Vermont Fall Foliage and Fairs: How to Combine the Best of Both
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Vermont in the fall is one of the most photogenic places on earth — rolling hills blazing with red, orange, and gold, white church steeples rising through the color, and winding roads that beg you to drive them with the windows down. And the timing of peak foliage in Vermont overlaps almost perfectly with the state's agricultural fair season.
That means you can combine two of the best things Vermont has to offer into one trip. Here's how.
The Timing
Vermont's fair season runs from late August through mid-October, with the major fairs clustering in late August and September. Peak fall foliage in Vermont typically runs from late September through mid-October, with the exact timing depending on the year and your location in the state.
The overlap zone — late September through early October — is when you get both: active fairs and spectacular color. This is the sweet spot for planning a combined trip.
Fair + Foliage Pairings
Tunbridge World's Fair + Central Vermont Foliage
The Tunbridge World's Fair runs in mid-September, which often catches early foliage in the central Vermont hills. The drive to Tunbridge from any direction passes through classic Vermont countryside — small towns, covered bridges, and rolling farmland. Route 110 through the valley is beautiful even before the leaves turn.
Foliage drive: After the fair, take Route 100 south through Killington and the Green Mountains. This is one of the most famous foliage routes in New England.
Champlain Valley Fair + Lake Champlain and the Islands
The Champlain Valley Fair in Essex Junction runs in late August — typically before peak foliage, but the Champlain Valley has its own kind of beauty in late summer. If you extend your trip into September, the drive along Route 2 through the Lake Champlain Islands is stunning as the color starts to turn.
Orleans County Fair + Northeast Kingdom Foliage
The Orleans County Fair in Barton is in the heart of Vermont's Northeast Kingdom — one of the earliest areas in the state to see fall color. A fair trip here in mid-to-late September can catch beautiful early foliage in one of Vermont's most scenic (and least touristy) regions.
Foliage drive: Route 5A along Lake Willoughby is one of the most dramatic drives in Vermont, with cliffs rising on both sides of the lake. In fall color, it's extraordinary.
Vermont Sheep and Wool Festival + Tunbridge Area Foliage
The Sheep and Wool Festival in Tunbridge typically falls in early October, right in the heart of peak foliage. The Tunbridge area is gorgeous when the color is full, and the drive from any direction is scenic.
Planning Your Trip
Book early. Vermont accommodations fill up fast during peak foliage season, especially near popular destinations. If you're planning a fair + foliage trip for late September or October, book your lodging as early as possible.
Be flexible on dates. Foliage timing varies by year. Check the Vermont foliage forecast (available online starting in early September) and adjust your plans if peak color shifts earlier or later than expected.
Drive scenic routes. The fastest route between two points in Vermont is almost never the most beautiful. Take Route 100, Route 108 through Smuggler's Notch (weather permitting), Route 5A, or any of the dozens of back roads that wind through the hills.
Allow time to stop. The best foliage views in Vermont aren't from the highway — they're from a pullover on a hill road, a covered bridge, or a general store porch. Build extra time into your drive for stops.
Pair with other activities. Cider mills, cheese makers, maple sugarhouses, and farm stands are all open during fair and foliage season. A Vermont fall day that includes a fair, a foliage drive, and a stop at a cider mill for donuts is about as good as it gets.
More Vermont Fair Guides on Meet Me at the Fair
- Vermont Agricultural Fairs 2026: Your Guide to the Best Fairs in the Green Mountain State
- Vermont Maple Products at Fairs: A Tasting Guide for Visitors
- Tunbridge World's Fair: Vermont's Most Storied Agricultural Fair
Last updated: April 2026
