing on Pine Street from 9 to 2. Our own BTown Coffee Club [MEETUP] meets Saturday at 10 at Zero Gravity, big table on the right, newcomers always welcome, and then the crew heads to Paddle at Oakledge Beach [MEETUP] at 11 for a couple easygoing hours of kayaking and paddleboarding on the lake. Bound to be a great morning so come say hi.
Saturday afternoon and evening keep rolling. Skaters can escape the heat at the Free Family Skate at Cairns Arena from 1:30 to 3 with $5 rentals, the Greek Mini-Festival brings souvlaki, spanakopita, and baklava to the Dormition Greek Orthodox Church lawn from 4 to 8, and the free community Summer BBQ on North Ave serves up burgers, hot dogs, live music, and yard games from 4 to 7. Kids in the Hall legend Kevin McDonald does two different shows at Vermont Comedy Club, his comic rock opera "Superstar" at 7 ($25) and the improvisers shoving him onstage for "Forced to Improvise" at 8:30 ($15). Punk fans get Sub Pop provocateurs Downtown Boys at Foam Brewers at 8:30, Colchester gets high energy covers from Magnetic Horse at the Spanked Puppy at 7, tabletop people can hit the Board Game Brunch [MEETUP] at Old Town Cafe & Comics in Williston at 9, and anyone curious about basics can take the free 45 minute community self defense class at Oom Yung Doe on North Ave at 6.
Sunday is a gem. Winooski crowns its Best Pooch in the Noosk at the Winooski Farmers Market, both running 10 to 2 at Winooski Falls Way, and every dog in the Onion City is invited to compete for titles like Cutest. Our group's Centennial Hills Hike and Winooski Circle [MEETUP] meets at Schmanska Park at 11 for a loop through Centennial Woods followed by an optional beer at the Winooski Circle, dogs welcome, and with a crowd this size you will make a friend or five. Craft types can build pebble art under the pavilion at Sam Mazza's in Colchester from 10 to 12 with proceeds supporting Camp Ta-Kum-Ta, brunch people have the Blueberry Jam Brunch at the Swaying Daisies cafe at Isham Family Farm in Williston from 11 to 3, and the morning starts gently with the string ensemble Skylark playing Sunday Classical in the BCA Center gallery on Church Street at 10. The Safety Team runs a 2.5 hour Empowerment Self-Defense Workshop at the South Burlington Community Room at 10, taught by women for women with scholarships available. Later on, Déjà Nous plays jazz and swing at Shelburne Vineyard at 1 for free, Womxn's pick-up soccer [MEETUP] kicks off at Starr Farm Park at 5, and the weekend closes big with Shakey Graves and Dope Lemon ($54.50, kids 12 and under free) at Ben & Jerry's Concerts on the Green at Shelburne Museum, music at 6, or a sunset hip hop dance cruise aboard the Spirit of Ethan Allen at 6:30 if you would rather groove on the water.
Scroll down to Events Section for full list of events Friday-Sunday.
Want to see events further out? Check out my page: Burlington events
Running out of photos so here you go!
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, July 25th @ 10 AM: The weekly no pressure hang at Zero Gravity on Pine Street, grab a coffee or tea and find us at the big table on the right.
Paddle at Oakledge Beach #2 – Saturday, July 25th @ 11 AM: A couple easygoing hours of kayaking and paddleboarding off Oakledge Park, with rentals available and a good chance of a brewery stop after.
Centennial Hills Hike and Winooski Circle – Sunday, July 26th @ 11 AM: A shaded loop through Centennial Woods meeting at Schmanska Park, with an optional beer and lunch at the Winooski Circle to finish, dogs welcome.
BTown Coffee Club – Saturday, August 1st @ 10 AM: Same time, same table, next Saturday, come say hi.
Other Upcoming Events:
Lake Monsters Baseball & Creemee Night – Thursday, August 6th @ 6:15 PM: Summer baseball at Centennial Field with creemees involved, which is the correct way to watch baseball.
Lake Monsters Baseball + Fireworks – Saturday, August 8th @ 5:45 PM: The ballpark classic with a fireworks show to cap the night.
Live Music @ Maquam Winery – Thursday, August 27th @ 5:45 PM: An evening of live music and wine up at Maquam Barn & Winery.
Tired of scrolling? Play the BTown Digital Arcade instead!
The digital arcade is officially packed with 18 free, Burlington-themed games like Church St Surfers, Flappy Champ, Where in Burlington and BTown Wordle. There are zero ads to skip and no apps to download, just a straightforward way to kill some time. I also added monthly leaderboards that reset on the 1st, and whoever is holding the top spots will get named right here in the Brief. Go claim your bragging rights and set a high score over at play.btownbrief.com.
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See something good? Say something good. r/GoodBurlington
Check out the news posts in the subreddit! There is a lot of good happening in Burlington that never gets talked about. I built r/GoodBurlington to change that. Think of it as the opposite of doomscrolling. Found a hidden gem? Snapped a great photo? Want to shout out a local worker who made your day? Post it on the subreddit, or submit it through this quick [Google Form] and I'll share it for you. The best of what gets shared will show up right here in the Brief. Come drop your posts: [r/GoodBurlington]
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Why support? Every week, I sort through TONS of local sources: Seven Days events, Front Porch Forum calendar, Facebook events, Hello Burlington, Love Burlington, Meetup.com, Eventbrite, Church St Marketplace calendar, Flynn, Higher Ground, Vermont Comedy Club, several local libraries 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. If the Brief saves you time, or has introduced you to something new in Burlington, then definitely consider chipping in!
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Local News (All Links Clickable)
"Of the more than 5,000 underwater objects that the Lefebvres have discovered and documented in the past 14 years, the Roadster is neither the oldest nor the most impressive, but Gary has an understandable attachment to it," per Seven Days.
Gary and Ellen Lefebvre of Malletts Bay have spent 14 years scanning Lake Champlain from their research vessel, turning sonar hits into gorgeous 3D renderings of wrecks that even technical divers cannot reach, including the paddle wheels of the Phoenix, an 1819 steamboat wreck they located in 2020. They share the images publicly, help the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum monitor the lake's roughly 300 known wrecks, and have assisted the Coast Guard in recovering drowning victims. The Roadster that opens the story turned out to hold a family connection, since one of the two people who drowned with it in 1936 was Gary's great uncle. A remarkable local rabbit hole worth your full read.
"A longtime Burlington hotel has a new name and a refreshed look following a $19 million renovation," per NBC5.
The 161 room Cherry Street hotel stayed open through the phased makeover and now operates as The Harborvale, with Westport Hospitality, the same group behind Hotel Vermont, betting big on downtown. Managing director Hans Van Wees framed the investment as long term confidence in Burlington even while acknowledging that Canadian tourism dipped after the first tariff round and faces renewed uncertainty now. Worth watching how a full service independent brand fares on a block that counts on cross border visitors.
"These remarkable performers, along with several others, will spend the weekend transforming Church Street into one giant outdoor stage filled with laughter, wonder and surprise," per the Charlotte News.
Festival cofounder Woody Keppel tells the origin story himself, an unplanned busking stop on Church Street decades ago that convinced him the bricks were built for street performance. This year's edition lands next weekend with the surreal physical theater act Galumpha, street dancer Snap Boogie, yo-yo artist John Higby, aerialist Cate Great, and a kickoff cabaret at the Venetian Soda Lounge on Thursday, July 30. Mark it now, because Church Street during Fools weekend is one of the best free afternoons of the Burlington summer.
"We have this lawless behavior that's disregarding other users of bike paths, and also on the street and sidewalks," per Seven Days.
Chittenden County towns are scrambling to catch up with kids as young as 9 riding e-bikes and far more powerful e-motos, which can hit 55 mph and are illegal for riders under 16. Burlington police have responded to at least six e-bike crashes this spring and summer, a UVM pediatric ICU doctor reports rising serious injuries, and South Burlington, Colchester, and Burlington have all added signs, school outreach, or ordinance discussions. Local Motion plans to lobby next year for penalties on souping up e-bikes and for truth in advertising rules, since some e-motos are sold as e-bikes.
"Friends of Shiloh Skalka say the Burlington teen was the kind of person that everyone liked," per WCAX.
Flowers, pictures, and handwritten notes now mark the spot on Pine Street where the 16 year old Burlington High School student was struck and killed while riding an e-bike last Thursday. Friends remember her as a kind, quiet artist who spent her summer swimming and hiking, including a Mount Philo camping trip just a week before the crash. She was wearing a helmet, the 79 year old driver currently faces no charges, and police are asking anyone who witnessed the crash to come forward.
"We'll have to pay more, and in turn we'll have to charge more," per NBC5.
With Canadian tariffs set to jump to 50 percent in late August, Queen City Brewery is weighing what another aluminum increase means for can costs, and La Reprise expects imported cheeses to get pricier. The sting is sharper because things had been looking up, with Canadian credit card spending in Vermont up 40 percent this May over last. Owners fear the bigger cost is the message it sends to the Canadian visitors Burlington's harbor and shops have always counted on.
"Opened in March by Joseph Fox as 'Vermont first-ever soccer bar,' Slide In is equipped with 10 televisions with Vermont beers, including Switchback Ale and Fiddlehead IPA, on tap," per the Community News Service.
A few dozen England supporters packed the Slide In Pub in Shelburne for the World Cup match against Argentina, singing, stressing, and ultimately slumping out after a late Messi assisted winner ended England's run. Owner Joseph Fox, a North London transplant who played college soccer at Johnson, says Vermont has genuinely embraced the world's game. Speaking of which, the Vermont Green men play the USL League Two Eastern Conference Final tonight at 6:30 against Asheville City, at a neutral site in Laredo, Texas, so find a screen and some Vermont green.
"The race for the Democratic nomination comes at a time when Vermont sheriffs are under increased scrutiny amid several high-profile scandals," per Seven Days.
Kevin Bloom, a 32 year old Burlington audio producer with no law enforcement experience, is running on eviction reform and a first of its kind jobs program that would connect tenants behind on rent with employers willing to help pay off the debt. Incumbent Dan Gamelin, a Winooski native with four decades in the department, points to a debt free office, 22 full time deputies, and an expanded security business serving clients from Hannaford to Goldman Sachs. With no Republicans running, the August 11 Democratic primary will effectively decide it, and the contrast between the two visions of the office could not be starker.
"The lab allows Vermont and New England tech companies to experiment with gallium nitride, an emerging technology that can be used as a replacement for silicon in electronics chips," per WCAX.
V-GAN is now open for business at OnLogic's South Burlington headquarters, giving regional companies access to prototyping and testing that is usually too expensive to pursue alone. The project survived a near death experience when federal funding was cut last year after being announced under the previous administration, and its future operations still are not fully funded. A quiet but meaningful bet on keeping chip innovation, and the jobs that follow it, anchored in Chittenden County.
"As of July 13, the CDC has confirmed 1,645 cases of cyclospora infection and 141 hospitalizations across 34 states," per VTDigger.
The good news first, since Vermont has recorded no cases tied to the national outbreak and the recalled iceberg lettuce was not distributed here. The parasite rides in on imported produce, so the experts' advice is to wash everything well, seek care if a gastrointestinal bug drags on for weeks, and know that local farmstand and farmers market produce carries very low risk. Co-ops and markets in the region are actually seeing a bump in local produce sales as shoppers steer around the big brands, a silver lining for the farmers you will see at the markets this weekend.
"Less than 18 months after founding Glazed Donuts in her Essex home, Rachel Lee has announced plans to share space with Leo & Co. in the Essex Experience," per Seven Days.
Lee's brioche doughnuts, in flavors like Maple Crunch and local strawberry frosted, outgrew her home kitchen faster than her five year plan anticipated. The bakery is on hiatus while she builds a dedicated doughnut kitchen inside the market and cafe at 21 Essex Way, with fresh frying targeted for August and weekend retail hours hopefully by September.
"The unhoused people living there are becoming more territorial," per NBC5.
The band called off its generations old free Sunday concert at the Lechner Bandshell after people sheltering there left behind belongings and gave Parks staff a hard time about clearing the stage. The city is weighing temporary moves to Church Street or City Hall Park while a cross departmental effort targets trouble spots in public spaces, and the mayor tied the situation to the visible strain of the housing and opioid crises. Band president Tom Bruno was clear that the bandshell is home and the goal is to get back to it, with four concerts left before the August 16 finale.
"Once brought on shore, it was confirmed to be the last part of a cannon that belonged to the gunboat New York, one of eight under Benedict Arnold's command during the Battle of Valcour in 1776," per WCAX.
Researchers off Valcour Island recovered the final missing piece of a cannon that exploded during one of America's earliest naval battles, killing Lt. Thomas Rogers, nearly 250 years ago. The fragment joins the rest of the gun at the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, and for retired trooper turned underwater archaeologist Ed Scollon, who found the cannon almost 30 years ago, it completes the puzzle of a career. Between this and the Lefebvres up top, the lake gave up a lot of history this week.
"Before Canadians stopped visiting, we would sell 600-800 tickets to Canadians," per the Community News Service. "Last year, we sold 75 tickets (to Canadians)."
The Brewers Association tried something clever for the 33rd festival at Waterfront Park in late July, selling tickets to Canadians at par, $60 Canadian instead of the $84.49 the exchange rate would demand. It worked, sort of, with about 190 Canadian tickets sold, more than double last year but a long way from the 600 plus of the before times. Organizers plan to run the at par offer again next year, and breweries near the border are flying Canadian flags and printing French menus to say what the festival said, that Canadians are still neighbors here.
"It really just highlights the importance of these updated codes as they happen," per WCAX.
An early Thursday fire on South Winooski Avenue displaced nine people and one cat, with everyone getting out safely and one person checked for smoke inhalation. The property owner credits recent code compliant renovation work with keeping the blaze from being far worse, a rare kind word for building codes from a landlord. The Red Cross is helping residents while the Fire Marshal investigates, and the owner says the goal is to get everyone back home after a few months of repairs.
"I've always been a supporter of 'buying local' and that's just as important for local newspapers and stations as it is for our local hardware stores or farms," per Seven Days.
Gov. Scott signed an executive order directing state departments to prefer local print, digital, radio, and TV outlets when buying ads, excluding the tourism campaigns aimed out of state. The stakes are real, since Vermont lost 53 percent of its journalists between 2013 and 2023, and the state spends roughly $8 million a year on advertising with about half exempt as tourism. The order only prioritizes rather than requires, a softer version of a 2025 bill that died in the Senate, so the follow through is the part to watch. Your humble newsletter approves of supporting local media.
"We are continuing to try to offer our voice in that and give our guardsmen and women a break and to come home as soon as possible," per WCAX.
Roughly 1,000 Vermonters remain deployed to the Middle East, including about 200 Air National Guard members, and the governor is publicly pressing for their return as the U.S. service member death toll in the region reaches 18, none of them Vermonters. Thoughts with the many local families counting the days.
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 you can climb the monthly leaderboard, which resets on the 1st. 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
Vermont Green FC: Conference Final Tonight!
The men have battled all the way to the USL League Two Eastern Conference Final, carrying a club-record eight straight wins and a massive 39-match unbeaten streak into Laredo, Texas. They face Asheville City SC tonight at 6:30 PM. The matchup mirrors the women’s run from a couple weeks ago, where they also had to get past Asheville in the semifinals. To make things even more interesting, Asheville's squad features two former Vermont Green standouts: striker Tyler Trimnal and midfielder Dylan Lane.
With game-time temperatures expected to top 100 degrees down by the border, the Green will feel right at home thanks to their own Texas natives, starting goalie Seth Wilson, Diego Letayf, and winger Diego Rosas, who is having a monster summer with eight goals and nine assists. A win tonight puts them right into Sunday's National Semifinal.
Upcoming Home Games
No more this season. The Eastern Conference Final and National Semifinal are both being played at a neutral site in Texas. You can catch the live stream tonight on SportsEngine Play, or find all the broadcast details over on the Vermont Green FC schedule page.
Events:
Want to see events further out? Check out my page: Burlington events
Friday, July 24, 2026
General Events
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 kids under 12, under 5 free)
9:00 AM: Grab & Go Kit: Boba Tea at South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, South Burlington (Free)
9:30 AM: Clean Up Day at Gilbrook Nature Area at Gilbrook Nature Area, Winooski (Free; preregister)
10:00 AM: 'Dinosaur Safari' Exhibit at ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, Burlington (Free with admission or ECHO membership)
10:00 AM: Glass Factory and Storefront Open at AO Glass, Burlington (Free)
10:00 AM: UVM Catamount Educational Summer Farm Stand at UVM Horticulture Research & Education Center, South Burlington
10:00 AM: Duplicate Bridge Games at Burlington Bridge Club, Williston ($6)
12:00 PM: Cruise aboard the Spirit of Ethan Allen III at Spirit of Ethan Allen, Burlington ($36.99 adults, $15.99 kids 3-11)
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)
2:00 PM: Supportive Services for Veteran Families: Community Partners Desk at Fletcher Free Library, Burlington (Free)
2:30 PM: Drop-In at Outright Vermont, Burlington (Free)
3:00 PM: Pub Hour at Vermont Pub and Brewery, Burlington (Free)
3:00 PM: Tie-Dye Party at Brownell Library, Essex Junction (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: Mindfulness Meditation at Iyengar Yoga Center of Vermont, Burlington (Free)
5:00 PM: Food Truck Friday with Tom Bisson & Nameless Tacos at 4947 Spear St, Shelburne
5:00 PM: South Burlington Farmers Market at 1223 Airport Dr, South Burlington (Free)
5:30 PM: Queer/LGBTQ+ Horror Book Club at The Hunny Hive at Hunny Musturd, Burlington (Free)
5:30 PM: Buttery Basework at 294 N Winooski Ave, Burlington
6:30 PM: Burlington FNG at Outright Vermont, Burlington (Free)
7:00 PM: Friday Night Ballroom at Vermont Swings / North Star Community Hall, Burlington
7:00 PM: Friday Night at Specs at Specs Cafe & Bar, Winooski (Free)
Performances
4:00 PM: 'Honeyjoon' at Film House, Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center, Burlington ($6-12)
6:45 PM: Contra Dance in Burlington at Burlington St. Anthony's Parish Hall, Burlington ($5-12; free for kids under 12)
7:30 PM: Jordan Jensen at The Flynn Center for the Performing Arts, Burlington ($29)
7:30 PM: "No Exit" New Theater Experience at Off Center at Off Center for the Dramatic Arts, Burlington ($25-30)
7:30 PM: 'Oedipussy' at Black Box Theater, Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center, Burlington ($33-99 sliding scale)
Live Music/DJ
12:30 PM: Summer Concert Series: Dana and Susan Robinson at Burlington City Hall Park, Burlington (Free)
2:00 PM: Dave Mitchell Blues Revue & Jam at Red Square, Burlington (Free)
4:00 PM: Windjammer Summer Patio Music Series at The Windjammer, South Burlington
5:00 PM: Chris Bell Trio at On Tap Bar & Grill, Essex Junction (Free)
6:00 PM: Corey & Friends - Live Music at 1st Republic Brewery at 1st Republic Brewery, Essex Junction
6:30 PM: Chris & Erica at the Burlington Elks Lodge at Burlington Elks Lodge 916, Burlington
7:00 PM: Sticks And Stones at The Old Post, South Burlington (Free)
7:00 PM: Jeffrey Foucault at Radio Bean, Burlington ($20/$25)
7:00 PM: Bob Gagnon at Venetian Cocktail & Soda Lounge, Burlington (Free)
7:00 PM: Radiator, a.drift, Vile Remains, Burial Woods at Burlington Odd Fellows Hall, Burlington ($10)
7:00 PM: St. Silva at Big Lake Recording Co., Burlington ($10)
7:00 PM: Three Piece Meal at The 126, Burlington (Free)
7:00 PM: Two Sev, Ron Stoppable, Eli, Aras at Red Square, Burlington (Free)
7:30 PM: "Weird Al" Yankovic: Bigger & Weirder Tour w/ Puddles Pity Party at The Midway Lawn at Champlain Valley Expo, Essex Junction ($69.50; free for kids 12 and under)
8:00 PM: Joe Marcinek Band at Einstein's Tap House, Burlington ($15/$20)
8:00 PM: Cricket Blue w/ Gillian Grogan at The Monkey House, Winooski ($10/$12)
8:00 PM: Dancing in the Streets: Zach Nugent Duo at 60 Lake St, Burlington (Free)
8:30 PM: Similar Kind, Baby Fearn at Radio Bean, Burlington ($12/$15)
9:00 PM: Karaoke with DJ Big T at McKee's Original, Winooski (Free)
9:00 PM: Lawless at On Tap Bar & Grill, Essex Junction (Free)
9:00 PM: Paper Castles, Osage Orange at Foam Brewers, Burlington (Free)
10:00 PM: Live DJ at Ri Ra at RiRa Irish Pub, Burlington
10:00 PM: DJ GAYBAR at Einstein's Tap House, Burlington
11:00 PM: DJ Taka at Light Club Lamp Shop, Burlington ($10/$15)
Saturday, July 25, 2026
General Events
8:00 AM: Weekly Bird Walk at Rock Point Center, Burlington (Free; preregister)
8:00 AM: Lululemon Summer Series: Yoga at Waterfront Park at Waterfront Park, Burlington (Free; preregister)
8:00 AM: BHS/BTC Community Tours at 110 Institute Rd, Burlington (Free)
8:00 AM: The Ramble at various Old North End locations, Burlington (Free)
9:00 AM: Member Mornings at ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain, Burlington
9:00 AM: Burlington Farmers Market at 345 Pine St, Burlington (Free)
9:00 AM: Introduction to Zen Buddhism at Vermont Zen Center, Shelburne
9:00 AM: Pop-Up Vintage Sale in Burlington, Burlington
9:00 AM: Board Game Brunch at Old Town Cafe & Comics, Williston (Free) — MEETUP.com
9:00 AM: Monthly Swaportunity at Old Town Cafe & Comics, Williston (Free)
10:00 AM: BTown Coffee Club at Zero Gravity Brewery, Burlington (Free) — MEETUP.com
10:00 AM: Visit Burly Blooms During the ONE Ramble at Burly Blooms, Burlington
10:00 AM: Orchids 101 at Gardener's Supply Burlington, Burlington (Free-$26.50)
10:00 AM: French Book Swap at Alliance Française of the Lake Champlain Region, Burlington (Free)
10:30 AM: Community Phenology at Rock Point at Rock Point, Burlington (Free; preregister)
11:00 AM: Saturdays Are For The Classics at 127 East Shore Dr, Colchester
11:00 AM: ONE World Market at 20 Allen St, Burlington (Free)
11:00 AM: Free Lead Testing of Soil and Household Items at ONE World Market, 20 Allen St, Burlington (Free)
11:00 AM: BTV Market at Burlington City Hall, Burlington (Free)
11:00 AM: The Caracas x VAAP at the O.N.E. Ramble at 12 North St, Burlington
11:00 AM: Decaturfest Jewelry Seconds Sale at Decatur St, Burlington
11:00 AM: Paddle at Oakledge Beach #2 at Oakledge Park, Burlington (Free; rentals $20/hr) — MEETUP.com
11:00 AM: Chess Club at South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, South Burlington (Free)
11:00 AM: Family Art Saturday at BCA Center, Burlington ($10 suggested donation; preregister)
1:00 PM: The Poetry Experience at Pickering Room, Fletcher Free Library, Burlington (Free)
1:00 PM: Intro to DaVinci Resolve at The Media Factory, Burlington (Free; donations accepted; preregister)
1:30 PM: Free Family Skate at Cairns Arena, South Burlington (Free; skate rental $5)
4:00 PM: Summer BBQ on North Ave at 901 North Ave, Burlington (Free)
4:00 PM: Greek Mini-Festival at Dormition Greek Orthodox Church, Burlington ($5-25)
6:00 PM: Pottery Date Night at Mudcraft at Mudcraft Pottery Studio, Colchester
6:00 PM: Community Self-Defense Class at Oom Yung Doe VT, Burlington (Free)
7:00 PM: Sisterhood Campfire at Leddy Park, Burlington (Free)
10:00 PM: Queer Takeover at Radio Bean, Burlington ($10)
Performances
2:00 PM: "No Exit" New Theater Experience at Off Center at Off Center for the Dramatic Arts, Burlington ($25-30)
4:00 PM: 'Forastera' at The Screening Room @ VTIFF, Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center, Burlington ($6-12)
7:00 PM: Kevin McDonald Superstar! at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington ($25)
7:30 PM: 'Oedipussy' at Black Box Theater, Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center, Burlington ($33-99 sliding scale)
8:30 PM: Kevin McDonald Is Being Forced to Improvise at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington ($15)
Live Music/DJ
11:00 AM: Andriana & the Bananas at The SEABA Center, Burlington (Free)
1:00 PM: Splash Dance: DJ CRWD CNTL at City Hall Park, Burlington (Free)
1:00 PM: Steph Pappas Experience at the Ramble in the Old North End, Burlington
2:00 PM: DJ Summerjam Reggae Fest at Four Quarters Brewing, Winooski (Free)
3:00 PM: Left Eye Jump at Red Square at Red Square, Burlington (Free)
3:30 PM: Ava Brennan, Ashna Hille, Izzy Jones at Radio Bean, Burlington ($10)
5:00 PM: Charlie Rice Live at On Tap Bar & Grill, Essex Junction (Free)
5:30 PM: Live Music at Switchback at Switchback Brewing Co., Burlington (Free)
5:30 PM: Ryan Sweezey at Switchback Beer Garden & Smokehouse, Burlington (Free)
6:00 PM: Sundown Sessions at The Pinery, Burlington (Free)
7:00 PM: Horse at the Puppy at The Spanked Puppy, Colchester
7:00 PM: The High Breaks at Shelburne Vineyard, Shelburne (Free)
7:00 PM: Margot Miller, Alice Shroeder, MomDad, Royle at Burlington Odd Fellows Hall, Burlington ($10)
7:00 PM: Mr Cheng, DJ Chaston, DJ Aras at Red Square, Burlington (Free)
7:30 PM: Andrew Glynn Book Release Party at Light Club Lamp Shop, Burlington ($10)
7:30 PM: Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival at Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Burlington (donation of nonperishable food items)
8:00 PM: Paul Asbell Trio at Venetian Cocktail & Soda Lounge, Burlington ($20)
8:00 PM: Saru, Cal Humberto, Cecilia at Monkey House, Winooski ($5/$10)
8:30 PM: Downtown Boys w/ Jesse Taylor Band + Collin Hagood at Foam Brewers, Burlington ($15 adv / $17 door)
9:00 PM: Cody Sargent Trio at The 126, Burlington (Free)
9:00 PM: Nickel & Dime 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
Sunday, July 26, 2026
General Events
9:00 AM: Pop-Up Vintage Sale in Burlington, Burlington
10:00 AM: Winooski Farmers Market at Winooski Falls Way, Winooski (Free)
10:00 AM: Best Pooch in the Noosk at Winooski Falls Way, Winooski (Free)
10:00 AM: Empowerment Self-Defense Workshop at South Burlington Community Room, 19 Gregory Dr, South Burlington (scholarships available)
10:00 AM: Pebble Art Workshop Fundraiser at Sam Mazza's at Sam Mazza's Farm Market, Colchester
10:00 AM: Sunday Clean Up Crew at top of Church St, Burlington (Free)
11:00 AM: Blueberry Jam Brunch at Isham Family Farm, Williston
11:00 AM: Motorcycle Sunday at 127 East Shore Dr, Colchester
11:00 AM: Monthly Clothing & Food Drive at Queen City Lodge Oddfellows Hall, Burlington
11:00 AM: Centennial Hills Hike and Winooski Circle at Schmanska Park (Centennial Woods), Burlington (Free) — MEETUP.com
11:30 AM: Shelburne Farms Tour 2026 at 1611 Harbor Rd, Shelburne ($15)
12:00 PM: Feel The Stride Run Club at 31 Church St, Burlington (Free)
12:00 PM: Cluckin' & Pluckin' at Switchback Brewing Co., Burlington (Free)
12:30 PM: Pony Pony Celebration Cup at Amdez Polo Club, Shelburne ($10-20)
1:00 PM: Winooski Senior Center Sunday Program at Winooski Senior Center, Winooski
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: She Who Became the Sun at Fletcher Free Library, Burlington (Free)
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)
5:00 PM: Womxn's Pick-up Soccer at Starr Farm Park at Starr Farm Park, Burlington — MEETUP.com
5:00 PM: The Gathering of Food Gatherers at Meadow Terrace Community Garden, Essex Junction
5:00 PM: VT Synth Society Meetup at Community of Sound, Burlington (Free)
5:30 PM: Gary's Supper Club at the Wheeler House at Wheeler House, 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)
Performances
2:00 PM: "No Exit" New Theater Experience at Off Center at Off Center for the Dramatic Arts, Burlington ($25-30)
3:00 PM: 'Playtime' at The Screening Room @ VTIFF, Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center, Burlington ($6-12)
Live Music/DJ
10:00 AM: Sunday Classical: Skylark at Church Street Marketplace, Burlington (Free)
10:00 AM: Sunday Brunch Tunes at Hotel Vermont, Burlington
1:00 PM: Acoustic Brunch at Foam Brewers, Burlington (Free)
1:00 PM: Summer Concert Sundays at Vermont Pub and Brewery, Burlington (Free)
1:00 PM: Cluckin' & Pluckin' with Uncle Jimmy Trio at Switchback Beer Garden & Smokehouse, Burlington (Free)
1:00 PM: Déjà Nous at Shelburne Vineyard, Shelburne (Free)
2:00 PM: Summertime Songs at the Spanked Puppy at The Spanked Puppy, Colchester
6:00 PM: Shakey Graves & Dope Lemon w/ Texino at Ben & Jerry's Concerts on the Green, Shelburne Museum, Shelburne ($54.50; free for kids 12 and under)
6:30 PM: Hip Hop Dance Night aboard the Spirit of Ethan Allen at Burlington Waterfront, Burlington
7:30 PM: Sandalwood, Grace Palmer, Goodtree at Monkey House, Winooski ($5/$10)
8:00 PM: Slippers at Foam Brewers, Burlington (Free)
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
What changed in Burlington since you last looked, openings, closings, and everything in between: Since You Checked
18 free Burlington-made games, one address: The BTown Arcade
Plus, way, way more to check out. So if you'd rather just have one link for all of it: the guide, the arcade, the whole lot hub.btownbrief.com
That’s All, Burlington!
That wraps the weekend edition. Get outside while the getting is this good, drink some water between festival stops, and give an extra pat to every contestant you meet at Best Pooch in the Noosk. If the Brief helps you plan your weekends, you can toss a few dollars in the tip jar on ko-fi or Venmo @btownbrief, it genuinely keeps 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 Monday, 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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