Annual Events

Sundance Film Festival

Typically: end of January
Located at: Salt Lake, Park City, Ogden
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For more than 30 years the Sundance Film Festival has been actively advancing the work of risk-taking storytellers by providing an outlet for their stories and films to be seen.

X-Dance Film Festival

Typically: End of January
Located at: Downtown Salt Lake
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For one insane week each winter, the world’s top action sport filmmakers and athletes, along with cutting-edge bands and DJs and key figures from the entertainment industry, gather in Salt Lake City, Utah, to celebrate action sports culture. Launched in 2001 and coinciding each year with the Sundance Film Festival, X-DANCE showcases the year’s top action sport films, followed by post-screening Q&A’s with filmmakers and athletes. X-DANCE also features open forum panels with athletes, filmmakers, industry figures and icons from the action sports world, plus special screenings, privately sponsored parties and a legendary Closing Party/Awards Ceremony.

St. Patrick's Day Parade

Typically: March 17th
Located at: Downtown Salt Lake
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Part of Irish week sponsored by the Hibernian Society of Utah. Irish week features the parade and Siamsa (post parade celebration), An evening with the Irish Poets, Catholic celebration of the Mass in honor of the Feast of St. Patrick, Hibernian Grand Ball, and other social activities at which some festive liquids are occasionally liable to be consumed.

Belly Dance Spring Fest

Typically: early March
Located at: Utah State Fair Grounds
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Get out of the winter greys and into the colorful culture of belly dance. Enjoy dancing, music by some of Utah's best middle eastern bands, and vendors at the Bazaar.

Salt Lake City Marathon

Typically: April
Located at: Downtown Salt Lake
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Runners of all ages and ability levels will enjoy crisp, cool running weather in April, in a setting that surrounds them with snow-capped peaks contrasting with spring blossoms. The Marathon, Half marathon, and Bike Tour all start at the Olympic Legacy Bridge at the University of Utah, the site of the 2002 Winter Olympic Athlete Village. The gentle, flat and slightly downhill course skirts the base of the towering Wasatch Mountains, passes by cozy neighborhoods and elegant estates, and winds through Salt Lake’s streets, into the city center crowds where crowds of enthusiastic spectators will cheer participants on, all the way to the electric finish in downtown Salt Lake. The Salt Lake City Marathon is a qualifier for the Boston Marathon. Race events include a Marathon, Half-Marathon, 5K, Bike Tour, Kids' Marathon, and Quality of Life Expo.

Living Traditions Festival

Typically: Mid May
Located at: Washington Square, Downtown Salt Lake
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Presented by The Salt Lake City Arts Council, this celebration of traditional folk and ethnic arts is the kick-off of the city’s outdoor event season. Living Traditions brings people together to honour the diversity and cultural traditions of our community. Living Traditions is free to the public and presents the flavors, sounds, colors and spirits of the many ethnic groups that make Salt Lake City their home. Local ethnic artists—craftspeople, dancers, musicians and community groups—provide the framework for the festival.

Live Green Festival

Typically: May
Located at: Library Square, Downtown Salt Lake
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This festival showcases a full spectrum of sustainable green products, services and ideas from cutting edge renewable technologies to everyday solutions that can be implemented in the home. At this outdoor event, held in the beautiful downtown Library Plaza, attendees will enjoy features such as interactive and educational exhibits, local and organic foods and goods, live auctions, a children’s area, eco-carnival games, music, entertainment and much more.

Utah Pride Festival

Typically: Early June
Located at: Downtown Salt Lake
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A program of the Utah Pride Center, the Utah Pride Festival is one of the premiere gay prides in the Western United States, welcoming people from the surrounding communities and rural areas of Utah, Wyoming, Nevada, Colorado, and Idaho.

Downtown Farmers' Market

Typically: June – October, Saturdays and Tuesdays
Located at: Pioneer Park, Downtown Salt Lake
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Over 20 years of providing opportunities for the community to support local. The Market—with more than 250 vendors—offers a unique variety of farmers, growers, bakeries, prepared food and beverages, packaged foods and local artisans. It is open Saturday mornings and Tuesday evenings in Historic Pioneer Park, Downtown SLC

Utah Arts Festival

Typically: 3rd weekend in June
Located at: Library Square, Downtown Salt Lake
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What started out as the Salt Lake Festival of the Arts for three days in June of 1977 featuring 55 visual artists, 43 performing arts groups and 8 food artists on a three block section of Main Street has blossomed into a 4 day event, featuring 140+ visual artists, 100+ performing arts groups, 18+ culinary artists and drawing 80,000 patrons each June to Library and Washington Squares. The Utah Arts Festival is the largest outdoor multi-disciplinary arts event in Utah. Having garnered numerous awards internationally, nationally and locally, the event remains one of the premiere events that kicks off the summer in Utah each June.

Mountain Man Rendezvous

Typically: Early June
Located at: This Is The Place Heritage Park
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A living history encampment, including a Traders Row, Native American Village, and Mountaineer and Long hunter encampments. Come and get a glimpse of how our forefathers lived before the Pioneers came to Utah. The living history camps will have ongoing demonstrations in period firearms, clothing, blacksmithing, leather work, cooking, tanning, horse packing, etc. The camps will be staffed by the American Mountain Men, American Long Rifle Association and Women of the Fur Trade. Come see the best in action!

Twilight Concert Series

Typically: June-September on Thursday nights
Located at: Pioneer Park, Downtown Salt Lake
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For over 25 years, the Twilight Concert Series, made possible by The Salt Lake City Arts Council, provides an amazing line up of live music at Pioneer Park. The Twilight concerts have become an iconic event shaping the cultural landscape of Salt Lake City.

Days of '47 Parade and Rodeo

Typically: July 24, whole month of July
Located at: Downtown Salt Lake
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Celebrate the arrival of the first pioneer settlers to the Salt Lake Valley! The Days of ’47 remembers Utah’s early pioneers with a variety of events beginning with nominations for Pioneers of Progress awards and culminating with an all-day extravaganza with a sunrise service and parade in downtown Salt Lake City on July 24th, 2012, a state-wide holiday, followed by our Rodeo Finals that evening at the Maverik Center in West Valley City.

Sugar House Arts Festival and Fireworks

Typically: July 4th
Located at: Sugarhouse Park
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Sugarhouse is the place to spend the 4th of July. Every year the Sugar House Merchants Association closes down the stretch of Highland Dr (about 1100 E) from 2100 S to Wilmington Ave to host the Sugar House Arts Festival. Over 120 artists and craftsmen with tents as well as live music, food vendors, and an area for children to play. It’s a mix of local businesses and individual craftsmen who attend and apply. The fun continues with the Fireworks event in Sugarhouse park. Live music entertainment precedes the firework show.

Native American Celebration in the Park

Typically: July 24th
Located at: Liberty Park, Downtown Salt Lake
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This celebration is Salt Lake City's hottest Powwow. As a Community Cultural Festival everyone is welcome. Bring the whole family, the chairs and enjoy the excitement, color and energy of traditional music, dance and colors. In addition to native dance and music, Arts & Crafts displays, delicious cultural food, and other activities are available throughout the day.

Oktoberfest at Snowbird

Typically: Mid August to Early October, weekends and holidays
Located at: Snowbird
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Inspired by the towering mountains that reminded them of their homeland, two men costumed in leather lederhosen, came to Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort to play their accordions and sing in their native German tongue. Since 1973 Oktoberfest has become the premier celebration of German food, music, dance and fun. Attracting over 50,000 visitors over the seventeen-day celebration, Oktoberfest has grown to become one of the largest festivals in the state of Utah. Oktoberfest includes Oktoberfest Halle featuring the tastes of Bavaria with entertainment from local and national German bands and yodelers.

Tour of Utah

Typically: early August
Located at: Downtown Salt Lake
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One of only four UCI-sanctioned, multi-stage, American pro cycling events, the Tour of Utah showcases some of the world's most prestigious teams and cyclists for six days in August, including racing in/around downtown Salt Lake and grueling finishes at Snowbird Ski & Summer Resort.

Sandy Balloon Festival

Typically: Mid August
Located at:
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See a sky full of hot air balloons with sunrise balloon launches at Storm Mountain Park. Or come in the evening for the balloon glow and enjoy live music entertainment on the festival stage and the glow of the balloons in the night sky. Some pilots may need volunteers to help crew their hot air balloons. Come early, find a pilot that needs help and experience the thrill of helping crew a hot air balloon.

Salt Lake City Jazz Festival

Typically: Labor Day Weekend
Located at: Downtown Salt Lake
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Features national headliners performing great jazz, R&B, and soul along with a full day of nothing but country.

Salt Lake Greek Festival

Typically: 9/6-9/2012 : First Thursday after Labor Day and lasts 11 days.
Located at: Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral
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OPA!! Welcome to the Greek Festival. Started in 1935 as a one day Bazaar, the festival has grown into a four day event where visitors can visit the Holy Trinity Cathedral, Hellenic museum and enjoy the sight, sounds and aromas of Greece. Here you will witness a variety of traditional Greek folk dances performed by our dance groups.

Utah State Fair

Typically: 9/6-16/2012
Located at: Utah State Fair Grounds
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Since 1856, just 8 years after settlers arrived in the valley, the Utah State Fair has been celebrating the accomplishments of the state. Today the fair continues to promot Utah and it's products with events by the Utah Dairy Council, Utah Beef Council, Utah Wool Growers Association, and the Utah Farm Bureau. "Utah's Own" Food Court features locally grown and prepared foods from around the state. The Utah State Fair strives to blend the best of Utah tradition and heritage with new technology and modern ideals.

Downtown Dine O' Round Restaurant Week

Typically: September
Located at: Downtown Salt Lake
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An ideal way to explore new restaurants or revisit old favorites with more 40 restaurants participating in this annual event. Patrons will be able to choose from a three-course dinner priced at either $15 or $30 per person. Many of the restaurants also offer a special two item lunch for $5 or $10. There are no coupons, no punch cards, and no strings attached. Just ask your server for the Dine O' Round special and enjoy!

Kirkin' O'Th' Tartan and Ceilidh (Scottish Festival)

Typically: October, last Saturday and Sunday
Located at: First Presbyterian Church
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At the First Presbyterian Church, the special Kirkin' O' Th' Tartan Worship Service celebrates the Scottish heritage of the Presbyterian church. The Ceilidh (KAY-lee) or party is on Saturday with Celtic music, highland dancers, bake sale, and a raffle and silent auction to benefit local charities.

Festival of Trees

Typically: November, last weekend
Located at: South Towne Expo Center
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For over 40 years, the Festival of Trees has been a "gift of love" for children at Primary Children's Hospital. Organized by a volunteer board of 85 individuals who enlist the time and talents from thousands of individuals, organizations, businesses, and families throughout Utah. Enjoy more than 800 specially decorated trees, other holiday decorations, a gingerbread village, playhouse Plaza, musical groups all day, and other activities for children.

Downtown Lights On!

Typically: Friday after Thanksgiving
Located at: Downtown Salt Lake
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Lights On! is an annual celebration of the illumination of the downtown holiday lights to showcase the downtown holiday season! Celebrate the beginning of the holiday season with special musical guests and Santa Claus.

Winter Solstice Festival

Typically: Dec 22nd
Located at: Red Butte Garden
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A festive, modern celebration of one of winter’s lesser-known holidays. Crafts and activities that commemorate ancient solstice traditions are found throughout the Children’s Garden. Stations are located both indoors and out so visitors can enjoy the season.

EVE

Typically: Dec 30 – Jan 1
Located at: Downtown Salt Lake
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EVE is more than just a party - it's an expression of optimism, creativity and community. Tens of thousands of people will gather for celebrations taking place in the center of downtown Salt Lake. There are plenty of places to chill down and warm up at this indoor/outdoor extravaganza...and a thousand ways to celebrate.