Utah's Annual Summer Festivals
As spring turns into summer, the festival season in Utah spreads like pollen in the wind. Bring your biggest brimmed hats, your inner art critic, your picnic blankets, camping chairs, cheese and cracker spreads and your toe-tapping-into-twilight outdoor concert appreciation. Warning: Wicker-basket toting ahead.
Northern Utah
Bear Lake + Logan + Ogden Areas
Cache Valley Mountain Man Rendevouz | American West Heritage Center, Wellsville
Early April, in conjunction with Baby Animal Days at American West Heritage Center. Learn about life as a mountain man, throw a tomahawk, make fire and do some tradin' — or cash buyin'.
Cache Valley Storytelling Festival | 50 N Main, Logan
In June at the Logan Tabernacle. Youngsters and oldsters alike spin their yarns at the late afternoon event. Admission is free, but tickets are required.
Logan Summerfest Arts Faire | Cache County Events Center, Logan
Held for three days in mid-June. Visual arts, performing arts, a creation station, contests and food. Open 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.; admission is free.
Bear Lake Raspberry Days | 579 Buttercup Blvd, Garden City
Celebrate the raspberry harvest the first weekend in August. There's a craft fair, bingo, a parade, pie eating contest, concerts and rodeo. Stick around the final night for the Bear Lake Boat Parade, when watercraft decorated with lights parade under fireworks.
Ogden Music Festival | 2450 A Avenue, Ogden
The first weekend in June, Fort Buenaventura State Park comes alive with traditional acoustic music — bluegrass style. Kids 16 and younger can attend for free. In addition to sweet tunes, there's a petting zoo, outdoor-themed crafts and other activities. Attend all three days for $150. Don't want to miss a minute? There's overnight camping, too.
Salt Lake Valley
Utah Arts Festival | 200 E 400 S, Salt Lake City
Utah's largest multi-disciplinary outdoor event, the downtown festival officially kicks off summer in late June. Library Square is filled with art, live music and dance performances. Of course, there's always plenty of food on hand, too.
Murray Arts in the Park | 495 E 5300 S, Murray
The Murray Park Amphitheater is home to cultural arts performances throughout the summer. Evening shows include plays, choirs, ballet and bands. A favorite is the Acoustic Music Festival held in early September; it features folk and bluegrass music.
Utah Blues Festival | Gallivan Center, Salt Lake City
For two days in mid-June, Salt Lake City is all about the blues. There are art vendors, food trucks, and plenty of alcohol to imbibe. You can even learn a thing or two at one of the free workshops. Children 12 and under get free admission.
Greek Festival | 279 S 300 W, Salt Lake City
Holy Trinity Cathedral is the home base of the annual Greek Festival in September. This one is considered the largest west of the Mississippi. Music, food and all things that celebrate Greek heritage and culture.
Oktoberfest | 9385 S Snowbird Center Dr, Snowbird
It starts mid-August and is held every weekend until mid-October.The annual event includes beer, of course, as well as German food, music and dance. Get a souvenir from one of the local artist booths.
Living Traditions Festival | 200 E 400 S, Salt Lake City
Held in mid-May, the festival at Library Square features performing artists, crafters and culinary artists. There are also food demonstrations and tastings, panel discussions, film screenings and workshops. The event aims to invoke positive conversations about the many cultures found across the state. Admission is free.
Park City/Heber Valley
Swiss Days | 100 N Main St, Midway
Crafters and food vendors pack themselves into the town square on the Friday and Saturday before Memorial Day. There’s a parade, a 19K fun run, live music and entertainment. Bonus points if you wear lederhosen or a dirndl.
Soldier Hollow Classic Sheepdog Championship | 2002 Soldier Hollow Ln, Midway
Sheepdogs show their best herding skills at the annual event held in Midway over Memorial Day weekend. Competitors come from around the world to test themselves against Utah's legendary Rocky Mountain range ewes. Spectator animals are not allowed.
Kimball Arts Festival | Main Street, Park City
Live music on two outdoor stages, food trucks, tasting tents and all the art you want to see. Park your car at Park City High School or Park City Mountain Resort (for free!), then take the bus (also free!) into town. Held the first weekend in August.
Savor the Summit | Main Street, Park City
For one night in late June, Main Street is turned into a huge picnic. Restaurants serve up their specialties al fresco, while thousands of diners munch and mingle.
Deer Valley Music Festival | Snow Park Amphitheater, Park City
The hills are alive with the sound of the Utah Symphony. These aren’t your typical orchestral concerts. All summer, the outdoor shows have featured special guests such as The B-52s, Randy Travis and Leslie Odom Jr.
Provo/Utah Valley
Freedom Festival Stadium of Fire | LaVell Edwards Stadium, Provo
Held the 4th of July weekend, there’s a concert followed by fireworks. And instead of fighting traffic to get home, head west of the stadium for a family street dance.
Payson Scottish Festival | 250 S Main Street, Payson
Payson Memorial Park becomes a little Scotland for a weekend in mid-July. The annual free event features bagpipers, dancers and drummers, as well as athletes vying in Highland gamers. Dress in your kilt and don your sporran, but remember all swords and knives must be sheathed. No dogs are allowed in the park.
World Folkfest | 700 S 1300 E, Springville
Sure you can do the hustle, but do you know any traditional folk dances? How about dozens? Step up your game by attending the nation’s largest International Folk Dance Festival, held in Springville.
Timpanogos Storytelling Festival | Thanksgiving Point, Lehi
This may be the largest storytelling festival in the West, where you can listen, laugh, cry and feel that all is right with the world. Held in early September. If you can’t make the live event, you can buy tickets for online access. No pets allowed.
Central Utah
Scandinavian Heritage Festival | Ephraim
The hamlet of Ephraim is home to the largest Scandinavian celebration in the West. Stop by Memorial Day weekend and you’ll find authentic food, vendor booths and contests such as beard growing and wife carrying. There’s also a car show, demonstrations, storytelling and a concert.
Spring City Heritage Day | Spring City
Historic Spring City hosts several events throughout the summer months. In late May, Heritage Days celebrates art, antiques, handmade goods and food. In August, get yer knee slappin’ in at the Bluegrass & Folk Festival; in September, channel your inner artist at the Plein Air & Studio Tour.
Southern Utah
Panguitch Valley Balloon Rally | Main Street, Panguitch
Dozens of colorful hot air balloons take to the sky over Panguitch at the end of June. As if the spectacle of floating folks weren’t enough, there’s also a 5K fun run, vendor booths, activities and music to keep you entertained. The mass balloon launch commences at 6:30 a.m.
Zion Yoga Fest | 126 Lion Blvd, Springdale
Held the first weekend in June, this promises four days of bliss, healing and soulful connection. Yoga amidst the towering rocks of Zion National Park? Of course it is. There are dozens of specialized classes, lectures and vendors.
Utah Shakespeare Festival | 195 W Center St, Cedar City
From mid-June to October, Cedar City becomes the Festival City. See plays by a guy named Shakespeare, as well as some much, much more modern pieces. See the free greenshows before the actual plays for a bit of lighthearted, silly entertainment.
Moab Arts Festival | 376 S Main, Moab
Kick off the Memorial Day weekend by picking up some art in Moab. Vendors sell all types: jewelry, pottery, wood, sculpture, clothing, fine art and photography. There’s also activities for the kids, music and a food court.
Bryce Canyon Geology Festival | Bryce Canyon Visitor Center
The annual Geo Fest is held in July. Park rangers guide daily hikes, talk hoodoo geology and give entertaining nightly programs.
Cedar Breaks Wildflower Festival | Visitor Center, near Point Supreme
For a week in July, Cedar Breaks National Monument highlights the unique wildflowers growing there. Rangers lead flower walks, provide wildflower checklists and host family friendly games.
Western Legends Heritage & Music Festival | various locations, Kanab
Maybe you weren’t even born when Westerns dominated the silver screen, but you can still celebrate the stars who made southern Utah the romantic, rugged face of the West. Roundup activities include a check-in with movie stars, a country concert and a rodeo with a $10,000 purse. Held in late August.