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Weather & Monday Rundown:
Memorial Day morning has been a soggy one around Burlington, but the worst of it is already moving out. Lingering showers should wrap up by midday, and this afternoon the clouds will gradually break apart to let some real sunshine through. Highs today will reach the upper 60s and low 70s, with clear skies settling in tonight and temps dropping into the 50s. Tuesday is shaping up to be the standout day of the week, with full sunshine pushing highs into the low 80s while humidity stays pleasantly tame. Wednesday holds in the upper 70s under partly sunny skies, then Thursday begins a cooldown with highs sliding back into the 60s. If you've got outdoor plans for Friday or Saturday, keep a flexible backup ready since scattered showers are in the forecast and temps will only reach the low to mid 60s. Sunday looks to trend drier and a touch warmer headed into next week.
There's no shortage of ways to spend this Memorial Day around town. Over at Lakeview Cemetery this morning, you've got a double feature worth the trip. The Louisa Howard Chapel Open House runs from 10 to 1, offering a chance to tour the stunning 1882 nondenominational chapel and its recent renovations, while Preservation Burlington is leading a walking tour of the cemetery starting at 10 AM with cider, donuts, and no registration needed. Down at the waterfront near the B Dog Skatepark, volunteer organizer Nate and a growing crew of neighbors are hosting the 5th DIY Clean-Up at the Urban Reserve from 10 to 3. It's entirely people powered with a $0 budget, so bring your own trash grabbers and gloves if you've got them. This afternoon, Phoenix Books on Church Street hosts a book launch and signing at 4 PM for local poet Edonusem H.A.Y. Pomeyie's new collection Live Love Life, published by Onion River Press. Herbalism enthusiasts can drop into a free introductory session of the Community Gleaning and Wildcrafter's Guild at the Intervale Center from 5 to 6:30, taught by Katherine Elmer and Broni Grala (RSVP via their Google Form). Runners, Skirack's Run Club departs at 6 PM sharp from 85 Main Street for a casual 3 to 5 mile loop, so show up 15 minutes early. Tonight, City of the Sun brings their instrumental rock sound to Higher Ground's Showcase Lounge with doors at 7 and the show at 7:30, touring their new album Under the Moon. And a bit further south, the Vergennes Memorial Day Parade steps off at 11 AM on Main Street under the theme "The Last Full Measure of Devotion," followed by a chicken BBQ at the American Legion.
Tuesday's gorgeous forecast practically demands time outdoors. Morning networkers can kick things off at Tech Tuesdays Breakfast [MEETUP] at Zero Gravity Brewery from 8 to 10 AM, a no agenda hangout where founders, developers, and the tech curious gather over waffles and coffee. That evening, the Truth and Justice Series continues its year-long journey at the Richard Kemp Center from 5:30 to 7, with Rev. Mark Hughes lecturing on the history of slavery and its direct connection to civil rights in our democracy. Local Motion's EZ Breezy Spring Bike Rides rolls out from the Trailside Center at 6 PM for a slow, social cruise designed to build confidence on city streets and help you meet your neighbors. The Sunset Bird Walk at Shelburne Farms is unfortunately already sold out, but it's worth keeping future sessions on your radar. Over in Winooski, the Open Mic at the Monkey House runs from 7 to 10 PM, hosted by Foam Brewers and Dome City, with last sign-ups at 9 (bring your own instruments). Wednesday's lineup is great, too. The American Red Cross Blood Drive runs from 9 AM to 1:30 PM at the Greater Burlington YMCA, with a particular need for type O, A negative, and B negative donors. That evening, head to Queen City Brewery from 5:30 to 7:30 for a Food and Silent Auction supporting 24 BHS students raising money for an educational trip to Germany, featuring over 20 auction items, appetizers, and food from Pizza 44. Trail volunteers of all skill levels can join the FOTW Trail Clinic at Saxon Hill in Essex Junction from 5:30 to 7:30. For something more competitive, you know I love to highlight Pick-up Basketball [MEETUP] at Pomeroy Park from 5:30 to 7:30, or if you'd rather run, the 5K Run at Seb's Snack Bar [MEETUP] in South Hero kicks off at 5:30 with creemees waiting at the finish. At BCA Center from 6 to 8, Burlington artist Barbara Zucker leads a participatory conversation about her new book The Second Oldest Profession on the history of the wet nurse, with milk and cookies served. Phoenix Books hosts Trash For The Trope, a romance reader's book group, from 6 to 7. And in Winooski, the Eid al-Adha Community Feast at 94 W Canal Street from 6 to 8 PM brings free food, music, activities, and prizes for children, hosted by King James Boxing and Fitness and People's Kitchen.
Thursday rounds out the week with a loaded slate of its own. Entrepreneur types should check out Hula Story Sessions featuring Tuktu at 4:30 PM at Hula on Lakeside Avenue, where founder Rustam Sengupta reflects on a year of lessons since graduating the LaunchVT accelerator, followed by golden hour networking. Over at the Lake Champlain Islands, the Islands Businesses event at Snow Farm Vineyard from 2 to 3:30 helps local businesses get listed on Hello Burlington for free. Out at Shelburne Farms, the Farm to Medicine Cabinet Herb Walk with herbalist Katherine Elmer runs from 5 to 6 ($17), and the Pasture Walk and Picnic offers a guided stroll through working farmland that wraps up with a picnic of farm-raised food (multiple dates available, check for openings). Back in town, ECHO hosts the DamNation Film Screening from 5 to 8 celebrating World Fish Migration Day with snacks, a raffle, and a documentary about dam removal and the future of wild rivers (doors at 5:30, film at 6, free or by donation). The Story Slam at Black Box Theater returns from 6 to 8:30 with the theme "The Long Haul," ($15 suggested donation, with bake sale proceeds going to Vermont Migrant Justice). For live music, the Tenderbellies bring their award-winning string band sound to Shelburne Vineyard from 7 to 9 ($10), and Ryan Sweezey and the Midnight Walkers take the stage at Higher Ground's Showcase Lounge at 7:30. In Essex Junction, Music Bingo returns to Sparky's Bar and Grill from 6:30 to 8:30. And if you're in the mood for laughs, Josh Blue opens a run at Vermont Comedy Club on Thursday at 7 PM with additional shows Friday and Saturday (including a 9 PM late show Saturday). The Last Comic Standing winner and AGT fan favorite is well worth the $35 ticket.
The Vermont Green FC women’s team is no joke!
The Btown Brief IRL - We’re now seeing 20–30 people at our weekly events! Here is what we have coming up:
Saturday @ 10:00 AM: Coffee Meetup – Our favorite weekly casual social at Zero Gravity.
Every Wednesday @ 5:30 PM: Pick-up Basketball – Come play pick up basketball with me at Pomeroy Park! My favorite hobby.
Saturday, June 6th @ 11:00 AM: Hike and Beer Crawl – A relaxed trail walk at Red Rocks Park, followed by a South End pub crawl hitting Switchback, BBCO, Queen City, and Zero Gravity.
Sunday, June 14th @ 11:00 AM: Hike – Niquette Bay – An easygoing 3.4-mile wooded loop with excellent views of the lake.
If any of those sound fun, be sure to RSVP on Meetup.com. So, be sure to stop by, everyone is welcome! Especially coffee, since 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:
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"It's losing money, and it's a pain in the ass, but long term, hopefully, it pays for itself. It's mostly about building a community," said Rob Murray, who built Big Rock Disc Golf in Waterbury Center, per Seven Days.
Vermont now has 83 disc golf courses statewide, which is more than the combined total of Dunkin', Taco Bell, and Domino's franchises in the state. Three of the state's private courses rank in the top 100 worldwide, including two at Smugglers' Notch Resort that sit at sixth and eighth. The sport's growth is filtering down to younger players too, with at least half a dozen public schools now hosting nine-hole courses, and the first ever Vermont High School Disc Golf Championships set for August 29 at Smugglers' Notch. South Burlington just held the grand opening of Awasiwi Woods, the city's first public course, on the middle and high school campus.
"It's impossible to find anything. It's on a million different websites… or it's on Facebook, and Facebook is terrible at providing this information," one respondent told VTDigger.
VTDigger's Dirt Road News project surveyed over 2,200 people, mostly under 50 and living in rural or small town Vermont, and the takeaway is consistent. People are hungry for local news but feel underserved, especially outside the Burlington orbit. About 90% of respondents said social media plays some role in how they get news, though many described it as unreliable and exhausting. The findings underscore a tension that newsletter readers will probably recognize firsthand. Vermonters want hyper-local coverage of their own towns, but the infrastructure to deliver it keeps fragmenting across platforms, listservs, and Facebook groups that nobody fully trusts. Maybe you can help me direct more locals to the BTown Brief newsletter for their local news!
"We earned it," captures the energy of the province as spring spills into summer, per Seven Days.
For Vermonters planning a trip north this season, this guide is worth bookmarking. Montréal's social sauna scene is booming, with spots like RECESS and JOY WellnessClub offering a convivial, club-like twist on traditional Nordic spa culture. The city is also marking the 50th anniversary of the 1976 Olympics with museum exhibits and tours of Olympic Park, and will host the UCI Road World Championships in September. Beyond the city, a new network of gravel cycling routes through the Laurentian Mountains launched this spring, and the Kahnawake community south of Montréal is gradually opening the Kanatahkwèn:ke Cultural Arts Center, a major milestone in community-led tourism exploring Kanien'kehá:ka culture.
"Patriotic themes form a throughline from the 18th to early-20th centuries at the museum and narrate a rich history of the United States," said Director Thomas Denenberg, per Vermont Business Magazine.
The museum has assembled a self-guided tour across its paintings, folk art, and textile galleries organized around three themes exploring portraits, patriotic folk sculpture, and quilts rooted in American identity. A series of lectures and events runs through the fall, highlighted by a Vermont Symphony Orchestra America 250 Concert on July 4. The museum's 45-acre campus continues to evolve as well, with the Perry Center for Native American Art, designed in partnership with Indigenous voices, on track to open in 2027.
"You can get a tick at any time of the year. We have found them in January and February. We need to be vigilant 12 months of the year," said Patti Casey of the Vermont Agency of Agriculture, Food and Markets, per Seven Days.
The piece paints a sobering picture of how deeply tick populations have reshaped daily life for Vermonters, from families limiting where their kids play to longtime outdoor enthusiasts abandoning hobbies entirely. Slightly more than half of adult black-legged ticks tested in the state now carry the bacteria that causes Lyme, and Vermont has among the highest per capita Lyme rates in the country. There is a potential bright spot on the horizon, though. Pfizer has completed human trials of a Lyme vaccine and is seeking FDA approval, with availability possible as soon as next year.
"I've never waited 20 minutes for a gate. Burlington is usually the easiest airport to get into and fly out of, but today, not the case," said Ahmad Abddl-Mawgood of Stowe, per WCAX.
The complaints center on late night arrivals, when several planes land within minutes of each other and ground crews get stretched thin. Airport spokesperson Jeff Bartley pushed back somewhat, noting that airlines rather than the airport itself control flight times, gate assignments, and ground crew staffing through subcontractors. He also pointed out that the ongoing terminal expansion, with two of four new gates now open, is temporarily complicating gate assignments and contributing to some delays. Only Delta responded to WCAX's outreach among the airport's five airline partners, saying it is adequately staffed with no plans to expand.
"Public access to the lake without having a watercraft is practically impossible," said Chris Sabick, executive director of the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, per Seven Days.
This deep dive into Lake Champlain access reveals a stark equity gap along the lake's 587 miles of shoreline, the vast majority of which is privately owned. While Burlington's waterfront transformation over the past three decades has been a genuine success story, the situation is far worse in the South Lake and in wealthy lakeshore towns like Charlotte and Shelburne, where public beach access comes with residency requirements or fees. The Vermont Citizens Advisory Committee on Lake Champlain's Future has made expanding equitable access one of its five priorities for 2026, though a major federal setback hit this year when the Trump administration rejected LCBP funding for projects aimed at diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.
"I learned that they do not have enough postal workers and our route has to wait for supervisors to finish their daily jobs and then, maybe if they have time, they deliver the mail," wrote resident Cindy Shuman, per The Other Paper.
This has been brewing since at least December, with residents across multiple South Burlington neighborhoods reporting gaps in service ranging from a week to upwards of two weeks with no delivery at all. USPS told the paper back in January that it was hiring additional staff, but four months later the situation hasn't meaningfully improved. Several residents have resorted to driving to the Pine Street annex in Burlington to pick up their own mail or switching entirely to online billing. The frustration goes beyond inconvenience, as some are connecting the dots to larger federal restructuring efforts, including a regional mail optimization strategy that ended evening collection for mail traveling more than 50 miles from regional centers. Sen. Peter Welch called those plans "half-baked."
Vermont Senate Advances $83 Million Homelessness Bill / Lawmakers Attempt to Reorganize Supports for Unhoused Vermonters While Limiting Motel Use
"It's not enough money to really be a solutions-based bill. It's a rearranging of the deck chairs," said Libby Bennett, executive director of the Groundworks Collaborative in Brattleboro, per VTDigger.
The Vermont Senate unanimously advanced H.938, which would create a structured "continuum" of shelter options for the roughly 4,000 Vermonters experiencing homelessness, moving people through prevention services, structured shelters, low barrier shelters, and motel rooms depending on their needs. The bill caps motel room use at 1,000 in winter and 700 in summer, a significant reduction from the program that has cost the state over $30 million annually. Governor Scott vetoed a similar proposal last year over costs, and his administration hasn't committed to signing this version yet, though officials have been working closely with lawmakers on the language. Shelter providers worry that cutting motel capacity before new shelter beds come online will push more people outside, while advocates say the bill still doesn't address the root problem of Vermont's affordable housing shortage.
"I'd like to see a future where you could ride your bike from Airport Park up to the village or Severance Corners," said Planning Commission member Sarita Austin, per the Colchester Sun.
Only about five residents showed up to Tuesday's town plan discussion, but the feedback was pointed. The recurring theme was connectivity, both physical and conceptual, with residents pushing for better bike infrastructure around schools, stronger ties between recreational assets and local businesses, and a plan that acknowledges Colchester often feels like a collection of disconnected boroughs rather than a unified town. The next town plan meeting is scheduled for July 21 and will focus on land use around Exit 16, Exit 17, Severance Corners and Fort Ethan Allen.
"In addition to being farmers, we are conveners, and we believe very, very much in the power of access to land to heal people and to bring people together," said Peter Forbes, per Seven Days.
This profile of the 167-acre Fayston farm run by Forbes and Helen Whybrow reveals a place that functions as equal parts working agricultural operation and restorative retreat for justice workers. The nonprofit arm, New Learning Journey, is hosting 70 Better Selves Fellowships this summer for people of color and allies in environmental and social justice fields, covering all expenses including travel and childcare. For locals, the farm offers pick-your-own blueberries, Sunday yoga, a six-concert summer series, and 2.6 miles of trails, all without a single "No Trespassing" sign in sight.
"It's somewhere you can just go to exist without feeling like you need to do something or invest your life savings," said cofounder Shiloh Lawrence, per Seven Days.
The former Hired Hand Brewing taproom at 35 Green Street in Vergennes, which has sat empty since Antidote closed in 2024, is getting new life as a café, bar, and coworking space. Lawrence plans morning hours with coffee and house-baked biscuit sandwiches, plus Friday and Saturday evening service with beer, wine, and a rotating food menu. If construction and permitting stay on track, the grand opening will coincide with Vergennes' Big Pride in the Little City celebration in late June. Lawrence described the space as "very queer-forward" and a safe space for trans and queer people, while welcoming everyone who approaches with an open mind.
Quick Hits
3 Vermont Downtowns Receive State Transportation Grants The state is sending over $260,000 in safety and accessibility funding to Burlington, Vergennes, and Morristown. Burlington's share is $31,000 for intersection improvements along Church Street, Vergennes gets $104,000 for City Hall upgrades, and Morristown lands $125,000 for new downtown sidewalks.
South Burlington Needs $16.4 Million More for Wastewater Upgrades The 56-year-old Bartlett Bay Wastewater Plant is going to cost significantly more to fix than expected. A $33.8 million bond was approved in 2023, but inflation, tariffs, poor soil conditions, and a newly discovered wetlands area have added $16.4 million to the tab. City officials say South Burlington's wastewater fees are still among the lowest in the state, but double-digit rate increases are likely ahead. A bond vote could come as soon as August.
$260,000 in Federal Funding to Improve Family Travel at BTV Burlington International Airport is getting $260,000 in federal funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to build a children's play area in the terminal hold room and install ADA-compatible lactation pods with smart technology. It marks the first time Vermont has received funding through the law's Airport Terminal Program.
Williston Voters Reject Library Expansion Proposal Williston's $13.9 million library renovation bond, originally approved on Town Meeting Day by just 47 votes, was overturned in a revote Tuesday by a margin of 60. Opponents had gathered over 600 petition signatures to force the second vote, citing taxpayer concerns. Over 3,100 people turned out, roughly 600 more than Town Meeting Day. Town officials say the project is on pause while they review feedback and discuss a possible scaled-back approach.
Burlington Fourth Graders Raise Baby Trout and Connect with Nature A new short film called A School of Trout follows fourth graders at Burlington's Sustainability Academy as they raise baby trout in their classroom and learn about local ecosystems. The film by Burlington filmmaker Ronan Furuta is available now on YouTube and through PBS apps.
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?
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Vermont Green FC Celebrate Historic Weekend Sweep at Virtue Field
The Vermont Green FC men’s team delivered a record-breaking performance in their homecoming at Virtue Field on Friday night, dismantling the Albany Rush in a historic 9-0 victory. Playing in front of a sold-out crowd of 2,500 fans, the defending USL2 champions wasted no time, with Ryan Zellefrow scoring the second-fastest goal in club history at the 1:29 mark. Zellefrow went on to net a brace, while Marco Dos Santos, David Ajagbe, Diego Rosas, Riley Moloney, Jeremy Francou, and Arnold Matshazi also added to the goal-scoring onslaught, aided by an Albany own goal. The nine-goal differential marks both the most goals scored in a single match and the greatest margin of victory in the club's history.
The success continued as the Women in Green secured their first victory of the 2026 USL W League season with a thrilling 2-1 win over the Hudson Valley Crusaders. Marking the club’s fiftieth overall home match at Virtue Field, the team energized another sold-out crowd of 2,500 when Georgina Clarke rocketed a shot from distance just 60 seconds after the opening whistle. Though the Crusaders equalized in the seventh minute off a rebound, Vermont Green reclaimed the advantage in the 26th minute when captain Violet Rademacher launched a diving header into the top corner off a free kick from Brooke Birtwistle. Goalkeeper Blythe Braun tallied three crucial saves in the second half to defend the lead and secure the vital three points. I was there for this game and was thoroughly impressed, go women sports!
Tues. June 2, 6 PM — Men vs. Boston Bolts
Sat. June 6, 7 PM — Women vs. New England Mutiny
Fri. June 12, 7 PM — Women vs. Hartford Athletic
Sat. June 13, 7 PM — Men vs. New England FC
Events:
Monday, May 25, 2026
General Events
9:00 AM: Magdalena Energy Sessions at 373 Blair Park Rd, Williston
10:00 AM: Lakeview Cemetery Tour at Lakeview Cemetery, Burlington ($10 suggested donation)
10:00 AM: Memorial Day Service at Milton Fire Department (Free)
4:00 PM: Edonusem H.A.Y. Pomeyie Book Launch: "Live Love Life" at Phoenix Books, Burlington ($3)
5:00 PM: FREE 1st Session – Community Gleaning and Wildcrafter's Guild in Burlington (Free)
5:00 PM: Mac & Cheese Bar at The Lazy Goat Tavern, The Essex Resort & Spa ($20/bowl)
5:45 PM: Skirack's Run Club at 85 Main St, Burlington
6:00 PM: Monday Night Line Up – Beginner Line Dancing at On Tap Bar & Grill
6:00 PM: Open Mic Night with Kyle Stevens at Pearl Street Pub (Free)
6:00 PM: Novice Monday: Group MTB Ride at 592 Governor Chittenden Rd, Williston
6:00 PM: Trivia Monday at Black Flannel Brewing & Distilling, Essex (Free)
6:00 PM: Burlington Elks Bingo at Burlington Elks Lodge (Various prices)
6:00 PM: Anime Group at Pathways Vermont Morgan's Place, Burlington (Free)
6:30 PM: 'From the River' Palestine Discussion at Spiral House, Burlington (Free)
7:00 PM: Trivia Monday at McKee's Original, Winooski (Free)
7:00 PM: Trivia with Craig Mitchell at Monkey House, Winooski (Free)
7:00 PM: Community of Poets Sharing Circle with Darlene Witte – Location TBD (Free) [MEETUP]
8:00 PM: Learn to Skate with Green Mountain Roller Derby at Champlain Valley Exposition
Opening Day! in Burlington (Time not specified)
Industry Day at Vermont Pub and Brewery (25% off food for service industry workers)
Skiff Oyster Hour at Hotel Champlain
Trolley Tours at Perkins Pier
Cruise aboard the Spirit of Ethan Allen III at Spirit of Ethan Allen
Glass Factory and Storefront Open at AO Glass (Free to watch)
Dinosaur Safari Exhibit at ECHO Leahy Center ($17–23)
Live Music/DJ
7:30 PM: City of the Sun at Higher Ground Showcase Lounge, South Burlington ($22+)
Tuesday, May 26, 2026
General Events
8:00 AM: Tech Tuesdays – Breakfast at Zero Gravity Brewery, Burlington (Free) [MEETUP]
12:30 PM: Drop-In Tech Support at Fletcher Free Library New North End Branch (Free)
1:00 PM: Afternoon Tech Help at South Burlington Public Library (Free, preregister)
4:00 PM: Writer's Circle at Pathways Vermont Morgan's Place, Burlington (Free)
5:00 PM: Pause-Café Mardi (French Conversation) at Burlington Bay Market & Café (Free)
5:15 PM: Community Meditation at First Unitarian Universalist Society of Burlington (Free/Donations)
5:30 PM: Dragon Boat Beginner Lesson at Community Sailing Center, Burlington (Free, preregister)
6:00 PM: EZ Breezy Spring Bike Rides at Local Motion, Burlington (Free)
6:00 PM: VT GRC – Club Members Only Meeting at 528 Essex Rd, Williston
6:00 PM: Tuesday Trail Running Series at Catamount OFC, Williston
6:00 PM: Methods & Means Show-and-Tell at Generator Makerspace, Burlington (Free, preregister)
6:00 PM: Evening Book Group: "Brown Girls" at South Burlington Public Library (Free)
6:00 PM: Board Games for Adults at Essex Free Library (Free)
6:00 PM: Crafters Drop-In at Fletcher Free Library, Burlington (Free)
6:00 PM: Robert Mello Author Talk at Carpenter-Carse Library, Hinesburg (Free)
6:00 PM: Vermont Figure Drawing Collective at Karma Bird House, Burlington ($20 cash)
6:30 PM: Exhibitionist Book Club: "St. Lucy's Home for Girls Raised by Wolves" at Pierson Library
7:00 PM: Caribbean Tuesdays – Salsa Dance Classes at South End Studio
7:00 PM: May Lindy 1 at Vermont Swings / North Star Community Hall
7:00 PM: Trivia Tuesdays at 4 Park St, Essex Junction
7:00 PM: Open Mic at The Monkey House, Winooski (Free)
7:00 PM: All That Jazz Open Mic Comedy at The 126, Burlington (Free)
7:00 PM: 'Bridesmaids' Film Screening at Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center, Burlington (Free)
7:00 PM: Trivia Tuesday at On Tap Bar & Grill, Essex Junction (Free)
7:00 PM: Dad Guild Open Gym Basketball at Mater Christi School, Burlington (Free)
802SDAY at Vermont Pub and Brewery (15% off food for VT/Canadian ID holders)
Traditional Tuesday at Mesmer Kava
Poutine Night at The Lazy Goat Tavern, The Essex Resort & Spa (Starting at $14)
Performances
7:00 PM: Vermont's Freedom & Unity Chorus at Saint Michael's College, Colchester (Free)
Live Music/DJ
6:00 PM: Bashment Tuesday (DJ) at Akes' Place, Burlington (Free)
7:00 PM: Cole Davidson at Radio Bean, Burlington ($10)
8:00 PM: Dead Is Alive with Dobbs' Dead at Einstein's Tap House, Burlington ($15)
9:00 PM: Honky Tonk Tuesday with Pony Hustle at Radio Bean, Burlington ($10)
9:00 PM: Big Easy Tuesdays with Jon McBride at The 126, Burlington (Free)
Wednesday, May 27, 2026
General Events
9:00 AM: Red Cross Blood Drive at Greater Burlington YMCA (Free, preregister)
9:00 AM: Forest Reset: Guided Nature Walks at Journey Together VT, Richmond (Free/Donations)
10:00 AM: Nature Journaling at Rock Point Center, Burlington (By donation, preregister)
10:00 AM: Italian Conversation Group at South Burlington Public Library (Free)
10:30 AM: Current Events Discussion at Dorothy Alling Memorial Library, Williston (Free)
12:00 PM: Summer School – Transparent Languages at Fletcher Free Library (Free)
12:00 PM: New England Society for Health Care Communications Conference at Hotel Champlain, Burlington (Various prices)
2:00 PM: Merrymac Animal Sanctuary Guided Tours in Charlotte ($25)
3:00 PM: Pasture Walk & Picnic at Shelburne Farms (Free, preregister)
3:00 PM: Pub Hour at Vermont Pub and Brewery (Reduced-price snacks)
4:00 PM: Nurse Appreciation Event at 100 Bank Street, Suite 700, Burlington
5:00 PM: Yarn & Yak at Milton Artists' Guild Art Center & Gallery (Free)
5:00 PM: The All Inclusive Dyke-Tacular at Doma Bar, Burlington (Free, cost of food/drink)
5:00 PM: Yarn Crafters Group at Must Love Yarn, Shelburne (Free)
5:30 PM: FOTW Trail Clinic – Saxon Hill at Saxon Hill Trailhead, Essex Junction (Free, RSVP required)
5:30 PM: Pick-up Basketball at Gutterson Fieldhouse, Burlington ($10 day pass) [MEETUP]
5:30 PM: 5K Run @ Seb's Snack Bar in South Hero (Free) [MEETUP]
6:00 PM: The Second Oldest Profession: Conversation with Barbara Zucker at BCA Center, Burlington (Free)
6:00 PM: Bob's Burgers / $10 Burger Night at Hotel Champlain
6:00 PM: TRASH FOR THE TROPE: Romance Reader's Book Group at Phoenix Books, Burlington (Free, preregister)
6:00 PM: War Game Wednesday at The Boardroom – Board Game Cafe
6:00 PM: Midweek Boot Scoot – High Beginner/Intermediate at On Tap Bar & Grill
6:00 PM: Eid al-Adha Community Feast at 94 W Canal St, Winooski
6:00 PM: Intro to Studio Production Workshop at The Media Factory, Burlington (Free/Donations)
6:00 PM: Lit Club (Poetry Open Mic) at Light Club Lamp Shop, Burlington (Free)
6:00 PM: Toastmasters of Greater Burlington at Generator Makerspace, Burlington (Free, preregister)
6:00 PM: Passeggiata Stroll on Church Street Marketplace, Burlington (Free)
6:00 PM: Community Cooking at Pathways Vermont Morgan's Place, Burlington (Free)
6:00 PM: Recovery Dharma at First United Methodist Church, Burlington (Free)
6:00 PM: Scrabble Night @ The Boardroom at The Boardroom – Board Game Cafe (Free) [MEETUP]
6:00 PM: Vegan in Vermont at Fletcher Free Library New North End Branch (Free, in-person registration required)
6:30 PM: Trivia Night at Burlington Beer Company
6:30 PM: Trivia at Citizen Cider (Free) [MEETUP]
6:45 PM: May Wednesday Lesson & Social (Swing Dance) at Vermont Swings / North Star Community Hall
7:00 PM: House Trivia Night at Venetian Soda Lounge
7:00 PM: Stephen Kiernan Book Launch: "Pollock's Last Lover" at Pierson Library, Shelburne
7:00 PM: Trivia at Rí Rá Irish Pub, Burlington (Free)
8:00 PM: Karaoke Night at Park Place Tavern & Grill, Essex Junction (Free)
8:30 PM: Standup Open Mic at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington (Free, 18+)
Performances
7:00 PM: $5 Improv Night (VCA) at Vermont Comedy Club, Burlington ($5/$6.99, free for students, 18+)
8:00 PM: Caterpillar Soup by Gina Stevensen at Radio Bean, Burlington ($10 advance/$15 doors)
Live Music/DJ
6:30 PM: Bluegrass & Pizza at Four Quarters Brewing, Winooski (Free)
7:00 PM: Sonic Geography (Vinyl DJ) at Last Stop Sports Bar, Winooski (Free)
8:30 PM: Jazz Night with Ray Vega at Hotel Vermont, Burlington (Free)
9:00 PM: Jazz Sessions at The 126, Burlington (Free)
Thursday, May 28, 2026
General Events
7:00 AM: NE Society for Health Care Communications Conference (Day 2) at Hotel Champlain, Burlington (Various prices)
7:30 AM: BTV Clean Up Crew at Top of Church St., Burlington (Free)
12:00 PM: Hot Dog & A Can Thursdays at Citizen Cider ($10)
12:00 PM: Italian Conversation Group at Fletcher Free Library, Burlington (Free)
12:00 PM: Student-Curated Exhibit Premiere Party at Ethan Allen Homestead, Burlington (Free)
12:30 PM: Duplicate Bridge Games at Burlington Bridge Club, Williston ($6)
12:30 PM: Open Studio at Expressive Arts Burlington (By donation)
1:00 PM: Friendly Game of Bridge at Heineberg Senior Center, Burlington (Free)
2:00 PM: Islands Businesses: Get Discovered on Hello Burlington at Snow Farm Vineyard, South Hero (Free)
2:00 PM: Freedom For All with Author Alex Zakaras at Heineberg Residence (Free, in-person registration required)
2:00 PM: Knit for Your Neighbors at South Burlington Public Library (Free)
4:00 PM: Flatbread Friday at The Wheeler Homestead, South Burlington (Various prices)
4:30 PM: Hula Story Sessions: Tuktu at Hula, Burlington (Free, preregister)
4:30 PM: Spanish Conversation Group at Fletcher Free Library, Burlington (Free)
5:00 PM: Adv Beginner French Session at 4 Howard St, Burlington
5:00 PM: Farm to Medicine Cabinet Herb Walk at Shelburne Farms ($17.35)
5:30 PM: TURNING PAGES WITH MARY Book Club at Phoenix Books Essex
5:30 PM: Bird-Friendly Sugar Bush Walk at Green Mountain Audubon Center, Huntington (Free, preregister)
6:00 PM: Blood on the Clocktower – Beginners Night at The Boardroom – Board Game Cafe
6:00 PM: Blood on the Clocktower at The Boardroom – Board Game Cafe
6:00 PM: Mood Swings! at Burlington Beer Company
6:00 PM: Social Thursday: Guided Mountain Bike Ride at 592 Governor Chittenden Rd, Williston
6:00 PM: Trivia at Four Quarters Brewing, Winooski (Free)
6:00 PM: Trivia Night at 1st Republic Brewing, Essex (Free)
6:00 PM: Trivia at Einstein's Tap House, Burlington (Free)
6:00 PM: Peer Support Dungeons & Dragons at Morgan House, Burlington (Free)
6:00 PM: WWC Monthly Mingle at 125 Cambrian Way, Burlington (Free)
6:15 PM: Ladies Book Club: "The River is Waiting" at Cafe Mediterrano, Essex Junction (Free) [MEETUP]
6:30 PM: Music Bingo at 4 Lincoln Place, Essex Junction
6:45 PM: Kizomba Thursdays – Dance Classes at South End Studio
7:30 PM: Evening Bird Walk at Birds of Vermont Museum, Huntington ($5–15 suggested donation, preregister)
8:00 PM: Karaoke Night at Park Place Tavern & Grill, Essex Junction (Free)
10:00 PM: Thirsty Thursday at Rí Rá Irish Pub, Burlington (Free)
Trivia at Vermont Cider Lab
Music Bingo at The Lazy Goat Tavern, The Essex Resort & Spa (Free)
Performances
6:00 PM: Story Slam: "The Long Haul" at Main Street Landing Performing Arts Center, Burlington ($15 suggested donation)
6:30 PM: Trae Crowder at Vermont Comedy Club
7:30 PM: Josh Blue: Berserker Tour at Vermont Comedy Club ($35, 18+, runs Thu–Sat)
7:30 PM: Mary Bonhag Recital – Full Circle Preschool Fundraiser at Ohavi Zedek, Burlington ($0–36)
Live Music/DJ
6:00 PM: Mood Swings! with DJ Fattie B at Citizen Cider (Soul & R&B mashups, free)
6:00 PM: The Buck Hollers at Maquam Barn & Winery, Milton (Free, cost of food/drink)
6:00 PM: Folino's Summer Concert Series on the Patio in Williston (Free)
7:00 PM: The Tenderbellies at Shelburne Vineyard ($10.70)
7:30 PM: Ryan Sweezey and the Midnight Walkers, Milton Busker & The Grim Work, Troy Millette at Higher Ground Showcase Lounge, South Burlington ($18–22)
Ongoing & Multi-Day Exhibits
'Making Our Mark' Pastel Show at South Burlington Public Art Gallery – Through May 28 (Free)
'Through Lines' by Robin Lloyd at Burlington City Hall – Through May 29 (Free)
'The Love of Light' Call to Artists at Jericho Town Hall – Through May 29 (Free)
Annual Members' Exhibition at The S.P.A.C.E. Gallery, Burlington – Through May 29 (Free)
'Creative Competition, Round Two' Call to Artists at The SEABA Center – May 27–June 1 ($15, free for members)
Dakin Fuller Exhibit at South Burlington Public Library Art Wall – Through May 30 (Free)
Katharine Montstream and Charlotte Dworshak at The SEABA Center, Burlington – Through May 30 (Free)
Janet Anderson Postcards Exhibit at South Burlington Public Library Art Wall – Through May 31 (Free)
'Celebration of the Light to Come' at Frog Hollow Vermont Craft Gallery, Burlington – Through May 31 (Free)
Sophie Joseph Schwartz Photography at Extra Special With Cheese, Burlington – Through June 6 (Free)
Burlington Technical Center Scholastic Art Awards at The Gallery at Main Street Landing – Through June 14 (Free)
Art at the Airport: Bette Ann Libby at BTV Airport – Through June 15 (Free)
Art at the Airport: Howard Center Arts Collective at BTV Airport – Through June 15 (Free)
Elizabeth Allen: 'A Living Landscape' at Furchgott Sourdiffe Gallery, Shelburne – Through June 20 (Free)
'Human Impact: Contemporary Art' at BCA Center, Burlington – Through June 20 (Free)
Maedeh Asgharpour Art Show at BCA Center, Burlington – Through June 20 (Free)
Lee Williams and Cathy Della Lucia at BCA Center, Burlington – Through June 20 (Free)
Joey Bibeau and Terry Boyle at Emile A. Gruppe Gallery, Jericho – Through June 21 (Free)
Rachel Rodi and A Fellow Traveler at Flynndog Gallery, Burlington – Through July 17 (Free)
Ashley Stagner: 'The Cowboy Series' at Artspace 106, Burlington – Ongoing (Free)
'Dinosaur Safari' Exhibit at ECHO Leahy Center – Through Sept. 7 ($17–23)
'Champ: America's Lake Monster' Exhibit at ECHO Leahy Center – Ongoing ($17–23)
'Belonging: A New Collections Gallery' at Fleming Museum of Art, Burlington – Ongoing
'On Point' Needlework Exhibit at Shelburne Museum – Through Oct. 25
'Wings, Waters, Ways' Group Show at Birds of Vermont Museum – Through Oct. 31 (Included with admission)
'Investigating Child Labor' at Heritage Winooski Mill Museum – Ongoing (Free)
Art Hop Registration at The SEABA Center – Through July 31 ($50, free for members)
SEABA Artist Residency at The SEABA Center – Through Aug. 23 ($25, free for members)
Here are some of my favorite BtownBrief links:
Full list of 202+ activities to do at anytime is always waiting here when you need a plan: 202+ Things to Do
Full list of restaurant reviews here.
View the full list of food & drink deals here.
That’s All, Burlington!
Happy Memorial Day, BTown. Whether you spent the morning honoring those who served, hauling trash bags at the Urban Reserve, or just enjoying that afternoon sun from your porch, we hope the holiday treated you well. Give those linked articles a read when you get a chance, support the folks putting on these events, and enjoy what's looking like a genuinely beautiful week ahead.
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