BURLINGTON — Live music and festival crowds returned to the Burlington waterfront this weekend as Grand Point North, the three-day music festival hosted by Vermont native Grace Potter, filled the city’s lakeside venues with national, regional and local performers.
Festival brings music and fundraising to the waterfront
The event, staged along Burlington’s waterfront, featured a lineup that included prominent touring acts and local favorites. Organizers say proceeds from this year’s festival will benefit the Grand Point Foundation, which supports music and arts education and other creative opportunities across Vermont.
Festivalgoers praised the atmosphere and the lineup. "Musicians are amazing. It's a fun festival. The people are great in Vermont and we're having a great time," said attendee Meribeth Goddaou.
Notable acts and schedule highlights
This year’s roster brought a mix of headline and tribute acts. Among performers listed by organizers were Portugal. The Man and Jackson Browne. A Grateful Dead tribute band, Dark Star Orchestra, was scheduled to perform on Sunday, while Grace Potter herself was set to close the Saturday evening program with a 9 p.m. set.
- Headliners: Grace Potter (Saturday, 9 p.m.), Portugal. The Man, Jackson Browne
- Tribute act: Dark Star Orchestra (Sunday)
- Benefit: Proceeds directed to the Grand Point Foundation for music and arts education in Vermont
The festival’s combination of well-known acts and local performers reflects an effort to both draw regional visitors and spotlight Vermont talent. That mix carries economic and cultural implications for Burlington, from hotel stays and restaurant business to increased visibility for the city’s waterfront as an event destination.
Local impact and community ties
Grand Point North has positioned itself as both a cultural event and a fundraiser. The Grand Point Foundation, created by Potter and partners, focuses its giving on programs that expand access to music and arts education in Vermont schools and community organizations. While organizers did not release specific fundraising totals, the festival’s design — ticketed performances, vendors and auxiliary programming — channels revenue toward the foundation’s grants and initiatives.
For neighborhood residents and business owners near the waterfront, the festival means heavier foot traffic and an influx of overnight visitors.
| Day | Featured Acts |
|---|---|
| Friday | Various national and regional performers (festival opening) |
| Saturday | Jackson Browne; Portugal. The Man; Grace Potter (9 p.m.) |
| Sunday | Dark Star Orchestra (Grateful Dead tribute) and others |
City officials and event organizers typically coordinate on logistics, including crowd management, transportation and public safety, to accommodate the spike in visitors during large waterfront events. Residents said they appreciated festival energy while noting the usual trade-offs of noise and increased traffic near the waterfront.
"Musicians are amazing. It's a fun festival. The people are great in Vermont and we're having a great time,"
Meribeth Goddaou, festivalgoer
What’s next for Burlington’s events calendar
Grand Point North is one of several late-summer and early-fall events that underscore Burlington’s role as a regional arts destination. Organizers and local businesses often view the festival as a barometer for visitor demand heading into the fall season. While Grand Point North draws its base with headline names and a philanthropic mission, its broader effect is felt across the city’s hospitality and cultural sectors.
For attendees and Burlington residents alike, the festival offered a weekend of live music along the lake and a reminder of the city's capacity to host high-profile cultural events that aim to give back to Vermont communities.
