There's always something going on around here. My running guide to the best of Utah in every season, from powder days to tulip season to Christmas lights. Focused on Salt Lake and Utah County, where I actually live.
Bookmark this page and check back. I'll keep it updated as new favorites come up.
Peak ski season. This is why they call it the greatest snow on earth: hit Alta, Snowbird, Brighton, or Park City Mountain on a powder day.
Sundance farewell. The Sundance Film Festival ran its final Utah edition in Park City in January 2026 before relocating, so soak up one last winter of festival energy on Main Street.
Kids pick. The free beginner hill at Brighton is perfect for little first-timers.
Ski season, part two. February brings the deepest base of the year, and the resorts are in their prime.
Valentine's weekend. Book a nice dinner early (see my restaurant picks), then catch a show or concert downtown.
Kids pick. Night skiing at Brighton. Shorter sessions, hot chocolate, huge smiles.
Festival of Colors. The famous Holi celebration at the Krishna Temple in Spanish Fork, running since 1989. Wear white, leave colorful.
Spring skiing. Warmer days, softer snow, and thinner lift lines. Some of the best ski days of the year happen in March.
Kids pick. The Festival of Colors is a kid paradise. Bring a change of clothes.
Tulip Festival. Over 250,000 tulips bloom at the Ashton Gardens at Thanksgiving Point in Lehi, mid-April through early May. Right in my backyard and genuinely stunning.
Foothill hikes. As the snow melts, the lower trails open up. Perfect weather for an evening walk with a view of the valley.
Kids pick. The Tulip Festival is stroller-friendly and kids love the sheer color.
Wildflower season. Alpine poppies and spring wildflowers pop up along the foothills and canyons. Late spring is secretly one of Utah's prettiest months.
Lake days begin. Utah Lake warms up enough for boating and fishing. Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial start of summer.
Kids pick. Easy canyon trails with a waterfall payoff keep little legs moving.
Utah Arts Festival. Downtown Salt Lake City's big summer art party, running since 1977, with artists, music, and food from all over.
Highland Games. The Utah Scottish Festival and Highland Games in Lehi, going strong since 1974. Caber tossing, bagpipes, and kilts.
Utah Pride. Salt Lake City's Pride celebration fills downtown with the parade and festival in June.
Kids pick. The Utah Arts Festival has a whole kids art yard downtown.
Stadium of Fire. One of the country's biggest Fourth of July celebrations, at BYU's stadium in Provo, put on by America's Freedom Festival.
Days of '47. Utah's Pioneer Day on July 24th brings parades, rodeos, and fireworks all over the Salt Lake Valley.
Shakespeare under the stars. The Utah Shakespeare Festival runs all summer in Cedar City, worth the drive for a weekend trip.
Kids pick. The Days of '47 parade. Get there early for a curb spot and shade.
Raspberry Days. Head to Garden City on Bear Lake for the famous raspberry shakes during Bear Lake Raspberry Days.
Sunflower Festival. Late August brings fields of sunflowers at Cornbelly's and Rowley's Red Barn. Peak photo-op season.
Mountain coasters. Park City's alpine slides and mountain coasters are summer at its most fun.
Kids pick. Raspberry shakes at Bear Lake. Non-negotiable with kids.
Utah State Fair. Eleven days of rides, concerts, rodeos, and fried everything at the Fairpark in Salt Lake City, starting the Thursday after Labor Day.
Peach Days. Brigham City's harvest festival, running since 1904, with a parade, car show, and all things peach.
Storytelling Festival. The Timpanogos Storytelling Festival lands on Labor Day weekend in Orem, the biggest storytelling festival in the West.
Kids pick. The State Fair midway. Rides, animals, and fried everything.
Fall colors. Drive the Alpine Loop between American Fork Canyon and Provo Canyon when the leaves turn. Go on a weekday if you can.
Cornbelly's. Lehi's famous corn maze and pumpkin patch is the classic October outing for families and date nights alike.
Kids pick. Cornbelly's. The corn maze alone is worth the drive to Lehi.
Luminaria opens. Thanksgiving Point's Ashton Gardens transforms into a glowing winter wonderland of millions of lights, mid-November through early January.
Temple Square lights. The Christmas lights go up in downtown Salt Lake City, and the whole square glows.
Ski resorts open. The lifts start spinning again. Time to wax the skis.
Kids pick. Luminaria. Little kids are genuinely awestruck by the lights.
Christkindlmarkt SLC. A German-style Christmas market with wooden vendor booths, festive food, and entertainment at This Is The Place Heritage Park.
Christmas Street. Drive or walk the famous Christmas Street in Sugar House, where every house on the block goes all out with lights.
Luminaria, part two. If you missed it in November, December is your last chance to walk the lights at Thanksgiving Point.
Kids pick. Christmas Street in Sugar House. Drive it slow with cocoa.
I'm Zack McGonigle, a local independent insurance agent in Lehi. I shop multiple carriers and turn quotes around same-day. Free coverage review, no pressure.