Tuesday

06-17-2025 Vol 1994

Dive into Utah’s Culinary Delights: Food Festivals to Savor This Summer and Fall

Utah is buzzing with excitement as summer transitions into fall, offering food lovers a variety of festivals celebrating diverse culinary traditions.

This summer and early fall, enthusiasts can savor delicious dishes from a plethora of cuisines at nine notable food-centric festivals throughout the state.

While some final details on tickets and participating restaurants are still being finalized, this guide serves as a helpful resource for planning a flavorful seasonal experience.

### World Refugee Day

Kick-off the season with World Refugee Day, taking place on June 20 from 4 to 10 p.m.

This meaningful event celebrates the contributions of refugees through food and community, held at Big Cottonwood Regional Park, located at 4300 S. 1300 East in Millcreek.

As a free event, attendees can enjoy a wide selection of food offerings from a variety of ethnic food trucks and booths.

A special vendor lineup features local culinary talent from the Spice Kitchen Incubator program, empowering refugees and immigrants to start their own food businesses.

Expect to taste delicious offerings from food trucks like Falafel Al Jailawi serving Middle Eastern cuisine, Jamaica’s Kitchen with Jamaican favorites, Namash Swahili Cuisine representing East Africa, Waterwheel Kitchen offering Jordanian and Egyptian classics, and Olive’s Oasis showcasing Mediterranean dishes.

Food booths will also be present, including Prime Corn (pre-Columbian/pre-Hispanic), Kurdish Katering (Kurdish), Delicius (Venezuelan), and Kente Cafe (West African).

### Savor the Summit

Next on the culinary tour is Savor the Summit, happening on June 28 at 6 p.m. on Park City’s historic Main Street.

The event is renowned for its unique setup, featuring a long communal table accommodating over 2,500 guests.

To partake in this feast, make a reservation with one of the participating restaurants, such as Bangkok Thai on Main, Café Terigo, or Deer Valley Resort, among others.

Chefs will create special menus specifically for this outdoor dinner party, ensuring an unforgettable gastronomic experience.

For those aged 21 and over, the High West Spirits Garden will be open from 5 to 10 p.m. on lower Main, offering an array of wines, beers, and High West cocktails for purchase.

### Oktoberfest

As summer wanes, the Oktoberfest celebrations begin, with Snowbird’s Oktoberfest launching on August 9, continuing every Saturday and Sunday through October 12.

This family-friendly event is not just limited to traditional Bavarian food; there will be a variety of entertainment and activities suitable for all ages.

The special three-day Grand Oktoberfest Weekend will coincide with Labor Day weekend, making it an ideal time for families to attend.

Concurrent with Snowbird’s festivities, SnowWiesn Oktoberfest at Snowbasin Resort will start on August 30, running every weekend through October 12.

While attending Snowbird’s Oktoberfest is free, tickets are required for the Snowbasin event, so be sure to check their website for updates.

### Utah State Fair

The Utah State Fair is another highlight, scheduled for September 4-14 at the Utah State Fairpark, located at 155 N. 1000 West in Salt Lake City.

Details about the fair’s food offerings are still to be announced, but attendees can always expect a vast selection of deep-fried delicacies among many other culinary treats.

The fair often hosts special one-off food events, ensuring that food lovers have a wide variety to explore.

Stay updated by checking UtahStateFair.com for more fair information as the event date approaches.

### Greek Festival

Set for September 5-7, the 49th annual Greek Festival is another highly anticipated event, hosted by Salt Lake City’s Greek Orthodox community.

This festival attracts culinary enthusiasts to Holy Trinity Cathedral, located at 279 S. 300 West, and the adjoining north lot of the church.

Running from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and from noon to 8 p.m. on Sunday, attendees can indulge in a stunning array of Greek dishes, including gyros, spanakopita, and keftethes.

There’s also a dedicated area for delicious Greek sweets, perfect for dessert lovers.

Admission to the Greek Festival is priced at $5, while children under five can enjoy the event for free.

Food prices vary, allowing guests to tailor their culinary experience.

### Eat Drink SLC

Continuing the festival season, Eat Drink SLC is a two-day dining celebration scheduled for September 10 and 11 at Tracy Aviary in Liberty Park, Salt Lake City.

Each evening will showcase different local restaurants complemented by craft beverages, alongside live music and dynamic performances.

Tickets will be available starting in June and tend to sell out quickly, so interested attendees are encouraged to sign up for the Eat Drink SLC newsletter at EatDrinkSLC.com for notification on ticket releases.

Tickets will include all food and drinks, signature glassware, and live entertainment, making it a must-attend affair for food and drink enthusiasts.

### Festa Italiana

For those craving Italian cuisine, Festa Italiana is an event not to be missed.

Taking place on September 13-14 at The Gateway shopping center in downtown Salt Lake City, this festival showcases an impressive lineup of food vendors.

Participating vendors include well-known local establishments like Matteo Ristorante Italiano and Antica Roma, among many others.

Italian beer and wine will also be on offer, enhancing the authentic culinary experience.

Best of all, admission to Festa Italiana is free, drawing in crowds eager to indulge in delicious foods and drinks.

### SLC VegFest

On September 13, the SLC VegFest aims to introduce a plant-based lifestyle to attendees, whether they are seasoned vegans or merely curious.

Hosted by the Utah Animal Rights Coalition, this festival focuses on normalizing a vegan diet and promoting plant-based eating across Salt Lake and greater Utah.

Set to take place from noon to 8 p.m. at Library Square, located at 200 E. 400 South in Salt Lake City, the event will feature an array of food vendors, including Lucky Slice Pizza and Falafel Tree.

The full lineup of vendors will be announced in August.

### Park City Wine Festival

Finally, for wine aficionados, the Park City Wine Festival is the ultimate destination from October 2-4.

This festival will span various Park City restaurants and venues, featuring events including grand tastings, wine dinners, and unique wine pairing adventures.

On October 3, the Best of Fest event will showcase top wines from the festival, perfectly paired with small bites for an exceptional gastronomic experience.

With so many culinary events on the horizon, Utah promises to delight food lovers and adventurers during this vibrant summer and fall season.

image source from:https://www.sltrib.com/artsliving/food/2025/06/16/here-are-9-utah-food-festivals/

Abigail Harper