Busy Btown here, reporting for the BurlingtonVT Moms Blog with some family-friendly weekend events around Chittenden County for the month of August.
Yes, you read that right. It’s August! I know… the summer is going by WAY too fast! But the good news is that we still have a couple months before fall settles in with it’s cool breezes and beautiful leaves. So, soak in all those sunrays. Take advantage of every food truck event, every festival, every camping trip, and every BBQ invite. Now is the time to say yes to summer!
Below are some family-friendly weekend events for the month of August. Get ready for more music, entertainment, food, picnics, and crafting. As the month winds down and your kiddos head back to school, the Champlain Valley Fair will keep your wallets busy, with some big bands and a ton of the usual midway games. Don’t forget carload day if you’re bringing a large group.
Enjoy your August everyone!
August 2nd
Nicholas Edward Williams – BCA Summer Concert Series
Where: 149 Church St, Burlington
When: 12:30pm-1:30pm
This free BCA Summer Concert show, located on lower Church Street, features Nicholas Edward Williams. Williams’ music is a mix of folk, bluegrass, country, and blues.
Copilot and Rebecca Foster – Free First Friday Eve
Where: Shelburne Museum, 6000 Shelburne Rd, Shelburne
When: 5pm-7:30pm
Enjoy food trucks, picnicking, and lawn games while you take in a free music concert. The best part? The entire museum grounds are open to you and your family to explore, at no charge.
Legally Blonde – Very Merry Theater
Where: Maple Street Park & Pool, 75 Maple Street, Essex
When: 6:30PM-7:30PM
Catch this free show by the touring theatre company for kids and teens, as they perform Legally Blonde, The Musical.
Cirque de Fuego
Where: Jericho Town Library, 7 Jericho Center Circle, Jericho
When: 8:30pm-9pm
All ages are invited to the Jericho Green as it is illuminated with the magic of fire breathers, jugglers, and sword fighters from the Cirque de Fuego fire troupe.
August 3rd
Owl Feet at Adam’s Berry Farm
Where: Adam’s Berry Farm, 985 Bingham Brook Rd, Charlotte
When: 10am-12pm
For a suggested donation of $5-$10, join Owl Feet Art Studio for kids and create a sculpture from recycled materials, play with a sensory bin or make a playdough creation. While there, you can also load up on some fresh berries from the farm.
August 2nd-4th
12th Annual Festival of Fools
Where: Downtown Burlington
When: 11am-11pm
The Festival of Fools is a weekend-long event that is full of street performers from around the world, celebrating the circus arts, music, and comedy. Free events are family-friendly, and will be situated along five main stage locations on the Church Street Marketplace. Additional performances can be found at the Vermont Comedy Club, Nectar’s, Club Metronome, and Red Square. Special events include a parade on Friday and a variety show on Sunday. Visit the website for the full line-up of events.
August 9th
Zeichner Trio – BCA Summer Concert Series
Where: 149 Church St, Burlington
When: 12:30pm-1:30pm
This free BCA summer concert show, located on lower Church Street, features the Zeichner Trio. This sibling band plays traditional Irish and Old-Time/Appalachian music, complete with banjos, Celtic harp, fiddle, penny whistle, and uilleann pipes.
August 11th
French Heritage Day Vermont
Where: Winooski Falls Way, Winooski
When: 10am-2pm
This close to the Canadian border, there’s bound to be a few of us with French ancestry. Get out there and celebrate your heritage at this family-friendly event, with music, a meat pie contest, and local food and craft vendors.
Family Morning
Where: Philo Ridge Farm, Charlotte
When: 9:30am-11:30am
Attend a reading and book signing by Christy Mihaly. Kids can learn about life on the farm, and take part in educational activities and crafts.
August 16th
Bessette Quartet – BCA Summer Concert Series
Where: 149 Church St, Burlington
When: 12:30pm-1:30pm
This free BCA summer concert show, located on lower Church Street, features the Bessette Quartet. Combining jazz and funk, this musical experiment brings together guitar, sax, drums, and bass.
Food Truck Festival
Where: Essex Alliance Church, 37 Old Stage Rd, Essex Junction
When: 3pm-8pm
Local food trucks, music, and giant inflatables… all the makings of a good time. This free, family-friendly event is open to the whole community, and this is the last food truck event of the summer, so it shouldn’t be missed.
August 23rd
AliT – BCA Summer Concert Series
Where: 149 Church St, Burlington
When: 12:30pm-1:30pm
This free BCA summer concert show, located on lower Church Street, features AliT (Alison Turner), an alternative/indie pop singer and songwriter from Royalton, Vermont.
August 24th
Family Art Saturday at the BCA Center
Where: BCA Center, 135 Church Street, Burlington
When: 11am-1pm
Drop into the BCA Center each month to make artwork that is inspired by their current exhibitions. Each Family Art Saturday is free and open to the public, and offers a different art-making project for you and your family.
August 23rd-September 1st
Champlain Valley Fair
Where: 105 Pearl St, Essex Junction
When: 11am-12pm (midway hours)
It’s baaack… games, rides, prizes, artwork, animals, and more. If you’re looking for some entertainment before heading back to school, this is it. Grandstand acts include Bush and Our Lady Peace on 8/23, Darci Lynne on 8/24, Big & Rich on 8/30, Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo & Melissa Etheridge on 8/31. Check out ticket information in advance.
August 31st-September 1st
Nightshade Festival 2019
Where: Red Barn Gardens, 8939 Williston Rd, Williston
Where: 1:30pm (SAT) -12pm (SUN)
Nightshade Kitchen brings this 3rd Annual Nightshade Festival, featuring a ton of music across 3 stages, food from Nightshade Kitchen and vendors, and beer from the event partner, Foam Brewers. This festival is open to all ages, and tickets include free overnight camping.
Looking for something else to do?
Join ArtsRiot each Friday for the Truck Stop and Free Music Fridays. The weekly truck stop event runs from 5pm-10pm each Friday through August 30th. In addition to food trucks, this family-friendly event includes music, outdoor entertainment, and beverages. Upcoming Free Music Friday performances include Kingfisher on 8/2, Sad Turtle on 8/9, and Brett Hughes on 8/16. Shows start at 8pm.
Need more ideas? Want to add anything to our list of family-friendly weekend events this August? Check out Busy Btown for other things to do. You’ll find a calendar of weekly farmers markets, a list of beaches, and a list of parks, trails, playgrounds, and more around Chittenden County.
