Great Salt Lake City has emerged as a lively, diverse destination that offers plenty of attractive options to meeting groups.
One of the best ways to experience its ethnic traditions is by attending one of the colorful, exciting annual festivals. Here are some of the best festivals for groups seeking an immersive adventure.
Living Traditions Festival
This event features three days of multiethnic fun, food and festivities every May. Salt Lake City residents come together to jointly celebrate the many ethnic and national groups in their city.
Scandinavian Festival
Vikings, fair maidens, a smorgasbord, herring, dancing and Northlands merriment are featured at this celebration in the nearby city of Ephraim, usually on Memorial Day weekend.
Mega Peruvian Festival
Generally held in late July, this festival highlights Peruvian customs, dancers, cooks, musicians, delicious foods and Peruvian Americans’ contributions to Utah.
Nacip Powwow and Festival
This event celebrates Salt Lake’s original residents, and brings alive the Native Americans’ history with food, dancing and colorful ceremonies. It’s typically offered in July.
Utah Pacific Islander Heritage Month
This festival starts with a huge kickoff event in mid-summer, and continues with a month of dancing, singing, music and the exotic culinary treats of the South Pacific.
Salt Lake City Greek Festival
This is considered the largest ethnic festival in Utah. The food, dancing and music are contagious; your attendees won’t be able to stand still. It’s held on the weekend after Labor Day.
Utah Scottish Festival & Highland Games
Taking place every June, this event celebrates all things Scottish—which means your group will see the wearin’ o’ the kilts and hear the wailin’ o’ the ’pipes!
Oktoberfest
This colorful event takes place at nearby Snowbird on weekends from mid-August to mid-October. It includes German music, dancing, traditional dress and plenty of schnitzel, strudel and great beer.
Festa Italiana
At this mid-September street party, your attendees will love the live entertainment and music, won’t be able to resist participating in the dancing and will enjoy a huge variety of Italian treats.
Read more about Greater Salt Lake City’s exciting options in Steve Winston’s story, “Kaleidoscope of Diversity: Once Considered Homogeneous, Utah’s Capital City is Rapidly Transforming,” in the October issue of Smart Meetings magazine.
