New World Festival

Chandler’s New World Festival is an 11-hour annual all-weather event on Labor Day Sunday in Randolph, Vermont that celebrates the Celtic and French American musical heritage so prevalent in this part of the New World brought to northern New England by English, Scottish, Irish and French-Canadian immigrants. The Festival has earned a reputation as one of the finest traditional music events in Vermont. With Main Street closed to traffic, the festival site is an intimate pedestrian village. Nearly 75 of the best regional and international musicians present concerts, play in dance bands, and share tunes and traditions.

Performances are in Chandler, in all-weather tents on Main Street, and in Bethany Church. Puppet shows, performances by young musicians, dance instruction and crafts are featured in the Family tent. The Dance tent offers participatory dancing in a variety of styles: contra, French quadrilles, Cape Breton, and free-style. The Sessions tent brings musicians from the same traditions together to share tunes in impromptu performances. Adding to the festive atmosphere is work by area artisans.