40th Anniversary Putney Craft Tour
Various locations around Putney, Vt.
http://www.putneycrafts.com; http://www.facebook.com/Putney-Craft-Tour
Top Ten Vermont Winter Event/Year of the Arts 2018
Thanksgiving Weekend, Nov 23-25, 10a-5p
Visit 25 working studios featuring glass blowers, potters, jewelers, weavers, woodworkers, photographers—even artisan cheesemakers and bicycle makers. Find that one-of-a-kind gift and buy direct from the artisan who made it. Part of the fun is meandering through the beautiful Vermont countryside, following the map to find these prominent craftspeople and view the works where they are conceived and created. Find studios within a 12-mile radius of Putney. Visitors may start at The Gleanery Restaurant, 133 Main St., for a preview exhibition of the artisans’ works, schedule of workshops, and theater and restaurant participants.
River Valley Artisan Tour
Chesterfield, Spofford, and Westmoreland, N.H.
http://www.rivervalleyartisans.com
Sept 8-9, 11a-5p: On a self-guided tour visit New Hampshire artists in their own studios and in Fellowship Hall. In celebration this year, two wineries will join in for a fabulous weekend of art, wine, food, and fun. Visit online for map and more.
Bennington Quiltfest
Mt. Anthony Union Middle School, Bennington
http://www.benningtonquiltfest.com
Sept 15-16, 9a-4p: New quilts, demonstrations, raffle, challenge quilts, special exhibits, many vendors, and mouthwatering fare from the Quiltfest Cafe. Featured quilter and lecturer Joan Ford presents at 1p daily. Consignment Boutique offers a large selection.
Weston Craft Show
Weston Playhouse, Weston
http://www.westoncraftshow.com
Oct 5-7, 10a-5p: A juried exhibit of exceptional Vermont artisans’ work: baskets, ceramics, folk art, glass, jewelry, lighting, paper, fiber, leather, mosaics, pastels, sculpture, wearable art, and wood. A manageable, pleasant shopping experience for discerning visitors looking for something unique and exquisite.
Empty Bowls
Landmark College, Putney
http://www.groundworks.rallybound.org/empty-bowls-2018
Oct 6: Sittings at 5 and 6:30p: When Vermonters go hungry, their neighbors take action. That’s why volunteers are preparing for near sellout capacity at the annual benefit for the Brattleboro Area Drop-in Center, an essential resource for people in need in Brattleboro and the surrounding areas.
Art in the Park-Rutland
Downtown Rutland
http://www.chaffeeartcenter.org
Oct 6-7: Voted Rutland Herald’s Best of the Best in the category of Best Arts Festival, this festival boasts food, music, craft demonstrations, and kids’ activities. All gate donations support Chaffee Art Center’s exhibitions, art education, and community outreach.
Annual Harvest Arts & Crafts Show
Main Base Lodge, Mount Snow, West Dover
Oct 6-7: Get a jump on your holiday shopping at this show featuring 50+ vendors, including local artisans and specialty food makers.
Oktoberfest
Mount Snow, West Dover
Oct 6-7: Plenty of beer, schnitzel, and oom-pah music, with kids’ games, pumpkin painting, an apple sling shot, and the famous “schnitzel toss.”
Vermont Open Studio Statewide
Oct 13-14: Brought to you by the Vermont Crafts Council, 100+ craftspeople and artists through the state open their studios for conversation, browsing, and sales. Map at Vermont welcome centers and galleries.
Brattleboro West Arts
West Brattleboro
http://www.brattleboro-west-arts.com
Oct 13-14: Tour features seven artists working in studios around West Brattleboro, Brattleboro, and Dummerston.
Rock River Artists
South Newfane, Williamsville, Newfane
Oct 13-14: See RRA artists Chris Triebert, Roger Sandes, Caryn King, Diane Eschelon, Darlene Eisenhuth at home in their studios.
North Bennington Outdoor Sculpture Show
Downtown Bennington
http://www.northbennington.org
Thru Oct 23: Enter sculpture with an edge and leave behind any notions gained from classic renditions of that medium. Artist Joe Chirchirillo organizes and curates.
Fallapalooza
Downtown Bennington
http://www.betterbennington.com
Oct 27, 11a-4p: Food and craft vendors, entertainers, children’s workshops.
Walpole Artisans Tour
Various location around Walpole, N.H.
http://www.thewalpoleartisans.blogspot.com
Nov 23-25, 10a-5p: Enjoy shopping for the holidays, meeting the artisans, and viewing demonstrations. Pick up a map at Walpole Artisans Cooperative Gallery at 52 Main St. in Walpole (across from Burdick’s Chocolate).
Brattleboro-West Arts: Fine Art and Craft Sale
118 Elliot St., Brattleboro
Nov 30, 4-8p; Dec 1, 10a-6p; Dec 2, 11a-5p: Downtown exhibit and sale features 15 member artists with pieces of all genres. Through Dec 7: BWA member show at Brattleboro Memorial Hospital: Maisie Crowther, Lesley Heathcote, Stephen Lloyd, Kris McDermet, Greg Moschetti, Gene Parulis, Walter Slowinski, Jen Wiechers, and Cai Xi.
Cotton Mill Open Studio and Holiday Sale
Cotton Mill, Brattleboro
Dec 7, 4-8p; Dec 8, 10a-5p; Dec 9, 11a-4p: This 20th annual juried show is a much-anticipated family event showcasing artists and artisans from the Mill and surrounding communities. Experience culinary offerings, circus acts, music and dance performances, pottery demonstrations, and shopping throughout the three floors of the Mill. Handicap accessible.
Historical Society of Windham County & Moore Free Library
Union Hall, Newfane
Sept 13, 7p: In his book “The Hurricane of ’38,” author Steve Long chronicles how the hurricane of 1938 transformed New England, bringing about social and ecological changes that can still be observed these many decades later. On the 80th anniversary of the Hurricane of ’38, Newfane brings this timely program featuring author Long, founder and 17-year editor of “Northern Woodlands Magazine.”
Weston Antiques Show
Weston Playhouse, Weston
http://www.westonantiquesshow.org
Sept 28-29, 10a-5p, preview Sept 27, 7:30p: Featuring renowned dealers from across the United States with American and English furniture, accessories, Americana, folk art, silver, samplers, paintings, Oriental rugs, jewelry, and more. One of the oldest shows in the country and widely regarded as one of the best small shows, this is distinguished by its dealers, location, attendees, community support, and beneficiaries.
ITV Fest
Manchester
Oct 10-14: ITVFest (the Independent Television and Film Festival) is the original public festival and network of the world’s best independent television pilots, webseries, and short films. More than 1,000 filmmakers, actors, writers, directors, producers, financiers, Hollywood executives, and general public fans gather to relax and connect in the Green Mountains. Projects submitted from around the United States and from dozens of countries worldwide make ITV Fest one of the largest international competitions of independent television in the world.
Columbus Day Weekend
Newfane Heritage Festival
Newfane, On the Common
http://www.newfaneheritagefestival.com
Oct 6-7, 10a-4p: Historic Newfane Village hosts another Heritage Festival celebrating community, fine craft, food, and entertainment. Hundreds from New England and beyond gather for a quintessential Vermont experience during the beautiful fall foliage season. More than 90 juried craftspeople set up to display their work in tents around the Windham County Courthouse in Newfane Village, a Registered National Historic Landmark. Acquire unique quilts, ironwork, pottery, furniture, photographs, jewelry, clothing, and specialty foods, while community non-profits host activities for children such as bean bag tosses and face painting. Festival proceeds go to the Newfane Congregational Church, Festival sponsor and an integral part of the Newfane community.
Annual Heirloom Apple Tasting Day
Scott Farm, Dummerston
http://www.scottfarmvermont.com
Oct 7, 10a-4p: Celebrate heirloom apples—fresh, baked, and squeezed! Join orchardist Zeke Goodband at 10a, noon, or 2p for apple lore and a tasting of some of Scott Farm’s 125 varieties of heirlooms. Guests can purchase their favorite heirlooms and freshly pressed heirloom cider. Whetstone Ciderworks of Marlboro offers free hard cider samplings (for those 21 and up). Food vendors, live music, kids’ activities, and guided dry stone wall tours by The Stone Trust.
Dummerston Apple Pie Festival
Dummerston Congregational Church
Oct 7, 10a-4p: Dummerston Apple Pie Festival annually offers some 1,500 apple pies made by church members and friends and proudly served with Vermont cheese and hand-churned ice cream. Farmer’s breakfast (starting at 7:30), grilled lunch, tag sale, craft fair.
Stratton Weekend
Stratton Resort, Stratton
Oct 5-8: Enjoy fall colors; take in the beauty from Southern Vermont’s tallest peak and festival fun for the whole family. Food, games, hayrides, lift rides, craft brew fest, chili cook-off, live music, and a race to the summit.
Pumpkin Festivals
Townshend Pumpkin Festival
Townshend, On the common
http://www.townshendvermont.org
Oct 13, 9a-4p: This Pumpkin Festival is a country fair with a craft show, pumpkin decorating contest, Halloween costume parade, pumpkin pie contest, food vendors, pony rides, and pumpkin pie sale.
Keene Pumpkin Festival
Central Square, downtown Keene, N.H.
http://www.pumpkinfestival.org
Oct 28, 1-7p: Arguably the event’s centerpiece: Keene school children fill Central Square with their carved orange masterpieces. Also: Children’s Costume Parade/Stroll, fall portraits, live entertainment on the Bandstand throughout the festival, dance performances in the street, pumpkin games, and the Downtown Association Trick-or-Treat.
