What’s Happening in Salt Lake City — August 2025

What’s Happening in Salt Lake City — August 2025

August in Salt Lake City brings a full calendar of summer excitement: music festivals, outdoor cinemas, cultural gatherings, sports, and engaging local experiences for all ages.

🎨 Festivals & Cultural Celebrations

Great Salt Lake Fringe Festival (Jul 25–Aug 3)
A boundary-pushing performing arts showcase featuring theater, dance, magic, storytelling, and music across venues in Trolley Square and The Gateway Salt Lake County Arts & Culture+6The Citizen Apartments+6Salt Lake Magazine+6.

Kensington Street Festival (Aug 23)
A vibrant free event in Central City with live music, local artists, food trucks, and beer tasting from RoHa Brewing—fun for all ages (21+ for alcohol) SLC.gov.

Utah Beer Festival (Aug 17–18)
SLC’s biggest beer event returns to The Gateway with over 200 beers and ciders, art performances, and main stage entertainment. Passes available by day or weekend Salt Lake Magazine.

🎶 Music & Concert Highlights

Red Butte Garden Concert Series
Outdoor concerts continue through August featuring:

• Aug 5: Dispatch & John Butler with Donavon Frankenreiter

• Aug 6: Rick Springfield “I Want My ’80s Tour”

• Aug 10: Michael Franti & Spearhead

• Aug 11: My Morning Jacket

• Aug 13: ZZ Top

• Aug 17: Tower of Power + War

• Aug 24: Ray LaMontagne

• Aug 25: Keb’ Mo’ + Shawn Colvin AllEvents+15Axios+15Salt Lake County Arts & Culture+15.

Citywide Concerts at The Union, The Complex, Gallivan Center
Check local listings for performances by Waxahatchee (Aug 6), Little Hurricane (Aug 10), and others across intimate venues in Salt Lake City Trip.com.

🌤 Outdoor Events & Community Fun

Wasatch Wildflower Festival & Obon Concert Series
Enjoy guided hikes to see mountain wildflowers plus cultural programs at the Obon Festival honoring Japanese traditions with taiko drumming and cuisine—free entry, registration required Axios+1Axios+1.

Movies in the Park, Food Trucks & Live Music Nights
Summer favorites like Gallivan Center and Liberty Park host weekly family-friendly evenings with films, food, and live tunes—perfect for a relaxed community outing utahagenda.comSalt Lake Magazine.

💼 Conferences & Special Events

The 20th Annual Independent Show (Aug 10–13)
A major telecom industry conference at the Salt Palace Convention Center, including networking, keynote sessions, and an off-site event at Utah Olympic Park featuring Olympic medalists and action sports demos tvtechnology.com.

🍹 Food & Drink Scene

Summer Cocktail Trends in SLC
Local bartenders are crafting seasonal cocktails with agave spirits, seasonal fruit, and zero-proof options. Standouts include:

• Urban Hill’s “Wicked Dreams” (beets, raspberries, reposado tequila, foam)

• Melancholy’s “Lilith” (passion fruit, elderflower, Sauvignon Blanc)

• Water Witch in Central 9th is earning accolades for visually stunning tropical sips Axios.

🏙️ Plan Your Month

With warm summer evenings and diverse offerings—from huge outdoor festivals and big-name concerts to craft cocktails and cultural celebrations—August in Salt Lake City has something for everyone.