Porchfest Coming to Montpelier September 20th
June 11, 2026
Montpelier’s neighborhoods will come alive with music this fall on Sunday, September 20th, as Montpelier welcomes its first (sure to be) annual Porchfest. Read the press release here...
Welcome to Downtown, Red Hen Baking
May 19, 2026
Red Hen Baking has officially joined downtown Montpelier at 60 Main Street. Watch our new video spotlight by Montpelier Alive videographer intern Ondina An to hear the story behind the move and get a look inside the new space.
Music Matters!
February 19, 2026
Winter gets louder (and warmer) in downtown Montpelier, March 6th-8th! Spice on Snow is back with Cajun and old-time music, dancing, workshops, and late-night jams—bringing life to downtown when we need it most.Read why Music Matters and get the full scoop on this year’s festival on our blog.
Montpelier Restaurant Week 2026
February 12, 2026
Discover downtown Montpelier’s vibrant culinary scene! Enjoy special menus, prix fixe dinners, and creative deals at 15 local restaurants and cafés during Restaurant Week. Read more...
Lace Up: Ice Skating Around Montpelier (Just in Time for Winterfest)
January 29, 2026
From outdoor rinks to indoor ice, Montpelier offers plenty of ways to skate this winter. We’re breaking down local options and how ice skating fits into Winterfest weekend.
Let It Glow: Holiday Highlights in Downtown Montpelier
December 18, 2025
Downtown Montpelier is glowing for the holidays. From imaginative storefront windows and festive greenery to illuminated bridges and seasonal events, our community is bringing light to winter. Take a stroll through downtown’s holiday highlights and find ways to celebrate, shop local, and ring in the New Year.
Member Highlight: Tossi Jewelry
December 11, 2025
Tossi Jewelry has opened its doors on East State Street, bringing custom craftsmanship, heirloom redesign, and sustainable artistry to downtown. Take a peek inside the studio and watch our behind-the-scenes video. Read more...
Member Highlight: Kellogg-Hubbard Library
October 22, 2025
The Kellogg-Hubbard Library has been at the heart of Montpelier for over a century and it’s still evolving! Learn how this beloved community hub connects, inspires, and celebrates through its annual Library After Dark Masquerade. Read more...
Member Highlight: The North Branch Cafe
October 16, 2025
Tucked along the North Branch of the Winooski River, The North Branch Café is a cozy downtown gem where community, comfort, and craft meet. With over 100 loose-leaf teas, local food and sweets, and an innovative wine bar, this family-run café has become a Montpelier staple. Learn how the Parkers turned a dream into one of downtown’s most beloved gathering spaces.Read the full Member Highlight ›
Member Highlight: Blossom Wellness Center
October 09, 2025
Discover Blossom Wellness Center, a collective of holistic practitioners in downtown Montpelier dedicated to helping our community find balance and thrive. From integrative bodywork and Ayurvedic massage to movement classes and immersive retreats, read more in our latest Member Highlight...
Member Highlight: Birchgrove Baking
October 02, 2025
Sweet treats, local stories, and community love, Birchgrove Baking has been delighting Montpelier since 2009. Meet co-owners Jen and John, peek behind the counter, and see why this bakery is more than just pastries in a short mini-documentary by local filmmaker Ondina.
Cityscape & Landscape Walking Tour Series
September 30, 2025
Montpelier Alive’s Cityscape & Landscape walking tour series runs Thursdays October 9–23 at 5:30pm, with free hour long tours exploring the city’s bridges, riverside wildlife, and downtown murals. Each walk offers a new perspective on Montpelier’s unique blend of built environment and natural world. Click to read more…
New Resident Mixer at Camp Meade
September 10, 2025
Montpelier Alive Hosts New Resident Mixer During Feast of Fools Festival Sunday, September 21, from 3–5 PM at Camp Meade in Middlesex.
Discover Elm Street
August 21, 2025
Cross the School Street bridge, stop for a mural photo, and step onto Elm Street, where comforting food, handmade goods, herbal remedies, and creative design come together. It’s a quick stroll that reveals some of Montpelier’s hidden gems.
Read the full blog to see what makes Elm Street worth the walk…
Parkapalooza is Back!
August 14, 2025
Parkapalooza is Back!
This one-day only music festival returns to Hubbard Park on Saturday, August 23, with local favorites Slap Happy Jack and more. We caught up with bandleader and co-founder Joey Dorwart Crane to talk friendship, music, and why this event means so much to Montpelier.
[Read the full story ?]
Member Highlight: Montpelier Performing Arts Hub
August 12, 2025
Discover how the historic Gary Library is becoming the Montpelier Performing Arts Hub — a vibrant home for music, theater, storytelling, and learning. In our recent interview, hear from the Hub’s founder about the vision, transformation, and community connections driving this exciting new chapter in Montpelier’s arts scene.
EV Stations
July 21, 2025
Montpelier is plugging into the future with expanded electric vehicle (EV) charging options across the city. From fast-charging stations at VSECU to convenient downtown locations, the capital is ready to welcome more EV driver, residents and visitors alike.
Read the full blog post...
July 3rd FAQ – What You Need to Know!
June 25, 2025
Planning your July 3rd adventure in Montpelier? Whether you're a local, a first-timer, or just here for the fireworks and fried dough, we've got you covered. Read on for everything you need to know to have a smooth, sparkly, and celebratory day in the Capital City...
Announcing the City of Bridges
May 16, 2025
Montpelier’s downtown bridges are now glowing beacons of beauty, safety, and connection. After a year of fundraising and planning, Montpelier Alive has transformed seven bridges into illuminated landmarks: uniting art, infrastructure, and community spirit. Learn how this project is reshaping Vermont’s capital and what’s next in the City of Bridges. Read more....
Mid-Spring Check In
May 07, 2025
As May hits its stride, Montpelier is bursting with spring energy! From blooming trails and mountain hikes to fresh finds at the Capital City Farmers Market. Whether you're chasing sunshine or finding comfort on a rainy day with a book and a latte, visit Montpelier and savor the season downtown. [Read the full blog ?]
Member Highlight: Capital City Farmers Market
May 01, 2025
Discover how the Capital City Farmers Market fuels community connection, supports local farms, and adapts through challenges—all while creating a vibrant Saturday tradition in the heart of Montpelier. In our interview with Market Manager Keri Ryan, we explore what makes this market unique, how it operates on a grassroots level, and why it continues to be a cornerstone of Central Vermont’s local food economy.
Rain or Shine: Downtown Montpelier is Buzzing!
April 24, 2025
From Mudfest to Mayfest and our 25th Anniversary Celebration, downtown is buzzing with energy and events. Yes, it’s going to rain—but we’re Vermonters. That’s just part of the fun! Read our latest blog for the full scoop and come celebrate with us!
Montpelier's Race Against Racism
May 24, 2024
The Race Against Racism is an annual student-led event in Montpelier that amplifies conversations on racial justice through speeches, performances, and a 5K run/walk. Organized by high school students, the event fosters community engagement, education, and action to support BIPOC voices in Vermont.
Montpelier Alive Announces its 2024 Downtown Event Grant Awards
May 14, 2024
Montpelier Alive awards announces its 2024 grant funding to 10 downtown Montpelier Community Events Montpelier Alive works to create a vibrant and livable Montpelier by celebrating its heart and soul: its downtown. One way it brings the community together is through events. Montpelier Alive’s annual Downtown Events Grant Program supports many of these events and is announcing its ten 2024 grant awardees. The 2024 recipients are: All Together Now, All Species Day; Good Beginnings of Central Vermont, It Takes a Village; the Monteverdi Music School, Make Music Day; Montpelier Roxbury Public Schools Race, Against Racism; Pride Center of Vermont, Montpelier Pride Fest;
Free and Local Outdoor Summer Music in Montpelier
June 22, 2023
Summer officially kicked off last week and we’re incredibly lucky to have a vibrant music scene throughout Central Vermont... and so much of it is free! This article focuses on music in Montpelier, but to learn what’s happening throughout Central Vermont, check out the free music series in surrounding towns over the summer in the text box.
What's Make Music Day all About?
June 16, 2023
We interviewed Jolynda Burton, Music Education Director at the Monteverdi Music School about the first upcoming coordinated Make Music Day in Montpelier. What is Make Music Day and how did it get started: Make Music Day began back in 1982. The first World Music Day was organized by the French Minister of Culture as a celebration of the joy of music. The story goes that a cultural study showed that roughly half of French citizens played a musical instrument. This inspired Monsieur Lang to create an event where people would share their music with the world. Thus, Fêtes de la Musique (“Festival
All Around Adventure
April 19, 2023
Montpelier is a hub for outdoor recreation, and is nestled in a valley where The North Branch and the Winooski rivers converge and public lands connect multiple networks of trails. Access to nature couldn’t be easier, from the Hubbard Park trails behind the Golden Dome to the mountain bike trails in North Branch Park. Montpelier is making its mark in the world of outdoor recreation and tourism, and we can’t wait to celebrate that!
Sledding in Montpelier
January 19, 2023
The city of Montpelier was built in a valley surrounded by the Green Mountains. The various hills and slopes that make up the valley provide locals and visitors alike an opportunity to experience some of the best sledding in Vermont. From the trails of Hubbard Park to the newly opened slopes of the Elks Club, to the warm delicious food and beverage served downtown, Montpelier offers people of all ages a fun sledding experience.
Montpelier: A Hub for Downhill Skiers
December 01, 2022
When people think of Vermont, they imagine maple syrup, colorful leaves, and skiing. Vermont’s ski mountains are some of the best in the Northeast with resorts such as Sugarbush, Mad River, and Bolton; all of which are under an hour's drive from Montpelier. While not having a mountain of its own, Montpelier’s central location offers residents and tourists a reasonable drive to most of Vermont’s alpine ski resorts. Montpelier's ski shops and opportunities are guaranteed to give anyone a great experience skiing in Vermont.
Halloween in Montpelier
October 27, 2022
The fall season in Montpelier is full of things to do and see. The turning of the leaves paired with the brisk Autumn weather brings in many new people. The month of October in Montpelier is a combination of Foliage festivities, later being outnumbered by Halloween-themed events. Halloween is a favorite holiday locally, but some events tend to fall under the radar. You may ask yourself, what kinds of Halloween celebrations happen in Montpelier that are so special?
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Top 10 Local Favorite Outdoor Adventures in Central Vermont
October 06, 2022
Montpelier, in the heart of Central Vermont, is surrounded by adventure. Right from downtown you can access hiking, mountain biking, gravel biking, nordic skiing, swimming, paddling, and amazing parks for walking. To add to that, Montpelier is just a short drive from dozens of outdoor recreation destinations in all seasons. From world class mountain biking to the northeast’s best ski resorts, Central Vermont is the perfect place to plan your next adventure. Here are some of the best local favorites from our region.
Learn from the experts: Chefs share their secrets!
September 08, 2022
The Taste of Montpelier Food Festival is unlike any food festival you've been to before. Forget about those stuffy events with $100 tickets off in the middle of a hot field. Join us in the heart of Montpelier's downtown to get a true taste of what we're all about. Fun, approachable, delicious.
A Unique Flavor: Entertainment at The Taste of Montpelier
September 06, 2022
Montpelier Alive’s Taste of Montpelier, presented by Hunger Mountain Co-op is so much more than a food festival. Unlike any other food festival of its kind, featured entertainment includes fantastical shows of juggling, acrobatics, yo-yo tricks and vaudeville skits. Foodies and arts enthusiasts alike will find something to savor at the festival’s main event, The Great Taste on Saturday, September 10th from 1-4pm on State Street.
Hunger Mountain Co-op Brown Bag Concert Series
August 04, 2022
During lunch-hour on weekdays, Montpelier’s streets are bustling! Between lawmakers, lawyers, business owners, and tourists, everybody enjoys taking a break and frequenting the abundance of eateries downtown. As people wander and search for a place to sit and relax in the Vermont summer weather, they might hear melodies drifting from the Christ Church Courtyard, where live musicians take the stage every week in August and early September. The Hunger Mountain Co-op Brown Bag Concert Series, hosted by Montpelier Alive, features excellent music from across the region. These free and fun noon-time concerts brighten everyone's day, even if just passing by. Check out this year’s line-up, curated by Fred Wilber, past owner of Buch Spieler Records.
Vermont Mountaineers: Community Summer Baseball at its Finest
August 02, 2022
Montpelier is unique for so many reasons, including the endless recreation opportunities in and around the city. One of the many hidden gems in this town includes the historic grandstand and baseball field at the recreation area on Elm Street. The Mountaineers are proof that small towns can dream big!
Quench Your Thirst in Central Vermont
July 28, 2022
Vermont's craft beverage makers have become a major driver of visitors to the state and Central Vermont has been a hotbed of this trend. But it’s not just our world-famous beers that will quench your thirst.
High Summer: Upcoming Events in Montpelier
July 22, 2022
Summertime in Montpelier is always very eventful, and we are certainly in full swing! The next two weeks are especially packed with fun and unique events. Here is a summary of what lies ahead...
Do Good Fest: Doing Good For the Community and Beyond…
July 14, 2022
Do Good Fest has been one of the most successful music festival ventures in the state of Vermont. For eight years, the festival has been rocking Central Vermont with popular music for a good cause. We found out a little more from Beth Rusnock, President of the National Life Group Foundation, about this fabulous upcoming event.
July 3rd Festival Spectacular! Food Truck Festival and Parade Performer Highlights
June 30, 2022
Montpelier’s July 3rd Celebration is centered around community, food, and fun! Walking to the State House lawn alongside groups of other festival-goers is an experience unto itself. From a distance, you can see the food trucks lined up on State Street and you can hear musicians on the Main Stage. Excitement builds as spectators await the joyous parade at 6:15pm.
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An Inter-Galactic Independence Day in Montpelier!
June 16, 2022
Families and friends, kids of all ages - join us at the new FamilyFest at this year’s July 3rd Independence Day Celebration! Montpelier Alive hopes to reignite the flame for family fun by offering an eclectic variety of performances this year on the Main Stage on the State House Lawn from 2-5pm.
Discovering The Front Gallery and Art Walk
June 02, 2022
This Friday, June 3rd, is Art Walk in Montpelier! Montpelier Alive's Art Walk, supported by Northfield Savings Bank, showcases a wide array of community artists at venues throughout the city. On the first Friday of every other month, Montpelier celebrates the arts by partnering with artists and venues and creating a unique and entertaining event. This week, we take a look at the Front, an artist-run cooperative gallery on Barre Street and venue #7 in June's Art Walk.
Summer Events in Central Vermont
May 11, 2022
Some would say that summer is the best season in Vermont. Even though we can make the case for every season, it's hard to argue with gorgeous weather (escape the humidity and visit our magical land where the average high in July is just 83!), long summer evenings, front porch living, and dips in the swimming hole. But summer in Vermont also means fun, festive, and unique events throughout central Vermont!
Celebrate Spring during Montpelier's Month-Long Mayfest!
April 28, 2022
The month of May is host to a full calendar of fun, family friendly events in the Capital City. While you’re Downtown, stop in to some of our amazing restaurants and independent shops & boutiques.
Enjoying Spring in Montpelier
April 14, 2022
This is spring here, tumultuous and dramatic, and full of wonder. It’s as if we forget every year, and are taken by surprise as the sun sets and the evening wood frogs chime in.
A Place to Stay
March 03, 2022
Montpelier, nestled into the heart of Vermont amidst the Green Mountains and at the convergence of three rivers including the notable Winooski, is a quaint gem of a town. Montpelier is the smallest Capital in the Nation, with the vibrancy of a bustling city. Known for its abundance of restaurants and cafes, and weekend family-friendly community events, Montpelier radiates activity.
The Frozen Onion: A Fat Bike Revolution
February 10, 2022
From my house, situated on the river near the Mountain Bike trails, I see Fat Bikers pass by every day. As they move slowly down the frozen river, and cut up through the woods, I often wonder what the appeal is. As a Mountain Biker myself, I am tempted to give it a try, but I'm not sure I could give up a good ski day to get on my bike. I thought maybe Jen and Kip Roberts, co-owners of Onion River Outdoors, could shed some light on the Montpelier Fat Bike Revolution, and tell us a bit about the upcoming Frozen Onion event, where they will be offering Fat Bike demos.