Annual Events and Festivals - Salt Lake City Utah
June
Asian Pacific Festival
South Towne Exposition Center (Sandy)
Since 1977, Asians in the Salt Lake City area have celebrated their traditions, diversity, and culture at the Asian Pacific Festival. Events typically include drum and martial arts exhibitions, food booths, music, and dancing. The Japanese Classical Dance and Kendo spear and sword exercises draw big crowds, and the children's activity center and art display are always popular. Tea drinkers can sip a variety of blends and watch an elegant, ancient Japanese tea ceremony unfold.
Gina Bachauer Piano Competition
Downtown Salt Lake City
www.bachauer.com
June is piano month in Salt Lake City, which means that some of the most prodigious young musical talents in the world convene at Salt Lake City to test their mettle. The International Competition is the major event. It takes place every four years. Other competitions are held the other three years. All competitions offer dazzling musical virtuosity and insightful interpretation of the world's great piano music.
Juneteenth Festival
Downtown Salt Lake City
www.juneteenth.com
This festival started in Texas in 1865 and commemorates the day black slaves were told of Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation - two years later than slaves in the rest of the rest of America. Normally held June 19 - hence the nickname - it's a nationwide festival where everyone has a chance to participate in black culture through song, food, crafts, arts, and history. Utahns have observed this festival for more than 20 years. Great music always fills the air, and you can enjoy a wide variety of delicious food.
Salt Lake City Marathon
Salt Lake City and Surrounding Cities
www.saltlakecitymarathon.com
Top runners from around the world will enjoy crisp, cool running weather in June, in a setting that surrounds them with snow-capped peaks contrasting with spring blossoms, all along a flat and slightly downhill 26.2 mile course.
The Salt Lake City Marathon, Half Marathon, 5K and Bike Tour starts at the Olympic Legacy Bridge at the University of Utah, the site of the 2002 Winter Olympic Athlete Village. The gentle course then skirts the base of the towering Wasatch Mountains, passes by cozy neighborhoods and elegant estates, and winds through Salt Lake’s legendary wide streets, into the city center, via Liberty Park. Here, the music will absolutely rock, the energy will surge, and crowds of enthusiastic spectators will cheer participants on, all the way to the electric finish at the Olympic Legacy Plaza at The Gateway, in downtown Salt Lake.
Saturday's Voyeur
Downtown Salt Lake City
www.saltlakeactingcompany.org
If you really want the lowdown on Salt Lake City, don't miss The Salt Lake Acting Company's annual production of Saturday's Voyeur. Since 1978, theatergoers have howled in their seats at this raucous parody that pokes fun at local politicians and notoriety, the predominant culture, and anyone else who's had the misfortune to publicly fall from grace. If it was stupid, a little too righteous, or just an ongoing sore spot with residents, SLAC lights it up and delivers it with neon, full-tilt irreverence. The song and dance numbers are Broadway caliber with local twist, costumes are usually outrageous, and the cast always delivers noteworthy performances. Each season the material is updated with current material and fresh frolic so you can always count on being on the inside track. The show usually runs from June to mid-August.
Utah Arts Festival
Downtown Salt Lake City
www.uaf.org
This four-day artistic extravaganza, the biggest arts festival in the area, offers sensory treats for the eyes, ears, and taste buds. Dozens of visual artists showcase every variety of artistic expression, from basket making and glasswork to furniture and jewelry. With the abundance of offerings, you're bound to spot some object d'art you simply can't live without.
Artist shake things up with periodic poetry readings, drumming exhibitions, portrait sculpture, or traditional Celtic music. Every year dozens of special interactive art projects are planned just for kids, so don't leave them behind.
Also, be sure to bring your appetite as savory delights are available in every ethnic variety imaginable, from pot stickers to Navajo tocos plus coffee, brews, and soft drinks.
Utah Scottish Festival and Highland Games
Murray
www.utahscots.org
The kilts come alive at this annual celebration of Scottish culture, with booths, athletic events, traditional dances, and much bagpiping. The athletic tournaments re-enact the ancient Scottish games of 1,000 years ago, where warriors were selected for battle on the basis of their strength and skill in competition. The contests include the caber (tree trunk) toss, the sheaf toss, and the hammer throw. You'll love the "tattoo", which is Scottish for musical program, where you'll enjoy a torchlight parade, highland dancing, and pipe band. The tattoo takes place the evening before the festival.