By Tara Fischer

Staff Writer

(Oct. 29, 2026) Classic Berlin get-togethers like the Bathtub Races, the Peach Festival, and the Christmas Parade are returning to town in 2027, now that the Town Council approved several event calendars this week.

At Monday night’s meeting, the Berlin Town Council approved 2027 event schedules for the Berlin Chamber of Commerce, the Calvin B. Taylor House Museum, and the town’s Main Street and Arts and Entertainment District.

The chamber will kick off its 2027 events lineup with its Spring Celebration on March 27, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Classic cars and hot rods will then roll into town for Spring Cruisers on May 1. Per the calendar approved this week, the vintage car show will start at 8 a.m. and wrap up around 2 p.m.

The chamber will once again host “Jazz and Blues” after taking a hiatus in 2026. Jazz and Blues, set for May 22, will feature live jazz performances along Main Street.

The Bathtub Races have been set for June 11 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. The Bathtub Races are a longtime Berlin tradition drawing thousands of spectators a year, where local businesses and individuals race custom-built bathtub inspired vehicles down Main Street.

The Chile Pepper Festival, featuring spicy products from hot sauce to salsa, will occur on Aug. 14 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. If the weather is uncooperative on that day, the Chile Pepper Festival will move to Aug. 21.

The chamber’s fall events include the Fiddler’s Convention on Friday, Sept. 17, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., and Saturday, Sept. 18, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Fall Cruisers on Oct. 9 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Rain dates for the Fiddler’s Convention have been set for Friday, Sept. 24 and Saturday, Sept. 25.

Alcohol will be available at Jazz and Blues, the Chile Pepper Festival, and the Fiddler’s Convention.

Berlin Chamber of Commerce President David Fitzgerald asked the mayor and Town Council whether certain events, like Jazz and Blues, could have a set-in-stone date. That would give the organization time to secure entertainment. He noted that his team could book acts in advance to avoid scrambling in the months leading up to the festival.

“As these bands come off the stage, they ask, ‘Can you book us for next year?’” Fitzgerald said. “It would be nice to have some standing dates … That would help us greatly in getting entertainment.”

Berlin Mayor Zack Tyndall said the municipality would be open to Fitzgerald’s suggestion.

The council also approved the Taylor House’s 2027 events lineup.

Functions include the Pig Roast on April 17 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m., Tindley Day on July 7 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., the Peach Festival on Aug. 7 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and the Book Festival on Oct. 16 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Additionally, the museum will host live music on the lawn the second Sunday of each month during the summer.

These events, called 2nd Sunday at the Museum, are scheduled for June 13, July 11, Aug. 8, and Sept. 12. The concerts will kick off at 6 p.m. and wrap up around 7:30 p.m.

Alcohol will be for sale at the Pig Roast, the 2nd Sundays, and the Book Festival.

The Town of Berlin approved its event schedule this week.

Berlin Restaurant Week is set for Jan. 18 to Jan. 24; the Berlin Community Yard Sale is scheduled for April 3; Berlin Vintage and Vinyl is scheduled for April 17; Memorial Day at the Monument is scheduled for May 30; the Memorial Day Parade is scheduled for May 31; and National Night Out is scheduled for Aug. 3.

The town’s 2027 fall and winter events include Oktoberfest on Oct. 16, Truck-N-Treat on Oct. 30, Ice Ice Berlin and the Christmas Tree Lighting on Nov. 26, the Christmas Parade on Dec. 2 (with a rain date of Dec. 9), Berlin’s Hanukkah Celebration on Dec. 30, and a New Year’s Eve event on Dec. 31.

Berlin’s Independence Day fireworks display is also returning in 2027 on July 3. Berlin Economic and Community Development Director Ivy Wells said that because July 3 falls on a Saturday next year, the illumination show’s cost went up. Still, she is working to find ways to help the town with the extra expense.

During budget talks, funding for the pyrotechnics was cut ahead of the 2026 show. However, the money was reinstated, and this year’s event went off as municipality officials wanted to commemorate the United States’ 250th anniversary. Additionally, a portion of the event cost was already paid.

Council Vice President Jack Orris noted this week that funding for the July 3 fireworks is spread over two fiscal years.

Wells maintained that she will return to the Town Council during the budget-creation process with the show’s price tag.