Festival of Fools
Ages: 0 - 14+
Cost: All events are free to the public. Performers in all areas accept tips and gratuities through the tradition of “passing the hat”.
Parking: No - Street Parking Only
Features: Snack Stand, Restrooms
The Festival of Fools is a curated festival of street theater devoted to community engagement through the celebration of circus arts, music and comedy for family audiences.
The Festival of Fools features the best international street performers from around the globe. Four main stage locations surrounding the Church Street Marketplace and City Hall Park will feature continuous street theater, performing to over 10,000 visitors to Church Street each day.
Festival of Fools brings the age-old tradition of busking to Burlington. Busking is the practice of performing in public places for tips and gratuities. Performers will be conducting their acts on various locations called pitches throughout the day on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. While the entertainment is free, festival goers should feel free to donate to the performer if they like what they see.
New this year on Saturday and Sunday from 12-5pm, the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Vermont’s Kids Zone in City Hall Park features face painting, whimsical make-and-takes, free Bucket O’ Fun circus arts workshops, games and more!
- Festival Map
- Restrooms located in City Hall
5 Reviews
shay123
Reviewed on 07/27/2012
Love this festival. My husband and I travel all the way from New Jersey for this. Performers are excellent. Food is great. People are so friendly in Burlington we love to get away here. Our favorite show is the yo yo show. They always put on an amazing performance. Every year the festival seems to get even better and there is a bigger croud every year.
JulieMS
Reviewed on 08/08/2011
What a ton of fun! My husband and I laughed and enjoyed 4 shows plus the end of the day "best of..." show. Thank you BCA for all the fun!
twincoastlove
Reviewed on 08/12/2008
Wow, what a Saturday we had. This festival was the perfect way to spend all day in Burlington. We met a friend in City Hall Park, caught a show, and decided to plan the day around the rest of the shows. It was wonderful! So kid-friendly, they laughed hysterically at the humor, facial expression, and stunts that the performers delighted us all with throughout the day. We met my husband for a to-go dinner on the lawn in City Hall Park...more
pcheftammy
Reviewed on 08/12/2008
What a great way to spend a Saturday. We happened on the Festival of Fools, in Burlington to look for school clothes. This event was a blast. Great performers who were very entertaining and professional . The kids loved it, I enjoyed it also. There were many performances all happening at the same time, but repeated throughout the day, so all you had to do was wander around Church Street and beyond to catch an act. The Farmers Market...more
Steve Mease
Reviewed on 07/18/2008
This is a brand new event for Burlington, but if you like street performers (and who doesn't) I think this is going to be a fun event. Our family experienced all the street performers at Key West at sunset a couple years ago and it was a blast to see so many people out performing. And if you have seen Waldo Woodhead at First Night, you know his festival will be fun.
