October 2026 is expected to feature a wide variety of seasonal activities across Salt Lake City and the surrounding valley, according to a September 22 report by The Citizen. The upcoming month includes events ranging from harvest festivals and farmers markets to concerts and haunted attractions.
Local markets and community gatherings are scheduled throughout the month. The Downtown Farmers Market at Pioneer Park will run on Saturdays through October 24 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The University of Utah Farmers Market will be held on Thursdays at Tanner Plaza through October 8, with the final two sessions occurring on October 1 and October 8 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Additionally, the Avenues Street Fair is scheduled for October 10 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the Fall Utah Art Market at Four Lemons in Holladay will run from September 30 to October 3, October 5 to October 9, and on October 10.
Outdoor and mountain festivals are also planned. Snowbird's Oktoberfest will take place on weekends through October 11 from noon to 6 p.m., featuring Bavarian food and live music. In Big Cottonwood Canyon, Not Oktoberfest will be held at Brighton’s Alpine Rose on weekends through October 11, offering live music and Foodie Wars competitions. The Indigenous Art Market & Festival at the Natural History Museum of Utah will run from October 10 to October 11.
Seasonal celebrations and themed events are widely available. Gardner Village will host WitchFest through October 31, including the Witchapalooza Dinner Theater and Breakfast with a Witch. Wheeler Farm's Pumpkin Days will continue through October 31, with expanded hours on October 15, 19, 22, and 26. For those seeking thrills, the Castle of Chaos will be open through November 8, and Fear Factory will run through November 1.
The month will also include musical and cultural highlights. The Twilight Concert Series features The War on Drugs at the Gallivan Center on October 1. The Choral Arts Society of Utah will perform its fall concert on October 8, and the Salt Lake Book Festival is scheduled to make its debut at The Gateway on October 17.
