Local Events

From lively dinners and seasonal celebrations at our Inns to concerts, festivals, and cultural happenings throughout Southern Vermont, there’s always something going on. Explore our curated calendar of events to discover what’s happening during your stay, whether it's a wine tasting, trivia night, live music, or a local farmers market. Join us at the Inns of Dorset or venture out to experience all the charm the region has to offer.

Library Nights at Barrows House
Apr
29

Library Nights at Barrows House

Join us this spring at the Barrows House Inn for dinner, drinks, and a relaxed book talk. The Dorset Library will receive 10% of the evening’s proceeds. RSVP with the Library to save a seat.

Prefer a quiet dinner? Dine at the Barrows House on April 29th or May 27th and mention you’re supporting the Dorset Library. Reservations recommended.

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Northshire Book Festival
May
1
to May 3

Northshire Book Festival

  • 4869 Main Street Manchester, VT, 05255 United States (map)
  • Google Calendar ICS

Join us May 1–3, 2026 at the Manchester Northshire Bookstore for a lively weekend of author talks, readings, signings, and celebration.

Day passes or three-day tickets available. Events take place at the bookstore and at First Baptist Church across the street.

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Spring Retreat: Yoga and Wellness at the 1880 House
May
8
to May 10

Spring Retreat: Yoga and Wellness at the 1880 House

Join yoga instructor and wellness coach Lina C. Hanson for a weekend retreat designed to slow you down and open you up. Set at the intimate 1880 House in the heart of Dorset Village, this April getaway weaves together yoga practice, guided meditation, and wellness conversation in one of Vermont's most beautiful corners.

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Something Rotten
May
15
to May 24

Something Rotten

Set in the 1590s, brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom are desperate to write a hit play but are stuck in the shadow of that Renaissance rock star known as "The Bard." When a local soothsayer foretells that the future of theatre involves singing, dancing and acting at the same time, Nick and Nigel set out to write the world’s very first musical. But amidst the scandalous excitement of opening night, the Bottom Brothers realize that reaching the top means being true to thine own self, and all that jazz.

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Manchester VT Food and Wine Festival
May
22
to May 24

Manchester VT Food and Wine Festival

Indulge in an unforgettable culinary escape in Manchester, Vermont. Sip exceptional wines, savor inspired dishes, discover offerings from Vermont’s finest purveyors and artisans, and mingle with fellow food and wine enthusiasts along the way.

Mark your calendars for May 22, 2026 - May 24, 2026 and get ready for a weekend filled with flavor, experiences and fun!

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Library Nights at Barrows House
May
27

Library Nights at Barrows House

Join us this spring at the Barrows House Inn for dinner, drinks, and a relaxed book talk. The Dorset Library will receive 10% of the evening’s proceeds. RSVP with the Library to save a seat.

Prefer a quiet dinner? Dine at the Barrows House on April 29th or May 27th and mention you’re supporting the Dorset Library. Reservations recommended.

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Clue: On Stage (Saturday)
Apr
18

Clue: On Stage (Saturday)

On a dark and stormy night, a group of mysterious guests gathers at Boddy Manor for a strange dinner party that quickly turns deadly. Based on the cult classic film and beloved board game, CLUE is a fast-paced comedy filled with secrets, suspects, and twists that will keep you guessing until the very end.

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Clue: On Stage (Friday)
Apr
17

Clue: On Stage (Friday)

On a dark and stormy night, a group of mysterious guests gathers at Boddy Manor for a strange dinner party that quickly turns deadly. Based on the cult classic film and beloved board game, CLUE is a fast-paced comedy filled with secrets, suspects, and twists that will keep you guessing until the very end.

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After School Activities at the Dorset Library
Apr
16

After School Activities at the Dorset Library

NEW! After-School Activities | From 3:30PM to 4:30PM

Kids can drop-in on Thursdays after school to do a different activity each week at the library. We’ll have games, science experiments, arts and crafts, LEGOs and more. For ages 10+. No registration required.

April 16th – Origami

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Clue: On Stage (Saturday)
Apr
11

Clue: On Stage (Saturday)

On a dark and stormy night, a group of mysterious guests gathers at Boddy Manor for a strange dinner party that quickly turns deadly. Based on the cult classic film and beloved board game, CLUE is a fast-paced comedy filled with secrets, suspects, and twists that will keep you guessing until the very end.

View Event →
Clue: On Stage (Friday)
Apr
10

Clue: On Stage (Friday)

On a dark and stormy night, a group of mysterious guests gathers at Boddy Manor for a strange dinner party that quickly turns deadly. Based on the cult classic film and beloved board game, CLUE is a fast-paced comedy filled with secrets, suspects, and twists that will keep you guessing until the very end.

View Event →
After School Activities at the Dorset Library
Apr
9

After School Activities at the Dorset Library

NEW! After-School Activities | From 3:30PM to 4:30PM

Kids can drop-in on Thursdays after school to do a different activity each week at the library. We’ll have games, science experiments, arts and crafts, LEGOs and more. For ages 10+. No registration required.

April 9th- Oobleck

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Easter Brunch at The Dorset Inn
Apr
5

Easter Brunch at The Dorset Inn

Join us for Easter Brunch, which has become a cherished tradition for many of our guests. Chef Jon brings his signature care to a menu that moves between the comforting and the unexpected — brunch classics alongside dishes that surprise. All of it served in the warm, unhurried atmosphere that has made The Dorset Inn a gathering place since 1796.

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Easter Brunch at Barrows House
Apr
5

Easter Brunch at Barrows House

Celebrate Easter Brunch at Barrows House with a menu that feels festive, seasonal, and just a little indulgent. From bright spring flavors to beautifully prepared brunch favorites, it’s the kind of gathering made for lingering over great food, a cocktail or two, and time well spent with family and friends in the warm, welcoming setting of Barrows House.

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After School Activities at the Dorset Library
Apr
2

After School Activities at the Dorset Library

NEW! After-School Activities | From 3:30PM to 4:30PM

Kids can drop-in on Thursdays after school to do a different activity each week at the library. We’ll have games, science experiments, arts and crafts, LEGOs and more. For ages 10+. No registration required.

April 2nd – Puzzle Challenge

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After School Activities at the Dorset Library
Mar
26

After School Activities at the Dorset Library

NEW! After-School Activities | From 3:30PM to 4:30PM

Kids can drop-in on Thursdays after school to do a different activity each week at the library. We’ll have games, science experiments, arts and crafts, LEGOs and more. For ages 10+. No registration required.

March 26- Yo-Yo Tricks

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CurATE Artists At The Table: Michelle Samour
Mar
19

CurATE Artists At The Table: Michelle Samour

Artists at the Table is a new dinner series at curATE café at the Southern Vermont Arts Center that brings the gallery into the dining room. Guests share an intimate meal while connecting with artists currently on view and hearing the stories behind their work.

For this evening, Head Chef Julie Heins presents a seasonal menu inspired by Paper Transformed, an exhibition curated by Michelle Samour that explores the creative possibilities of colored paper pulp in contemporary art.

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Saint Patty’s Day Buffet: The Dorset Inn
Mar
17

Saint Patty’s Day Buffet: The Dorset Inn

Join us for a festive Saint Patrick’s Day buffet filled with hearty favorites and traditional dishes. Enjoy live music from The Lilting Banshees throughout the evening, with traditional Irish tunes setting the tone.

Gather with friends, raise a glass, and celebrate the holiday in warm, spirited company. Sláinte! 🍀

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The Gin Game: A Staged Reading (Sunday)
Mar
15

The Gin Game: A Staged Reading (Sunday)

This 1978 Pulitzer Prize–winning drama uses a game of gin rummy as a metaphor for life. When two nursing home residents begin playing cards together, their friendly games gradually reveal personal histories, deep frustrations, and the quiet battles that shape their lives.

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The Gin Game: A Staged Reading (Friday)
Mar
13

The Gin Game: A Staged Reading (Friday)

This 1978 Pulitzer Prize–winning drama uses a game of gin rummy as a metaphor for life. When two nursing home residents begin playing cards together, their friendly games gradually reveal personal histories, deep frustrations, and the quiet battles that shape their lives.

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Swan Lake Performed by the Grand Kyiv Ballet of the Ukraine
Mar
6

Swan Lake Performed by the Grand Kyiv Ballet of the Ukraine

Performed by the Kyiv Ballet of the Ukraine, Swan Lake is a classic ballet that weaves love, magic, and tragedy across four acts. It tells the story of Prince Siegfried and Odette, a swan princess cursed by a sorcerer to spend her days as a swan and her nights as a human. As the two fall in love, the sorcerer complicates their romance by introducing his daughter, Odile, leading to confusion and challenges. Through heartbreak, forgiveness, and perseverance, Siegfried and Odette’s love triumphs, bringing the story to a joyful and enduring conclusion.

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Barrows House Trivia
Mar
5

Barrows House Trivia

Join us for a lively evening of Trivia at Barrows House! Smart questions, great drinks, and friendly competition. Topics span from pop culture, history, music, and more, with prizes and bragging rights on the line.

Trivia starts at 6:30 PM.

Call to make a reservation! 802-867-4455

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Southwestern Night with Chef Jon
Mar
4

Southwestern Night with Chef Jon

Chef Jon’s Southwestern Night returns Wednesday, March 4 at The Restaurant at The Dorset Inn. A warm, unhurried menu of ceviche, Hatch chile pozole, tamales, red snapper tacos, and tres leches, plus specialty cocktails. Reservations recommended.

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'On Paper' Exhibit at SVAC
Mar
3
to Mar 8

'On Paper' Exhibit at SVAC

‘On Paper’ features work by Elfriede Abbe, Barbara Ackerman, Tom Fels, Annie Ireland, Crystalle Lacouture, and Carolyn Shattuck, all part of SVAC’s Artist Member community. Through printmaking, drawing, cyanotype, collage, and mixed media, they explore paper as a creative surface. Interactive stations at Yester House invite visitors to engage with the materials and process firsthand.

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Vertical Challenge Race at Bromley
Mar
1

Vertical Challenge Race at Bromley

Vertical Challenge Race

Sunday, March 1 | 10:00am–3:30pm

Free, fun races for all ages and abilities, ski and snowboard. Enjoy free product samples and great tunes while we soak up the sun. Registration is free but a valid lift ticket or season pass is required. Registration begins at 7:30AM, Races begin at 10AM

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Artists at the Table
Feb
26

Artists at the Table

Artists at the Table is an intimate dinner series at curATE café at Yester House at SVAC, where guests share a seasonal meal inspired by current exhibitions at the Southern Vermont Arts Center.

This evening celebrates Tom Fels. Chef Julie Heins’ menu draws from On Paper, exploring flavor, color, and texture in conversation with the work. Featured artists and SVAC Curator Danny Volk will join guests at the table for a lively, informal discussion throughout the evening.

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Valentine’s At Barrows House
Feb
14

Valentine’s At Barrows House

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with an evening that feels warm, indulgent, and effortlessly romantic. Barrows House offers the perfect setting to slow down, linger over dinner, and enjoy a thoughtfully crafted dining experience in an intimate, welcoming atmosphere.

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