Concerts, professional sports, college football, comedy, markets, festivals, races, and more
September is one of the best months to be in Salt Lake City. The evenings begin to cool, the Wasatch foothills take on their early fall color, football returns to Rice-Eccles Stadium, and the city’s calendar fills with concerts, festivals, farmers markets, theatre, comedy, and neighborhood traditions.
At Modern & Main Real Estate, we believe that finding the right home is about more than bedrooms, bathrooms, and square footage. It is also about the Saturday market you can walk to, the neighborhood festival you look forward to every year, and the places where you gather with friends. With that in mind, we put together this guide to some of the biggest and most interesting events happening in and around Salt Lake City in September 2026.
Please note that this is a curated guide rather than a complete list of every event in the area. Event times, ticket availability, and locations can change, so check the linked organizer or venue website before making plans. This guide was researched and updated August 2026.
Major Festivals and Community Events
September begins with the Afro Utah Awards on Friday, September 4, from 6:00 to 10:00 p.m. at Little America Hotel. The evening celebrates changemakers, innovators, and community leaders from across Utah’s Afro-descendant communities. The following day, Saturday, September 5, the Afro Utah Festival takes over the Salt Lake City Public Library from noon to 9:00 p.m. The free festival features music, food, fashion, dance, art, workshops, family activities, and vendors representing cultures from across the African diaspora.
The Utah State Fair returns to the Utah State Fairpark from September 10 through 20. The 2026 fair marks 170 years of tradition and offers eleven days of exhibits, rides, food, entertainment, and family-friendly activities. Because the daily schedule changes throughout the run, visitors should check the fair’s event calendar when planning a visit.
The Salt Lake City Greek Festival celebrates its 50th year from September 11 through 13 at Holy Trinity Cathedral. Expect Greek food, live music, folk dancing, pastries, and a lively community atmosphere in downtown Salt Lake City. Visit the festival website for daily hours and ticket information.
On Saturday, September 19, the 9th & 9th Street Festival returns to the intersection of 900 East and 900 South. The free neighborhood festival runs from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and brings together local businesses, makers, food vendors, music, children’s activities, and plenty of reasons to spend the day in one of Salt Lake City’s most walkable neighborhoods.
Professional Sports and College Football
September is a busy month for sports fans. The University of Utah hosts three home football games at Rice-Eccles Stadium: Idaho on Thursday, September 3, at 7:00 p.m.; Arkansas on Saturday, September 12, at 8:15 p.m.; and Utah State on Saturday, September 19, at 1:30 p.m. The September 19 rivalry game is an especially good opportunity to make a full day of campus activities, food, and football.
Real Salt Lake has three September home matches at America First Field in Sandy. The club faces LAFC on September 5, New York City FC on September 12, and Vancouver on September 19. Since match times may change, check the official Real Salt Lake schedule before heading to the stadium.
The Utah Royals also have three September home matches at America First Field. They play Boston Legacy FC on Friday, September 4, at 7:30 p.m.; Angel City FC on Sunday, September 20, at 5:00 p.m.; and North Carolina Courage on Sunday, September 27, at 5:00 p.m.
Hockey fans can get an early look at the Utah Mammoth when the team hosts the Colorado Avalanche in a preseason matchup at Delta Center on Saturday, September 26, at 3:00 p.m.
September Concerts in Salt Lake City
The concert calendar is full throughout the month, with outdoor shows at Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre and downtown performances at The Depot.
Jack Johnson brings the SURFILMUSIC Tour to Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre in West Valley City on Friday, September 4, at 7:30 p.m. The amphitheatre also hosts Rob Zombie and Marilyn Manson with The Hu and Orgy on September 14; Mötley Crüe’s Return of the Carnival of Sins on September 21; Five Finger Death Punch on September 22; uicideboyuicideboy’s Grey Day Tour on September 26; Wu-Tang Forever: The Final Chamber on September 29; and Breaking Benjamin on September 30. Check the venue calendar for the latest showtimes and ticket information.
Downtown, The Depot’s September lineup includes Sillk on September 5 at 9:00 p.m.; LP’s All Is Not Lost Tour on September 8 at 7:00 p.m.; Bop To The Top on September 12 at 7:30 p.m.; Ryan Beatty’s Arms Over Armor North American Tour on September 18; Candlebox’s Can’t Quit You Tour on September 23; and the Level 1 Freeski Film Tour on September 25 at 8:30 p.m.
Comedy, Theatre, and the Arts
For a creative afternoon, Tracy Aviary hosts Autumn Afternoon Poetry and Open Mic at the Chase Mill Amphitheater on Wednesday, September 2, from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m. It is an inviting way to enjoy local writing and performance in a unique Salt Lake City setting.
The Eccles Theater has several notable September performances, including Undertale on September 8, Squeeze on September 9, Gary Owen on September 10, and George Lopez on Saturday, September 12, at 7:30 p.m. Visit the Eccles calendar or ArtTix for current ticket and performance information.
Pioneer Theatre Company presents the Utah Professional Premiere of John Proctor Is the Villain from September 11 through 26. The play is written by Kimberly Belflower and directed by Karen Azenberg. Performances take place at the Jay W. Lees Courage Theater at the Westminster Performing Arts Center, located at 1700 South 1248 East in Salt Lake City. Regular curtain times include 7:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and a 2:00 p.m. Saturday matinee.
Art lovers can spend Friday evening, September 18, exploring the Salt Lake Gallery Stroll. Held on the third Friday of each month, the free after-hours event invites visitors to browse participating galleries and experience exhibitions, artists, and creative work throughout the city.
Comedy continues later in the month with David Cross at Wiseguys Showroom on September 25 and 26. Check the venue’s website for showtimes and ticket availability.
Farmers Markets and Local Shopping
September is still prime farmers-market season in Salt Lake City. The Downtown Summer Farmers Market takes place every Saturday—September 5, 12, 19, and 26—from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at Historic Pioneer Park. It is a great place to pick up seasonal produce, flowers, prepared foods, and locally made goods while enjoying a Saturday morning downtown.
The 9th West Farmers Market takes place every Sunday—September 6, 13, 20, and 27—from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Jordan Park and the International Peace Gardens. The University of Utah Farmers Market runs Thursdays—September 3, 10, 17, and 24—from 10:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at 200 South Campus Drive.
For an evening market experience, Central 9th Night Market returns on Thursdays, September 3 and 17, from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. on Jefferson Street, just east of Central 9th Market. Salt Lake City’s official farmers-market guide notes that the Downtown Summer Farmers Market and 9th West Farmers Market accept SNAP and Double Up Food Bucks.
September Races and Outdoor Events
For runners and outdoor enthusiasts, Terrain Race Salt Lake City takes place Saturday, September 5, at the Golden Spike Event Center in Ogden. The festival opens at 7:00 a.m., with the race beginning at 9:00 a.m. It is a nearby Wasatch Front option for anyone looking for an obstacle-course challenge and a little mud.
The 9/11 Heroes Run takes place in South Jordan on Saturday, September 12. Participants can choose from a 5K Run, 5K Ruck, or 1-Mile Run/Walk. The event offers a meaningful way to gather with the community while supporting a commemorative run format.
Both races are outside Salt Lake City proper, but they are close enough to make a day trip from the valley.
A Few Favorite September Plans
One of the best things about September in Salt Lake City is the variety. You could start a Saturday morning at the Downtown Summer Farmers Market, spend the afternoon at the Afro Utah Festival or Utah State Fair, and end the evening at a concert or game. Another weekend might mean a Utes rivalry game, a Greek pastry, a Gallery Stroll, or a comedy show downtown.
The goal is not to do everything. It is to choose the events that fit your interests and create a few new local traditions of your own. That is what makes a city feel like home.
Find Your Rhythm in Salt Lake City
At Modern & Main Real Estate, we help people find homes that fit the way they actually live. Whether you are looking for a walkable downtown neighborhood, a home near the foothills, an easy commute to the stadiums, or a place with room for weekend gatherings, our team can help you explore your options.
Ready to find a home that fits your life in Salt Lake City? Connect with Modern & Main Real Estate and let’s talk about what home could look like next.
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