Festival Season 2025:

• Sat, April 26: Nihon Matsuri (Japan Festival)

Mon-Sun, April 21-27: 

• Happy Hearts Online Auction, Where Every Bid Feeds Families. Event by Food Justice Coalition. "Mark your calendars to bid on dozens of amazing items! Your purchase will help fund our programs and help provide nourishing meals for Utahns facing hunger. Auction items will include electronics, staycations, experiences and more. Your bids and donations can make a real difference in the lives of those struggling with food security. You can preview items now; new ones will be added daily until the auction begins on April 21st at 9:00 a.m. and ends on April 27th at 8:00 p.m. Together, we can create a healthier, more equitable Utah."

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Friday, April 25:

• 2nd Annual Salt Lake Bike Swap, 6:00-9:00 p.m. at Salt Lake Community College West Valley, 3460 S. 5600 W., WVC. Free to attend. Open to the public. Family Friendly. $10 to sell bicycles and parts, pay at the door. Lowrider Bicycle Show & Classic Vintage Bicycle Show. Register with Anthony, 315-657-2911.

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Saturday, April 26:

• Nihon Matsuri (Japan Festival), 10a-5p at 100 S. 300 W., SLC. Event by Utah Japan Festival / Nihon Matsuri: "To share and educate the larger Utah community about Japanese and Japanese American culture, history, and traditions, as well as to be a way to pass on the Japanese traditions and culture. Entertainment (Taiko, Rock band/Jorker's hand, Japanese dance, cosplay martial arts demonstration); Exhibition Japan town, Japanese culture, Bonsai, Origami, Kimono, Dolls, Arts); Experience (Japanese traditional games, Kanji quiz, use chopsticks, Kendama); Food, Japanese Merchandise, Anime, Cosplay, Fashion." FREE and open to the public.

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• 10th Annual Lower Provo River Garbage Cleanup, 9a-12p, Timpanogos Park, Provo Canyon. Event by Fish For Garbage: "Help restore a healthy riparian ecosystem while contributing to environmental conservation, connecting with the community, and enjoying the outdoors. Volunteers will collect trash using provided garbage bags, gloves and grabbers. Each filled bag earns a BBQ meal ticket and prize drawing entries—additional bags increase the chances of winning prizes from our generous sponsors. Fly Fish Food is providing the Grand Prize, so be sure to maximize your entries for a shot at an incredible reward! Water stations will be available; please bring a reusable water bottle to help reduce waste." Click here to pre-register online for free lunch.

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• 50th Anniversary & Earth Day Celebration, 11a-4p at Ogden Nature Center, 966 W. 12th St., Ogden. "Head out to the Ogden Nature Center and enjoy fun and engaging activities, a water-wise perennial plant sale, live performances, sustainability specialists, environmental experts, arts, crafts, food trucks, exhibits, and more. We're celebrating 50 years of connecting our community and nature, plus Earth Day! All ages are invited! FREE admission for all and complimentary cupcakes, generously provided by Intermountain Health/McKay Dee Hospital, while supplies last." For more details, click here.

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• Earth Day Cleanup on the Jordan River Trail, 10:30a-12:30p at Nature Center at Pia Okwai, 3310 S. 1000 W., South Salt Lake. "Join South Salt Lake and the Jordan River Commission to help clean up the Jordan River Trail, taking place during the City Nature Festival at Tracy Aviary Nature Center at Pia Okwai on April 26. Join the Earth Day celebration featuring a variety of activities and vendors. If you plan on helping with the Jordan River Trail cleanup, please register ahead of time so we can plan for supplies accordingly."

• Quilombola Roots: A Celebration of Afro-Brazilian Heritage, 7:00 p.m. at the Urban Arts Gallery, 116 S. Rio Grande St, SLC. Join us for an unforgettable evening celebrating Afro-Brazilian culture, history, and resilience! Quilombola Roots brings together live music, dance, spoken word, and film, creating a powerful cultural experience right in the heart of Salt Lake City's arts scene. This event is a fundraiser supporting the quilombo community of Volta Miúda, in Bahia, Brazil and Salt Lake Capoeira. Learn more about Salt Lake Capoeira at saltlakecapoeira.com.

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Sunday, April 27:

• Faith in Democracy: Interfaith Rally and March, 2:00-5:00 p.m. at Utah State Capitol, 350 N. State St., SLC. Event by Progressive Clergy Coalition of Salt Lake City: "As people of faith, we gather in community to lift up democracy and the rule of law as essential and foundational to the free expression of religion in our nation. Join us in being FOR community and connection, FOR the protection of our most vulnerable friends and neighbors, and FOR Justice for ALL people."
  

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Wednesday, April 30:

• Deadline to join The Tribune’s editorial board: "The Salt Lake Tribune is searching for a community member to join its editorial board. As a nonprofit news organization, we are committed to publishing journalism that’s more reflective of our community and that builds understanding. One of the ways we try to do this is through the editorial board, a small group that meets weekly to discuss Utah’s most pressing issues and provide a longer view on where we’re headed. Or where Utah should be headed. We’re looking to expand the board as we work to better reflect the communities we seek to serve. We will welcome a volunteer (or two!) who is eager to participate in a conversation about what’s important to Utahns." To apply, complete this form by April 30.
  

Thursday, May 1:

• SAVE THE DATE: May Day Rally for Labor Rights, Economic Equality & Solidarity. Event by utah50501: Details TBD.

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Saturday, May 3:

• Utah Die-In, 12:00-1:30 p.m. at Utah State Capitol, 350 N. State St., SLC. Event by UtahDieIn: "A peaceful protest against government policies that are impacting the health and safety of those living in America. So far, we are partnering with Utah50501, Green Wave Utah, Pro Choice Utah, Druids for Change, The Pleiadian Altar, Our Unsheltered Relatives, and in negotiations with others. This will be an afternoon of speakers, musicians, poets, and a moment of silence where the community holds tombstones stating various reasons that they may have 'died' (as a bell slowly tolls in the background) all in a protest against the policies that are affecting the health and safety of those living in America. There will be tons of tables for organizations the community can speak to, and get involved with: Women’s Rights, LGBTQIA+ Rights, Science, Research, Education, Environmental Rights, Forestry, Racism (Indigenous Rights will be in focus), First Amendment Rights… you get the gist!" 

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Monday, May 5:

• MMIR Candle Light Vigil, 7:00-10:00 p.m. at Chase Home Museum of Utah Folk Arts, Liberty Park, 1100 S. 600 E., SLC. Event by Restoring Ancestral Winds, Inc.: "Bring pow wow chairs & picture of loved ones to be honored. ***Participants are kindly requested to wear red, a symbol of the movement, as a gesture of support and remembrance.*** May 5th marks the National Awareness Day for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives, coinciding with Restoring Ancestral Winds Inc. 2nd Annual M.M.I.R. Candlelight Vigil. Let’s come together to honor the lives of these individuals by raising awareness and demanding justice. We’ll organize various activities to show support to our families and relatives affected by this crisis. The Chase Home Museum is an accessible facility."
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Saturday, May 10:

• 2025 Spring Plant Sale, 8a-1p at the Utah State Fair Park, 155 N. 1000 W., SLC. Event by Wasatch Community Gardens: "Gardeners, rejoice! It’s time to plan your spring plant haul. Join us for the 2025 Wasatch Community Gardens’ Spring Plant Sale! First, a big announcement: We’re moving to a new location at the Utah State Fairpark (155 N 1000 W), expanding access to food-growing plants in a historically underserved area. This move aligns with our commitment to supporting community-led food sovereignty and increasing access to fresh, organic, local food, particularly in neighborhoods that have faced systemic barriers to healthy food options.⁠ With so many plant sales happening in the spring, why choose WCG’s? Because every plant purchase supports our mission. Our sale features more than 45,000 organically grown food-growing plants, all started from seed and lovingly raised by participants in our farm-based Job Training Program that supports women facing homelessness through transitional employment at our certified organic urban farm, City Farm at 743 W. 1300 S. in Glendale.⁠ Click here for more details on the 200+ varieties of annual vegetables⁠, 70+ tomato varieties, 45+ pepper varieties (from sweet to fiery hot)⁠, 40+ edible perennials (grapes, berries, asparagus & more!)⁠, regionally adapted seeds from Snake River Seed Cooperative, a diverse selection of seed potatoes⁠, onion, leek & shallot starts⁠, herbs galore⁠, flowers, grasses & native plants⁠; bagged compost⁠. SNAP/EBT is accepted for all food-growing plants!⁠"

• WCG 2025 Annual Varieties Catalog: View in-depth profiles of each annual vegetable, fruit, berry and flower variety grown at our City Farm at 1300 South, complete with photos, plant care tips and history, etc. (Note: best reviewed when "View" is set to 50% - 75%). 

• WCG 2025 Annual Varieties Quick Reference List: Use this list as a quick reference tool for planning your annual varieties purchases. This resource lists the same varieties as the catalog, but in a condensed format!

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• Red Butte Garden Spring Plant Sale & Fundraiser, 9a-3p at asdf, SLC. "A great way to welcome the planting season and support Red Butte Garden. Shop twice! Once to grab those important, not-to-miss plants, and a second time to browse overlooked treasures. Free entry to the plant sale through the Amphitheatre gates. Registration not required for Saturday entry. Click here to find out more about the arboretum's impressive selection of herbs, specialty annuals, sun and shade perennials, ornamental grasses, roses, vines, shrubs, conifers, and trees; the best selection of heirloom vegetables, native, and water-wise plants you'll find in one location; find plants for any situation, including bee-friendly and high-altitude plants; most plants are grown by local nurseries and many of the vegetables are grown here in our own greenhouses; look for our large selection of beautifully potted succulents and hanging flower baskets created by Red Butte Garden staff and volunteers; we also offer a variety of organic fertilizers, as well as coco fiber for increased soil water retention; garden staff and volunteers on hand to answer your plant and gardening questions; there are a limited number of shopping carts available, so we encourage you to bring your own cart or wagon if you have one; we’ll provide cardboard trays for carrying your plants home."

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Fri-Sun, May 16-18:

• SAVE THE DATES for Living Traditions Festival 2025, Washington Square, 445 S. State St., SLC. Event by Living Traditions Presents and Salt Lake City Arts Council: "The annual Living Traditions Festival is happening May 16-18, 2025 at Washington and Library Square in downtown Salt Lake City. Everyone is invited to enjoy the diverse multicultural offerings of food, live performances, and art from the many cultures that have made Utah home. This event is free and open to all! More info can be found at: https://saltlakearts.org/programs/living-traditions-festival."

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Saturday, May 17:

• Urban Pepper Project and Punk Rock Farmer Plant Sale, 10a-3p at Cress Farms, behind 7-Eleven on the SE corner of 3300 South and 700 East.
  

Wednesday, May 21:

• Zions Follies: A History of Drag in Utah, 1871-2021, 10a-12p at Memorial House in Memory Grove Park, 375 N. Canyon Rd., SLC. Event by Preservation Utah and Mildred Berryman Institute: "From frontier stages to ward houses, Utah’s drag history is as bold and surprising as the state itself. Discover the hidden stories of performers who shaped the cultural landscape—from Brigham Young’s 17th son performing Italian opera in drag to traveling drag shows captivating small-town audiences in the 1920s. Join us for a fascinating deep dive into 150 years of drag in Utah, where tradition and transformation collide. Don’t miss this chance to celebrate the resilience, artistry, and legacy of drag in the Beehive State with Connell O'Donovan, a historian, biographer, and professional genealogist. Connell has researched and discovered much of what we know about LGBTQIA+ Utah, working hard to include all Utahns in his research and ongoing community work." To register, click here.

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Saturday, May 24: 

• Echoing Spirit 1st Annual Social Pow Wow, 12:00-9:00 p.m. at Granger High School, 3580 S. 3600 W., West Valley City. Event by Natives Aiming to Succeed Education Resource Center (NASERC) in partnership with Granger High School's Native Nations Club.

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Wed-Fri, May 28-30:

• Healthy Public Lands Conference, 9a-4p at University of Utah S.J. Quinney College of Law, 383 S. South University Street, SLC. "This year’s theme, 'Together for Tomorrow: Resisting Exploitation, Restoring the Landscape,' emphasizes the urgent need to address the exploitation of public lands while fostering collaborative efforts to restore and protect these vital ecosystems. The conference provides an invaluable opportunity to explore the current state of public lands in the American West, delve into the laws, regulations, and policies shaping public lands management, and help craft a collective vision for stewardship that prioritizes healthy watersheds and ecosystems over livestock production."

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Thursday, May 29:

• The Music Diplomacy Symposium: The Soundtrack of Community Peacebuilding, 8:30a-3p at Rose Wagner Center, 138 W. 300 S., SLC. Free & open to the public; lunch included. "Part of the Ambassador John Price & Marcia Price World Affairs Symposium Series, this event is a vibrant celebration of music’s unique ability to transcend language, culture, and borders, making it a vital tool in diplomacy and global connection. Attendees will gain a deeper appreciation for the role of music in shaping our world and leave inspired to use music as a force for unity and change. The symposium features thought-provoking panel discussions, live performances, and interactive workshops on topics such as Cultural Remembrance Through Music, Music For Modern Day Advocacy, Universal Language of Music (Music in the Round Lunch Performance), Music Community Development, and Music and Tourism: Creating Economic Development through the Music Industry. Whether you are a musician, a global changemaker, or someone passionate about the arts, the Music Diplomacy Symposium is your opportunity to be part of a global conversation that proves music is more than just sound—it’s a universal language for peace. Join us and discover the power of music diplomacy!"

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Friday, June 13:

• DoomCupcake Presents The Dark Carnival: Army of Carnies, 8:00 p.m. at Metro Music Hall, 615 W. 100 S., SLC. "A celebration that combines innovation, entertainment, and community spirit in perfect harmony. There will be an atmosphere where memories are made and stories come alive, ensuring every guest experiences something truly remarkable. This is more than just an event; it's a journey into the extraordinary!" For tickets, click here.
  
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Fri-Sat, October 10-11:

• SAVE THE DATE for the Haymaker Film Festival at The Beehive, 666 S. State St., SLC. Event by Salt Lake Action Cinema Society: "Haymaker Film Festival is a two-day celebration of contemporary action cinema, filmmakers, and stunt performers. Our mission is to spotlight the art of action and evangelize its value as both art and entertainment. We believe action cinema is another avenue for creative and cultural expression. Well-established tropes are regularly subverted and reimagined by unique voices and their personal journeys and heritage. From kimchi Westerns to the DIY Ugandan films found in Wakaliwood, it is clear that action cinema transcends both language and borders. Reduced to its most basic form, action is conflict in motion -- and there is no story without conflict." Deadline is June 1. For details, click here. 

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