Things to do / Travel Guide
January
New Year's events and galas abound in the southern Utah region, all made majestic against its spectacular scenery and natural wonders. Resorts and clubs are booked quickly for such events, so make reservations well in advance. The New Year's Ball in Lake Powell, Utah, is a highlight.
Also in late January, the Wahweap Resort in Lake Powell organizes an annual boat tour and historic presentation at Hole-in-the-rock to celebrate the January 26, 1880 crossing over the Colorado River by Mormon pioneers.
February
In the winter, the red rock formations of Bryce Canyon National Park transform white with snow cover. Visitors can enjoy the park's winter charms at the annual Bryce Canyon Winter Festival, held every year in early February. Ski races, ski archery, free snowshoe tours and races, free clinics in photography, and other entertainment make up the weekend festivities.
March
March is a popular month for festivals in the southern Utah region. Miss Utah Teen and Jr. Teen America contestants compete for the ultimate national title in St. George in early March, and the Skinny Tire Festival highlights Moab's many road riding opportunities, with cycling raising funds for the Lance Armstrong Foundation.
In Festival City, U.S.A. - Cedar City, Utah - the Cowboy Gathering kicks off every year in mid-March in a celebration of the culture and traditions of the American West and American cowboy. Previously known as the Canyon Country Western Arts Festival, the Cowboy Gathering packs musicians, cowboy poets, artisans, and demonstrations into four days of celebration on the campus of Southern Utah University.
April
Thousands of visitors are drawn to the red rock city of St. George for the annual St. George Arts Festival, held on Easter weekend every year. Showcasing the work of local artists in diverse mediums, visitors can enjoy browsing or buying from the artisan booths, or simply come to take part in the festive atmosphere and sample the food, children's activities and other entertainment, including cowboy poets.
May
Memorial Day weekend in Moab means art, music, and a generally good time to be had by all. Artisan booths, musicians, and art lovers sprawl out on the green lush of Swanny City Park for the annual Moab Arts Festival. Jewelry, pottery, woodwork, sculpture, clothing, fine art, and photography are featured, in addition to music and entertainment, including Taiko Drummers. An art camp for kids provides arts and crafts activities.
The Desert Rocks Music Festival showcases the local talent of the four corners region in a mixture of funk, reggae, jazz, bluegrass and folk music. The outdoor camping music festival takes place in the gorgeous red rock cliff desert of Moab on Memorial Day weekend every year.
Spring City's Heritage Day at the end of May includes tours of historic area homes and an art and antiques show at the Old Spring City School.
June
Cedar City, Utah, certainly lives up to its reputation as Festival City, U.S.A. in the summer months, providing theater, music, and arts festivals of every style.
- For theater-lovers, the Tony-Award-winning Utah Shakespeare Festival brings classic theater to the heart of nature. The plays, which run from June-September, are shown in the Elizabethan-style Adams Shakespearean Theater and in the modern Randall Jones Theater. The festival is by far one of the region's most famous attractions.
- The annual Groovefest American Music Festival also takes place in Cedar City, bringing bands and musicians from all over the country to the area's premier music event. The festival also has plenty of art and music vendors, perfect for visitors looking for the classic festival atmosphere.
In other areas in the southern Utah region in June:
- Every year the Tuacahn Broadway in the Desert Festival brings the dramatic arts to the magnificent outdoor venue of Tuacahn Amphitheater, nestled below the red rock cliffs in the city of Ivins, Utah, near the town of St. George. Shows like Peter Pan and Cats run from June-October with varying performance times, giving you the feeling of Broadway literally under the stars.
- The Zion Canyon Art and Flute Festival features Native American and World flute music in a scenic setting in Springdale, Utah, outside of Zion National Park.
July
Cedar City honors late playwright Neil Simon in the Neil Simon Festival from mid-July to mid-August. The city's Heritage Theater hosts Neil Simon plays throughout the month-long festival season. At the same time, and complementing the Utah Shakespeare Festival also lasting well into July, the Utah Mid-Summer Renaissance Festival (or "Faire") runs in mid-July in Cedar City. The annual mid-week fair gives locals and visitors a taste of Renaissance life, including food, shows, merchants, costume contests, and concerts. Fourth of July celebrations commence throughout the region, and Page, Arizona, has a few of its own traditions: festivities include fireworks, food, games, and the pioneer days parade.
August
In late-August and early-September, the Moab Music Festival becomes a soundtrack for the surrounding scenery. Located amidst the breathtaking red rock canyonlands of Moab, Utah, the festival features music from all over the world and is known for its distinctive programming, including classic chamber music, as well as vocal and jazz from artists from all over the country. The festival takes place in indoor and outdoor venues throughout Moab, providing, as festival planners boosts, "music in concert with the landscape."
September
The Cedar City Sky Fest will have visitors flying high over the beautiful scenery of southern Utah's Cedar City. For three days over the weekend in mid-September, the dynamic festival features hot-air balloons, kites, radio-controlled airplanes and model rockets - making it difficult to stay grounded as eyes will be set on the blue skies above.
The square dance festival on Glen Canyon Dam and the early- to mid-September Lake Powell Stampede Rodeo in Page, Arizona, are also sure to be crowd pleasers.
October
Every October, more than 4,000 runners from all over the U.S. run their way to St. George, in the annual St. George Marathon, one of the largest in the area, and said to be the 15th-largest in the U.S. The marathon begins in the Pine Valley Mountains and descends nearly 2,600 feet to the center of St. George City.
November
St. George starts the Christmas festivities early in their annual Jubilee of Trees, located in the Dixie Center every November over the weekend before Thanksgiving. Hundreds of custom-designed and -decorated Christmas trees, holiday wreaths, and arts and crafts fill the convention center, donated by local organizations and families. A Western-style concert, auction and fashion show are also featured, with proceeds benefiting the local community hospital. In Lake Powell, fisherman compete for the biggest striped bass in the Stripper Derby, a competition that lasts well into February.
December
Cedar City lights up with small-town Christmas celebrations in December, and in tune with the festival spirit that drives the city, the American Children's Christmas Festival is an enchanting highlight. The festival features a children's Christmas parade, celebration of trees, evening entertainment and other winter activities. The festival also caters to adults, creating a winter wonderland experience for the whole family.
Other Christmas activities in the region include a parade in Page, Arizona, and a festival of lights at the Wahweap and Bullfrog Marinas on Lake Powell.
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