Cedar City is known as "Festival City, USA" for a reason!

 

Do you want to join the peak of small-town-shenanigans and watch a flock of sheep take over Main Street for the Livestock & Heritage Festival? Join the Olympic-esque fun with the Utah Summer Games? Or ring in the holidays in style with the Downtown Lighting Ceremony?

Here are 7 festivals worth planning your visit around in 2026. 👇

A crowd sits in an Elizabethan-style outdoor theater around a large wooden stage with actors dressed in vibrant Shakespearean garb, arms wide in mid-performance.


Utah Shakespeare Festival | June - October


This is not community theater! Running June through October at the beautiful Beverley Center for the Arts, the Tony Award-winning Utah Shakespeare Festival stages everything from classic Shakespeare to contemporary works in stunning indoor and outdoor venues. It’s a world-class experience in a surprisingly spectacular setting.

 

When to Plan  Your Visit

  • The festival season is from mid-June to mid-October with performances taking place Monday - Saturday. 
  • Check the festival schedule at bard.org to find a window where the performances you want to catch overlap to get the most out of your visit. 
  • Consider what else you want to see while you're here: 
    • June - Utah Summer Games and sporting events
    • July through August - Wildflowers in Cedar Breaks and mountain biking in Brian Head
    • September through October - Fall colors, cooler temperatures, and scenic drives 

 

 


Utah Summer Games | June


Every year, Cedar City hosts one of Utah's biggest amateur sporting events, welcoming thousands of competitors and their families to the area. The Olylmpic style Opening Ceremonies event is an absolute must! Join thousands of spectators for a torch lighting ceremony, athlete parade, live music, and fireworks to kick-off summer in southern Utah. 

 

When to Plan  Your Visit

  • Opening Ceremonies takes place on the first Friday of June at Southern Utah University. 
  • Plan for a full weekend getaway to pack in some hikes or national park exploration around Opening Ceremonies. 
  • Use our hiking trail page to find the right fit for your group.

 

 


Cedar Breaks National Monument Wildflower Festival | Mid to Late July


At nearly 10,000 feet, Cedar Breaks is already breathtaking. In July the meadows and trails are bursting with color as over 250 wildflower species blanket the rim. The annual festival adds guided ranger walks, photography programs, and family activities.  

 

When to Plan  Your Visit

  • Want to camp in Cedar Breaks? Grab a campground reservation ahead of time at recreation.gov
  • Plan on visiting nearby Brian Head for lunch and any shopping needs you have during your visit.  
  • Pack layers! Even in July, at 10,000 feet the temperatures are a little cooler, and it still gets cold at night.
  • Don't leave at sunset! The park remains open at night and as an International Dark Sky Park the views are worth it!

 

A handful of marathon runners follow a paved trail down Cedar Canyon for the Cedar City 1/2 Marathon with the sun rising behind them and the red rock views of the canyon visible behind them.


Half Marathon Season | August & September


If you're going to run 13.1 miles, an incredible view along the way makes a huge difference! Both courses (Cedar Canyon for the Cedar 1/2 Marathon and Parowan Canyon for the Parowan 1/2) have scenery that makes every mile worth it. These races are a great excuse to explore the area and stick around for a local meal after the race. 

 

When to Plan  Your Visit

 

 


Brian Head Resort Oktoberfest | Fall (September) 


Crisp mountain air, golden aspens, live music, and good food at Utah's highest base elevation ski resort. Brian Head Resort's Oktoberfest is a great reason to head up the mountain before the snow flies and a reminder that this place is worth visiting year-round. 

 

When to Plan  Your Visit

  • The event is spread out over 3 weekends, so check our Fall Color Report before you leave to find bright leaves. 
  • Stay overnight! Make a day of the event and enjoy drinks, a short commute to your hotel, dark skies, and trails. 
  • Don't skip the scenery around you. Visit Cedar Breaks, check out Navajo Lake, and hike in Brian Head. 

 

 


Cedar Livestock & Heritage Festival | Last Weekend of October 


You haven't fully experienced Cedar City until you've watched a thousand sheep strut down Main Street! The Sheep Parade kicks off a full weekend of rodeos, cowboy poetry, country cooking, vendors, and more classic western events. It's authentically Utah, it's always fun, and it's definitely memorable. 

 

When to Plan  Your Visit

  • Find events you don't want to miss and plan your visit using the link included here. 
  • The Sheep Parade takes place at 10 am that Saturday, so get here Friday night and explore downtown to find a spot. 
  • Don't stop at the Sheep Parade. Head out to the Diamond Z Arena for the rest of the fun.   

 

Fireworks go up over the brick City Office building in downtown Cedar City above bright and snowy holiday lights for the downtown lighting events.


Cedar City Downtown Lighting Ceremony | Last Weekend of November


Historic Downtown Cedar City goes all out for the holiday season. Christmas Market vendors, carriage rides, live performances, intricately decorated trees, and Santa arriving via helicopter. It feels like a holiday movie, and it's the kind of tradition families love.  

 

When to Plan  Your Visit

  • Explore beyond Cedar City, the holiday lights in Parowan turn on the same night and are worth a visit! 
  • Get in some ice skating with a Cosmic Skating event or free skate at KJ's Ice Barn. 
  • Hit the slopes at Brian Head Resort and get in some powder turns to end your holiday weekend. 

See you in 2026!

and don't forget to share your adventure with us @visitcedarcity!