6 Premier Fall Festivals in Utah

Oktoberfest at Snowbird Resort, Snowbird, UT

Meet Oktoberfest at Snowbird Resort in Little Cottonwood Canyon: thousands of miles away from Munich, but still wonderfully reminiscent of the old world. Attracting 60,000 visitors every year, Oktoberfest is home not only to beer, but live music, a beard and mustache competition, and a bratwurst eating competition, and plenty of other diverse forms of entertainment. 

Melon Days, Green River, UT

No, Melon Days isn’t just about melons. But it is in honor of Green River’s delicious abundance of cantaloupe and honeydew that most residents enjoy every summer and early fall. A tradition for over 100 years, the Melon Days Festival typically takes place in early September and includes a range of fun family activities, such as a “Melon Cruise Car Show,” a melon eating contest, a melon seed spitting contest, a 5K race, and a “princess pageant.” 

Escalante Canyons Art Festival, Escalante, UT

Home to the Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, Escalante is a small town in Southern Utah with a rich heritage and beautiful red rock views. It is a center for tourists, lovers of the outdoors, locals who have been there for generations, and—at least near the end of September—a sizable group of working artists and artisans for the Escalante Canyons Art Festival. With various art exhibitions, a painting competition, workshops, and live music, the festival is Escalante at its liveliest. 

Festa Italiana, Salt Lake City, UT

Only in its third year, the Festa Italiana at Salt Lake City’s Gateway will not only fulfill that pestering cannoli craving, but expose you to the beauty that is Italian culture and cuisine. Designed as an “Italian Street festival where you can experience the tastes, sounds, and culture of Italy,” Festa Italiana is free and definitely worth a lazy Saturday afternoon. 

The Urban Arts Festival, Salt Lake City, UT

Organized by the Utah Arts Alliance, the Urban Arts Festival in Salt Lake City is the largest free community art event in Utah. A celebration of the community and its incredible artists and creators, the festival makes for a wonderful day with the family, a loved one, or even on your own as your meander through different exhibits and watch enchanting performances.

Cedar Livestock and Heritage Festival, Cedar City, UT

If you want to see herds of sheep walking down the street, this festival would be a great fit. It really is the celebration of all things livestock in honor of Cedar City's heritage. So why are they walking down the street? In Iron County, fall means harvesting the crops and the trailing of livestock from the mountains to the desert for winter, and since 1870, it's been the area's annual tradition to parade the livestock down Cedar City Main Street in the process. And if that doesn't interest you, the festival also includes a vintage car show, a sheep wagon show, a sheep parade, a quilt show, and plenty of other activities. 

Key Insights at a Glance

• Fall is a busy and festive season in Utah, with numerous festivals happening nearly every weekend in September and October.
• Oktoberfest at Snowbird Resort in Little Cottonwood Canyon is a popular event with beer, live music, competitions, and entertainment.
• Melon Days in Green River celebrates the town's abundance of cantaloupe and honeydew with activities like car shows, contests, and a princess pageant.
• The Escalante Canyons Art Festival in Escalante features art exhibitions, competitions, workshops, and live music, showcasing the town's heritage and natural beauty.
• Festa Italiana at Salt Lake City's Gateway is a street festival celebrating Italian culture and cuisine, offering a taste of Italy in Utah.
• The Urban Arts Festival in Salt Lake City, organized by the Utah Arts Alliance, is the largest free community art event in Utah, showcasing local artists and creators.
• The Cedar Livestock and Heritage Festival in Cedar City celebrates the area's livestock heritage with activities like a livestock parade, vintage car show, and quilt show.