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Table of Contents
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Weather & Weekend Rundown:
We are closing out the week on a sweaty note, with today shaping up as the hottest stretch of an already toasty week. Look for a mix of sun and clouds and a high climbing into the mid 90s, and with the humidity stacked on top, the heat index could flirt with 100° through the afternoon, which is why an Extreme Heat Warning holds until early evening. A pop up shower or thunderstorm may roll through, mostly later in the day, and a few could pack gusty winds and heavy downpours, though they will be spotty rather than a steady soaking. Good news for anyone eyeing the waterfront tonight, the fireworks look clear to launch. Saturday for the Fourth eases off a touch, with highs closer to the mid 80s and a few scattered storms possible, mainly to our south, leaving plenty of dry windows to celebrate. By Sunday the humidity finally breaks, bringing a comfortable day near the mid 80s with high clouds softening the sun, and that calmer feel looks set to carry into next week.
If you only make it out for one thing today, the waterfront is the center of the universe, where BTV July 3 throws the city's big Independence Day and America 250 bash at Waterfront Park from 5 to 11 p.m. Sambatucada opens the night, House on Fire handles the main sets, BETA Technologies sends up an aerial parade around 8, and Vermont's largest fireworks display of the year lights the sky near 9:30. Want company for the show? Our very own Btown Brief watch party [MEETUP] meets in front of August First Cafe at 7 and walks down together to claim a good spot, so come say hi and watch with us. Bound to be a good time so come join us! If downtown parking feels like a headache, the Gutterson garage at UVM is free with a $2 shuttle to Union Station, a two minute walk from our meeting spot, though give yourself a little extra time either way. And with the heat what it is today, bring water. Prefer your fireworks with a roof and air conditioning? Lakeside at ECHO runs 7 to 10 p.m. with three floors of exhibits and prime deck views, tickets between $10 and $30. You can also take it all in from the water on the Spirit of Ethan Allen fireworks cruise, buffet and dancing included. Over at College and Lake, Martha and George Washington hold court on the Progressive Patriotism Float from 6 to 9, handing out free fortune cookies and candy.
There is plenty more before the sky show. First Friday brings the 'Pièce de Résistance' opening at the SEABA Center on Pine Street from 5 to 8, a show built around freedom of expression and dissent with free live music from Tom Pearo, easy to catch on your way to the water. Music spills all over town tonight, with jazz singer Bella Joan at Spot on the Dock from 6 to 8, Blues for Breakfast bringing Grateful Americana to the Skinny Pancake patio at 8, the All Night Boogie Band celebrating a new album at Foam Brewers at 9, and Denver disco pop outfit Jewel House landing at Radio Bean at 8:30 for $15. Out in Essex Junction, Nighthawk fills the Spanked Puppy Outback with dance grooves from 6 to 9. For a mellower evening, the family can head to Flatbread Friday at the Wheeler Homestead from 4 to 6:30 for wood fired flatbreads, live music, and farm views, and car folks can roll through the weekly meet on Lakeside Ave at 6:30. Early risers can kick off the weekend with the Deb Beckett Memorial 5K in Williston, kids runs and all, while history buffs can register for a free talk on Vermont at Gettysburg at the Pines in South Burlington at 7.
The Fourth itself spreads out across the region. In town, the Burlington Farmers Market sets up 70 plus vendors at 345 Pine Street from 9 to 2, and the Vermont Lake Monsters play an afternoon holiday game at Centennial Field at 1:05, with a Champ bobblehead for the first 1,000 fans. Coffee people can drift into our favorite regular Saturday activity, the BTown Coffee Club [MEETUP] at Zero Gravity from 10 to noon. Just outside the city, Colchester throws its 55th annual celebration with a morning parade, a 5K fun run, and fireworks at dusk, Richmond fills Volunteers Green all day and closes with fireworks at 9:15, and Essex Junction pairs the Revolution Run in the morning with Sticks and Stones and a big fireworks finish at the Champlain Valley Expo that night. For something more orchestral, the Vermont Symphony brings its America 250 summer tour to Shelburne at 7:30, fireworks included. Sunday cools things off nicely for the Winooski Farmers Market from 10 to 2, a Latin dance night cruise aboard the Spirit of Ethan Allen, another Lake Monsters game with a Jeep theme and duck giveaway, a Sunday polo match in Shelburne, and late night karaoke at Einstein Tap House. Running all week and well beyond, the Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival fills St. Michael's with young string players through the summer, the America 250 exhibit at Shelburne Museum runs through late October, and free community tours of the new Burlington High School are open for select times.
Taste of last year’s fireworks!
Introducing the BTown City Guide!
Super, super excited about this one. It's been weeks in the making, and it's finally here! This is a whole lot more than another list of places. The goal was pretty simple, honestly… I wanted a thing that made it impossible to be bored in this city. So I packed it with live touches, like real-time weather that actually rains on screen when it's raining outside (which is your cue to hit the "Rainy Day" filter), a daily countdown to sunset and sunrise, and a running spotlight on what's happening today, tomorrow, and the next few days.
Underneath all that sit 200+ entries and counting, sortable by neighborhood, price, or exact vibe. Looking for a quirky date night spot, or something in the Old North End specifically? There's a filter for it. Feeling indecisive? Hit "Surprise Me" and let it choose, or swipe through the curated itineraries if you'd rather have a plan handed to you. And the crown jewel is my Top 100 Things to Do in Burlington. Anyway, this whole new site is built to be a page you wander back to a few times a week, so give it a look and bookmark it if you love it.
Explore it by jumping straight in here. Or go over at btownbrief.com → BTown City Guide
Introducing r/GoodBurlington
There's a lot of good happening in Burlington every day… and most of it never gets talked about! It’s the fast food worker holding it down solo when everyone else called out, or the person helping their new, next-door neighbor move that heavy couch up to the second floor. But it’s also that crazy good sandwich at a spot nobody mentions, a photo of the lake that made you stop in your tracks, or just that small, personal, local win.
So I made a place for all of it r/GoodBurlington. It’s a new subreddit dedicated entirely to the good side of town. A corner of the internet with one theme: what's worth loving about this place. It’s not really meant to be a replacement for r/Burlington; instead it’s more like just the highlight reel.
Giving people a push to share these things feels right for this newsletter. We're calling it Neighbor Notes. 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 first post: [r/GoodBurlington]
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, we’ve got 11 awesome events on the calendar. And thanks to those that show up to make it worth it!
This Coming Week:
Burlington Fireworks Watch Party – Friday, July 3rd @ 7:00 PM: Let's watch the fireworks together! We'll meet at August First Cafe and walk down to the Waterfront to nab a spot for the aerial parade and the main show.
BTown Coffee Club – Every Saturday @ 10:00 AM: Our favorite casual weekly social at Zero Gravity Brewery. Just good coffee, great conversation, and figuring out weekend plans!
Kayaking @ Sandbar – Monday, July 6th @ 7:00 PM: Bring your boat for a sunset paddle in the Sandbar Management Area, perhaps followed by creemees.
Pick-up Basketball – Every Wednesday @ 5:30 PM: Come play competitive pick-up basketball!
Other Upcoming Events:
Sunset & Sip @ Leddy Park Beach – Friday, July 10th @ 6:30 PM: Watch the sunset over the Adirondacks. Bring a drink, dinner or snacks, and a beach chair to decompress from the week.
Vermont Do Good Festival! – Saturday, July 11th @ 1:30 PM: Head to Montpelier for live music (including Smash Mouth!), food trucks, and a good cause supporting youth mental health.
Paddle at Oakledge Beach – Sunday, July 12th @ 11:00 AM: Cast off with us for a relaxing morning of kayaking and paddleboarding around the lake, followed by optional post-paddle drinks to toast our success.
La Fete du Fromage – Sunday, July 12th @ 2:00 PM: Let's get bougie! A potluck-style event at Oakledge Park celebrating cheese. Bring a type of cheese (or an accompaniment) to share.
Barbie n Bones at Snow Farm Winery – Thursday, July 16th @ 6:00 PM: Bring a camp chair or blanket, grab a glass of wine, and get ready to dance on the lawn to one of the best local bands around.
Centennial Hills Hike and Winooski Circle – Sunday, July 26th @ 11:00 AM: Enjoy a scenic loop through Centennial Woods (dogs welcome!), capped off with an optional lunch or beer at the Winooski Circle.
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!
Become a Monthly Supporter: [Here] – Tiers start at $5. $10+ tiers get fresh Btown Brief merch!
One-Time Donation: [Here] – Buy me a coffee for the late-night editing sessions. Can also choose ANY monthly donation amount here.
Shop the Merch Store: [Here] – 15+ cool, Burlington-inspired designs on Comfort Colors tees.
Local News (All Links Clickable)
There’s a new 60 second Btown Brief News Quiz! Win monthly Btown merch by reading with intention.
Local artist Christine Tyler Hill quipped that "in Burlington it's two degrees" of separation, per CNN.
CNN gave Burlington a glowing writeup as America's "smallest biggest city," casting it as a rare urban escape where you can wander Church Street and paddle Lake Champlain in the same afternoon, with an extraordinary 50 percent open space woven through town. The piece traces the city's character from its back-to-the-land hippie roots and Bernie's transformation of the waterfront to the farm-to-table dining scene, name-checking Honey Road, the Intervale, Ben and Jerry's, and the eight-mile Greenway out to the causeway. It leans hard into the wild side too, from moose wandering city streets and a winter "river of crows" downtown to the new Burlington Bike Park and the 9.5-mile Wildways Trail. The kind of national love letter the tourism folks dream about, so expect a few more out of state plates circling for parking near Church Street very soon!
Coach Abby Carchio said, "It means a lot to get a result like that in year one," per WCAX.
The women's side capped a debut USL W-League season by claiming the Northeast Division title, and tonight they host the Long Island Rough Riders at Virtue Field for the club's first playoff match. If you cannot squeeze into the stands, the game airs at 6 p.m. on 3 News Now, or come early with a chair and sit on the hill! The green faithful have packed Virtue all summer, part of a real groundswell for women's soccer around here. Check out the Vermont Green FC section of the newsletter below for a preview of this packed weekend.
Tim Dusablon likes the analog approach because "a history book never needs a firmware update," per Seven Days.
The Georgia resident turned a college history fascination into Crossroads of a Continent, a blog and podcast mapping Revolutionary War sites you can reach without driving to Boston. Several stops sit close to home, including the Ethan Allen Homestead right here in Burlington. A timely local hook for anyone marking the country's big anniversary.
Sen. Peter Welch offered that "sixty-one years is a little long," per VTDigger.
After six decades of proposals, lawsuits, and downsizing, the final stretch linking Interstate 189 to Lakeside Avenue is finally open to cars and bikes. The roughly $85 million project, mostly federally funded, aims to pull traffic off Pine Street and ease congestion around the South End while supporting hundreds of planned apartments. The related Railyard Enterprise Project, meant to steer traffic around the Maple and King neighborhoods, is still sorting out land rights, so the full picture is not settled yet. But in the meantime, come check out the new parkway, it’s beautiful! I was there on Monday to celebrate. Check out my post on Instagram.
Owner Anna Thelemarck noted that "everything in here has a story to it," per Seven Days.
A lighter read from the Nest issue, this home tour follows architect Thelemarck and retired art teacher Judy Klima as they finally stopped designing their house around resale value. Once they accepted they were staying put, the layout opened up in ways that actually fit the family. Worth a look if you like clever built ins and rooms full of handmade history, it’s so cool that it’s right here in the Old North End.
Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak called it "a great time to live here," per NBC5.
Beyond the fireworks hype, this one doubles as your logistics cheat sheet for tonight. Organizers recommend the $2 parking at UVM's Gutterson with continuous GMT shuttles, and drivers should expect Battery and Main closed from 9 to 11:30 p.m. Officials also flagged a storm evacuation plan to nearby garages and ECHO, and asked everyone to leave pets at home. Should be a heck of a celebration though!
One Jamaican orchard worker said his repaired home is now "significantly better," per Seven Days.
Since 2022, a state funded program run through Champlain Housing Trust has put more than $5.6 million toward fixing or replacing farmworker housing, improving conditions for roughly 360 workers so far. The forgivable loans have tackled everything from failing septic to missing fire escapes on farms that often could not afford the work alone. Advocates at Migrant Justice say it has moved the needle but still falls short, with nearly $1 million more needed just to clear the current pipeline.
The state "shines on Independence Day," per Vermont Public.
For anyone weighing options beyond the waterfront, this statewide roundup runs down parades, picnics, and fireworks from Bennington to Westmore, many dialed up for the 250th. The Vermont Air National Guard's F-35s are set to fly over much of the state late Saturday morning. Handy if you are heading out of town or hosting visitors this weekend.
CEO Jay Bellows called storage "the holy grail of all of our energy issues," per Seven Days.
Two Waterbury battery companies just changed hands in ways that say a lot about where energy money is flowing. Kore Power sold to Texas solar firm T1 in a $32 million deal, while sister company NOMAD is going public through a reverse merger, both betting on soaring power demand from AI data centers. The local operation, now T1 NRI, employs 63 people. Pretty good reminder that a fair chunk of the clean energy economy still runs through Vermont.
One HVAC owner said new customers "just feel it, and then all of a sudden the phone starts ringing," per VTDigger.
This week's brutal heat is doing what decades of Yankee thriftiness resisted, nudging more Vermonters toward cooling even as the state still ranks third lowest in the country for AC ownership. The numbers behind the shift are striking, with Burlington's average count of 80 plus degree days climbing from 51 to 64 since the mid century, and hotter, more humid nights offering less overnight relief. Heat pumps are the popular fix, but at anywhere from a few thousand to tens of thousands of dollars, cost and grid capacity become real equity questions, softened somewhat by Efficiency Vermont rebates. Experts also flag the institutions lagging behind, from schools without adequate HVAC to the broader worry of whether cooling stays affordable as demand climbs.
Incumbent Sarah George argues that "people commit crimes because of their basic needs not being met," per Seven Days.
The August 11 Democratic primary between George and challenger Bram Kranichfeld will almost certainly decide who runs the county prosecutor's office, since no Republican is running. George, one of the nation's more progressive prosecutors, defends declining cash bail and expanding diversion, and points to a new accountability docket that cleared more than 700 cases and is getting repeat offenders into court and treatment. Kranichfeld, a former colleague turned Episcopal priest, casts himself as compassionate but more pragmatic, vowing to resume asking for cash bail and to prosecute more low-level cases in the name of accountability. With frustrated business owners and even the city council president backing a change, this is the clearest test yet of whether Burlington's patience with reform has run out.
Rep. Alice Emmons called the conditions "inhumane," per WCAX.
While homeowners debate window units, Vermont's prisons are hitting triple digits inside, and the state is racing to catch up. Lawmakers set aside $10 million to install AC in Springfield and Newport, with Springfield expected to wrap this fall and St. Albans in 2027. The union has already filed a workplace safety complaint after officers suffered heat stroke.
One town zoning official insisted, "it's not like we're sitting on our hands," per Seven Days.
Illegal dumping piles up faster than Vermont can clear it, and this deep dive shows why the situations drag on for years. The DEC has fielded 4,450 dumping complaints since 2015 with 587 still unresolved, all handled by just five investigators who cannot enter a property without consent or a court order. The tire mountains profiled in Sutton and Enosburgh capture the bind, where fixed incomes, disability, mental health struggles, and aging owners collide with thin enforcement and no state money to fund cleanups. The state official overseeing it says she has never even requested funding to hire the roughly 14 officers she would ideally want, or to help owners haul the mess away.
Kahan called the thefts "a total disrespect to the folks who live on that road," per VTDigger.
In the department of very Vermont problems, Strafford keeps losing its Alger Brook Road sign to fans chasing a "Stick Season" lyric. Replacements run $70 to $150 a pop, and the selectboard has floated everything from tougher bolts to a photo op monument. Kahan himself asked fans to knock it off and offered to foot the bill, noting how much of a headache it is for the people who actually live there.
Quick Hits
Burlington Electric issued a peak alert asking customers to trim energy use between 5 and 8 p.m. Thursday to protect the grid. The ask includes holding off on AC, EV charging, and big appliances until after 8. Summer peak demand also helps set a chunk of what BED pays, so cutting back now can soften costs down the road.
Wednesday's heat and humidity sent crowds to North Beach and the waterfront to cool off in a still-chilly 73 degree Lake Champlain. For local spots like Kona Beachside, the sunshine was a welcome turnaround after a soggy June. After a stretch of cold and rain, plenty of folks seemed happy to take the warmth while it lasts.
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!
And yes, there are PRIZES. Each month, we'll reward the top performers based on the best combination of Total Score and Average Score. That means playing consistently AND playing well will pay off. The more quizzes you complete with high scores, the better your chances of winning. I mean, who doesn’t want cool Btown Merch gear sent to them?
Ready to play? Click the link below, enter your name, and show us what you've got. Btown Brief Quiz
View the potential prizes on the Btown Brief Merch Store
Vermont Green FC Prepares for USLW Playoffs as Men's Team Clinches Postseason Spot
The Vermont Green FC women are gearing up for the postseason, set to face the Long Island Rough Riders in the first round of the USL W League Playoffs. As noted in the club's match preview, the Women in Green enter the playoffs as the fourth seed following an undefeated 6-4-0 inaugural regular season that crowned them Northeast Division champions. They will be challenged by a top-seeded Rough Riders squad that boasts a 9-0-1 record and 62 goals this summer. To bolster the roster for the playoff push, Vermont Green also announced the new signings of Sarah Hall, Fiona Linnau, and Caroline Coletti. The team will take the pitch for the playoffs at home today Friday, July 3.
Meanwhile, the Vermont Green FC men's squad secured a commanding 4-0 road victory over New England FC to officially clinch a berth in the 2026 USL League Two Playoffs. Playing in scorching 94-degree heat on Wednesday, Connor Miller netted a brace, while Riley Moloney and Samson Kpardeh also found the back of the net. During the match, winger Alex Hall recorded his ninth career assist, officially making him the club's all-time leader in that category. The dominant performance extended the Boys in Green's unbeaten run to 35 matches and gave them a four-point cushion atop the Northeast Division table. The men's team will have a chance to wrap up the division title at home on Tuesday, July 7 against the Connecticut Rush.
Upcoming Home Games
July 03 — 2026 USLW Eastern Conference Semifinals
July 05 — 2026 USLW Eastern Conference Final
July 07 — Vermont Green FC Men vs Connecticut Rush
Events:
Friday, July 3, 2026
General Events
8:00 AM: Weekly Meditation at Outright Vermont (Free)
8:30 AM: Deb Beckett Memorial 5K Run & Walk at Williston Community Park ($15–25, preregister)
9:00 AM: Grab & Go Kit: Boba Tea at South Burlington Public Library (Free)
10:00 AM: Duplicate Bridge Games at Burlington Bridge Club ($6)
10:00 AM: Morning Tech Help at South Burlington Public Library (Free, preregister)
10:00 AM: UVM Catamount Educational Summer Farm Stand at 65 Green Mountain Dr, South Burlington (Free)
10:30 AM: Spectacular Fireworks Viewing Spot at Battery Park
11:45 AM: Lunch with the Poets at The Innovation Café, Burlington — MEETUP.com (Free)
12:00 PM: Cruise Aboard the Spirit of Ethan Allen III at the Waterfront ($36.99 adults / $15.99 kids)
1:00 PM: Mah-Jongg at Dorothy Alling Memorial Library (Free)
2:30 PM: DOUBLE HEADER: USLW Eastern Conference Semifinals at Virtue Field, UVM (gates 2:30 PM; matches 3 & 6 PM; $13–30, kids 5 & under free)
3:00 PM: Richmond Farmers Market at Volunteers Green (Free)
4:00 PM: Flatbread Friday at The Wheeler Homestead (Free cover)
4:30 PM: Laughter Yoga at Iyengar Yoga Center of Vermont (Free)
5:00 PM: Burlington's Independence Day 250 / BTV Fireworks & Celebration at Waterfront Park (Free)
5:00 PM: South End Get Down at Coal Collective (Free)
5:00 PM: Pièce de Résistance Art Opening Reception at The SEABA Center (Free)
6:00 PM: Progressive Patriotism Float at College St & Lake St (Free)
6:30 PM: Weekly Meet at 115 Lakeside Ave, South Burlington
7:00 PM: Independence Day: Lakeside at ECHO at ECHO Leahy Center ($10–30; free for kids 2 & under)
7:00 PM: Burlington Fireworks Watch Party at August First Bakery & Café — MEETUP.com (Free)
7:00 PM: Fireworks Cruise Aboard the Spirit of Ethan Allen at the Waterfront
7:00 PM: Red Brick Coffee House Open Mic at Red Brick Meeting House (Free)
7:00 PM: Talk on Vermont at Gettysburg at 5 Aspen Dr, South Burlington (Free)
7:00 PM: Friday Night at Specs at 7 W Canal St (Free)
8:00 PM: Fireworks Bash at The Skinny Pancake
8:00 PM: Karaoke Friday Night at Park Place Tavern & Grill (Free)
9:00 PM: Queeraoke Hosted by Goddess at Standing Stone Wines (Free)
10:00 PM: Late Night Karaoke Hosted by Owen Leavey at Radio Bean (Free)
Performances
4:00 PM: 'The Secret Garden' Performance at Bread & Butter Farm (Free)
Times Vary: Green Mountain Chamber Music Festival at Saint Michael's College, Colchester (through July 5; check admission)
Live Music/DJ
2:00 PM: Dave Mitchell Blues Revue & Jam at Red Square
4:00 PM: Windjammer Summer Patio Music Series at Windjammer, South Burlington
4:00 PM: Matt Hagen (Acoustic) at Hotel Vermont (Free)
5:30 PM: Lloyd Tyler Band at Switchback Beer Garden & Smokehouse (Free)
6:00 PM: Bella Joan at The Spot On The Dock
6:00 PM: Double Shot at Colchester Legion
6:00 PM: CombustOmatics at Black Flannel Brewing & Distilling (Free)
6:00 PM: Moondogs at Shelburne Vineyard (Free)
7:00 PM: Dan Parks at Saint John's Club
7:00 PM: DJ CRE8, Ron Stoppable, Bounce, Chaston at Red Square (Free)
8:00 PM: Dancing in the Streets: Blues for Breakfast at The Skinny Pancake / Main Street Landing
8:00 PM: Two Baseballs in Space w/ Threestyle at The Monkey House ($5/$10)
8:00 PM: Jewel House at Radio Bean ($10/$15)
9:30 PM: All Night Boogie Band (Album Release) at Foam Brewers (Free)
11:00 PM: DJ Taka at Light Club Lamp Shop ($10/$15)
Saturday, July 4, 2026
General Events
8:00 AM: Essex Revolution Run/Walk 250 – 6.5K at Essex Junction
8:15 AM: Colchester 4th of July Celebration in Colchester (Free; $5 fee for 5K Fun Run)
9:00 AM: Member Mornings at ECHO Leahy Center
9:00 AM: Burlington Farmers Market at 345 Pine St (Free)
10:00 AM: BTown Coffee Club at Zero Gravity Brewery — MEETUP.com (Free)
10:00 AM: Richmond 4th of July Parade and Celebration at Volunteers Green (Free)
10:00 AM: Mathew Pardue Art Exhibition at Cucina Antica Bistro
11:00 AM: Milton July 4th Celebration at various Milton locations (Free)
11:00 AM: Saturdays Are for the Classics at 127 East Shore Dr, Colchester
11:00 AM: VTH3 Trail #096: All American Nut Huts Run/Walk/Hike at Mallets Creek Wildlife Management Area
11:00 AM: Chess Club at South Burlington Public Library (Free)
11:00 AM: We the People! Rally to Celebrate Independence at 1001 Shelburne Rd, South Burlington (Free)
1:05 PM: Vermont Lake Monsters Independence Day Game at Centennial Field ($7.50–19.50)
2:00 PM: Prison Letter Writing at Peace & Justice Center (Free)
2:00 PM: Merrymac Animal Sanctuary Guided Tours at Merrymac Animal Sanctuary ($25)
5:00 PM: 4th of July Parking at 135 W Lakeshore Dr, Colchester
6:00 PM: Shelburne Bay Meet at 1136 Bay Rd, Shelburne
6:00 PM: Essex Junction July 4th Celebration at Champlain Valley Expo (Free)
7:00 PM: Sisterhood Campfire at Leddy Park (Free)
Multiple Dates: BHS/BTC Community Tours at Burlington High School & Technical Center (Free; check site for times)
Performances
7:30 PM: Vermont Symphony Orchestra: 'America 250' at Shelburne Museum ($10–45; free for kids 5 & under)
Live Music/DJ
2:00 PM: Mango Jam at Black Flannel Brewing & Distilling (Free)
3:00 PM: Left Eye Jump at Red Square
6:00 PM: EJRP Sticks and Stones at Champlain Valley Expo Center, Essex Junction
6:00 PM: Smalltalk at Red Square (Free)
8:00 PM: DJ Chaston, Aras, Raul, Matt P at Red Square (Free)
8:00 PM: DJ CRWD CTRL at Foam Brewers (Free)
9:00 PM: Sqwerv at Radio Bean ($15)
11:00 PM: Roost.world (DJ Set) at Radio Bean ($10/$15)
Sunday, July 5, 2026
General Events
9:00 AM: Masks On! Sundays at ECHO Leahy Center (Free)
10:00 AM: Winooski Farmers Market at 20 Winooski Falls Way (Free; live music by Piper Hall)
11:00 AM: Motorcycle Sunday at 127 East Shore Dr, Colchester
12:00 PM: Sunday Funday Games at 1st Republic Brewing (Free)
12:30 PM: Social Sundays Family Art at Milton Artists' Guild (Free)
1:00 PM: Cluckin' & Pluckin' at Switchback Brewing (Free)
1:00 PM: Duplicate Bridge Games at Burlington Bridge Club ($6)
2:30 PM: Independence Day Weekend Cup at 929 Shelburne Hinesburg Rd, Shelburne
3:00 PM: Sunday Polo Match at Amdez Polo Club ($10–20)
3:00 PM: Craft & Skillshare Afternoons (Crafternoons) at Queen City Lodge Oddfellows Hall
4:00 PM: Open Mic at Standing Stone Wines (Free)
4:30 PM: 'Offerings and Needs' Mutual Aid Gathering at 20 Rock Point Rd, Burlington (Free/Donation)
5:00 PM: Womxn's Pick-up Soccer at Starr Farm Park — MEETUP.com (Free)
5:00 PM: Vermont Lake Monsters Game (Jeep Night / Library Night) at Centennial Field
5:30 PM: New Mindfulness Meditation Gathering at Hood Plant (By donation)
6:00 PM: 2026 USLW Eastern Conference Final at Virtue Field, UVM (gates 4:30 PM; $13–30, kids 5 & under free)
6:00 PM: New Leaf Sangha Mindfulness Practice at Hot Yoga Burlington (Free)
6:00 PM: Venetian Karaoke at Venetian Cocktail & Soda Lounge (Free)
6:30 PM: Latin Dance Night • Aboard the Spirit of Ethan Allen at the Waterfront
9:00 PM: Karaoke Sundays! at Einstein Tap House (Free)
Live Music/DJ
10:00 AM: Sunday Brunch Tunes at Hotel Vermont
1:00 PM: Them Apples at Vermont Pub & Brewery
1:00 PM: Madigan Linnane at Foam Brewers
2:00 PM: Uncle John's Band at Black Flannel Brewing & Distilling (Free)
2:30 PM: Blake Matteson at Maquam Barn & Winery (Free)
5:00 PM: Wine & Jazz Sundays at Shelburne Vineyard (Free)
Ongoing All Weekend – Exhibits, Films & Daily Attractions (Fri–Sun)
Champ: America's Lake Monster Exhibit at ECHO Leahy Center (10 AM–5 PM; $17–23)
Dinosaur Safari Exhibit at ECHO Leahy Center (10 AM–5 PM; $17–23)
ECHO 3D Films: Wild Rescue 3D, Shark Kingdom 3D, Dinosaurs of Antarctica 3D, Backyard Wilderness 3D ($3–5 plus admission)
'Pièce de Résistance' Exhibition at The SEABA Center
'Eyes Ahead' Exhibition at Furchgott Sourdiffe Gallery
Marian Wilmott: 'Seed to Bone' at The S.P.A.C.E. Gallery
E. Kelly O'Neal and Michael Trimpol Exhibition at Frog Hollow Vermont Craft Gallery
Rachel Rodi and A Fellow Traveler Art Show at Flynndog Gallery
Anna McNeary: 'Hand Me Down' at Extra Special With Cheese
Al Larsen: 'This is not a dinosaur' at Champlain College Art Gallery
Vermont Watercolor Society Hub Show at Winemakers Gallery, Village Wine and Coffee
'Mosaic of Marks, Words, Material' at Winooski School District (Free)
Marion Huse Exhibition at J. Kenneth Fine Art
Ashley Stagner: 'The Cowboy Series' at Artspace 106 at the Men's Room
'Investigating Child Labor' Exhibition at Heritage Winooski Mill Museum
'Wings, Waters, Ways' Exhibition at Birds of Vermont Museum
'Belonging: A New Collections Gallery' at Fleming Museum of Art
Art at the Hospital at UVM Medical Center (Todd Cummings, Julie Dunigan, Greg Nicolai, Francois de Melogue, Becky Chappell, Nancy Chapman)
Art Hop Registration and SEABA Artist Residency Applications at The SEABA Center
Daily attractions: Trolley Tours, Glass Factory & Storefront, The Ultimate Chocolate Tasting, Skiff Oyster Hour, and Pub Hour
Here are some of my favorite BtownBrief links:
FULLY REVAMPED!!!: 202+ Things to Do
Full list of restaurant reviews here.
View the full list of food & drink deals here.
That’s All, Burlington!
However you mark the long weekend, whether that means staking out a fireworks spot early, wandering a farmers market, or parking yourself in the shade until the humidity gives up, we hope it is a good one. Stay cool, drink your water, and if you stumble onto something worth sharing out there, we would love to hear about it. The links above go straight to the details, so click around and go say hi to a few neighbors while you are at it.
Happy Fourth, and thanks for reading. 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.
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