Sundance Film Festival: this 10-day event, held at City Park, was founded by actor Robert Redford in 1981 and continues to be a magnet for hopeful newcomers to the movie industry and their supporters.
First Night on New Year’s Eve: is a colossal party with nearly all of downtown taking part. It celebrates the arts including dance, music, theatre, live music, fireworks, and children’s’ activities.
IFMA Freestyle Motocross: is a motorcycle jumping event, held at the Delta Center stadium and sees thousands flocking to watch daredevils and stuntmen perform tricks and petrifying jumps.
Bald Eagle Day: has provided nature lovers the opportunity to view the birds at specified sites throughout Utah that are staffed by experts since 1990.
St Patrick’s Day Parade: is sponsored by the Hibernian Society of Utah. This event promises fun for the whole family and wraps up with a post-parade celebration.
Mormon Tabernacle Choir Easter Concerts: features the world famous choir performing Leroy Jasper Robertson’s Book of Mormon Oratorio at the Conference Centre as part of the Easter celebrations.
Bowling for Rhinos: at Olympus Hills Bowling Alley has raised funds for Kenya’s Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, Indonesia’s Ujun Kulon National Park in Java and the Bukit Barisan Seletan National Park in Sumatra for over a decade.
Days of ’47: is celebrated in memory of early Utah pioneers and runs throughout May until the end of July at various venues. Starting with the Royalty Pageant, events include a rodeo and other equestrian activities, a pop concert and one of Utah’s biggest, oldest parades, with floats, bands, clowns and more.
Golden Spike Ceremony: is a re-enactment of the Golden Spike Ceremony, celebrating the rail link between the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. It is held every 10th May at the Golden Spike National Historic Site on the Great Salt Lake’s northern shore.
Utah Arts Festival: is celebrated in different locations around the city and celebrates a different part of the city every year. Focusing on contemporary art, the event features artwork competitions, live music and other visual performances.
Highlands Festival: is held on the second Saturday of June and features Scottish dancing, bagpipes, food, crafts and more at Fort Douglas.
SLC International Jazz Festival: is held at Symphony Hall and features free jazz music from around the world as well as local favourites.
Folk & Bluegrass Festival: has been held at Snowbird Ski & Summer Resort for more than a decade and features lots of musical fun, with kids younger than six admitted free when accompanied by an adult.
Utah Belly Dance Festival: is a rolling weekend sponsored by the Salt Lake Arts Council and Kismet Dance Company. It features middle-eastern food and a horde of belly-dancers shedding calories at a mesmerising pace.
Utah State Fair: showcases the agricultural heritage of Salt Lake City and features rodeos, livestock shows and carnival rides that the kids will enjoy.
Greek Festival: is the largest ethnic festival in Utah and held annually on the weekend after Labour Day. It is staged at Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church and features Greek music, food and much more.
Kirkin’ O’ Th’ Tartan Scottish Festival: features bag pipe bands, food, dancing and more, while blessing the Scottish tartans at the Ceilidh at the First Presbyterian Church on south Temple at C Street.
Feast with the Beasts: is held at Hogle Zoo where you can join in the Thanksgiving celebrations by watching the animals receive and enjoy their own specially made thanksgiving feast.
Festival of Trees: in early December is held at South Towne Exposition Center and celebrates Christmas and the festive spirit in all its shapes, including gingerbread castles, holiday crafts, Santa’s grotto and over 600 decorated trees.
Winter Solstice Festival: is an interesting blend of storytellers, musical and dance performances and enjoyable walks amid some of Salt Lake City’s most skilfully kept flora and fauna at Red Butte Gardens.
