Dec 1, 2019 at 7:00 AM
No matter the time of year, there's always something to enjoy in historic Downtown Rutland. From author readings at our bookshops, interactive exhibits at our kids' museum, nationally touring performances at our world-class theater, local food tastings at our co-op, live music at our pubs, exhibits at our galleries, as well as wellness sessions, workout classes and wine tastings, we have something to do on a daily basis. But there are a few special events throughout the year you won't want to miss. So grab your calendar and get ready to plan your next visit to Rutland.
In July, head down to Center Street for our free Friday Night Live concerts, featuring live music, outdoor dining, local vendors and children’s activities. Our concerts feature well-known performers from the 80's and 90's and did we mention that they're entirely free to the public? Grab a bite to eat and a local brew while you enjoy the show and meet up with friends.
August brings the end of Summer and our biggest block party, the Downtown Rutland Street Party and Sidewalk Sales! Center Street and Merchants Row are filled with sales racks, craft vendors, food trucks and more as merchants blow out inventory with back to school specials. Play giant games, listen to live music, watch live performances and stroll through the streets. Check out the outdoor farmers market with goods from all over Rutland County while you're there!
Food and drink connoisseurs can indulge in a variety of Vermont spirits, brews, ciders, wines, snacks and more at the Downtown Sip and Shops in October and April! The perfect night out features tastings at various shops in the district where you can browse inventory while chatting with friends. Check in at Depot Park and get a free tasting glass with a map of over 15 participating businesses to explore at each event!
Fan of comics and superheroes? Believe it or not, Downtown Rutland is a part of both the DC and Marvel universes! Our annual Halloween Parade, the longest running Halloween parade anywhere in the country, features hundreds of creatively designed floats that draw in thousands of spectators each October. The parade, created by a local writer and comic book enthusiast, was mentioned or served as a plot point in nearly 20 comic book editions since the 1970's, with appearances from characters such as Batman, Thor and The Avengers.
At the end of November, you'll want to make it for the Downtown Rutland Holiday Stroll, our Small Business Saturday celebration, with treats, sales, tastings, activities and gallery receptions. Join us as we flip the switch on our light display and kick off the holiday season with Santa. Small businesses make up the backbone of our downtown. Small Business Saturday is the perfect time to show your support for our local business owners and entrepreneurs! But they'd love to see you any day of the year.
Come winter, don't let the cold and snow stop you from making a visit. Each February Rutland holds Winter Fest, a week-long festival of everything winter. Events take place throughout all of Rutland, such as a snow sculpting contest, chili cook-off, ice skating and snowshoeing. But if you ask us, you can't beat the evening of sledding down the streets of downtown.
The list doesn't end there. In Rutland, our community is rock solid. Local organizations are constantly holding their own events, from races to dog parades to car shows and dancing competitions. You never know what's coming next.
While you're here, be sure to wander around and check out our growing list of murals and sculptures, as well as our permanent and pop-up art galleries. With a beautiful mix of architecture, unique selection of shops and scenic mountain views in every direction, you'll love what you find in Downtown Rutland. See what we have coming up next by searching Downtown Rutland on Facebook or visiting downtownrutland.com.
