When to Go

January

Sundance Film Festival, Park City and other locations. Sponsored by Robert Redford's Sundance Resort, this festival honors the best independent films with screenings and seminars. Call tel. 801/328-3456. Last half of January.

February

Bryce Canyon Winter Festival, Bryce. This winter celebration, with snowshoe tours and other activities, takes place amid the colorful rock formations of the Bryce Canyon National Park area. Call tel. 438/834-5341. Mid-February.

March

Hostler Model Railroad Festival, Ogden. Fans of model trains gather at historic Union Station, where trains of all shapes and sizes are on display; model-train collectors can locate those hard-to-find items. Call tel. 801/394-4952. Early March.

St. George Art Festival, St. George. This outdoor fine-art festival draws artists and visitors from all over the American West. Call tel. 435/634-5850. Mid-March.

April

Mountain Man Rendezvous, Ogden. A gathering of mountain men at Fort Buenaventura, with black-powder shooting contests and other early-19th-century activities. Call tel. 801/399-8099. Early to mid-April.

April Action Car Show, Moab. A grand display of vintage hot rods, classic cars, and more, plus a Saturday night cruise down Main Street and some fun contests. Call tel. 800/635-6622. Late April.

May

Golden Spike Reenactment, Golden Spike National Historic Site, Promontory. This reenactment commemorates the moment in 1869 when rail lines from the East and West coasts were joined, linking the nation. A must for historic-railroad buffs. Call tel. 435/471-2209. May 10.

Great Salt Lake Birding Festival, Farmington. Birders from across the country flock to this festival, which takes place at the Davis County Fair Park, midway between Salt Lake City and Ogden. Call tel. 801/451-3286. May.

June

Utah's Best Dam MS 150 Bike Tour, Logan. More than 500 participants pedal 150 miles along Cache Valley's back roads. The money raised goes to help in the battle against multiple sclerosis. Call tel. 801/493-0113; www.fightmsutah.org. Mid-June.

Utah Shakespearean Festival, Cedar City. This professional theater festival produces several plays by William Shakespeare, plus a few contemporary offerings. Call tel. 800/752-9849. Late June through August.

July

Deer Valley Music Festival, Deer Valley. This festival presents a spectacular series of concerts in an equally incredible setting. Call tel. 435/649-1000. July to early August.

Snowbird Jazz and Blues Festival, Snowbird. Big-name musicians make this one of Utah's premier music events. Call tel. 801/932-9542. Late July.

Festival of the American West, Logan. A historical pageant is presented nightly; there's also a fair with traditional Old West food, music, craft demonstrations, and entertainment. Call tel. 800/225-3378. Late July to early August.

August

Railroader's Festival, Golden Spike National Historic Site. Reenactments of the Golden Spike ceremony, which united the nation by rail, plus a spike-driving contest, railroad handcar races, and a buffalo-chip-throwing contest. Call tel. 435/471-2209. Mid-August.

Utah Belly Dance Festival, Salt Lake City. Middle Eastern dancers do their thing in Liberty Park. Call tel. 801/486-7780. Late August.

September

Utah State Fair, Salt Lake City. This fair has live entertainment, a horse show, a rodeo, livestock judging, arts and crafts exhibits, and typical state-fair fun. Call tel. 801/538-8400. Early September.

Greek Festival, Salt Lake City. The music, dance, and food of Greece are featured, plus tours of the historic Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church. Call tel. 801/581-7989. Early September.

Moab Music Festival, Moab. Live classical, jazz, bluegrass, and other types of music are presented in a beautiful red-rock amphitheater and other locations. Call tel. 435/259-7003. Early to mid-September.

Oktoberfest, Snowbird. This is a traditional celebration, with German music, food, and, of course, beer. Call tel. 801/933-2110. Weekends late September through October.

October

Fall Frolic/Mountain Man Rendezvous, Ogden. A gathering of mountain men at Fort Buenaventura, with black-powder shooting contests and other early-19th-century activities. Call tel. 801/399-8099. Early October.

Huntsman Senior Games, St. George. This is an extremely popular Olympics-style competition for seniors, with a variety of athletic events. Call tel. 800/562-1268. Mid-October.

Moab Halloween Bike Fest, Moab. Guided mountain-bike tours, hill climbs, and related events make up this festival. Call tel. 435/260-1182. Late October.

Bison Roundup, Antelope Island State Park. Stop by the park and watch the annual bison roundup. Take binoculars and get a close-up view of the bison as they receive their annual medical exams. Call tel. 801/773-2941. Late October.

November

Freestyle World Cup Ski Races, Deer Valley. This event is made up of sanctioned World Cup races and demonstrations. Call tel. 435/649-1000. Mid-November.

Ogden Christmas Parade and Christmas Village, Ogden. A parade begins the Christmas season, and the municipal park is transformed into a Christmas village, with thousands of lights, music, and animated decorations. Call tel. 801/629-8253. Late November through December.

Temple Square Christmas Lights, Salt Lake City. A huge, spectacular display of Christmas lights adorns Temple Square. Call tel. 801/240-1000. From the Friday after Thanksgiving to January 1.

December

First Night Celebration, Ogden. This family party rings in Ogden's New Year with bands, storytelling, and arts and crafts, ending with a spectacular fireworks display. Call tel. 801/627-8288. December 31.

First Night New Year's Eve Celebration, Salt Lake City. This New Year's Eve party animates downtown Salt Lake City with arts and crafts, entertainment, storytelling, and other family-oriented activities, with a midnight fireworks display. Call tel. 801/359-5118. December 31.