Weekend Activities in Salt Lake City: A Renter's Guide to Farmers Markets, Events & More
One of the things that surprises people most about Salt Lake City is how much there is to do on a Saturday morning, afternoon, and evening. Between the farmers market, outdoor concerts, arts festivals, hiking trails, and a downtown that has genuinely come into its own over the past decade, weekends in SLC have a lot going for them.
This guide covers the best recurring events, seasonal highlights, and free activities within reach of downtown SLC. For more on what makes downtown a compelling place to live, our post on why Salt Lake City renters love living near downtown covers the full picture.
The Downtown Farmers Market: SLC's Saturday Anchor
If you only add one recurring event to your Salt Lake City weekend routine, make it the Downtown Farmers Market. Running continuously since 1992, it has grown into one of the longest-running urban farmers markets in the Mountain West, held every Saturday at Historic Pioneer Park, just over a mile from Crossing at 9th at 350 West 300 South.
Downtown SLC Summer Farmers Market
When: Saturdays, June 6 through October 24, 2026 | 8:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Where: Historic Pioneer Park, 350 West 300 South
Cost: Free to attend
The Downtown SLC Farmers Market connects shoppers directly with more than 100 farms and ranches drawn from across 16 Utah counties. Weekly offerings span fresh produce, grass-fed meats, raw honey, baked goods, handmade crafts, and a rotating cast of local food entrepreneurs, some of whom launched what are now well-known Utah brands from a market table.
Downtown SLC Winter Farmers Market
When: Saturdays, mid-November through mid-April | 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Where: 209 East 500 South
Cost: Free to attend
The market moves indoors for winter, operating on nearly 50 Saturdays a year in total. The same local vendors, the same community energy, just with a scarf required.
The market is an easy bike ride from Crossing at 9th. Use the bike storage in the building and arrive by 9 AM to beat the weekend crowds.
The Twilight Concert Series: Summer Evenings at the Gallivan Center
Every summer, the Twilight Concert Series, presented by the Salt Lake City Arts Council, brings nationally recognized artists to the Gallivan Center and Civic Center. Now in its 39th year, it is one of the most anticipated events on the SLC calendar.
The 2026 lineup includes Old Crow Medicine Show, Freddie Gibbs, Suki Waterhouse, MUNA, Goose, and The War on Drugs. Single-show tickets are available, and a season pass for the remaining shows runs just $50, making it one of the best entertainment values in the city. Gates open at 6:00 PM for Gallivan shows.
A practical note: your Twilight Concert ticket doubles as a free UTA fare pass for the entire day of the event. TRAX runs directly to the Gallivan Center area, so you can enjoy the evening without driving or paying for parking.
When the show ends, the SLC scene keeps going. Our Salt Lake City Nightlife Guide covers the best bars, live music rooms, and late-night spots within easy reach of downtown.
Red Butte Garden Outdoor Concert Series
For a different kind of summer evening, Red Butte Garden at the University of Utah hosts one of the most scenic outdoor concert venues in the American West. The amphitheater sits at the base of the Wasatch foothills with an unobstructed view across the valley. The 2026 season includes Alabama Shakes, Fitz and the Tantrums, Wynonna Judd, and Melissa Etheridge.
Gates open at 6 PM and shows typically start at 7:30 PM. Guests are welcome to bring blankets and low-back chairs. Tickets for major acts sell out quickly, so check the schedule as soon as it is announced and buy early.
Free Weekend Events Worth Knowing
One of the underappreciated advantages of downtown SLC is how much you can enjoy on a weekend at little or no cost:
- Gallivan Center Dance Nights: Free outdoor dance events running through summer, covering swing, salsa, ballroom, and more. A short walk from Crossing at 9th on weekend evenings.
- First Friday Art Stroll: On the first Friday of each month, galleries across downtown open their doors for free. One of the best ways to explore SLC's art scene and meet the people behind it.
- Liberty Park: At 110 acres, it is SLC's largest urban park. On any Saturday or Sunday you will find tennis courts, a pond with paddleboats, an aviary, and open space throughout.
- Temple Square area: Free daily organ recitals at the Tabernacle on Temple Square, plus cultural programming throughout the year.
- Pioneer Park programming: Beyond the Farmers Market, Pioneer Park hosts pop-up performances and community events throughout the warmer months. Check the Visit Salt Lake events calendar for weekly updates.
Outdoor Activities Close to Downtown
Salt Lake City's greatest weekend advantage is how quickly the city transitions to open space.
- Jordan River Parkway Trail: A 45-mile multi-use trail running through the Salt Lake Valley. The section near downtown is flat and well-maintained, ideal for a weekend run or bike ride. Crossing at 9th's secure bike storage makes it easy to head out directly from the building.
- Bonneville Shoreline Trail: Along the east bench of the Wasatch foothills, offering sweeping valley views and trail options from easy walks to more technical runs.
- Big and Little Cottonwood Canyons: About 35 minutes from downtown, these canyons offer outstanding hiking in summer and fall, and world-class skiing in winter. Our Ski and City guide covers mountain access in depth.
- Great Salt Lake State Marina: Twenty minutes west of downtown, the marina draws kayakers, paddleboarders, and bird-watchers on weekend mornings, especially in spring and fall.
Arts, Culture, and Festivals
- Utah Museum of Contemporary Art: Located at 20 South West Temple, a short walk from Crossing at 9th. Free admission on the first Friday of every month during the Art Stroll.
- Clark Planetarium: Downtown at 110 South 400 West, with free main-floor exhibits and ticketed IMAX shows. A reliable afternoon option.
- Craft Lake City DIY Festival: The 18th Annual edition runs August 7 to 9, 2026 at the Utah State Fairpark, celebrating local makers, artisans, and musicians over three full days.
- Utah Arts Festival: An annual celebration of visual and performing arts in downtown SLC, one of the signature events on the city's summer cultural calendar.
Where to Find What's On Each Week
Three sources cover the SLC weekend calendar reliably:
- Visit Salt Lake Events Calendar: The most complete publicly maintained listing, filterable by date, category, neighborhood, and cost. Updated regularly.
- Salt Lake City Arts Council: For the Twilight Concert Series and public arts programming managed by the city.
- Downtown SLC Farmers Market: Official source for market dates, vendor news, and seasonal events at Pioneer Park.
Making the Most of Your Weekends at Crossing at 9th
Salt Lake City rewards residents who engage with it. The farmers market, the Twilight shows, the gallery strolls, the trails, the festivals: all of it is more accessible when you live in the right part of the city.
Crossing at 9th, at 880 West 200 South, sits close enough to Pioneer Park to walk to the farmers market on a Saturday morning and close enough to the Gallivan Center to bike to a Twilight show in the evening. The rooftop lounge is the right place to wind down after a full weekend day. The secure bike storage makes the Jordan River Parkway a five-minute start.
Browse our Salt Lake City neighborhood guide to see everything within walking distance of the property. For a deeper look at the character of the immediate area, the 9th and 9th Neighborhood Guide is a great companion read. Ready to see the apartments? Browse our available floor plans and find your fit.
Your Weekend Starts Here
Farmers markets, concerts, trails, and a city full of things to do, all within reach of your front door. Come see Crossing at 9th for yourself, schedule your tour today.