The secret is out: Summer in Park City rocks. The evolution from ski town to year-round destination has yielded a music and festival calendar overflowing with diverse melodies, sights, flavors, and opportunities to gather and chill out—or, if the mood strikes, shake it. 

Here’s how to navigate the biggest outdoor concerts and festivals in the summer and fall months.

Deer Valley Concert Series

July–September
Snow Park Outdoor Amphitheater, Deer Valley Resort
Laid-back with a dose of Deer Valley’s civilized signature style (for example, a gourmet picnic basket, may be ordered in advance), the concert crowds tend to span ages and stages. This summer’s highlights include feel-good, perennial favorite Michael Franti & Spearhead (with Citizen Cope and Bombargo), reggae royalty Ziggy Marley (with Lettuce), bluegrassy The Dead South, folk-country-rock Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, and indie-folk artist Gregory Alan Isakov. Notably, the view from Snow Park Amphitheater’s grassy hillside rivals pretty much whoever is on stage. For lawn seating, bring blankets, low chairs, and picnics (sans alcohol); chairs are provided in reserved seating. Beer, wine, and eats are available for sale at on-site concession stands. 

Pro Tips

• Take Park City transit for what spokesperson Emily Summers calls “front-door service” (as the buses get ingress and egress priority), or splurge on Lot 1 reserved parking ($50) and wait out the post-show traffic. Or make a staycation out of the night by snagging a 15 percent off lodging deal at The Lodges, Silver Baron, and Trail’s End Lodge (all walkable).
• Folks who want to boogie all-concert-long might consider the standing-room-only “dance zone” directly in front of the stage.   

Deer Valley Music Festival

July–August
Snow Park Outdoor Amphitheater, Deer Valley Resort
For its 20th summer season at Deer Valley, Utah Symphony is bringing back Tchaikovsky’s 1812 Overture (and, fingers crossed, the accompanying cannons). Deer Valley Music Festival’s genre-spanning lineup goes beyond classical. Think dress-up-in-bell-bottoms Boogie Wonder Band, a tribute to Whitney Houston, another tribute to Joni Mitchell, Carole King, and Carly Simon, as well as guest performances by the likes of Hamilton star Leslie Odom, Jr., singer-songwriter Cody Fry, The Rascals, and Tower of Power. While all concerts are suitable (and discounted) for children ages 18 and under, the obvious family-friendly picks are Disney in Concert: Once Upon a Time, as well as the cinematic music of John Williams (composer known for Star Wars, Jaws, Indiana Jones, and many more). New this summer is a Nutcracker-themed Christmas in July performance (hot cocoa, anyone?). For tickets, information, and the full skinny on the 12-concert lineup (as well as intimate chamber concerts at St. Mary’s Catholic Church). 

Pro Tips

• Like Deer Valley Concert Series, take public transit (or take advantage of walkable lodging deals), bring your own seating, picnics, and non-alcoholic bevies—or avoid schlepping stuff and tuck into on-site concessions instead.
• Tap into various special privileges (including reserved parking) via VIP membership (a.k.a. a charitable donation to Utah Symphony | Utah Opera). Consider volunteering for an opportunity to help a local non-profit and access to shows. 

Park City Institute’s Concerts on the Slopes

July–September
Canyons Village, Park City Mountain
Expect dancing at these not-too-pricey, fun, slope-side shows. Formerly the Big Stars, Bright Nights series, PCI’s summer concerts bounced around for a few years before happily landing at Canyons Village Amphitheater. Both UB40 and Nitty Gritty Dirt Band are making tour stops as part of the series, which delivers everything from indie and country to rock and rap. Notably, Spoon, Sara Evans, Aly & AJ, Blitzen Trapper, Josh Turner, Guster, Starship featuring Mickey Thomas, and classic rock’s Jason Scheff and Tommy DeCarlo (former lead singers of Chicago and Boston respectively) are among the talent slated to grace the stage. And, yes, Young MC fans will have plenty of opportunities to “bust a move.” The concerts are easily accessed via a cabriolet ride from parking to the plaza area, and picnics (sans alcohol), blankets, and low-to-the-ground chairs are permitted. Once through the gates, concertgoers can also opt to purchase drinks (wine, beer, and beyond) as well as eats. GA tickets range from $35 to $75. 

Pro Tips

• Arrive early and grab valet parking and dinner at one of the many Canyons-area hotel eateries. Or spin it into an overnight stay with local hotel package deals (see the lodging tab on PCI’s website for more info). 
• For arts philanthropists who appreciate perks, such as a pre-show wine-tasting party and/or early lawn access, check out PCI sponsorships and memberships (benefits range based on the level of donation, of course).  

Mountain Town Music

Ongoing year-round
Various outdoor venues throughout Park City and Summit County, plus the Park Silly Sunday Market and festivals
Local and free, MTM’s prolific concerts are what Executive Director Brian Richards calls “a community connector.” As homegrown talent fills more than a dozen stages—from pocket parks and petite patios to large lawns and amphitheaters—the music runs the gamut of bluegrass, classical, jazz, rock, jam, country, reggae, and beyond (everything but metal and hard rock). Whether kicking back in City Park for the Noches de Verano series, soaking up a weekly show at a neighborhood venue like Quarry Village, or venturing to the larger Canyons Forum, the same chill, fun, quintessentially mountain-town vibe permeates every show. Kids frolic. All ages dance. And, typically, hula-hoops are in full swing. To tap into a more intimate show, check out the singer-songwriters on the Lucky Ones patio at Park City Library or the newer, autumnal Jazz in the Park series at City Park. 

 Pro Tips:

• Concerts are popular, so arrive early to stake a claim for a blanket spot. 
• Every venue has different rules, such as whether dogs are allowed or if coolers are permitted, so check the website for any restrictions. beforehand.

Kimball Arts Festival

August 2–4
Main Street, Park City
A rare opportunity to experience the center of historic Old Town sans vehicular traffic, this long-running event showcases art in all its forms. For the 55th fest, the Kimball has whittled down 1,146 applicants to just 200 local, national, and international artists, whose booths fill the center of Main Street with everything from sculpture and ceramics to photography and 3-D work. New this year, the KAC’s talented Young Artist Academy teens are running their own booth at the corner of Heber and Main. What sets this entire experience apart from gallery strolls or museum visits is the chance to engage with true creatives. As Executive Director Aldy Milliken says, “Talk to the artists. That’s why they’re there. Ask about their work. Why did they make it? What is their favorite piece?”
Beyond visual art, virtually nonstop music and dance performances grace two stages. For the thirsty and ravenous, a bar is conveniently set up beside the rockin’ Heber Avenue stage, and food trucks accompany the top-of-Main stage. Attendees can dabble in art via bite-size activities at Studio on Main locations (at both the Info Booth and Miner’s Park). To keep young ones engaged, check out the Creativity Station (Town Lift Plaza) and the Scavenger Hunt.

Pro Tips

• Buy discounted tickets in advance and skip the line at the gate. 
• Go early to avoid crowds (roughly 30,000 folks attend the festival).
• For Summit County residents, register in advance online for free Locals’ Night tickets.
• Support the KAC and reap an array of perks by purchasing VIP passes.

Park City Song Summit

August 15–17
Primarily at Park City Mountain’s Canyons Village as well as shows on Main Street at The Marquis and The Cabin 
A feel-good gathering, this third-annual festival of top-tier musicians can be a full-throttle immersion or just a pop-in experience. Stars of the 2024 lineup include Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, My Morning Jacket, Mavis Staples, Anders Osborne & Jackie Greene, Larkin Poe, and Eric Krasno & Friends. The irresistibly dance-able side of the equation features Cimafunk and Tank and the Bangas. For those looking to discover new artists, up-and-comers, like Jobi Riccio, round out the fest’s fare. Notably, 10 immersive labs deliver deep dives into everything from navigating AI to Otis Redding’s legacy.  

As “disruptors” in the music festival realm, the third-annual event leans into wellness, inclusivity, and compassion. That emphasis translates into yoga and meditation sessions, a wellness village, labs designed to inspire and help both artists and attendees, and various supportive spaces where artists and concertgoers can simply chill out. “Above all, we want to be of service to our fellow humans at Song Summit,” says founder Ben Anderson. 
While the festival is sensitive to those in recovery—for example, concessions are stocked with extensive mocktails and non-alcoholic options as well as alcoholic beverages—the Song Summit is not a sober event. “It’s about people feeling included whether they drink or don’t drink, are gay or straight, white or community of color, struggling with mental challenges or not.” 

Pro Tips

• Arrive early for concerts, especially if dancing at the rail is a must. 
• A couple options for getting a taste of the fest inexpensively: purchase a late-night show ticket (starting at $15), pop by the free wellness village at the Canyons Forum, or volunteer. 
• For full immersion, invest in the three-day pass.

Park City Wine Festival

October 3–5
Park City Mountain’s Canyons Village as well as various local eateries and establishments
Bucking Utah’s “dry” reputation, this annual fest is anchored by the Grand Tasting, a rain-or-shine party with roughly 90 booths of nibbles and libations, live music, and sponsor activations. Wines to keep an eye out for this year include Vin Fraiche, Russian River Vineyards, Arietta, Brown Estates, Kobrand, Louis Jadot. Notably, beer and spirits are available for folks who prefer to shy away from the vine. Aside from simply having a good time in a relaxed mountain setting, the festival is a chance to discover one’s own tasting profile. 

“It gives you the chance to taste wines from all over the world and really dive in to see what you like,” explains event director Kristen Slater. Ancillary happenings range from hikes and sips with winemakers and intimate paired dinners to the Best of Fest soiree and curated seminars. Partaking in smaller events typically translates into closer interaction with winemakers and may provide an excuse to don cocktail attire. New this year, Rarities and Reserves at Red Pine Lodge introduces boutique and hard-to-find wines (and the folks who make them) to a relatively petite crowd (200 people).

Pro Tips 
For the Grand Tasting, arrive 15 minutes early (or 15 minutes late) to avoid that right-on-time wait in line. (Friday is typically less crowded than Saturday sessions.)

• Be sure to hydrate at all events. 
• In general, avoid wearing perfumes and lotions to fully appreciate the “nose” of the wine. 
• Skip the drive home and take advantage of the festival’s lodging packages.