The Deerfield Valley Blueberry Festival is the sweetest ten days on the valley’s summer calendar, and in 2026 it runs Friday, July 31 through Sunday, August 9. For a stretch of late summer, the towns of Wilmington, Dover, and Jacksonville go all in on blueberries – with a parade, a block party, live music, farm stands, and enough blueberry pie, pancakes, and lemonade to turn anyone’s fingers purple. It is a genuine slice of small-town Vermont, and a great reason to plan an early-August trip.
If you are timing a visit around it, the festival pairs perfectly with everything else the valley offers in August, from lake days to mountain adventures.
What to Expect at the Deerfield Valley Blueberry Festival
The festival is spread across the valley rather than crammed into one field, so the fun unfolds town by town over ten days. Expect opening ceremonies in Jacksonville, a lively Blueberry Block Party, live music, kids’ activities, and dozens of local vendors and farm stands celebrating the harvest.
The centerpiece is the Town of Dover Blueberry Parade, set for Saturday, August 1, rolling down Route 100 in Dover from the Town Office to American Flatbread. It is the kind of hometown parade where the whole valley turns out.
🫐 Blueberry pancakes, pies, and baked goods everywhere
🎶 Live music and a downtown block party
🎈 A hometown parade down Route 100 in Dover
👨👩👧 Family-friendly activities across three towns
Pick Your Own While You’re Here
No blueberry festival is complete without picking your own. Boyd Family Farm in Wilmington opens its rows for pick-your-own blueberries in August – head out with a bucket and bring home a flat for pancakes back at the house. It is the perfect companion outing to the festival, and an easy morning with kids.
Make a Weekend of It
The festival lands during one of the more relaxed booking windows of the summer, so it is a smart time to grab a valley getaway. Base yourself at a house with room to spread out, like Valley View Villa, and you can fold festival stops into a week of swimming, hiking, and mountain fun. Downtown Wilmington’s shops and cafes are an easy stroll between events.
Check the festival organizers’ current schedule before you go, since individual event times and locations can shift year to year.
🗺️ More to Explore Near Mount Snow
- Boyd Family Farm — Pick-your-own blueberries and flowers
- Downtown Wilmington — A walking tour of Main Street
- American Flatbread — Wood-fired pizza at the parade’s finish line
- Adams Family Farm — Petting zoo and wagon rides
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Deerfield Valley Blueberry Festival 2026?
The festival runs Friday, July 31 through Sunday, August 9, 2026, spread across Wilmington, Dover, and Jacksonville, Vermont. The Dover Blueberry Parade is set for Saturday, August 1.
Where is the Blueberry Festival held?
It’s a valley-wide celebration across the towns of Wilmington, Dover, and Jacksonville, with events including opening ceremonies in Jacksonville, a block party, and the parade down Route 100 in Dover. Check the organizers’ schedule for specific event locations and times.
Can you pick your own blueberries near the festival?
Yes – Boyd Family Farm in Wilmington opens for pick-your-own blueberries in August. It’s an easy, family-friendly outing to pair with the festival. Call ahead or check the farm’s site to confirm the season has started.
Where should I stay for the Blueberry Festival?
The Mount Snow area in West Dover and Wilmington puts you right in the middle of the festival towns. A rental like Valley View Villa gives a group room to spread out and an easy base for festival stops, lake days, and mountain adventures.
