Utah is home to an absolute plethora of natural beauty. For decades, adventurers and travelers have made the pilgrimage here to explore the vast landscapes of mesas, trails, canyons and national parks. If you can climb it, trek it or explore it, you’ll find it here. For when you want to give your feet a rest, Utah also offers a range of exciting and interesting events and festivals.
The most famous of these is probably Sundance Film Festival, one of the best cinema festivals on the planet. It’s all about independent cinema, both domestic and foreign, and some of the biggest names in film have built their reputations here, including Kevin Smith, Quentin Tarantino, Paul Thomas Anderson, Darren Aronofsky and Jim Jarmusch. If you want to see something unusual or unique from any corner of the globe – or to watch offerings from the next batch of filmmaking geniuses - this is the place to do it. The festival also features awards shows, workshops and special programs and screenings. If you’re a film fan, make the journey – it’s absolutely worth it.
The Western Legends Roundup is an old-school affair, and celebrates and offers the old-west experience. This is just the place to see how things used to roll, with events like tree felling, quilting, swing dancing, cowboy shooting, Dutch Oven cooking and a whole lot more. The packed program also includes lots of good ol’ country music, often with tributes to legends like Willie Nelson, along with screenings of iconic Western films and loads of special famous guests. The festival also celebrates heritage, historic cars, antique equipment, food of the era, clothing, cowboy poetry and lots more. If it’s associated with the Wild West, you’ll discover it here. Slip into your chequered shirt, dig out your spurs, saddle up your horse and get yourself involved!
The Utah State Fair is another blast from the past, and includes all of the attractions and events that your grandmother told you about. It’s a cornucopia of entertainers, rodeos, demolition derbies, fairground food, sideshows, carnival rides, contests, demonstrations and livestock. If Ferris Wheels, tradition and corndogs are your thing, this is for you.
Other Utah festivals offer racing, cars, food, drink, pumpkins, music, arts, parades, history, Scottish culture, Mormons, tulips, kites and more. Buzz along to the Beehive State, join the smiling masses and find the festival for you!