Events in Shelburne and Burlington, Vermont
The Shelburne and Burlington area has a surprisingly active events calendar. This page covers the main annual events within easy reach of the inn — from outdoor concerts a short walk away to regional festivals a quick drive into Burlington.
A note on dates and schedules: Event dates, venues, and schedules change year to year. This page reflects general seasonal patterns and representative dates where available. Always verify current event information with official sources before booking travel around a specific event. Where a 2026 date is noted, it is marked accordingly and should still be confirmed before making plans. For the most current local event updates, check our Facebook Events page (Facebook login required to view).
What's Happening Near the Inn
Ben & Jerry’s Concerts on the Green
The Concerts on the Green series takes place on the museum grounds at Shelburne Museum each summer. It draws a mix of nationally known performers across genres and is one of the most popular summer events in the Lake Champlain Valley. For current programming and tickets, check the Museum’s Concert Calendar.
Booking note: Concert dates book earlier than almost any other period at the inn. If you are planning to attend a specific show, reserve your room as soon as you have your tickets.
Vermont Cheesemakers Festival
The Vermont Cheesemakers Festival brings together cheesemakers from across Vermont and New England for a day of tastings, demonstrations, and artisan food vendors. It is held on the grounds of Shelburne Farms, a working farm and National Historic Landmark on the shores of Lake Champlain. For current details, check vtcheese.com.
Burlington Discover Jazz Festival
The Burlington Discover Jazz Festival runs across Burlington for approximately ten days each June, with performances at venues around the city including Church Street, the Burlington waterfront, and Flynn Center for the Performing Arts. It covers a wide range of jazz styles from traditional to contemporary. For current programming, check discoverjazz.com or flynncenter.org.
Note: Verify dates with Burlington City Arts or Flynn Center before booking travel around this event.
Vermont Brewers Festival
The Vermont Brewers Festival is an outdoor craft beer event on the Burlington waterfront, featuring dozens of Vermont and regional breweries. It typically runs over a weekend in July. For current dates and tickets, check vermontbrewers.com.
Note: Verify dates with the Vermont Brewers Association before booking travel around this event.
UVM Commencement
UVM Commencement weekend draws families from across the country to Burlington for several days of ceremonies and celebrations. Accommodations near Burlington fill quickly for this weekend. For current details, check uvm.edu.
Middlebury College Commencement
Middlebury College’s commencement is held in Middlebury, Vermont, south of Shelburne. Families attending commencement sometimes prefer to stay in the Shelburne or Burlington area rather than in Middlebury itself. For current details, check middlebury.edu.
Confirmed 2026 Local Events
Half Marathon Unplugged
Shelburne Half Marathon & 5k/10k
UVM Commencement Weekend
Middlebury College Commencement
M&T Bank Vermont City Marathon
Burlington Discover Jazz Festival
Greensky Bluegrass — Concerts on the Green
Vermont Brewers Festival
Trombone Shorty w/ JJ Grey & Mofro — Concerts on the Green
Lake Street Dive — Concerts on the Green (two nights)
Modest Mouse — Concerts on the Green
Sierra Ferrell — Heavy Petal Tour
Alabama Shakes — Concerts on the Green
Vermont Cheesemakers Festival (14th Annual)
Shelburne Farms 5k
Ongoing Programming in the Area
Burlington’s Flynn Center for the Performing Arts presents year-round theater, music, and dance — check their website for current programming. Shelburne Museum is active from late May through late October, with rotating exhibitions and special events throughout the season. The ECHO Leahy Center for Lake Champlain in Burlington is open year-round. Vermont’s fall foliage season typically peaks around mid-late September to early October in the Champlain Valley — each year is a bit different — and Shelburne Farms and Shelburne Museum are active through the summer and into early fall.
Last updated: March 2026
Attending an Event Near Shelburne?
Walk to Concerts on the Green from the inn. Drive approximately 7 miles to Burlington events — approximately 7 miles via Route 7. Breakfast included every morning, free on-site parking.