Vermont's fall festival season runs from Labor Day weekend straight through the first snow, and it peaks right when the leaves do. Mountain resorts throw brewfests at the base lodge, village greens fill with juried craft tents and pie tables, and whole towns close Main Street for a Saturday. This is the 2026 slate, with the weekends still ahead up top and September's events kept below so you can plan next year. Before you drive, check the Vermont Foliage Tracker and this week's Foliage Report to see which region is at peak, and browse the Calendar of Events for everything else happening this fall.

The Hit List

The best of the best. The cream of the crop. The cow's pajamas. These are the fall weekends worth planning an entire Vermont trip around in 2026, and all three land on the same peak-foliage weekend. Pick one, book a room nearby, and let us know what you think.

Peak-weekend events first, then the late-season stragglers that are worth the drive after the leaves drop.

Already happened this October (Check back for 2027)

The early-season slate, already in the books for 2026. Most of these land on the same weekend every year, so this is your planning list for 2027.

Where to Stay

Columbus Day weekend is the single busiest weekend of the Vermont year, and the inns closest to Stratton, Stowe and the southern village festivals fill months ahead. Our Fall Stays guide lists partner inns, resorts and rentals by region, booked direct with no platform fees.