What began as a small farmers market in Wilmington in 1995 has grown into one of Vermont’s most distinctive annual celebrations, bringing together garlic growers, farmers, artisans, food vendors, musicians, families, and thousands of visitors for a weekend centered around one very pungent ingredient: garlic.

Produced by the Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce, Garlic Town, USA has become more than a festival. It is a celebration of agriculture, small businesses, food, music, community, and the character of Southern Vermont, right here, in the heart of Bennington, Vermont.

And in 2026, the tradition continues.

From a Small Farmers Market to Garlic Town, USA!

The original Southern Vermont Garlic and Herb Festival began in Wilmington, Vermont, in 1995 as a small farmers market focused on the “stinking rose.” Over the years, it grew to include dozens of vendors and thousands of visitors.

Around 2007, the Bennington Chamber of Commerce, now the Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce, worked with original producers Steve Wrathall and Joy Love to bring the festival to Bennington.

From 2008 through 2019, under the leadership of event chair Lindy Lynch, the Garlic Fest grew by more than 260%, eventually welcoming crowds of more than 16,000 people over two days and earning numerous awards.

Following Lynch’s passing in 2019 and the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, the Chamber moved the festival into downtown Bennington, ensuring that Southern Vermont would not go a year without its beloved garlic celebration.

In 2020, the smaller event was rebranded as Garlic Town, USA. As the pandemic subsided, the Chamber, under the leadership of Matt Harrington and event manager Mikaela Lewis, began rebuilding the festival’s size, excitement, and unmistakable stinkiness.

By 2021, more than 9,000 people attended the one-day celebration, which brought together garlic growers, craft and artistic vendors, food trucks, children’s activities, and the downtown community.

Today, Garlic Town, USA brings together more than 130 vendors and more than 100 volunteers, with the entire region coming together to celebrate this uniquely Southern Vermont tradition.

And the celebration doesn’t end at the festival grounds. Visitors are encouraged to explore downtown Bennington’s restaurants, shops, galleries, and small businesses throughout the weekend.

Planning your Labor Day Weekend? Explore our Bennington travel itineraries, dining guide, shopping guide, and places to stay.

Come for the Garlic, Stay for the Vendors

One of the things that makes Garlic Town, USA different from an ordinary craft fair or farmers market is that its vendors are curated.

Event organizers select farmers, artisans, food vendors, and makers with the goal of creating the experience visitors have come to expect from Garlic Town. Vendors are vetted for the quality of their products, and every vendor must offer at least one garlic-related item.

For food trucks, that means at least one garlic-infused dish. For artisans, at least one product must incorporate garlic into its design or inspiration.

Duplicates aren’t necessarily a bad thing, either. When multiple vendors offer similar products, it’s intentional, giving visitors the opportunity to compare different farms, makers, styles, and interpretations of the same ingredient.

Some garlic farmers have been part of the festival for more than 25 years. Several dedicate a portion of their annual harvest specifically for Garlic Town, USA.

For visitors, that makes the festival an excellent place to stock the pantry. Expect everything from fresh garlic and garlic braids to garlic powder, black garlic, fermented garlic, specialty garlic products, and farm-to-table ingredients that can continue your Garlic Town experience long after the weekend is over.

Want to explore more local farms, markets, shops, and food destinations? Check out our complete Bennington guide.

The Soundtrack of Garlic Town

Garlic Town isn’t just about what you eat, it’s also about what you hear.

The 2026 music lineup brings together several Southern Vermont favorites, regional musicians, and a new addition to the festival.

Julie Shea

Garlic Town opens its musical programming with Julie Shea, a Vermont-based singer-songwriter known for her soulful vocals, warm stage presence, and Americana sound.

After taking a long break from performing, Shea returned to music with renewed purpose and has become a familiar presence at venues throughout Southern Vermont.

Following the huge response to the Julie Shea Band’s appearance at the 30th anniversary celebration, Julie returns to Garlic Town this year as a solo performer.

Buck2Fifty

Next up is Buck2Fifty, a New Orleans-flavored R&B group featuring Matt Edwards on piano and vocals, Jeff McRae on drums, David Cuite on bass, and Brian Haner on guitar.

Their sound blends early rock and roll, Southern funk, deconstructed country, and reimagined American standards into what they describe as a musical gumbo.

Bird Mountain Stringband

Making its first appearance at Garlic Town, Bird Mountain Stringband brings traditional bluegrass and old-time music rooted in the hills of Vermont.

The family trio features farmer, father, and guitarist Adam Stevenson alongside his sons Zenon and Micah, joined by Sam Merwin on bass. Together, they share a love of traditional music and the sounds that have shaped Vermont’s musical landscape.

The Velvet Wave

Headlining the festival is The Velvet Wave, a Southern Vermont surf rock band bringing a distinctly 1960s-inspired sound to the festival.

Think beach parties, roller rinks, homecoming dances, and drive-ins—and a fitting soundtrack for a late-summer day in Bennington.

Looking for more live music while you’re in town? See what’s happening throughout Bennington on our events calendar.

Watch, Learn & Taste Something Unexpected

The Chef Demonstration Tent is getting a makeover this year.

Now expanded into a Chef & Farmer Demonstration Tent, the space brings together cooking, agriculture, gardening, wellness, and plenty of garlic-inspired creativity.

The 2026 schedule includes:

11–11:30 a.m. – Garlic Braiding by Harmony Acres Garlic Farm

11:45 a.m.–12:15 p.m. – Home & Garden Composting 101

12:30–1:30 p.m. – Doug Eash Magic Show

1:45–2:30 p.m. – Black Garlic Magic by Tony from Rolling Rock Farm

2:45–3:15 p.m. – Flavor Is Medicine, with Garlic by Dr. Jenn

3:30–4:30 p.m. – Garlic Ice Cream by Cara Thatch & Garlic Gelato by Village Chocolate Shoppe

And the kids’ programming has gotten an update, too.

Throughout the day, families can enjoy cornhole, tractor rides throughout downtown Bennington, a bubble station, kinetic sand, an interactive activity from HFCU, and large Lincoln Log-style building blocks.

There will also be Doug Eash Magic Shows at 12:30–1:30 p.m. and 3:30–4:30 p.m.

Traveling with kids? Discover more family-friendly activities and things to do in Bennington here.

A Festival That Takes Waste Seriously

Garlic Town, USA is also working to make its celebration more sustainable.

In 2024, the festival diverted more than 4,000 pounds of waste from incineration through dedicated sorting efforts. Food scraps were transformed into nutrient-rich compost, helping reduce the environmental impact of the event while supporting local sustainability efforts.

The work continues each year, with the festival focused on increasing waste diversion, improving recycling rates, and expanding composting.

Behind the effort is the festival’s Green Team, a group of volunteers who help make sure waste is sorted properly and given the opportunity to be reused or repurposed.

It is an important part of the festival’s identity: celebrating Southern Vermont’s agricultural traditions while thinking about how large community events can operate more responsibly.

Learn more about sustainable initiatives and outdoor experiences throughout Bennington here.

Don’t Worry About Parking

Garlic Town attracts thousands of people, but getting there doesn’t have to be complicated.

More than 100 volunteers will be throughout the event ready to answer questions, help visitors find their way, take a photo, or offer suggestions for what to do around Bennington.

Your festival ticket also includes free parking and shuttle service to and from the festival grounds. Parking is available at designated lots at Grace Christian School and the Southwestern Vermont Chamber of Commerce.

And remember: Garlic Town is only part of the weekend.

Downtown Bennington’s restaurants, shops, galleries, and other businesses are ready to welcome visitors, with special offers and activities happening throughout Labor Day Weekend.

Use Vermont Begins Here to find a place to stay, restaurants outside the festival, local attractions, and ideas for building a full Bennington itinerary.

New This Year: The Downtown Garlic Scavenger Hunt

If you smell garlic while walking around downtown, don’t just follow your nose, look for the bulb.

New for 2026, Garlic Town, USA is launching a Downtown Garlic Scavenger Hunt, giving visitors another reason to explore beyond the festival grounds.

Start by picking up a scavenger hunt flyer at the Garlic Town information tent. Then head downtown and visit the participating businesses, where you’ll search for a hidden garlic bulb.

Visit all the participating locations, complete your flyer, and return it to the information tent. Everyone who completes the hunt will be entered into a drawing for prizes provided by the Better Bennington Corporation, Bennington’s downtown organization.

Participating downtown businesses will also have special offers throughout Labor Day Weekend, with information available at the Garlic Town information tent.

It’s a simple way to turn a festival visit into a downtown adventure—and discover some of the businesses that make Bennington worth coming back to.

Explore Downtown Bennington and discover more local businesses, shopping, dining, and things to do.

Make a Weekend of It

Garlic Town, USA may be the reason you come to Bennington for Labor Day Weekend, but it doesn’t have to be the only thing you do.

Stay overnight. Walk the Riverwalk. Visit the Bennington Battle Monument. Explore the museums and galleries. Find a trail. Have dinner downtown. Shop for Vermont-made goods. Listen to live music. And, of course, take home enough garlic to make your kitchen smell like Labor Day Weekend for weeks to come.

That’s part of what makes Garlic Town special. The festival brings people to Bennington, but the weekend gives them a chance to discover the community around it.

Beat the Foliage Rush

Want to see Vermont in color without fighting the crowds? Mid-to-late September is a local sweet spot. While the highest elevations may already be showing off their first fall colors, the valleys are still enjoying the tail end of summer.

Drive up to the mountain tops for an early taste of foliage, then come back down and spend the afternoon exploring local trails, farmers markets, farm stands, and restaurants. You’ll get a little bit of fall without giving up the slower pace of late summer, and often with fewer crowds and lower prices than peak foliage season.

Consider it the local way to do fall in Vermont.

Start planning your Labor Day Weekend in Bennington at VermontBeginsHere.com, and follow Vermont Begins Here on Facebook and Instagram for updates, itineraries, and more things to do throughout Southern Vermont.