Salt Lake City has festivities taking place all through the year including concerts, festivals, fairs and sporting events.
The list below presents an overview of the major events in the Salt Lake City area.
January
College Baseball
From the crack of the bat to the slide on into home, NCAA baseball packs a wallop of home run frenzy for what’s oft called America’s favorite pastime. Diamond action starts in January, continuing through most of June.
BYU Cougars, Southern Utah Thunderbirds, Utah Utes, Utah Valley State Wolverines
First Night On New Year’s Eve
First Night, a huge bash with nearly all of downtown participating, celebrates the arts, with art, dance, music, theatre, live music, fireworks, and kids’ activities. Call (801) 333-1102 for more information.
Sundance Film Festival
Every January in Park City, the 10-day Sundance Film Festival – founded in 1981 by actor / director / producer Robert Redford -- attracts fans, hopefuls and up-and-comers, and Hollywood insiders scouting for talent, all eager to take in cinema excellence. Call (801) 328-3456 for more information.
February
Bald Eagle Day
Since 1990, the annual Bald Eagle Day has provided opportunity to view the birds at specified sites throughout Utah that are staffed by experts. Call (801) 521-2822 for more information.
Gallery Stroll
The Salt Lake Gallery Association, sponsoring a Gallery Stroll on the third Friday of each month from 6 to 9 p.m., pulls out all the stops for generating holiday cheer. Call (801) 531-6966 for more information.
March
St. Patrick’s Day Parade
Salt Lake City’s St. Patrick’s Day parade, sponsored by the Hibernian Society of Utah, wraps up with a post-parade celebration. Call (801) 463-7849, 652-8012, 467-4574, or 943-1712 for more information.
St. Patrick’s Day Pipe Band Concert
The Salt Lake Scots Pipe Band -- frequently competing in Scotland and Canada -- appears live in concert on the Saturday before St. Patrick's Day at the Highland High School auditorium. Tickets at the door or in advance include a Family Pack. Call (801) 913-2201 for more information.
International Sportsman’s Expo
Utah’s largest sportsmen’s show stretches out over wide aisles at the South Towne Exposition Center with tons of tackle, plus gear for hunting, camping and more. Call (800) 545-6100 for more information.
Salt Lake City Golf Show
Free balls, a subscription to Golf Magazine, contests, deals on clubs, drivers, shoes and apparel, free instruction and much more are featured each year at the South Towne Exposition Center in Sandy. Call (801) 572-1517 for more information.
Best Buddies 5K Walk / Run and Family Easter Egg Hunt
On the last weekend in March, the Utah chapter of Best Buddies sponsors a benefit for people with intellectual disabilities, featuring visits by Miss Utah USA and Miss Teen Utah USA, live entertainment, games, refreshments and a raffle. Call (801) 468-1200 for more information.
April
Major League Soccer
There’s no end to the excitement each season as Major League Soccer teams from both the eastern and western conferences vie for glory in regular season matches, on to the play offs and cup finals.
The Mormon Tabernacle Choir performs Leroy Jasper Robertson's Book of Mormon Oratorio for Easter Concerts. Obtain tickets at the Conference Center (Door 4, ticket office) starting in March. Call (801) 240-0080 for more information.
Bowling for Rhinos
For more than a decade, the annual Bowling for Rhinos at Olympus Hills Bowling Alley has raised funds for Kenya’s Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, and Indonesia’s Ujun Kulon National Park in Java and the Bukit Barisan Seletan National Park in Sumatra. Call (801) 582-4631, ext. 748 for more information.
Annual Easter Jeep Safari
Trail rides – mostly day-long routes including Chicken Corners, Elephant Hill and Hell’s Revenge – depart from Moab throughout this week-long event culminating in the Big Saturday before Easter, hosted by the Red Rock 4 Wheelers. Call (801) 521-2822 for more information.
May
Utah Renaissance Festival and Fantasy Faire
The meadows of Hawkhurst Village, just west of Ogden, are the site for a Renaissance artisan marketplace, jousting matches and horse vaulting with authentically costumed characters, lots of activities for the kids, food and craft booths, and much more, over two weekends in May. Call (801) 603-6356 for more information.
Days of ‘47
Days of ’47, honoring Utah pioneers, runs May through July at assorted venues. Kicking off with the Royalty Pageant, events include a rodeo and other equestrian activity, a pops concert, and one of Utah’s biggest, oldest parades, with floats, bands, clowns and more. Call (800) 541-4955 or 801-521-2822 for more information.
Living Traditions Festival
Salt Lake City celebrates folk and ethnic arts each May at the Salt Lake City and County Building, 450 South 200 East. Call (801) 596-5000 for more information.
Great Salt Lake Bird Festival
The Great Salt Lake Bird Festival takes place at Davis County Fair Park with activities ranging from bird lectures to workshops on building bird feeders. Call (801) 451-3286 for more information.
Golden Spike Ceremony
A re-enactment of the Golden Spike Ceremony, celebrating the rail link of the Atlantic and Pacific coasts takes place every May 10 at the Golden Spike National Historic Site on the Great Salt Lake’s northern shore. Call (435) 471-2209 for more information.
June
Highlands Festival
On the second Saturday of June, the Highlands Festival takes place with Scottish dancing, bagpipes, food, crafts, and more at Fort Douglas. Call (801) 521-2822 for more information.
Salt Lake County Deputy Sheriff's Federation 1st Annual Golf Tournament
In early to mid June, SLCDFF sponsors a golf tournament to benefit the Cancer Wellness House, at the Mountain View Golf Course in West Jordan. Call (801) 236-2294 for more information.
Utah Arts Festival
During the last week of June, the juried Utah Arts Festival, featuring an artist marketplace, is staged in the Triad Center. Call (801) 521-2822 for more information.
Asian Festival
At the South Town Exposition Center, the Asian Festival is sponsored by the Asian Association of Utah to educate the community-at-large on diverse Asian and Pacific island culture. Call (801) 467-6060 for more information.
Utah Pride Festival
On the first weekend in June each year, the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered communities celebrate for three days with live entertainment, food, and exhibitors from all over the country, in and around Washington and Library Squares, and with an annual parade on Sunday in downtown Salt Lake City. Call (801) 539-8800 for more information.
Groovefest American Music Festival
Over the last full week in June, the Cedar City Main Street park hosts a festival of live musicians and lots of activities, amusements and refreshments for the whole family, in downtown Cedar City. Call (435) 867-9800 for more information.
Bluffdale City Town Days
On the last two weekends in June, the city of Bluffdale hosts an annual festival that includes horse shows, a derby, parade and fair, with lots of food vendors and live entertainment. Call (801) 865-6219 for more information.
July
Folk & Bluegrass Festival
At Snowbird Ski & Summer Resort for more than a decade, the Folk & Bluegrass Festival includes plenty of musical fun, with kids under age 6 admitted free when accompanied by an adult. Call (800) 524-7397 for more information.
Payson Scottish Festival
In mid-July, the town of Payson hosts Scottish games, bagpipe players, Highland dancers and athletic competitions plus children's activities, authentic Scottish food, assorted vendors and clans, at Payson Memorial Park, 250 South Main Street.
Wildflower Festival
At Snowbird Ski & Summer Resort, the Wildflower Festival provides a bloomin’ good time, in mid to late July. Call (801) 933-2110 for more information.
Utah County Fair
Staged in late July with 4-H exhibits and more, the Utah County Fair unfolds at Thanksgiving Point. Call (888) 672-6040 for more information.
August
Utah Belly Dance Festival
This undulating weekend sponsored by the Salt Lake Arts Council and Kismet Dance Company includes middle-eastern food and a bevy of belly-dancers burning off calories at a mesmerizing clip. Call (801) 486-7780 for more information.
Railroader’s Festival
On the second Saturday of August, the annual Railroader’s Festival is held where the Atlantic and Pacific coasts were first linked by the railroad on the Great Salt Lake’s northern shore. Events include spike driving and a buffalo-chip throwing contest. Call (435) 471-2209 for more information.
September
College Football
NCAA Football, created in 1997 to promote college football ideals, makes no bones about the importance of each game. Losing at any time during the season can thwart a team's chances for postseason action or an NCAA Championship. No wonder NCAA Football marketers have adopted a tagline of "NCAA Football: Every Game Counts."
BYU Cougars, Utah State Aggies, Utah Utes, Southern Utah Thunderbirds, Weber State Wildcats
BYU Cougars - To cheer on your favorites and book seats for the BYU Cougars, click here.
The largest ethnic festival in Utah is held annually on the weekend after Labor Day, with Greek music, food and more. Call (801) 328-9681 for more information.
Great Salt Lake Chili Affair
Besides the requisite chili concoctions, the Great Salt Lake Chili Affair at the Salt Palace has salads, breads and desserts are donated by area restaurants. Entertainment ranges from jugglers and clowns to a silent auction. Call (801) 521-2822 for more information.
Dew Tour - Toyota Challenge
In mid-September, the Energy Solutions Arena hosts an action sports tour featuring skate park and vert, BMX park, vert and dirt, and FMX. Live entertainment, a daily Festival Village with interactive contests, athlete autographs, games and giveaways also will be featured. Call (801) 325-2000 for more information.
Utah State Fair
At Fair Park, the 10-day Utah State Fair has it all from livestock to fine art, along with taste treats from cotton candy to sushi. Call (801) 538-8400 for more information.
Shakespearean Festival
The Shakespearean Festival mounts six productions each season -- three from the Bard. Performers are equity and area professionals. Prior to curtain is the festival Greenshow, with Elizabethan revelry. Call (435) 586-7878 for more information.
Octoberfest Celebration
Oktoberfest brings beer, live music and dancing to the Snowbird ski resort on September weekends through the first weekend in October. Call (801) 521-2822 for more information.
Hawaiian Civic Club Anniversary Bash
The Hui Hawai’i O Utah Hawaiian Civic Club celebrates Hawaiian style amid great food and entertainment, with tickets going on sale July 1. Call (801) 733-6388 for more information.
October
Tours of the Governor’s Mansion
From April through December, tours of the Utah Governor’s mansion are offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2 to 4 p.m. Parking is on the east side. Call (801) 538-1005 for more information.
Gallery Stroll
The Salt Lake Gallery Association, sponsoring a Gallery Stroll on the third Friday of each month from 6 to 9 p.m., pulls out all the stops for generating holiday cheer. Call (801) 531-6966 for more information.
Run 4 Your Life
A ghoulish 4-mile fun run / walk starts behind a procession of black hearses at Main Street's Gallivan Center, followed by a spine-chilling monster block party with a fireworks extravaganza. Pumpkin contests, storytelling, and trick or treating are part of the festivities. Call (801) 412-6060 for more information.
Frightmares at Lagoon Park
Usually the Saturday before Halloween, Salt Lake City’s festival includes a parade, pancake breakfast, rides and games. Call (714) 956-3586 for more information.
Kirkin’ O’ Th’ Tartan Scottish Festival
Bag pipe bands, food, dancing and more are part of the blessing of Scottish tartans at the Ceilidh (pronounced KAY-lee) at the First Presbyterian Church on south Temple at C Street. Kirkin’ comes from kirk, the Scottish word for church. Call (801) 363-3889 for more information.
Hawaiian Civic Club Anniversary Bash
The Hui Hawai’i O Utah Hawaiian Civic Club celebrates Hawaiian style amid great food and entertainment, with tickets going on sale July 1. Call (801) 7336388 for more information.
Coral Reef Aquarium Tour
The Wasatch Marine Aquarium Society presents a parade of homes-style tour providing opportunity to visit coral reefs of the world without leaving Utah, and without getting wet. Aquariums ranging from five to 500 gallons are on the tour, free to everyone. Call (435) 720-2599 for more information.
Run for the Hills
Staged rain or shine starting at the Jewish Community Center, one and all (dogs included), are invited to this festive outdoor 1-, 5-, and 10-k finale to celebrate the end, or yet beginning, of another healthful year. Call (801) 581-0098 for more information.
November
National Basketball Association
Toronto, Canada was the site of the National Basketball League's first game on Nov. 1, 1946, with the Huskies hosting the New York Knickerbockers at Maple Leaf Gardens. Thirteen original rules were drafted by Dr. James Naismith, creator of basketball. Pro basketball suffered in popularity in the early 1950's, but one rule change -- that of the 24-second clock -- transformed the sport from a dull, stalling game to an exciting, offensive showcase. Icons along the way, from Bob Cousy and Wilt Chamberlain to Magic Johnson, Larry Bird and Michael Jordan, have immortalized what's now the National Basketball Association's game, creating long-standing rivalries from coast to coast.
First devised by James Naismith in 1891, with the first recorded collegiate game in 1893, legions testify there’s no sound so soothing as a basketball whooshing through the net after a flick of the wrist. NCAA basketball brings grass roots hoop dreams to an entirely new level each fall, building toward March Madness, the NCAA Division Basketball Championships.
BYU Cougars, Southern Utah Thunderbirds, Weber State Wildcats, Utah State Aggies, Utah Utes, Utah Valley State Wolverines
Dealers display handguns and other firearms in a heavily controlled environment at the South Towne Exposition Center. Call (801) 544-9125 for more information.
Rocky Mountain Christmas Fest and Holiday Gift Show
The Utah State Fairgrounds hosts a holiday festival of family activities and food, with a great selection of toys, books, clothing, jewelry and emergency preparedness supplies, plus opportunities for pictures with Santa Claus. Call (801) 204-6831 for more information.
Salt Lake City Family Christmas Gift Show
Families can sample foods and shop for quality gifts and art from across the country and Canada in a wholesome setting at the South Town Expo Center in Sandy. Call (800) 521-7469 for more information.
Feast with the Beasts
Family traditions can be started at Hogle Zoo on Thanksgiving morning as the animals receive their own specially made "feast." Call (801) 582-4631 for more information.
December
Festival of Trees
During the first week in December Festival of Trees at the South Towne Exposition Center features a forest of 600 trees, a sweet shop (with some 300,000 scones and 46,000 pounds of fudge sold), a gift boutique, and more, to benefit needy children at Primary Children’s Medical Center. Call (801) 546-2060 for more information.
Holiday Gallery Stroll
The Salt Lake Gallery Association, sponsoring a Gallery Stroll on the third Friday of each month from 6 to 9 p.m., pulls out all the stops for generating holiday cheer. Call (801) 531-6966 for more information.
