Music Matters: Spice on Snow Returns to Downtown Montpelier, March 6–8
There’s something about winter in Vermont that makes music matter even more. When the days are short and the cold settles in, gathering together—to listen, to dance, to share space—becomes essential. That’s exactly why Spice on Snow Winter Music Festival holds such a special place in Montpelier’s heart.
First launched in 2010 by the Summit School of Traditional Music and Culture under the leadership of Katie Trautz and Rebecca Singer, Spice on Snow quickly became one of downtown’s most beloved winter traditions. Drawing from both local and regional talent, the festival celebrated traditional music while strengthening community ties during one of the toughest times of year. It wasn’t just about concerts—it was about connection.
After a five-year hiatus following the pandemic, Spice on Snow made a much-anticipated return last winter, thanks to community enthusiasm and a shared desire to bring more life to downtown during the colder months. The response was clear: packed venues, busy sidewalks, and a noticeable boost in winter foot traffic. This March, the festival returns once again—bigger, warmer, and ready to fill downtown Montpelier with sound.
Presented by Montpelier Alive and the Summit School of Traditional Music and Culture, Spice on Snow takes place March 6–8, 2026, transforming venues throughout the city into hubs of roots and folk music, dancing, workshops, and late-night gatherings.
Friday Night: Cajun Music & Dance
The festival kicks off Friday evening with a Cajun concert and dance featuring T’Monde, traveling from Lafayette, Louisiana. Known for their rich vocal harmonies, driving rhythms, and expansive sound, T’Monde blends traditional Cajun dance music with classic country, Creole ballads, and folk influences. Expect waltzes, two-steps, and storytelling from musicians who collectively hold multiple Grammy nominations and deep roots in Louisiana’s musical traditions.
Saturday: Workshops, Jams, and Headliners
Saturday begins with hands-on workshops for musicians at the Summit School, alongside free daytime concerts and old-time jam sessions led by local musicians at venues around town. These informal gatherings are a hallmark of Spice on Snow—welcoming, participatory, and deeply rooted in community.
Saturday night’s headliner brings an international flair with Nadine & Sammy from Quebec. Nadine Landry and Stephen “Sammy” Lind are celebrated for their work with the Foghorn Stringband and for their mastery of old-time, Cajun, and early country traditions. Their performances are joyful, dynamic, and deeply connected to dance and tradition.
When the main shows wrap up, the music doesn’t stop. Late-night concerts at Charlie O’s and Hugo’s keep the energy going, turning downtown into a winter-long dance floor well into the night.
Why It Matters
In Central Vermont, winter can be isolating—but festivals like Spice on Snow remind us how powerful it is to come together. Music warms the streets, fills our businesses, and strengthens the social fabric that carries us through to spring.
Tickets for the Friday and Saturday evening concerts are available now through Seven Days Ticketing. Full details on daytime programming, late-night shows, and all festival happenings can be found at montpelieralive.com/spiceonsnow.
Bundle up, grab a friend, and come be part of it. Music matters—and in March, it’s everywhere downtown.
Katie Trautz
E.D. Montpelier Alive