Utahns were spoiled this year – we experienced balmy temperatures through much of October and November. Now, the chilly, snowy winter weather has arrived. But just because it’s cold outside doesn’t mean you can’t still have fun. Take a look at these 10 winter festivals and put a few on your calendar now!
- Festival of the Seas, DraperNovember 25th - December 31st
Living Planet Aquarium/Facebook The Living Planet Aquarium is decked out for the holidays in lights and holiday decor. Visit Santa for photos and watch him dive with the sharks for three weekends, beginning December 3rd and 4th. For a full calendar of events, click here.
- Dickens Festival, SandyDecember 8th - 10th
Dickens Festival/Facebook If you missed the Dickens Festival in St. George, you can still catch the festival in Sandy. Wander through the Old World shops, check out the entertainment, enjoy live music and more. For a complete listing of all events and more information, click here
- Elk Festival, HyrumDecember 10th
Hardware Ranch/Facebook This year’s Elk Festival takes place at Hardware Ranch Wildlife Management Area on Saturday, December 10th. Visit with mountain men, create some crafts, and take a hayride amongst the 250 or so elk that winter here every year. Hayrides are $5 for passengers 9 and up; $3 for ages 3-8; Free for toddlers. Here is Hardware Ranch’s Website for more details and driving directions.
- Winter Solstice Celebration at Red Butte, Salt Lake CityDecember 17th
Red Butte Garden/Facebook Celebrate the Winter Solstice this year at Red Butte Garden, where you can make a wish on the Yule log, take a walk through the winter garden and cozy up to a warm fire with a hot drink. Get more details here.
- Snowfest, Park City ResortDecember 17 - January 1st
Park City Mountain/Facebook Park City Resort doesn’t mess around when it comes to celebrating winter in Utah. In addition to some great skiing, this festival offers 16 days of music and entertainment. Click here for all the details.
- EVE WinterFest, Downtown Salt Lake CityDecember 26th - 31st
EVE Salt Lake City/Facebook In Salt Lake City, we don’t just celebrate New Years’ Eve - we have a party that lasts six nights, offers tons of entertainment and activities and takes place in multiple venues all over town. The event starts on December 26th and culminates with the big night on December 31st. We can’t begin to list all the fun here, so explore the website for all the info.
- Sundance Film Festival, Park CityJanuary 9 - 29th
Sundance Film Festival/Facebook This world-famous festival brings folks from all over the world to Park City. If you don’t have tickets, you can still stroll Main Street, dine in the restaurants and pubs and celebrity gaze. January 9-29th. For more details, visit the festival’s website.
- Old Sheepherder’s Gathering. Baker NevadaJanuary 20th - 21st
Great Basin National Heritage Area/Facebook The Old Sheepherder’s Gathering is held every year to celebrate sheep herding with an open mic night of stories, poetry and music, and a fun-filled Saturday that starts with a sourdough pancake breakfast and ends with a Basque dinner and Sheepherders Ball. The event is held in Baker, Nevada, right across the state line. Find all the information you need here.
- Bear Lake Monster Winterfest, Garden CityJanuary28th
Bear Lake Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau/Facebook Is there a monster in Bear Lake? We don’t know, but we sure don’t mind celebrating him, even if he is fictional. This year’s events include the Cisco Disco, where you can dip your net in the lake to catch some fish, the Monster Craft Fair, chili cook-off and Monster Polar Plunge. Check out all the details here.
- Delta Snow Goose Festival, DeltaFebruary 24th - 25th
Delta Snow Goose Festival The snow geese start their annual migration to Canada every February, and you can observe these birds during a fun-filled, two-day festival in Delta. In addition to viewing the birds, participate in the Wild Goose Chase 5K/10K, shop at the Craft Fair/Quilt Show and participate in or watch the Wild Goose Skeet Shoot. Take a look at all the details here.
For more fun in December, plan a visit to one of these 11 enchanting, magical Christmas towns.
Living Planet Aquarium/Facebook
The Living Planet Aquarium is decked out for the holidays in lights and holiday decor. Visit Santa for photos and watch him dive with the sharks for three weekends, beginning December 3rd and 4th. For a full calendar of events, click here.
Dickens Festival/Facebook
If you missed the Dickens Festival in St. George, you can still catch the festival in Sandy. Wander through the Old World shops, check out the entertainment, enjoy live music and more. For a complete listing of all events and more information, click here
Hardware Ranch/Facebook
This year’s Elk Festival takes place at Hardware Ranch Wildlife Management Area on Saturday, December 10th. Visit with mountain men, create some crafts, and take a hayride amongst the 250 or so elk that winter here every year. Hayrides are $5 for passengers 9 and up; $3 for ages 3-8; Free for toddlers. Here is Hardware Ranch’s Website for more details and driving directions.
Red Butte Garden/Facebook
Celebrate the Winter Solstice this year at Red Butte Garden, where you can make a wish on the Yule log, take a walk through the winter garden and cozy up to a warm fire with a hot drink. Get more details here.
Park City Mountain/Facebook
Park City Resort doesn’t mess around when it comes to celebrating winter in Utah. In addition to some great skiing, this festival offers 16 days of music and entertainment. Click here for all the details.
EVE Salt Lake City/Facebook
In Salt Lake City, we don’t just celebrate New Years’ Eve - we have a party that lasts six nights, offers tons of entertainment and activities and takes place in multiple venues all over town. The event starts on December 26th and culminates with the big night on December 31st. We can’t begin to list all the fun here, so explore the website for all the info.
Sundance Film Festival/Facebook
This world-famous festival brings folks from all over the world to Park City. If you don’t have tickets, you can still stroll Main Street, dine in the restaurants and pubs and celebrity gaze. January 9-29th. For more details, visit the festival’s website.
Great Basin National Heritage Area/Facebook
The Old Sheepherder’s Gathering is held every year to celebrate sheep herding with an open mic night of stories, poetry and music, and a fun-filled Saturday that starts with a sourdough pancake breakfast and ends with a Basque dinner and Sheepherders Ball. The event is held in Baker, Nevada, right across the state line. Find all the information you need here.
Bear Lake Valley Convention and Visitors Bureau/Facebook
Is there a monster in Bear Lake? We don’t know, but we sure don’t mind celebrating him, even if he is fictional. This year’s events include the Cisco Disco, where you can dip your net in the lake to catch some fish, the Monster Craft Fair, chili cook-off and Monster Polar Plunge. Check out all the details here.
Delta Snow Goose Festival
The snow geese start their annual migration to Canada every February, and you can observe these birds during a fun-filled, two-day festival in Delta. In addition to viewing the birds, participate in the Wild Goose Chase 5K/10K, shop at the Craft Fair/Quilt Show and participate in or watch the Wild Goose Skeet Shoot. Take a look at all the details here.
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