Lifestyle
Things to Do in Utah
From world-class skiing to national parks, from farm-to-table dining to year-round festivals, Utah's lifestyle is anything but boring.
A state built for adventure
Utah's outdoor recreation economy reached a record $9.75 billion in 2024, supporting over 75,000 jobs. But beyond the economics, Utah's lifestyle is genuinely transformative. You can ski powder in the morning, hike a canyon at lunch, and catch a sunset over red rock formations in the evening, all in the same day.
The Main Event
Outdoor recreation
Skiing & Snowboarding
14 world-class resorts including Alta, Snowbird, Park City Mountain, Deer Valley, Brighton, Solitude, and Powder Mountain. Utah's "Greatest Snow on Earth" is not just a slogan.
National Parks
The Mighty 5: Zion, Bryce Canyon, Arches, Capitol Reef, and Canyonlands. Each offers a completely different landscape and experience.
Hiking & Trail Running
Thousands of miles of trails from easy river paths to challenging mountain summits. The Bonneville Shoreline Trail alone stretches 280 miles.
Mountain Biking
World-class riding from Park City's lift-served trails to Moab's Slickrock. Utah hosts major mountain biking events and has extensive trail systems.
Water Sports
Boating on Lake Powell, paddleboarding on Utah Lake, fly fishing in Provo River, and kayaking through red rock canyons.
Rock Climbing
From Little Cottonwood Canyon bouldering to multi-pitch routes in Zion. Utah is a world-class climbing destination.
Food & dining
Utah's food scene has exploded in recent years, with new restaurants, breweries, and food concepts opening regularly.
Family activities
Arts & culture
Professional & college sports
Utah's growing pickleball scene
Pickleball has exploded in popularity across Utah, with dedicated courts and facilities popping up in every city. From casual park play to competitive leagues and tournaments, the pickleball community in Utah is active and welcoming. Utah's climate makes it possible to play year-round, and the sport has become a genuine social phenomenon.
Want to improve your game or find pickleball communities near you? Check out Pickle Up Academy for lessons, drills, and community events across Utah.
Mark Your Calendar
Upcoming events across Utah
From pumpkin patches and Oktoberfests to holiday light walks and Broadway shows, here is what is happening around the state in the coming weeks. Dates come from official event listings and can shift, so confirm before you head out.
Salt Lake City & the Wasatch Front
Sept 18–Oct 31, 2026
Gardner Village, West Jordan
Hundreds of whimsical witches take over this historic mill village with shopping, crafts, and family activities all October.
Saturdays, 8 AM–2 PM, through Oct 24
Pioneer Park, Salt Lake City
Free entry, with produce, crafts, live music, and food from more than 200 vendors.
Saturdays, 10 AM–2 PM, mid-November through April
Civic Center at The Leonardo, Salt Lake City
The market moves indoors for winter at its new home on 500 South.
Oct 15–30, 2026
Red Butte Garden, Salt Lake City
A costumed, family-friendly evening walk through the gardens with music, lights, and hands-on activities.
Sept 18–Oct 31, 2026
Draper
Corn maze, pumpkin patch, and family Halloween fun in the south valley.
Nov 6–8, 2026
Delta Center, Salt Lake City
A magical family show with favorite Disney characters on ice.
Nov 24, 2026
Delta Center, Salt Lake City
The beloved holiday rock spectacle returns with lights, lasers, and Christmas classics.
Dec 2–5, 2026
Mountain America Expo Center, Sandy
Hundreds of decorated trees and wreaths benefiting Primary Children's Hospital.
Late November through early January
Temple Square, Salt Lake City
Free, and the city's most beloved holiday tradition.
Sat, Oct 17, 2026
Salt Lake City Main Library
The inaugural citywide book festival with authors, panels, and family programming.
Fri, Oct 23, 2026
Delta Center, Salt Lake City
The Jazz tip off the 2026–27 season against the New Orleans Pelicans, with the Lakers in town Sunday, Oct 25.
Oct 13, 17, 19, 24, and 27, 2026
Delta Center, Salt Lake City
The NHL team hosts Toronto, Edmonton, Pittsburgh, Tampa Bay, and Minnesota in a five-game October homestand.
Sun, Nov 1, 2026
Delta Center, Salt Lake City
The reggaeton superstar brings his arena tour to Utah.
Tue, Nov 3, 2026
Delta Center, Salt Lake City
The soul-pop breakout brings his arena tour to Utah.
Nov 6, 2026 through Jan 9, 2027, evenings 5:30–10 PM
Loveland Living Planet Aquarium, Draper
Larger-than-life animal and nature lanterns light up the outdoor plaza, with holiday family fun.
Mon, Dec 7, 2026, 7:30 PM
Delta Center, Salt Lake City
The Grammy-nominated brothers revive their 2008 era with a full arena show for all ages.
Dec 8–23, 2026
This Is the Place Heritage Park, Salt Lake City
Candlelit holiday evenings in a recreated pioneer village with music and family activities.
Nov 28, 2026–Jan 4, 2027, select nights
Hogle Zoo, Salt Lake City
More than a million lights and family holiday fun in the zoo's winter glow.
Dec 2–5, 2026
This Is the Place Heritage Park, Salt Lake City
A free European-style Christmas market with vendors, parades, a live nativity, and St. Nikolaus.
Dec 17–19, 2026, 8 PM
Conference Center, Temple Square
The choir's annual Christmas concert with guest artists; free tickets required.
Oct 16–17, 2026
Utah State Fairpark, Salt Lake City
A two-day country music festival with more than 30 artists across two stages, plus a pre-party on Oct 15.
Opens late November, runs through the holidays
Utah State Fairpark, Salt Lake City
A mile-long drive-through holiday light experience, with discounted tickets through mid-December.
Dec 4–26, 2026
Janet Quinney Lawson Capitol Theatre, Salt Lake City
Utah's beloved holiday ballet, danced with the Utah Symphony in the pit.
Utah Valley
Sept 21–Oct 31, 2026
Thanksgiving Point, Lehi
Utah's original corn maze with 60-plus family attractions.
Sat, Oct 17, 2026
LaVell Edwards Stadium, Provo
One of the biggest home games of the year in Utah Valley.
Sat, Oct 24, 2026, two sessions
Provo Recreation Center
A ticketed family Halloween carnival with games, costumes, and activities.
Sat, Oct 24, 2026
Thanksgiving Point, Lehi
A family-friendly celebration of Mexican tradition with music, art, and hands-on activities.
Mon, Nov 2, 2026
Delta Center, Salt Lake City
A marquee non-conference hoops matchup for the Cougars in Salt Lake City.
Nov 19–Dec 30, 2026
Heber Valley Railroad, Heber City
A Christmas train ride with cocoa, cookies, and a visit from Santa, about 30 minutes from Provo.
Truck-or-Treat Sat, Oct 17; display route all October
Orem
A free citywide Halloween display route plus a family-friendly truck-or-treat night.
Saturdays, 10 AM–2 PM, through Oct 31
Pioneer Park, Provo
Local produce, food, and crafts from Utah Valley vendors.
Saturdays, 10 AM–3 PM, Nov 21–Dec 19, 2026
Provo Towne Centre (indoor), Provo
The market moves indoors for winter with local produce, food, and crafts.
Nov 14, 2026 through early January
Ashton Gardens, Lehi
Utah's largest holiday light walk, opening earlier this season.
Orem Holiday Lights at The Orchard
Late November through early January
University Place, Orem
More than 100,000 lights, plus free visits with Santa.
Mon, Nov 16, 2026, 6 PM
The Orchard at University Place, Orem
Holiday lights, live music, and fireworks kick off the season in Orem.
Dec 2–5, 2026
Covey Center for the Arts, Provo
A Thrill of Hope (Dec 2), A Truman Brothers Christmas (Dec 3), and Shaun Johnson's Johnson Files Christmas Show (Dec 4–5).
Tue, Dec 8, 2026
Marriott Center, Provo
A big in-state hoops rivalry game at the Marriott Center.
Sat, Dec 5, 2026, 7:30 PM
Marriott Center at BYU, Provo
A beloved Brigham Young University tradition of holiday music and lights.
Ogden & Northern Utah
Saturdays & Sundays through Oct 18, noon–6 PM
Snowbasin Resort, Huntsville
Bavarian food, steins of beer, and live music with mountain fall colors.
Saturdays, 9 AM–2 PM, through Oct 17
Historic 25th Street, Ogden
The outdoor market extends into fall with produce, food, and live music.
Sun, Dec 20, 2026
The Monarch, Ogden
A candlelit holiday string-quartet concert in an intimate venue.
Gibson's Green Acres Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch
Sept 18–Oct 30, 2026
Ogden
Corn maze and pumpkin patch on a working family farm.
Oct 15–17 and Oct 22–24, 2026
Ogden Dinosaur Park
Family Halloween fun at the dinosaur park, with trick-or-treating among the dinosaurs.
Wed, Nov 4, 2026
Peery's Egyptian Theater, Ogden
The legendary ski film tour kicks off the winter stoke in Northern Utah.
Thu, Nov 5, 2026
Peery's Egyptian Theater, Ogden
A night of mountain and adventure films to fuel the winter stoke.
Sat, Nov 28, 2026, 4:30 PM
Historic downtown Ogden
A Santa-themed family fun run that ends just before the Holiday Electric Light Parade.
Thu, Dec 17, 2026, 7:30 PM
Browning Center at Weber State, Ogden
Holiday favorites performed live by the Utah Symphony in Ogden.
Late November through New Year's Eve, nightly
Layton Commons Park, Layton
A free drive-through and walk-through holiday light display in northern Utah. 2026 dates on the city calendar.
Nov 19–27, 2026
Peery's Egyptian Theater, Ogden
Ogden Musical Theatre's holiday production of the Dickens classic.
Beginning Fri, Nov 27, 2026
Val A. Browning Center at Weber State, Ogden
A beloved holiday tradition with orchestra, dancing soldiers, and the Sugar Plum Fairy.
Park City
Nov 7–8, 2026
Snow Park Lodge, Deer Valley
Weavers from the Navajo Nation display and sell handwoven rugs, a beloved Park City tradition.
Fri, Nov 20, 2026
Park City Mountain
The resort kicks off the ski season, with Deer Valley following on Dec 5.
Late November 2026
Canyons Village, Park City Mountain
The resort village lights up for the holidays with music and festivities.
Park City Farmers Market
Wednesdays through late October
Park City
Oct 14–Dec 31, 2026
Historic Main Street
A free self-guided walking experience with story stops and seasonal treats along Main Street.
Sat, Oct 31, 3–6 PM
Historic Main Street, Park City
Free, family- and dog-friendly trick-or-treating at Main Street shops.
Opens Nov 21, 2026, through the holidays
Park City
A local-artisan holiday market from the Arts Council of Park City and Summit County.
Late November through early January
Historic Main Street, Park City
Snow-globe-themed holiday light displays transform Main Street all season.
Mid-December (Dec 20 in recent years)
Park City Mountain
Santa skis down the Town Lift while families gather at the base for holiday fun.
Christmas Eve, Dec 24, plus resort holiday evenings
Park City Mountain and Deer Valley
Skiers and riders light the slopes with torches while Santa, cocoa, and cookies wait at the base.
Silver Sky Nights at Canyons Village
December holiday weekends
Canyons Village, Park City Mountain
Fireworks, live music, s'mores, and festive treats.
Southern Utah
Oct 23–25, 2026
Cedar City
A heritage celebration with the famous Sheep Parade on Saturday, Oct 24, plus vendors, music, and family activities.
Oct 28–31, 2026
Tuacahn Amphitheatre, Ivins
The high-energy Halloween dance spectacular returns to the red rock stage.
Nov 13–14, 2026
Washington County Legacy Park, Hurricane
A holiday market with vendors, food, and family fun in the Hurricane Valley.
December 2026, dates on the Tuacahn calendar
Tuacahn Amphitheatre, Ivins
A live nativity and holiday celebration beneath the red cliffs of Padre Canyon.
Oct 5–17, 2026
St. George
The world's largest annual multi-sport event for athletes 50 and up, with everything from archery to pickleball to volleyball.
Saturdays, 8 AM–12 PM through October; 10 AM–2 PM in November and December
Vernon Worthen Park, St. George
More than 50 vendors with produce, meat, crafts, and live music.
Nov 4–14, 2026
Tuacahn Amphitheatre, Ivins near St. George
Fall concerts on the red rock stage: The Fab Four (Nov 4), a Jimmy Buffett tribute (Nov 5), Gin Blossoms & Vertical Horizon (Nov 6), An Acoustic Evening with Chris Young (Nov 7), Straight No Chaser (Nov 12), Rodney Atkins (Nov 13), and the U.S. Navy Band Commodores (Nov 14).
Wed, Nov 18, 2026, 7:30 PM
Heritage Center Theater, Cedar City
The popular vocal group's holiday tour stops in Southern Utah.
Opens Dec 10, 2026
Washington, Utah
A spectacular holiday light display and drive-through, plus fresh-cut Christmas trees, on the farm near St. George.
December 2026, nightly
Historic Main Street, St. George
Downtown St. George glows with holiday lights, decorated trees, and seasonal displays.
Holiday Lights at Red Hills Desert Garden
Nightly, Nov 27–Dec 31, 2026
Red Hills Desert Garden, St. George
Free holiday lights winding through a one-of-a-kind desert garden.
Thanksgiving Day, Nov 26, 2026
St. George
A family-friendly Thanksgiving-morning run to earn the feast.
Wed, Dec 16, 2026, 7:30 PM
Dixie High School, St. George
An evening of holiday music with vocalist Nathan Pacheco and the Southwest Symphony.
Mon, Nov 30, 2026, 6–8 PM
Downtown St. George
The city's free holiday kickoff with music, lights, and family fun.
Nov 28–Dec 20, 2026, Thursday–Saturday evenings
Green Gate Village, St. George
Holiday lights, Santa, vendors, and live entertainment.
Dec 2–5, 2026, 10 AM–9 PM
Dixie Convention Center, St. George
More than 100 booths of Christmas gifts, crafts, and entertainment.
Staheli Family Farm fall season
Weekends through Halloween
Washington, Utah
Corn maze, pumpkin patch, and family farm fun near St. George.