Festival Weekend: What’s Happening Around Salt Lake City, May 15–17, 2026

Looking for something to do this weekend? Salt Lake City has a packed lineup of festivals, food events, music, and community celebrations happening across the valley. Here are a few highlights worth checking out.

1. Living Traditions Festival

Friday, May 15, 2026 | 5–10 p.m.
Saturday, May 16, 2026 | 12–10 p.m.
Sunday, May 17, 2026 | 12–7 p.m.

Civic Center / Library Square
200 E 400 S, Salt Lake City

Now celebrating its 40th anniversary, Living Traditions brings together traditional music, dance, crafts, storytelling, and food from communities across Utah. The free three-day festival remains one of Salt Lake City’s signature cultural events and features performances, artisan demonstrations, workshops, and cultural food vendors.

Living Traditions Festival

Mondays in the Park

Free concerts of traditional folk music and cultural dance are presented on selected Monday evenings in the summer. Performances are held from 7 to 9 pm in front of the Chase Home Museum in the middle of Liberty Park (enter from 900 South or 1300 South at about 600 East in Salt Lake City).

Bring your lawn chairs, blankets, picnics, family, and friends of all ages for these fun, free outdoor concerts. Mondays in the Park is brought to you by the Salt Lake City Arts Council’s “Living Traditions Presents” program and the Utah Division of Arts & Museums.
Follow them on Instagram @livingtraditions

2. Utah Food Festival: Natural History Museum of Utah, 301 Wakara Way, Salt Lake City, UT 84108

Saturday, May 16–Sunday, May 17, 2026
10 a.m.–5 p.m.

Natural History Museum of Utah, 301 Wakara Way, Salt Lake City, UT 84108

Natural History Museum of Utah at the Rio Tinto Center

Indulge your taste buds at the Utah Food Festival, a weekend-long celebration of our region’s rich culinary heritage, spanning from ancient ancestral foods to contemporary delicacies. On May 16-17, you can sample and shop an array of tantalizing tastes from local artisans, delve into delicious workshops led by culinary experts, and enrich your knowledge of food history with insightful presentations! This calendar listing is brought to you by NowPlayingUtah.com, Utah’s one-stop, online website for arts and entertainment events, powered by the Utah Cultural Alliance.

3. Kilby Block Party

Friday, May 15–Sunday, May 17, 2026
Utah State Fairpark

155 North 1000 West

Salt Lake City UT, 84107

One of Utah’s largest music festivals returns with multiple stages and a weekend of live music from national and local artists.

4. Wheeler Farm Spring Fest

Saturday, May 16, 2026 | 9 a.m.–1 p.m.

A FREE community event featuring wagon rides, demonstrations, and family-friendly activities.

Whether you’re looking for music, food, community celebrations, or cultural performances, this weekend offers plenty of reasons to get out and explore Salt Lake City.

5. The Choreographic Festival Fest VII

Ballet West presents The Choreographic Fest VII

May 13-16, 2026, at Jeanné Wagner Theatre, Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center. Salt Lake City, UT. Experience the Choreographic Festival: Spotlight Utah! Featuring the best of Utah contemporary dance with a groundbreaking fusion of modern movement and classical music from Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company, Repertory Dance Theatre, and SALT Contemporary Dance. Join us for the innovative choreography and artistic excellence with world premieres from guest choreographers Donald Byrd, a Tony-nominated artist, and Penny Saunders, an award-winning choreographer.

Recommended for ages 8 and up. No babes-in-arms. All patrons must have a ticket regardless of age and occupy their own seat.

Late seating will take place at intermission.