Here is your list of family-friendly weekend events around Vermont for the month of October, courtesy of Busy Btown.
It’s October, and officially fall! The leaves are changing. The air is cooling. The corn stalks are high, and the pumpkins are popping up everywhere.
What else is popping up everywhere? Fall festivals. So. Many. Fall. Festivals. It’s a wonderful time of year, full of family-friendly harvest fests to fill your weekend buckets to the max. And of course, the month will close out with another full bucket—a candy bucket—because… Halloween. Enjoy, and remember that sharing is caring (so, try not to eat all of your kid’s Halloween candy).
Don’t forget! You can always donate some of your Halloween spoils.
- Pumpkin picking at Sam Mazza’s Farm Market // Photo by Busy Btown
October 4th-5th
Lil’ Vermonters Consignment Sale
Where: Champlain Valley Exposition, 105 Pearl St, Essex Junction
When: Friday, 5:00pm-9:00pm; Saturday, 9:00am-4:00pm
This may not be something you’re itching to take your family to, but if you have a family, this event is either already on your radar or likely to be of great interest. The Lil’ Vermonters Consignment Sale is a great opportunity for you to snag used gear, clothes, shoes, toys, and more, at a bargain cost. Sizes range from infant to youth 14.
October 4th-6th
Sam Mazza’s Corn Maze
Where: Sam Mazza’s Farm Market, 277 Lavigne Rd, Colchester
When: Friday & Saturday, 10:00am-7:00pm; Sunday, 10:00am-5:00pm
There are two corn mazes to choose from, a one-mile and a two-mile maze (or don’t choose at all, and do them both!) Find the six hidden checkpoints built into each maze as you navigate your way through rows of cornstalk over seven feet high. Admission is by ticket only. Kids three and under are free.
October 5th
Dead Creek Wildlife Day
Where: Dead Creek Wildlife Management Area, Vergennes
When: Saturday, 8:30am-3:00pm
Don’t let the name Dead Creek put you off. This family-friendly event is alive with wildlife demonstrations, decoy carving, guided nature walks, fishing how-tos, arts and crafts, face painting, and more.
Construction Junction
Where: Maple Street Park & Pool, 75 Maple St, Essex Junction
When: Saturday, 9:00am-12:00pm
Bring your littles out to see some heavy equipment up close and personal at this special construction-themed touch-a-truck event! There will be bulldozers, concrete mixers and pump trucks, tractors, and dump trucks. And kids are encouraged to bring their own trucks, buckets, and shovels to help excavate sand pits. Food shelf donations are encouraged.
- Construction vehicle // Photo by Busy Btown
Fire Prevention Day
Where: South Burlington Fire Local 3671, South Burlington
When: Saturday, 10:00am-2:00pm
Head to fire station #1 in South Burlington to see fire trucks and have a free lunch. Parents can receive a child seat safety inspection as well.
Bounce Fest with Skye & Chase from Paw Patrol
Where: The University Mall, 155 Dorset St, South Burlington
When: Saturday, 11:00am-3:00pm
For just $7, kids can bounce to their heart’s content at this Bounce Around VT event. There will be bounce houses, slides and inflatable games in the Center Court (near Sears). Skye and Chase from Paw Patrol will make an appearance, and for an additional fee, there will also be face painting.
Harvest Festival
Where: Snow Farm Vineyard & Winery, 190 West Shore Rd, South Hero
When: Saturday, 12:00pm-4:00pm
Snow Farm Vineyard hosts its annual Harvest Festival. There will be grape stomping, food trucks, free wagon rides, and live music. Wine tastings are available in the tasting room during their regular hours, 11:00am-5:00pm.
3rd Annual “Don’t Go Bacon My Heart” Pig Roast
Where: The Essex, Vermont’s Culinary Resort and Spa, 70 Essex Way, Essex Junction
When: Saturday, 2:00pm-5:00pm
For once, you can feel good after pigging out. This pig roast raises money for the Children’s Miracle Network of Hospitals at The University of Vermont Children’s Hospital. There will be food, drinks from Von Trapp Brewery, and live music from The Wrecks, as well as family fun and games. Tickets are $39.95 for adults and $19.95 for 17 and under.
Citizen Cider’s Ciderfest 2019
Where: Citizen Cider, 180 Flynn Ave, Burlington
When: Saturday, 2:00pm-6:00pm
Celebrate harvest at Citizen Cider, where they’ll have live music, food trucks, cider donuts, local cheese, and of course, hard cider! This is a free event, but food and drinks are for purchase.
- Ciderfest // Photo courtesy of Citizen Cider
October 6th
Wag It Forward: A Nonprofit Festival for Pets
Where: Champlain Valley Exposition, 105 Pearl St, Essex Junction
When: Sunday, 10:00am-4:00pm
Celebrate the fur babies in your family at this western-themed event, presented by Pet Food Warehouse. There will be local food vendors, music from The Dog Catchers, a western-themed dog costume contest, a 5K fun run, and a Fun Zone with family-friendly activities (for the little humans in your life).
Richmond Art Crawl
Where: Radiate Art Space, 203 Bridge St, Richmond
When: Sunday, 10:00am-3:00pm
This is the first free outdoor Richmond Art Crawl event, taking place along Bridge Street in downtown Richmond. Park for free, and start your crawl in front of the Richmond Town Hall to visit local artists and craftspeople at various booths. Kids will enjoy art activities at the Radiate Art Space booth. There will also be free booths offered for kids who want to sell their own artwork, so if you have a budding artist in your life, be sure to check it out.
Open Farm Sunday
Where: UVM CREAM, 500 Spear St, Burlington / Fairmont Farms, 95 Lyle Young Rd, East Montpelier
When: Sunday, 11:00am-2:00pm
On Sunday, Cabot’s farm family owners open up their farms as a way to say “thank you” to their customers. Both Fairmont Farms and UVM CREAM will provide family fun activities like hayrides, scavenger hunts, and games, at each of their locations. Visit the farm animals, and be sure to sample the delicious Cabot cheddar while you’re there!
- Cabot Co-operative Farmer // Photo courtesy of Cabot Creamery Co-operative
October 11th-13th
37th Annual Stowe Foliage Arts Festival
Where: Topnotch Field, 3420 Mountain Rd, Stowe
When: Friday-Sunday, 10:00am-5:00pm
At the Stowe Foliage Arts Festival, you’ll find art and craftwork from over 150 artists and artisans. View demonstrations, enjoy great food and drinks, and listen to live music. You can even sample specialty food products. Not a bad excuse for a trip to Stowe during peak foliage! Kids are admitted free.
October 12th
Free Family Saturdays: Vermont Abenaki Artist Association
Where: Flynn Center for the Performing Arts, 153 Main St, Burlington
When: Saturday, 10:00am-11:00am
On Indigenous Peoples Day weekend, join Chief Don Stevens and Nulhegan Drum as they engage families in a free storytelling and drumming program. Free Family Saturdays provide a free music program where families are encouraged to engage, dance or simply watch as they see fit. Pre-registration is recommended, but walk-ups are welcome.
Annual Harvest Fest
Where: Champlain Islands Farmers Market, 501 US-2, South Hero
When: Saturday, 10:00am-3:00pm
The Harvest Fest marks the culmination of this year’s Saturday farmers market in South Hero. To celebrate the season, you can expect the farmers market, as well as live music, games, and activities for the whole family.
Granite Festival
Where: Vermont Granite Museum, 7 Jones Bros Way, Barre
When: Saturday, 10:00am-4:00pm
Visit the Vermont Granite Museum for free family-friendly fun. You’ll find a coffee corner, pedal cars (which can be rented), lawn games and exhibits. There will be food by Mo’s Backyard BBQ and drinks from Morse Block Deli. Chris R & His Flying Purple Guitar and The Starline Rhythm Boys will be on hand to provide the entertainment.
October 13th
19th Annual East Charlotte Tractor Parade
Where: Spear St at Jackson Hill Rd, East Charlotte
When: Sunday, 11:00am-5:00pm
This popular parade is held on the second Sunday of October every year. In addition to the tractor parade, you’ll find a row of vendors selling food, crafts, clothing, and much more. Parking is available in the field off of Sheehan Green Development, and the parade starts at 1:00pm.
- East Charlotte Tractor Parade // Photo courtesy of Jordan Meserole
October 18th-19th
Nightmare Vermont 2019: Threat
Where: Champlain Valley Exposition, Grandstand, 105 Pearl St, Essex Junction
When: Friday, 7:00pm-10:30pm; Saturday, 6:00pm-10:30pm
This one is for the teens in your life and is not recommended for little ones. Head to prom at Nightmare Vermont, where everything is going horribly wrong. This is Vermont’s premier haunted event—it features a narrative show with performers and a scare maze and is sure to be a haunting evening.
October 18th-20th
Sam Mazza’s Corn Maze
Where: Sam Mazza’s Farm Market, 277 Lavigne Rd, Colchester
When: Friday & Saturday, 10:00am-7:00pm; Sunday, 10:00am-5:00pm
The corn mazes continue for another full weekend. See above for details or click on the link for more information. Admission is by ticket only. Kids three and under are free.
October 19th
Harvest Festival
Where: St. Albans Cooperative Creamery, 138 Federal St, Saint Albans
When: Saturday, 9:00am-3:00pm
Another harvest festival! Aren’t they the best? Head to the St. Albans Cooperative Creamery and browse from various vendors. There will be a kids’ coloring contest and a pie contest. The best homemade pie will receive a $100 gift card to the Creamery Store.
TMF Fall Festival
Where: The Miniature Farm, 247 Mears Rd, Milton
When: Saturday, 10:00am-4:00pm
Visit The Miniature Farm for their first fall festival. In addition to visiting their farm animals, you’ll find food trucks, a bake sale, and live music by Lebowski Band and Holland Band. There will also be face painting, pumpkin painting, cornhole, and bocce games, as well as horse and cart rides to the pumpkin patch.
October 20th
Fun Day & Live Model Horse Show
Where: Guy’s Farm and Yard, 21 Zephyr Rd, Williston
When: Sunday, 9:00am-3:00pm
See a model horse show, and catch a book signing with Vermont authors John and Jennifer Churchman, the creators of “The Sheepover” (between 11:00am-12:30pm). Families will enjoy a petting zoo, face painting, stablemate painting, a mini hay maze, and more.
Art Play Day
Where: Radiate Art Space, 203 Bridge St, Richmond
When: Sunday, 10:00am-11:30pm
For a small fee, take your little one to Radiate Art Space for an Art Play Day. Toddler- and preschool-age kids will be able to play with materials, explore, and experiment across various art stations. The suggested age for the activities is 18 months to 5 years old.
Family Paint Afternoon
Where: Radiate Art Space, 203 Bridge St, Richmond
When: Sunday, 3:00pm-5:00pm
Guided by Natasha Bogar, join this all ages and abilities family paint class at Radiate Art Space. You’ll have your own canvas to paint an owl and night sky using acrylics. The class fee includes all art supplies.
October 25th-26th
Nightmare Vermont 2019: Threat
Where: Champlain Valley Exposition, Grandstand, 105 Pearl St, Essex Junction
When: Friday, 7:00pm-10:30pm; Saturday, 6:00pm-10:30pm
Nightmare Vermont continues for another weekend, leading up to Halloween. Again, this one is recommended for the teens in your life and not little ones. See event details above, or click on the link for more information.
- Nightmare Vermont actor // Photo courtesy of Nightmare Vermont
October 25th-27th
Sam Mazza’s Corn Maze
Where: Sam Mazza’s Farm Market, 277 Lavigne Rd, Colchester
When: Friday & Saturday, 10:00am-7:00pm; Sunday, 10:00am-5:00pm
The corn maze continues for yet another full weekend. See above for details or click on the link for more information. Admission is by ticket only. Kids three and under are free.
October 25th
Trunk or Treat
Where: Milton Town Recreation Fields (Bombardier Park West), 20 Park Place, Milton
When: Friday, 6:00pm-7:30pm
Bring your kids to this all-ages, trunk or treating event in Bombardier Park. Costumed children can safely gather to fill their baskets or bags with candy and non-candy treats from Halloween-themed decorated vehicles. There is no fee for trunk-or-treaters.
October 26th
Family Art Saturday
Where: Burlington City Arts, 135 Church St, Burlington
When: Saturday, 11:00am-1:00pm
Take your family to this free art class, which takes place once a month at the BCA Center. Make your own artwork inspired by current exhibitions at the gallery, so a different art creation is made each month.
Haunted Museum Trick-or-Treat
Where: Saint Albans Museum, 9 Church St, Saint Albans
When: Saturday, 12:00pm-2:00pm
This is the fifth annual “Haunted Museum” trick-or-treat at the Saint Albans Museum. Take a tour of the museum, play games, create crafts, and more, at this free, all-ages event.
Halloween Bash
Where: Second Chance Farm Vt, 2931 Lake Street, Addison
When: Saturday, 12:00pm-4:00pm
Take your family trick-or-treating with the costumed animals at Second Chance Farm. For a small, per person donation, you’ll see pumpkin chuckin’, participate in a costume contest, and enjoy great music. There will also be a food truck.
Halloween Family Fest
Where: The University Mall, 155 Dorset St, South Burlington
When: Saturday, 1:00pm-4:00pm
Touted as Vermont’s largest Halloween event, this free-admission and family-friendly event at the University Mall includes a costumed parade, games, a Halloween storytime, face painting, bouncy houses, trick or treating at the mall stores, and giveaways.
- Ready for Halloween // Photo by Busy Btown
Burlington Halloween Howl
Where: Oakledge Park, 1 Flynn Ave, Burlington
When: Saturday, 2:00pm-6:00pm
Bring the family in full costume to this free Halloween event at Oakledge Park. There will be a hayride, face painting, crafts, fall games, spooky music, and a candy-free Freaky Fairytales-themed haunted walk (wheelchair-accessible). There will also be fall food available for purchase.
October 27th
Rotary of Charlotte-Shelburne-Hinesburg Halloween Parade
Where: 50 Shelburne Shopping Park, Shelburne
When: Sunday, 2:00pm-4:30pm
Join the Rotary’s annual community parade on Sunday. Participate in a float, march in the parade, or simply watch from the sides. After, there will be games and other festivities, music, and food from local sponsors.
