Festivals

Robert Redford’s Sundance Film Festival comes to Park City every January, but the city hosts a number of other festivals and events that might sway your decision about when to visit.

Canyons Village Summer Concert Series. Rock, reggae, funk, and country bands draw fans of all ages to Park City Mountain Resort's village stage at Canyons Village in July and August. Food vendors and family activities surround the Resort Village, and picnics are welcome. 4000 Canyons Resort Dr., Park City, Utah, 84098. 435/649--8111; www.parkcitymountain.com.

Deer Valley Snow Park Amphitheater. Everything from Utah Symphony performances to country music features on stage. Big name stars like Willie Nelson, Bonnie Raitt, Chris Isaak, and Judy Collins have graced the outdoor amphitheater, which sits on the resort's beginner ski area. Go on Wednesday evenings for free concerts with local and regional bands and pack a picnic. Park City, Utah. 435/649–1000; www.deervalley.com.

Independence Day Celebration. A traditional freedom celebration, complete with a pancake breakfast, parade down Main Street, and all-day activities in City Park, is a sure sign summer has arrived. The day culminates in fireworks that illuminate the sky over Old Town. Park City, Utah. 435/649–6100; www.visitparkcity.com.

Miner's Day. The end of the summer season is heralded with an old-fashioned parade down Main Street and the Rotary Club's "Running of the Balls"—with golf balls in place of Pamplona-style bulls—followed by miners' competitions of mucking and drilling at Library Park. This Labor Day tradition is a Park City favorite. Park City, Utah. 435/649–6100; www.visitparkcity.com.

Park City Food & Wine Classic. Held in early July, this festival allows diners and wine-enthusiasts to sample from wineries, distilleries, and breweries from all over the world and to taste delicious fare from the region's best restaurants. Educational seminars are offered and the festival culminates in a grand tasting at Montage Deer Valley. It's increasingly popular, and many events now sell out in advance, so plan ahead. Park City, Utah. 877/328–2783.

Park City Kimball Arts Festival. Celebrating visual and culinary art, this three-day festival, held the first weekend in August, is the biggest summer event in town. More than 200 artists from all over North America exhibit and offer their work to 40,000 festival attendees. Culinary vendors and beer and wine gardens offer plenty of refreshment to art lovers, and live music is around every corner. Main St., Park City, Utah, 84060. 435/649–8882; www.parkcitykimballartsfestival.org.

Savor the Summit. When more than 25 of Park City's restaurants—both gourmet and casual dining—take over Main Street on the Saturday nearest the Summer Solstice in June, it's a spectacle of food, drink, and music unrivaled in the country. Restaurateurs line the length of Main Street with a mile-long "Grande Table," creating the largest dinner party you'll witness in Utah. Pick one restaurant (many sell out) and be treated to a special menu, often with a theme related to Park City's colorful history. Visit the website for participating restaurants and reservation information. Main St., Park City, Utah. 435/640–7921; www.parkcityrestaurants.com/savor-the-summit.

Sundance Film Festival. For 10 days each January, movie stars, film executives, and independent film lovers gather in a mountain setting for the Sundance Film Festival, hosted by Robert Redford's Sundance Institute. It's a chance to view the screenings of new, risk-taking documentaries, features, and other creative film projects from around the globe. Moviegoers can also participate in Q&A conversations with filmmakers, producers, and creatives after screenings. Participants can add their names to a waiting list even if shows are sold out. The festival is held at many venues in Park City, Sundance, Ogden, and in downtown Salt Lake City, and there are music and culinary events as well.

Book your hotel months in advance. Skip the rental car and use the free shuttle. Park City's legendary ski slopes empty out while the filmgoers attend the screenings, so build in a day of crowd-free skiing. Park City, Utah. 435/658–3456; www.sundance.org/festival.