Vermont Agricultural Fairs 2026: Your Guide to the Best Fairs in the Green Mountain State
Vermont doesn't just have agricultural fairs — it practically invented them. The state's farming heritage runs deep, and the fairs that have grown up around that heritage are some of the most genuine, well-run, and genuinely enjoyable events in all of New England. If you've never been to a Vermont fair, 2026 is the year to fix that.
Here's what you need to know about Vermont's fair season.
Photo by Giulia Botan on Pexels
What Makes Vermont Fairs Different
Vermont fairs are rooted in real agricultural tradition in a way that's increasingly rare. These aren't just entertainment events with a livestock barn tacked on — they're competitions that matter to the farmers and 4-H kids who spend all year preparing for them. That authenticity shows. When you watch a dairy cattle judging at a Vermont fair, you're watching something that has genuinely been happening in that community for over a century.
Vermont also has the landscape working in its favor. Whether you're at a fairground in the Champlain Valley or up near the Northeast Kingdom, you're surrounded by the kind of scenery that makes a September afternoon feel like a gift.
The Major Vermont Fairs
Champlain Valley Fair
Vermont's largest fair, held in late August at the Champlain Valley Exposition in Essex Junction, just outside Burlington. This is Vermont's equivalent of the Big E — it draws big crowds, has a full midway with dozens of rides, and hosts some of the top agricultural competitions in the state.
The dairy cattle competitions are excellent (this is Vermont, after all), and the fair books solid grandstand entertainment throughout its run. If you want the full Vermont fair experience — scale, variety, and energy — the Champlain Valley Fair is the place to start.
Vermont State Fair
Held in Rutland in late August, the Vermont State Fair is one of the older fairs in the region. It combines strong agricultural programming with a solid midway and live entertainment. Rutland is centrally located in Vermont, making it accessible from most of the state.
Orleans County Fair
Up in the Northeast Kingdom in Barton, the Orleans County Fair is a beloved institution that draws visitors from Vermont and northern New Hampshire. It has the feel of a true community fair — the kind where you'll see the same families year after year — with solid livestock competitions and a genuine agricultural focus.
Caledonia County Fair
Another Northeast Kingdom gem, held in Lyndonville. The Caledonia County Fair has been running for well over a century and has the character to show for it. It's an excellent smaller fair with strong agricultural exhibits and a real sense of history.
Addison County Field Days
Held in New Haven in early August, this is one of the most agriculturally serious events in Vermont — more field day than traditional fair, with an emphasis on farm equipment, livestock, and agricultural education. If you want to see what Vermont farming actually looks like today, this is worth the trip.
Vermont Sheep and Wool Festival
Held in Tunbridge each fall, this specialty festival draws fiber enthusiasts from across New England and beyond. Fleece, yarn, fiber arts demonstrations, sheepdog trials, and more vendors selling spinning and weaving supplies than you'd think possible. A wonderful niche event.
Tunbridge World's Fair
Held each September in Tunbridge, this is one of the most storied fairs in Vermont. It's been running since 1867 and has a reputation as a genuine old-time New England fair — complete with oxen pulls, horse shows, midway, and a character that's hard to describe until you've experienced it.
Tips for Visiting a Vermont Fair
Don't underestimate the dairy barn. Vermont is dairy country, and the cattle competitions at most Vermont fairs are among the best in New England. If you've never watched a Holstein show up close, it's worth your time — the animals are impressive and the handlers know what they're doing.
Maple syrup is everywhere. Vermont vendors take their maple products seriously. Expect syrup in multiple grades, maple candy, maple cream, and maple everything else. Budget accordingly.
The produce competitions are worth a walk-through. Giant pumpkins, prize-winning squash, perfect ears of corn, award-winning jams — the agricultural exhibit halls at Vermont fairs are a window into what Vermont growers have been up to all summer.
Northeast Kingdom fairs reward the drive. The fairs in Orleans and Caledonia counties are off the usual tourist path, and that's the point. Less crowded, more local, and genuinely charming.
September is peak season. Most of Vermont's major fairs cluster in late August and September, when the weather is at its best and the fall colors are starting to turn. Plan ahead, especially for accommodations near the Champlain Valley Fair.
Find Vermont Fairs on Meet Me at the Fair
Meet Me at the Fair lists agricultural fairs, specialty festivals, and events across Vermont and all of New England. Search by location or date to find what's happening near you this season.
Last updated: April 2026
