Park Events

Regular Events at Montpelier Parks

Montpelier Parks hosts a number of regular events each year. Most are free, and all are outdoors. The Montpelier Alive Community Calendar is a great place to learn about upcoming events and keep track of the exact dates, but here is a short list of our most popular events. Also check our Facebook page for updates about events in the parks.

The Enchanted Forest

The annual Enchanted Forest is held in Hubbard Park, Montpelier for one weekend each October. It is a guided, roughly hour-long walk from the New Shelter to the Tower and back again. Along with its famous jack-o-lanterns, which light the entire length of the trail, visitors find a forest filled with art, music, song, and magic. At the Tower, a pause allows visitors to spread out on the hillside and watch a performance before returning to the New Shelter. Tickets on sale now: https://alltogethernowvt.org/enchantedforest

Gnome Poem Storywalk

This free walk follows signs along the Hubbard Park Fitness Trail, starting from the kiosk at the New Shelter, and visitors are invited to look for gnomes as they walk and read. Held on one day in November from 9 am to 4 pm, rain or shine. Hosted in conjunction with the Association of Bookmobile and Outreach Services' International Storywalk Week and Kellogg Hubbard Library.

Ice on Fire

This annual festival is a celebration of winter, held in conjunction with East Montpelier's AllTogetherNow! Community Arts Center. Bring family and friends for an afternoon of sledding, hot drinks and songs. Pop-up storytelling, puppets, fun with snow (weather permitting) and other events take place throughout the day. The event closes with a traditional Revels poem and a Christmas tree bonfire. Held the first Sunday in February from 2-5.

Nighttime Snowshoe Romp

Onion River Outdoors holds this snowshoe romp in Hubbard Park in mid to late January, from 6-8 pm. Snowshoers are invited to follow a half-mile lantern-lit loop through the woods. Starts and ends at the Old Shelter, where a warm fire, hot chocolate and other treats are on offer. Fun, festive, and free! Demo snowshoes available. 

Hubbard Park Spring Egg Hunt

Each year in April, Hubbard Park hosts its very own Spring  Egg Hunt. The open-air hunt for chocolate eggs is open to children ages 10 and under. No dogs allowed. 

Parkapalooza

Each summer Hubbard Park hosts a free summer concert series known as Parkapalooza. These family-friendly, open-air concerts are held at the Tuning Forks Stage, next to the Old Shelter, and feature live music from talented local and regional artists. With plenty of space for young legs to roam, spread out a picnic blanket and play outside, these events are the perfect end to a summer day. Keep your eye out for the Park's 100-foot-long slip n' slide (weather permitting)! From early July to late August, Parkapalooza happens weekly, usually on a week night, from about 5:30 to 7:30 pm. These events are BYO, so bring whatever food and drink you need and make sure to pack whatever you bring in out again, when you leave. Due to limited parking, concert-goers are encouraged to walk or carpool whenever possible. Admission is free, but donations are welcome. This event is hosted in collaboration with the Montpelier Community Services Department.

Nature Walks

Throughout the year, local naturalist Gail Johnson leads guided walks in Hubbard Park. Open to all ages, Gail helps visitors follow the seasons and learn about plants and animals through connecting with nature. Walks help visitors find amphibians, food scraps, birds, insect and mammal holes, animal tracks, nests, feathers, fur, scat, and the animals themselves. Entirely free, and no need to register. Keep an eye on this page and the Montpelier Parks Facebook page for news about timing. 

Other Events

Check out the North Branch Nature Center events page for news about happenings at the North Branch Nature Center, adjacent to North Branch River Park.