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Weather & Monday Update:
If you can sneak your outdoor plans into the morning today, do it. Monday starts mostly sunny before widely scattered light showers move in for the afternoon with a slight thunder chance, high near 76, and it is far from a washout. Tuesday is the dampest and coolest day of the stretch, showers likely and lots of clouds with highs only around 70. Wednesday is the clear winner, mostly sunny and near 80 with almost no rain chance, so aim the bike rides and patio plans there. Thursday turns warmer and more humid, mid 80s, with storms possible after 2. Track it all week, with patio, swim, and sunset scores, at Burlington Right Now.
Monday leans musical. The big one is Gregory Alan Isakov with the Vermont Symphony Orchestra on the Green at Shelburne Museum at 7, the Colorado songwriter's hushed folk backed by a full symphony, and if you miss tonight he plays a second night Tuesday at 7. The Lake Champlain Chamber Music Festival keeps its run going all four days of this window with master classes, talks and performances around the county, full schedule at lccmf.org. Readers with a darker shelf can hit the new Queer/LGBTQ+ Horror Book Club at the Hunny Hive on Church Street at 5:30, this month's theme is mushrooms, and anyone with energy to burn can play dodgeball ($5) at the Miller Center in the New North End at 7. Performers, Lyric Theatre's auditions for Elf the Musical run tonight through Wednesday at 5:45 in South Burlington, first timers explicitly welcome, and the show lands at the Flynn in November. And in the department of small civic joys, Winooski neighbors are throwing an opening day joy ride on the new #9 bus to Shaw's, meeting at 10 East Allen at 7 to ride out, shop and catch the sunset from Water Tower Hill.
Tuesday has range. Early birds can hit the Small Business and Entrepreneurs Networking session at the South Burlington library at 8:30 with an expert panel and free coffee. After work, EZ Breezy Bike Rides roll a casual loop from Local Motion at 6, the Vermont Figure Drawing Collective ($20) hosts its weekly session at Karma Bird House at 6, and the Forever 38 crew's Ladies Book Club [MEETUP] talks Mad Mabel over dinner at Spot on the Dock at 6:15. Local Dork spins vinyl at Foam from 6 to 9, free as always, and board game people get a library game night at Essex Free at 6 with refreshments. Late crowd, DEAD.M.W. hits Einstein's Tap House at 9, members of Dopapod and Dobbs' Dead weaving Medeski Martin & Wood and Grateful Dead tunes for one of just two nights.
Wednesday is the fullest day on the calendar and the forecast agrees with it. Our own Pick-up Basketball [MEETUP] runs at Pomeroy Park at 5:30, outdoors and free, come get a run in. The Waterfront Silent Disco is the fun one, a sunset dance walk with wireless headsets popping up dance floors from the docks to the overlooks, meet at ECHO at 6:30. Cyclists can join the bike ride to Upper Pass Beer Co [MEETUP] leaving Simple Roots at 5:30, and daytime folks have two good ones, Plant Based Natural Dyeing at the Intervale at 11 where you take home a hand dyed silk handkerchief, and a Tree ID and Natural History Tour of Oakledge Park at noon, held by City Market. Singles, Seven Days throws its Singles Party at Four Quarters ($10) in Winooski at 6 with speed dating and mocktails, 21 plus and queer friendly. The evening keeps going with The All-Inclusive Dyke-Tacular at Doma Bar from 5, country night at Higher Ground's Showcase Lounge with Luke Borchelt and Troy Millette & the Fire Below at 8, league night at the Pinball Co-op in South Burlington as Season 11 gets going, and trumpeter Ray Vega's free weekly Jazz Night at Hotel Vermont at 8:30.
Thursday stacks up nicely too. For our 21-39 crowd, we have our BTown Brief Trivia Night at J Skis [MEETUP] collab with South Burlington’s Young Social Pulse at 6, free to play, come say hi. Free pizza included! Would love to have more of these age-leaning events, so be sure to come out! Shelburne Summer Nights opens the museum free from 5 to 7:30 with food vendors, games and live music on the lawn. Dog people should not sleep on Bark & Brew at the Humane Society ($20) from 5:30, Foam, Weird Window and Black Flannel pouring while dogs romp in the play yard, proceeds to the shelter. The neighborhood option is Potlucks in the Park at Schmanska from 5:30, the season's last one, and South Burlington marks a year of City Center momentum at the SB3C annual event at Homewood Suites at 5:30 with free apps, drinks and the inside scoop on Leunig's coming to Market Street. There is also a weekly free wine tasting at La Reprise from 4 to 7, lawn games at the Essex Free Library garden at 6:30, and the Solarpunk Book Club & Game Night at the Peace & Justice Center early that evening. Night owls can pick between Lebanese NYC comedian Nataly Aukar ($25) at Vermont Comedy Club at 7, Spike Lee's Bamboozled at the VTIFF Screening Room at 7, and Thunderbolt Research playing free at Foam from 7 to 9.
Two ongoing ones worth knowing about. The HSCC Adopt-A-Thon waives adoption fees for all animals six months and older through Wednesday, and Champlain College's new Next Level: Game History Collection exhibit opens today with 20 playable stations of original video games, rotating genres every two weeks through October 9.
Scroll down to Events Section for full list of events this week.
Timing, it’s all about timing!
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:
Pick-up Basketball – Wednesday, August 26th @ 5:30 PM: The Wednesday evening run at Pomeroy Park, outdoors and free, all skill levels welcome.
Trivia Night at J Skis – BTown Brief × Social Pulse – Thursday, August 27th @ 6 PM: We are teaming up with Social Pulse for a free trivia night at J Skis, come play, come hang. Ages 21-39. Plus free pizza!
BTown Coffee Club – Saturday, August 29th @ 10 AM: The weekly no pressure hang at Zero Gravity Brewery, grab a coffee and find us at the big table on the right.
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.
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.
New at the Arcade! Physical & digital games:
The BTown games shelf grew a lot this weekend. Church Street Skate drops you on a skateboard in a 3D downtown Burlington built from real map data, so you can finally ollie the top blocks without a ticket. Its unhinged sibling Street Yeet is a ragdoll physics game on the same bricks, and the name tells you most of what you need to know. I had way too much fun making both of these.
Two more that are less about thumbs. Who's Playing is a partner board for tennis, pickleball, running and pickup games around Burlington, browse who is looking and post yourself. And Dibs lets you claim the city block by block and defend your turf against the rest of the newsletter. Try one, tell me what you like, and the whole shelf lives at play.btownbrief.com.
Local News (All Links Clickable)
"I'm really loving it, but I know I'm gonna get lost for the first few weeks of school... I feel like I can breathe," per VTDigger.
Burlington High School's new building on the former New North End campus is ready for students, closing the saga that started when PCB contamination surfaced in 2020 and pushed classes into a hastily renovated downtown Macy's. The rebuild came in around $206 million, most of it covered by the $165 million bond voters approved in 2022 plus $16 million from the state, and students touring the halls kept coming back to the natural light after years in a windowless department store where science rooms had no running water and gym class meant a walk to the YMCA. The district's lawsuit against Monsanto is expected to go to trial in early 2027, and as of January 171 schools statewide still had not done their mandated PCB testing. Welcome home, Seahorses.
"Having that Canadian connection would be just one more enticement to bring our Canadian visitors back," per VTDigger.
The U.S. DOT awarded $4 million to plan repairs or replacement of the century old East Alburgh Bridge, the Lake Champlain crossing so worn that trains cross it at 5 miles per hour. The bridge sits on the route that carried Amtrak's Montrealer between Washington and Montreal until 1995, and rail advocates say restoring the Quebec link has fresh urgency with Canadian visitors staying home. The money covers planning only, and the bigger hurdle is still the customs preclearance facility at Montreal Central Station, which remains on the drawing board.
"We're anticipating that this is really going to improve access for veterans in all of Northwestern Vermont," per The Other Paper.
The VA signed a 20 year lease for a new outpatient clinic at Technology Park in South Burlington, expected to open by 2030 and replace the current Burlington clinic. The new spot puts roughly 7,900 veterans within an hour's drive, and the 24,000 square foot space adds mental health services plus physical and occupational therapy to the primary care, optometry and audiology already offered. Officials also like the practical stuff, parking, highway access, a bus line, and a location just down the street from the Vet Center on Gregory Drive.
"This is a federal issue. They don't talk with us much about what they're doing and what they're not doing," per Vermont Public.
Members of the 158th Fighter Wing and their F-35s have been deployed on back to back missions since December, first the Caribbean and then the Middle East, with no announced return date and roughly 200 members still overseas. Guard members typically deploy for six months every three years and usually know when they are coming home, which is what makes this stretch so unusual for the families waiting on it. The congressional delegation wrote the defense secretary this summer over hazard pay and benefits concerns, and Sen. Welch's office says the immediate pay issues have been resolved.
"Come here on a Saturday. We could be an AARP ad," per Seven Days.
Sam Bellavance, who learned to farm on his family's Alburgh dairy, grows every ounce of Sunset Lake Cannabis outdoors in South Hero, no grow lights, parasitic wasps for pest control, and one of only four Sun+Earth certifications in the state. The bet has made him one of Vermont's biggest outdoor growers at 1,000 to 1,500 pounds of trimmed flower a year, with sales climbing from under $100,000 in 2022 to several million this year. His dispensary Lake Effect just moved into a long vacant Route 2 pharmacy, where a customer survey pegged the average buyer at 58 years old.
"I'm getting crushed by this industry. It is crushing my soul. It is financially not viable," per Community News Service.
The flip side of that success story. Four years into legal sales, small growers without retail licenses say the market is squeezing them out, since only retailers can sell to consumers, nearly half of the state's 110 cannabis retailers grow their own product, and the Cannabis Control Board froze new retail licenses last year. Underhill grower Sara Farnsworth says at least 10 growers have told her they may not renew their licenses, and she has co-founded a cooperative pushing for direct to consumer sales at farmers markets and by delivery. The control board says it supports direct sales and has recommended $1 million in state support for small cultivators, but the legislature has to act first.
"If they do have to take somebody into custody, obviously another officer has to come and transport them in a car. They're not putting them on the handlebars," per The Other Paper.
South Burlington police launched a bike patrol this month, three mountain bikes and two e-bikes focused on the growing City Center area, with officers in bright blue polos. Deputy chief Sean Briscoe trained on bike patrol in Saratoga Springs in the late 1990s and taught the course himself, covering everything from braking to when to dismount in a pursuit. The aim is visibility and connection rather than arrests, with patrols rolling out in daytime hours for now.
"We've had overwhelming positive responses from families, from students, from teachers," per VTDigger.
Vermont's ban on student cellphone use during the school day takes full effect this year, and districts must now have policies at least as strict as the state's model. Enforcement varies from lockers to magnetic pouches to plain old backpacks, and districts that started early, like Lamoille South, report less cyberbullying and better attention and achievement. Advocates argue backpack rules do not go far enough since research shows a nearby phone still pulls focus, and one student described classmates breaking into locked pouches and talking to Siri through them. Advocacy group VT-IRL.org is grading schools statewide and reserves an A for schools that store phones centrally all day.
"This quarter showed that the investments made across the business continue to translate into real-world operations and delivered tangible results," per Vermont Business Magazine.
South Burlington's BETA Technologies reported second quarter revenue of $14.7 million, more than double a year ago, against a net loss of $148.8 million as it keeps spending toward scale. The quarter had real milestones, the first operations under the FAA's eVTOL pilot program flying manufactured organs with United Therapeutics, the world's first hybrid electric flight above 30,000 feet, and a charging network now at 138 sites. Scotland's Loganair also signed a term sheet for five aircraft with options for five more.
"He's incapable of doing anything the same way twice. He doesn't even like to take the same road or the same trail when we're hiking or something," per Community News Service.
Joplin Wistar, a retired Shelburne Community School teacher of 30 years, has spent his retirement filling Shelburne with hand built whimsy, a backyard hobbit hole, a river troll named Strömkarlen guarding the LaPlatte Crossing footbridge, and Zephyr, a 16 foot wooden Greek wind god installed at Shelburne Pond Studios in June. He never charges for the work, builds mostly from grapevine and recycled pallet wood, and aims for one new project a year. Next up, he is pitching a 20 foot web structure that would project the northern lights for this year's Night Fires performance.
"Uncertainty is a tax you pay for being early into something. We built this business that doesn't depend on Washington getting it right," per Mountain Times.
Burlington's Upstate Elevator has grown since 2017 into a CBD and cannabis company with 30 employees, beverages in 15 states and products at about 1,000 retailers. Now federal restrictions taking effect November 12 would cap consumable hemp products at 0.4 mg of THC per container, which would effectively ban many of the hemp derived products the company depends on. Founder Dylan Raap says he will reformulate if it comes to that and is already developing products from other botanicals like kanna and kava, and in the meantime the company just swept the cannabis category at the Seven Daysies with four wins.
"Every day at some point, I'm on the water out here on this lake, and I have a moment where I look around and I'm like, I'm pretty lucky that I get to be on my very favorite body of water, doing the work... that I love," per Seven Days.
The latest Stuck in Vermont rides along with Michael "Spike" Hendrickson, who grew up sailing and scuba diving on Lake Champlain and started Burlington Harbor Launch and Tow in 2019 after decades in restaurants and bars, with paramedic work still filling his winters. His five boats, all ladies, Big Mae, Darla, Little Belle among them, handle marine towing, salvage, commercial diving and dock installs, and from April 1 to December 1 he does not stray far from the waterfront, dozens of groundings a year included. In the episode, Eva Sollberger tags along as his crew swaps broken tire joints on the Community Sailing Center's floating breakwater, then races a squall back to Burlington.
"It's such a social sport, and it's just such a great community of people. You meet so many friends here," per NBC5.
This weekend's Vermont Senior Games pickleball tournament was the biggest in state history with 210 players, part of a sport that 24.3 million Americans picked up a paddle for last year. Shrewsbury's Larry Abelman won gold in his age group, and the top three finishers in each bracket punch their ticket to the National Senior Games in Tulsa in summer 2027.
QUICK HITS
Burlington bar announces closure Esox, the Main Street dive bar that poured drinks and hosted music for 48 years, is closing over a rent dispute with its landlord, Delta Properties. Sad closure, especially since it’s next door neighbor Nectar's shut down last year.
ECHO and GlobalFoundries to Expand STEM Education Offerings A new five year partnership sends ECHO's science programming statewide, with mobile STEM festivals, classroom visits to rural elementary and middle schools, and a yearlong teacher institute. ECHO already reaches more than 15,000 students and educators a year.
Average first fall freeze is likely in high elevation towns within the next month Saranac Lake already dipped to 38 one morning last week, and the first freeze typically reaches the high elevation towns within a month. Burlington usually holds out until early or mid October.
Fluency named to the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing for the fourth year in a row The Burlington ad tech firm made the Inc. 5000 for a fourth straight year, ranking fifth among Vermont's fastest growing companies, with its automation platform now powering $3 billion in annual ad spend.
Gov. Scott highlights $190M in tax refunds The governor is touring the state touting last year's tax breaks for seniors, low income workers, veterans and families, which the Department of Taxes says put $190 million back in the pockets of 240,000 Vermonters. He wants more next year, while challengers would rather raise taxes on top earners and second homes.
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: Four Different Scorers Power a 4-1 Colgate Rout as the Homestand Rolls On
No. 13 men's soccer beat Colgate 4-1 at Virtue Field on Sunday in the Peter Baldwin Memorial Game, with four different Catamounts scoring and three of them notching their first career UVM goal. Luis Fischer opened in the 13th minute off a long ball from Islam Houssni, Houssni buried a left footed shot in the 27th off a Noel Bjork set piece, David Ismail knocked in his third of the season off a Fischer corner in the 70th, and Philipp Schmidtke found the top corner in the 79th after a Thaddeus Liquori backheel before Colgate got one back late. Houssni and Fischer each finished with a goal and an assist, Ismail's five shots on goal were a career high, and Niklas Herceg made four saves as Vermont moved to 2-0. Head coach Adrian Dubois said he was very pleased with the collective performance against a strong, competitive Colgate side, and the win triggered a $100 Vermont Mutual donation to the Ronald McDonald House. The four match homestand continues Friday at 6 against Charlotte on ESPN+.
Women's soccer fell 3-0 at Army on Sunday afternoon, scoreless at the half before the Black Knights scored three times in the second half. Sophia Kling was busy again in goal, Eleni Stowell led the team with four shots, and the Catamounts, now 0-3-1, close their road trip at Stonehill on Sunday before finally opening at home September 3 against Boston College. Field hockey, the America East preseason favorite, opens its season Friday at 3 against Northeastern at Moulton Winder Field.
Aug 28: Field Hockey Season 2026 vs. Northeastern (Fri ⦁ 3:00pm)
Aug 28: Men's Soccer Season 2026 vs. Charlotte (Fri ⦁ 6:00pm)
Sep 1: Men's Soccer Season 2026 vs. Holy Cross (Tue ⦁ 6:00pm)
Sep 3: Women's Soccer Season 2026 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.
Monday, August 24, 2026
General Events
9:00 AM: Trolley tours at Perkins Pier, Burlington (Prices $35 Adults Veterans $30 Senior Citizen $30 Children under 12 $15 Children Under 5 years free Student Groups minimum of 10)
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: Glass Factory and Storefront Open !! at AO Glass, Burlington (Free for all, come on in!)
11:30 AM: Industry Day at Vermont Pub and Brewery, Burlington (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)
2:00 PM: The Ultimate Chocolate Tasting at Lake Champlain Chocolates, Burlington ($16)
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: Queer/LGBTQ+ Horror Book Club, Burlington (Free)
6:00 PM: Guided Mountain Bike Rides: Novice Mondays and Social Thursday at Catamount Outdoor Family Center, Williston
6:00 PM: Anime Group at Pathways Vermont Morgan's Place Peer Support Center, Burlington (Free)
6:00 PM: Burlington Elks Bingo at Burlington Elks Lodge, Burlington (Various prices.)
6:00 PM: Monday Night Open Mic at Pearl Street Pub, Essex Junction (Free)
7:00 PM: Spanish Chat Mondays at Three Needs (back patio), Burlington
7:00 PM: Bus #9 Starts Service to Shaw's — Opening Day Joy Ride at Meet outside VSAC building, 10 East Allen St, Winooski
7:00 PM: Community of Poets Sharing Circle with Darlene Witte, Burlington — MEETUP.com
Performances
5:45 PM: Upcoming Auditions: Elf the Musical at Lyric Theatre Creative Space, 7 Green Tree Drive, South Burlington
5:45 PM: Elf the Musical auditions (Lyric Theatre) at Lyric Theatre Company, South Burlington
7:00 PM: Play Dodgeball on Monday Nights! at Robert Miller Community & Recreation Center, Gosse Court, Burlington ($5 per game)
Live Music/DJ
10:00 AM: Lake Champlain Chamber Music Festival at Various Chittenden County locations, Burlington (Various prices; preregister.)
7:00 PM: Gregory Alan Isakov with Vermont Symphony Orchestra at The Green at Shelburne Museum (Ben & Jerry's Concerts on the Green), Shelburne ($63.50-70.50; free for kids 12 and under)
7:00 PM: South End Singing Circle at Tall Grass, 208 Flynn Ave #B2B (or Oakledge, weather dependent), Burlington (No fees (donations for the space welcome))
7:00 PM: Trivia Monday with Top Hat Entertainment at McKee's Original, Winooski (Free)
7:00 PM: Trivia with Craig Mitchell at Monkey House, Winooski (Free)
Tuesday, August 25, 2026
General Events
8:00 AM: Tech Tuesdays - Breakfast at Zero Gravity Brewery, Burlington — MEETUP.com
8:00 AM: Mini Clean Up Crew at Burlington City Hall Park, Burlington (Free.)
8:30 AM: Business Networking Event - Startup. Scale. Support. at South Burlington City Hall and Public Library, South Burlington
8:30 AM: Small Business/Entrepreneurs Networking & Expert Panel at South Burlington Public Library, 180 Market St, South Burlington (Free)
9:00 AM: Certified Ethical Hacker – Practical Ethical Hacker in Vermont, VT at 300 Interstate Corporate Ctr, Williston
9:00 AM: Trolley tours at Perkins Pier, Burlington (Prices $35 Adults Veterans $30 Senior Citizen $30 Children under 12 $15 Children Under 5 years free Student Groups minimum of 10)
9:00 AM: Burlington Bitcoin Meetup - @ Zero Gravity at Zero Gravity Brewery, Burlington — MEETUP.com
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: Glass Factory and Storefront Open !! at AO Glass, Burlington (Free for all, come on in!)
11:30 AM: Shelburne Farms Tour 2026 at 1611 Harbor Rd, Shelburne ($15)
11:30 AM: 802SDAY (Aussi ton Mardi)/7302/) at Vermont Pub and Brewery, Burlington (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)
1:00 PM: Afternoon Tech Help at South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, South Burlington (Free; preregister.)
1:30 PM: House & Garden Tour at the Shelburne Farms Inn 2026 at Shelburne Farms Inn, Shelburne ($15)
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: Opening Day for the ONE Farmers Market at Dewey Park, Spring St, Burlington
4:00 PM: Half Priced Oysters at La Reprise at La Reprise, Burlington
4:00 PM: Skiff Oyster Hour at Hotel Champlain, Burlington
4:00 PM: Writer's Circle at Pathways Vermont Morgan's Place Peer Support Center, Burlington (Free)
4:30 PM: Traditional Tuesday at Mesmer Kava, Burlington
5:00 PM: Super Smash Tuesdays, Burlington (Free)
5:00 PM: BYOBike Night for Old Spokes Home Volunteers at Old Spokes Home Community Workshop, 664 Riverside Ave, Burlington
5:15 PM: Community Meditation at First Unitarian Universalist Society of Burlington, Burlington (Free; donations accepted.)
6:00 PM: BHS/BTC Community Tours! at 110 Institute Rd, Burlington (Free)
6:00 PM: Tuesday Trail Running Series At Catamount OFC at Catamount Outdoor Family Center, Williston
6:00 PM: EZ Breezy Bike Rides at Local Motion Bike Rentals, 1 Steele St, Burlington (Free.)
6:00 PM: Local Dork at Foam Brewers on a Tuesday at Foam Brewers, Burlington (Free)
6:00 PM: Vermont Figure Drawing Collective at Karma Bird House, Burlington ($20 (cash))
6:00 PM: Crafters Drop-In at Fletcher Free Library (Main Reading Room), Burlington (Free)
6:00 PM: Bashment Tuesday at Akes' Place, Burlington (Free)
6:00 PM: Board Games for Adults at Essex Free Library, Essex (Free)
6:15 PM: Ladies Book Club - Mad Mabel at Spot On The Dock, Burlington — MEETUP.com
6:30 PM: Spanish Conversation Group at Location varies (Pingala / Miller Center / participants' homes), Burlington
7:00 PM: Joshua Becker's Uncluttered Faith Tour at Essex Alliance Church, Essex Junction (Free)
7:00 PM: Trivia Tuesdays at On Tap Bar & Grill, Essex Junction (Free)
7:00 PM: All That Jazz Open Mic Comedy at The 126, Burlington (Free)
Performances
5:45 PM: Upcoming Auditions: Elf the Musical at Lyric Theatre Creative Space, 7 Green Tree Drive, South Burlington
7:00 PM: August Beginning Swing! at North Star Community Hall, Burlington
7:00 PM: August- The Tranky Doo! at North Star Community Hall, Burlington
Live Music/DJ
12:00 PM: Lake Champlain Chamber Music Festival at Various Chittenden County locations, Burlington (Various prices; preregister.)
7:00 PM: Gregory Alan Isakov with Vermont Symphony Orchestra at The Green at Shelburne Museum (Ben & Jerry's Concerts on the Green), Shelburne ($63.50-70.50; free for kids 12 and under) <!-- gates likely earlier — verify at detail stage -->
7:00 PM: Green Mountain Chorus Rehearsal at Grace United Methodist Church, Essex Junction
7:00 PM: Cloud Land at Radio Bean, Burlington ($10)
7:00 PM: Vermont's Freedom & Unity Chorus at Chapel of Saint Michael the Archangel, Saint Michael's College, Colchester (Free.)
8:30 PM: Honky Tonk Tuesday with Wild Leek River at Radio Bean, Burlington ($10)
9:00 PM: DEAD.M.W. at Einstein's Tap House, Burlington ($19.1-$24.8)
9:00 PM: Big Easy Tuesdays with Jon McBride at The 126, Burlington (Free)
Wednesday, August 26, 2026
General Events
7:30 AM: A More Beautiful Vermont — Coffee with Ben Bosley at Vivid Coffee Roasters, 150 Cherry St, Burlington
9:00 AM: 'Nonlinear Leadership: A Workshop for Founders and Executives' at Hula, Burlington (Free; preregister)
9:00 AM: Trolley tours at Perkins Pier, Burlington (Prices $35 Adults Veterans $30 Senior Citizen $30 Children under 12 $15 Children Under 5 years free Student Groups minimum of 10)
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: Glass Factory and Storefront Open !! at AO Glass, Burlington (Free for all, come on in!)
10:00 AM: Italian Conversation Group at South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, South Burlington (Free)
10:30 AM: Baby Time at South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, South Burlington (Free)
10:30 AM: Current Events at Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston (Free.)
11:00 AM: Take-Along-Teddy Wednesday Workshop! at Vermont Teddy Bear, Shelburne
11:00 AM: Wild Card Wednesday at Bay & Brisket, Colchester
11:00 AM: Plant-Based Natural Dyeing at Intervale Center, Burlington (Free)
12:00 PM: Tree ID and Natural History Tour at Oakledge Park, Burlington ($10-15; preregister.)
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: 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
4:00 PM: Wednesday $10.00 Burger Night at Hotel Champlain Burlington, Curio Collection by Hilton, Burlington (Free)
5:00 PM: Switch It Up! at South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, South Burlington (Free)
5:00 PM: The All-Inclusive Dyke-Tacular at Doma Bar, Burlington (Free; cost of food and drink.)
5:00 PM: Yarn Crafters Group at Must Love Yarn, Shelburne (Free.)
5:30 PM: New Trail Build at Saxon Hill Trailhead, Essex Junction (Free; preregister)
5:30 PM: Queer Horror Book Club, Burlington (Free)
5:30 PM: Pick-up Basketball at Pomeroy Park, Burlington (Free)
5:30 PM: Bike Ride @ Upper Pass Beer Co at Simple Roots Brewery, Burlington — MEETUP.com
6:00 PM: The One-Night Stand: A Single-Evening Clinic in Bicycle Care at Old Spokes Home Community Workshop, Burlington
6:00 PM: Scrabble at The Boardroom - Board Game Cafe, Burlington — MEETUP.com
6:00 PM: Wednesday Mountain Bike Series at Catamount OFC at Catamount Outdoor Family Center, Williston
6:00 PM: Vegan in Vermont at Fletcher Free Library New North End Branch, Burlington (Free; preregister)
6:00 PM: Community Cooking at Outright Vermont, Burlington (Free.)
6:00 PM: Recovery Dharma at First United Methodist Church, Burlington (Free.)
6:00 PM: Toastmasters of Greater Burlington at Generator Makerspace, Burlington (Free; preregister.)
6:30 PM: Lit Club at Light Club Lamp Shop, Burlington (Free)
7:00 PM: House Trivia Night! at Venetian Soda Lounge, Burlington (Free)
7:00 PM: Vermont Pinball League Season 11 at The Pinball Co-op, South Burlington
8:30 PM: Standup Open Mic at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington (Free)
Times Vary: Wizard Wednesday at Burlington Beer Co at Burlington Beer Co taproom, Burlington (20% off Wizard Family cans to-go; $5 full pours)
Performances
5:45 PM: Upcoming Auditions: Elf the Musical at Lyric Theatre Creative Space, 7 Green Tree Drive, South Burlington
6:45 PM: July and August Open Practice at North Star Community Hall, Burlington
7:00 PM: VCA Presents: $5 Improv Night at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington ($5)
8:00 PM: Repertory Wednesday Series: '12 Monkeys' at Partizanfilm, Burlington (Free.)
Live Music/DJ
1:00 PM: Lake Champlain Chamber Music Festival at Various Chittenden County locations, Burlington (Various prices; preregister.)
6:00 PM: Seven Days Singles Party at Four Quarters Brewing at Four Quarters Brewing, Winooski ($10.)
6:30 PM: Halvorson's Courtyard Music Series: Northern Ramble, Burlington (Free)
6:30 PM: Northern Ramble at Halvorson's, Burlington (Donations)
7:00 PM: Trivia at Rí Rá Irish Pub & Whiskey Room, Burlington (Free)
8:00 PM: Luke Borchelt at Higher Ground, South Burlington ($22.50) <!-- 7:30 may be doors -->
8:00 PM: Bluegrass Jam at Radio Bean, Burlington ($10)
8:30 PM: Jazz Night with Ray Vega at Hotel Vermont, Burlington (Free)
9:00 PM: Jazz Jam at The 126, Burlington (Free)
Times Vary: Waterfront Silent Disco at Burlington Waterfront, Burlington
Thursday, August 27, 2026
General Events
7:30 AM: South Burlington Rotary Club Meeting at 185 Market St, South Burlington
7:30 AM: BTV Clean Up Crew at Top of Church St., Burlington (Free.)
9:00 AM: Trolley tours at Perkins Pier, Burlington (Prices $35 Adults Veterans $30 Senior Citizen $30 Children under 12 $15 Children Under 5 years free Student Groups minimum of 10)
9:45 AM: Baby & Me Class at Greater Burlington YMCA (Burlington), Burlington ($10; free for members.)
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: Glass Factory and Storefront Open !! at AO Glass, Burlington (Free for all, come on in!)
11:00 AM: Bay & Brisket Trivia Thursday at Bay & Brisket, Colchester
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: Hot Dog & A Can Thursdays at Citizen Cider, BURLINGTON
12:00 PM: Italian Conversation Group at Fletcher Free Library, Burlington (Free)
12:00 PM: Blood Drive at South Burlington Public Library & City Hall, South Burlington (Free; preregister)
12:15 PM: Caterpillars Up Close at 20 Rock Point Rd, Burlington, VT, Burlington (Free)
12:30 PM: Duplicate Bridge Games at Burlington Bridge Club, Williston ($6.)
1:00 PM: Friendly Game of Bridge at Heineberg Senior Center, Burlington (Free.)
2:00 PM: The Ultimate Chocolate Tasting at Lake Champlain Chocolates, Burlington ($16)
3:00 PM: Adult Craft: Needlefelting Dryer Balls at Burnham Memorial Library, Colchester (Free)
3:00 PM: Pub Hour at Vermont Pub and Brewery, Burlington (Free)
3:00 PM: Burlington Electric: Community Partners Desk at Fletcher Free Library (Main Reading Room), Burlington (Free)
3:30 PM: Blinged-Out Back-to-School 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
4:00 PM: Free Wine Tasting at La Reprise, Burlington (Free!)
5:00 PM: Comprehensive Plan Open House: Safe, Healthy, Connected People at Winooski Senior Center, Barlow St, Winooski
5:00 PM: Shelburne Summer Nights at Shelburne Museum, Shelburne (Free.) — MEETUP.com
5:00 PM: Solarpunk Book Club & Game Night at Peace & Justice Center, Burlington (Free.)
5:30 PM: SB3C Annual Event at Homewood Suites by Hilton, 5 Dorset St, South Burlington
5:30 PM: Bark & Brew at HSCC at Humane Society of Chittenden County, Kindness Court, South Burlington ($20 (includes 2 drinks, swag, play yard access))
5:30 PM: Potlucks in the Park at Schmanska Park, 85 Grove St, Burlington
6:00 PM: Trivia Night at J Skis — BTown Brief × Social Pulse at J Skis, Burlington
6:00 PM: Blood on the Clocktower at The Boardroom - Board Game Cafe, Burlington — MEETUP.com
6:00 PM: Peer Support Dungeons & Dragons at Morgan House, Burlington (Free.)
6:00 PM: Vinyl Thursdays at Hotel Vermont, Burlington (Free)
6:30 PM: August Book Club at Wild Meadows Books & Café, Williston (Free; preregister.)
6:30 PM: Lawn Games for Adults at Essex Free Library, Essex (Free)
7:00 PM: Conversation with Domenica Marchetti, Author of "Italian Cookies" at Phoenix Books Burlington, 89 Church St, Burlington (Free; preregister)
7:00 PM: Thunderbolt Research at Foam Brewers, Burlington (Free)
10:00 PM: Thirsty Thursday at Rí Rá Irish Pub & Whiskey Room, Burlington (Free)
Performances
7:00 PM: 'Bamboozled' at The Screening Room @ VTIFF, Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center, Burlington ($6-12)
7:00 PM: Nataly Aukar at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington ($25)
Live Music/DJ
1:00 PM: Lake Champlain Chamber Music Festival at Various Chittenden County locations, Burlington (Various prices; preregister.)
5:45 PM: Live Music @ Maquam Winery at Maquam Barn & Winery, Milton
6:00 PM: Trivia at Einstein's Tap House, Burlington (Free)
6:30 PM: Music Bingo at Sparky's Bar & Grill, Essex Junction
8:00 PM: Karaoke in the Alley at Red Square, Burlington (Free)
9:00 PM: Funk Jam at The 126, 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
That’s All, Burlington!
That wraps up this one. Get the outdoor stuff in this morning, let Tuesday be a movie night, and save something good for Wednesday. 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.
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