Summer is flying by, but there’s still time to squeeze in a last-minute summer getaway to Southern Utah before the school bells start ringing. If you’re looking to soak up every last second of fun in the sun, Southern Utah offers a variety of local events and activities for the whole family to enjoy. Whether you want to dance to live music, gaze at summer stars, revel in a desert rodeo or just soak in the views of canyon country, we’ve got something on the lineup you’re sure to love. Here’s some inspiration to add to your calendar with our top six late summer events in Southern Utah.
Dark Sky Tours at Cedar Breaks National Monument
Weekends, August 1 - October 12, 2024 | 6:30 p.m. (North View Overlook)
Each Friday, Saturday, and Sunday night during the late summer season, Cedar Breaks will be hosting dark sky parties at the park’s North View Overlook for an out-of-this-world experience. These celestial evenings are free to attend with entrance to the park and include solar and telescope viewing as well as an 8 p.m. astronomy talk from your expert park rangers. Be sure to dress in warm layers and leave all bright lights at your vacation rental!
Cedar Breaks Heritage Festival
August 9-11, 2024 at Cedar Breaks National Monument
Celebrate the human history of our high desert landscapes at the annual Cedar Breaks Heritage Festival. This three-day event is a free park festival featuring interactive exhibits, wildlife and geology walks, guest lectures, children’s activities, craft demonstrations and more. It’s a fun and family-friendly way to learn about the many people who lived, farmed, explored and settled the Cedar Breaks area hundreds of years before the National Park Service. Bring the kids for an extra boost of brain power before the school bells start ringing - they’ll never know they’re actually learning!
August 24, 2024 | 9:30 a.m. - 8 p.m. at Brian Head Resort
Dust off your boots and head to Brian Head Resort for an end-of-summer country music showdown. Starting at 9:30 a.m., the mountain will be hootin’ and hollerin’ to live music from Dillon Jones Band, Casey Lofthouse and WolfCreek. Enjoy a day full of live music, local vendors, drinks, dancing and more. Tickets are $15 at the gate and $10 online.
August 29 - September 2, 2024
Iron County Fairgrounds, Parowan
Celebrate the Labor Day weekend in true Utah style at the Annual Iron County Fair in Parowan. This late summer tradition brings locals and visitors together every year to enjoy main events like the Demolition Derby, PRCA Pro Rodeo, Championship Mud Bog, and Classic Car Show. Other activities include cornhole tournaments, livestock shows, carnival games, a Labor Day street parade and so much more! Admission to the festival is free; some events have an extra fee to attend.
September 7, 2024 in Cedar Canyon, Cedar City
Enjoy a fast-paced race through stunning canyon scenes at the annual Cedar City Half Marathon on September 7th. This popular race features a downhill closed-canyon course that takes racers through eons of geological formations, along the rushing waters of Coal Creek, and through the sandstone pyramids of Great Basin. Register online at the event website.
September 14, 2024 | 9:30 a.m. - 8 p.m. at Brian Head Resort
Give a festive wave to fall at Oktoberfest, Brian Head Resort’s annual celebration of craft beers and Bavarian culture. Hang out on the mountain with a full day of live music, local craft brews, food and crafts vendors, lawn games and more. Purchase tickets at the gate for $15 or pre-buy tickets online for $10.
Book a Late Summer Stay in Southern Utah with Family Time Vacation Rentals!
Don’t let the panic of planning keep you from enjoying a late summer getaway in Southern Utah. Family Time Vacation Rentals can help you find the perfect vacation property to serve as homebase for your last-minute adventure. Book a ski-in/ski-out condo at Giant Steps to stay just a few feet from Brian Head Resort for quick access to their late summer festivals. Choose a private home in Parowan to enjoy the annual county fair and relax in comfort between trips to the rodeo. Browse our available Southern Utah rentals and book your stay today to enjoy more summer fever and less back-to-school blues - at least until you get home.