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City Cast Salt Lake

Find the best that Salt Lake City has to offer.

Terina Ria

This article is sponsored by the Utah Arts Festival

 is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year, and it remains one of Salt Lake’s quintessential summer traditions. As a suburban teenager, attending the festival always made me feel like such a city girl.

Whether you’re a festival regular or finally checking it out for the first time, here’s how to make the most of it.

: June 18-21 (Thursday, 5-11 p.m.; Friday through Sunday, noon-11 p.m.)

: Civic Center and Library Square (200 E. 400 S.)

? Single-day admission ranges from $15-$22, or you can spring for a four-day pass for $70. Kids 12 and under are free.

The heart of the festival is the Artist Marketplace, where more than 170 artists from Utah and beyond are selling everything from ceramics and jewelry to paintings and photography. Even if you’re just window shopping, it’s hard not to find something special you’ll want to take home.

Arts Festival without some song and dance. This year’s lineup includes headliners Digable Planets, Yola, Shakey Graves, and Rubblebucket, plus performances from local bands, dancers, and performers taking stage throughout the weekend.

If you need an air-conditioned break, head inside the Main Library Auditorium for the Fear No Film Festival, a free showcase featuring 84 short films from 20 countries. There’s even a kids program for young movie buffs.

Follow your nose to Food Row, where you’ll find everything from Swahili cuisine to Cuban sandwiches. Then, wash it all down with something refreshing at the Mountain West Cider & Wine Lounge (I spy a yuzu-coconut cider).

Buy Utah Arts Festival tickets

The Utah Arts Festival is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. Whether you’re a festival regular or finally checking it out for the first time, here’s how to make the most of it.

Your Guide to the 2026 Utah Arts Festival

Find the best of everything that Salt Lake City has to offer.

Salt Lake’s Best

Salt Lake's Best

It’s June: Have you crafted your summer bucket list yet? Good news: It’s not too late. Here are some of 

 returns June 6, though it’ll look a little different while Pioneer Park undergoes renovations and parts of the market spill onto nearby streets. It’s also arriving after a devastating spring freeze, which means you may notice less fruit at the stalls.

Even more markets to check out

: A weekend pop-up cafe and listening room by Clubhouse SLC and Sound Brew Coffee. It begins June 13 and will be open Saturdays and Sundays. Expect specialty coffee, hi-fi listening events, and dine & vinyl nights with local chefs.

: Enjoy live jazz music at Caputo’s Market all summer long on Fridays at 15th & 15th and Saturdays in Holladay. Expect wine, cheese boards, and resisting the urge to scat along with all the cool cats.

It’s Pride Month, and there are so many ways to celebrate. Here are just a few:

There’s probably an outdoor movie happening at a park near you this month, but here are a few I’m especially looking forward to:

 starts with “Moulin Rouge” on Saturday, June 13 at Pioneer Park.

 in Taylorsville is playing “Freakier Friday” on Friday, June 19 at Centennial Plaza.

 in South Jordan kicks off Friday, June 19 with “Remember the Titans,” and each screening has a fun family activity before the movie starts.

It’s June: Have you crafted your summer bucket list yet? Good news: It’s not too late. Here are some of the best things to do as the season unfolds.

Your Guide to Salt Lake in June 2026

Salt Lake County just released its annual 

list of dog-friendly restaurant and bar patios

. While there are far too many to note here — we’re 

, after all — here are a few standouts to add to your summer rotation.

At these approved spots, dogs are only allowed in designated outdoor dining areas, but not inside the restaurant unless they’re service animals.

You’ve got options. Grab breakfast with your pup at Park Cafe (you can walk around Liberty Park while you wait), Hub & Spoke, Skillets, or Emigration Cafe. And Tea Zaanti and Rose Establishment are great spots to linger longer.

Truly, what’s better than soaking in the sun while enjoying a cold beer or cider with your best bud? Try Uinta Brewhouse Pub, Apex Brewing, Hopkins Brewing, or Mountain West Hard Cider.

The list stretches beyond downtown Salt Lake City; maybe you can even try someplace new. I’ve got my eye on Localz Bistro in Sandy or Black Sheep Bar & Grill in West Jordan. Also shoutout to the number of Taqueria 27 locations supporting our dreams of tacos + pup-friendly patios + summer evenings.

Your dog deserves a taste of the finer things in life, too. Urban Hill, Harbor Seafood & Steak, Caputo’s on 15th, and Cucina Deli all made the list. What does your dog know about wine pairings and imported tin fish?

Check out the full list of dog-friendly restaurant patios below.

Gotta catch 'em all

Salt Lake County just released its annual list of dog-friendly restaurant and bar patios. While there are far too many to note here — we’re a dog-loving city, after all — here are a few standouts to add to your summer rotation.

Dog-Friendly Restaurant & Bar Patios in Salt Lake

The Best Dog-Friendly Restaurant Patios in Salt Lake

Salt Lake City’s first-ever food co-op, Wasatch Food Co-op, officially opens today. What a perfect excuse to round up some of the best small grocers around the valley.

After nearly two decades in the making, Salt Lake’s first community-owned grocery store is finally here. Unlike a traditional grocery store, the co-op operates under a member-owner model, and about 20% of its vendors are local businesses.

Japan Sage Market is packed with hard-to-find Japanese ingredients and specialities, like natto (fermented soybeans with a sticky texture). Don’t miss their lunch (katsu, ramen, bento boxes) served every day from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

A much-needed Mexican/Latin grocery store in Herriman. They offer a Taco Tuesday promotion, where you select your choice of marinated meat, and it comes with a pack of tortillas, a 2-liter soda or Jarritos, and fresh salsa.

Shopping here feels like a treat because I know I’ll always find something seasonal, local, or downright special. Adriatic figs? Yuzu kosho? New Zealand ground elk? That’s my jam.

A Salt Lake institution for gourmet foods, Caputo’s has everything from chocolate to tinned fish to a whole a** cheese cave. Longtime readers already know this, but it’s one of my favorite places in the city.

The Best Small Grocery Stores Around Salt Lake

May is all about low-stakes plans: lingering a little longer, trying something new, and maybe even flying a kite? Here’s 

Your Guide to May 2026 in Salt Lake

 is open 7 a.m. to midnight, seven days a week. It’s the kind of place you can stop by after a late-night movie or Real Salt Lake game to grab a coffee (maybe decaf), chit-chat, and hangout.

I sort of feel like we manifested our craving for a cake picnic in 

. The concept of a cake picnic is simple: Everyone brings a cake, so everyone gets to try a lot of cake.

Landlined is a social club with one rule: no phones. Each month they host a different event, from craft nights to dance parties. This month they’re 

 at Publik Kitchen on May 29, but sign up by May 15 so they have a head count.

When’s the last time you flew a kite? The 

 returns May 16 to Tunnel Springs Park with free kites for kids (while supplies last), food trucks, music, and family fun.

It’s the start of yard sale season! Attend a community yard sale where entire neighborhoods turn into treasure hunts.

Saturday, May 9. The 3rd annual Ballpark yard sale will feature 40+ homes.

May is all about low-stakes plans: lingering a little longer, trying something new, and maybe even flying a kite? Here’s what to check out this month.

Your Guide to Salt Lake in May 2026

This Saturday, April 26 is Independent Bookstore Day! The best day of the year for book lovers across the nation. Find out how to celebrate at a few of our favorites around Salt Lake.

Participate in the Utah Indie Bookshop Crawl

 (you must have a physical map, and copies are limited at bookstores).

Pick your route: The Sprint or The Marathon.

: Collect 10 stamps on April 25, 2026. Pick up your prize from the SLC library (while supplies last).

: You have until Dec. 31, 2026 to get a stamp from all 25 locations on the map. Collect your prize at the last bookstore.

The Legendarium reigns in sci-fi, fantasy, and horror books. They’ve also got a cutie cafe in the back, so you can really spend all day there.

Under the Umbrella is a queer bookstore and cafe that celebrates queer authors and creates a safe space for our LGBTQ+ community. They have a 

Find the golden ticket for a year’s worth of audiobook credits.

And a fun queer bookstore rally with The Legendarium

This bookstore (and book cart!) has quickly become a community staple. On April 25, take 15% off the whole store, and search for 

Lovebound Library specializes in romantic novels. Don’t miss their 

, featuring Pie Flight and Space Tea and a bunch of other ways to celebrate!

The King’s English will always hold a special place in my heart because it’s the first local bookstore I frequented as a youth (I was raised on libraries and a certain big-box bookstore that shall not be named). Glad to see their 

 (with something that rhymes with shmello snot) is back!

This Saturday, April 25 is Independent Bookstore Day! The best day of the year for book lovers across the nation. Find out how to celebrate at a few of our favorites around Salt Lake. 

The Best Salt Lake Indie Bookstores

The Best Indie Bookstores

It’s hard to make new friends as an adult. But the good news: Salt Lake is booming with social clubs based on shared interests, a convenient way to meet like-minded peeps. Here are some for you to try!

Make friends with other dog parents. The 

 is on Tuesday, April 21. If you’re not much of a runner, no sweat, they also host occasional dog walks.

A place to meet fellow needlepointers, crosstitchers, and embroiderers. Join them for a night of 

 on Thursday, April 23 at 21 Mercantile. BYOP (bring your own projects).

A social bike club for women of color. It’s beginner friendly and they meet every other Saturday. 

This one goes out to the book-loving introverts. This month is a great time to join, they’re having 

Move over tennis and pickleball, it’s time for table tennis. Don’t miss their very first USA Table Tennis-sanctioned tournament on Saturday, April 25 in Millcreek.

Do you have a social club you think we should know about?

Send us the deets

It’s hard to make new friends as an adult. But the good news: Salt Lake is booming with social clubs. Here are some for you to try!

Where To Make Friends in Salt Lake City

In Salt Lake, we’re all fools for April. Collectively, we’ve decided it’s spring whether or not the weather agrees. Here’s 

Your Guide to April 2026 in Salt Lake

If you’re planning a summer wedding, consider a unique bouquet option. Chelbie Glassworks offers a two-day stained glass class where you’ll craft three flower stems. You can either choose from patterns or create your own.

Switch up your usual iced coffee order with a matcha at JJ Coffee. Their spring menu features matcha slushies, matcha cloud (coconut water and matcha cold foam) and coconut water matcha (like a matcha latte with coconut water instead of milk).

If you started your spring gardening and have some extra plants/seedlings to share, head to the Marmalade library on April 18 for a plant swap. The rules are simple: bring some, take some. The library will also have some pots, soil, gardening tools, and plants available.

April is the perfect time to take a guided walking tour with Preservation Utah, because it’s not too hot and it’s not too cold, all you need is a light jacket. Learn the local history behind the Salt Lake City and County building or the meditation chapel in Memory Grove.

April 18 at Fallen Angel Tattoos in West Jordan. Proceeds support Salt Lake County Animal Services. Also, adoptable pets will be there.

Grab tickets to a Utah Mammoth game on April 9 or April 14 and a portion goes to the Humane Society of Utah. You’ll also get a Mammoth dog toy!

In Salt Lake, we’re all fools for April. Collectively, we’ve decided it’s spring whether or not the weather agrees. Here’s what to check out this month.

Your Guide to Salt Lake in April 2026

Ivana Martinez

It feels like fool’s summer in Utah! So if you’re looking to lay out like a lizard and soak up the sun this weekend, here are some recommendations for every kind of vibe.

: One of my favorite joints for breakfast. I love the duality of their patio — a yurt in the winter, and a terrace in the spring and summer.

: This neighborhood outdoor patio feels like the perfect setting for a morning after debrief with friends.

: Their breakfast menu goes hard, but their outdoor seating goes even harder. Take your pick: courtyard or patio.

: Tucked in The Avenues neighborhood, this sweet cafe has beautiful boutique umbrellas for maximum shade coverage.

: Spotted on the new season of “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,” their back patio is unassuming but completely gorgeous.

: A downtown staple for a reason. Go during happy hour and get an $8 dollar burger with their signature bee's knees.

: A tiny but mighty patio. Great for a glass of vino or a few more.

: Underrated rooftop with spectacular views.

: Feeling fancy? This rooftop bar is serving gorgeous downtown views.

: A place that deserves an award for their vibes, wings, and cocktails.

: Great rooftop for killer views of the mountains and a casual beer.

: This pub’s secret garden feels like a little oasis on a spring day. Plus, they have live music.

: Ideal for March Madness because they have televisions, and their backyard is massive and shady

: Underrated downtown patio IMO. The sangria is everything I’ve ever wanted, and at its price point it’s unbeatable.

: This sports bar has a wooden porch where you’ll hear the babble of Big Cottonwood Creek running through the back, filled with lots of greenery.

: Liberty Well’s newest neighborhood bar. Get the Suzie Q and a gaggle of your friends to sit on the patio.

: I’d argue one of our most popular sun decks. Fun fact: I once watched firefighters hack a tree that fell on a car while seated here. So I can attest, the entertainment is unmatched.

: Spring is the perfect time to chill on the library’s new rooftop. Plus, it’s free!

: A banger right on the 9 Line Trail. This James Beard-nominated bar has great outdoor seating for catching sunsets and spotting friends.

: I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Salt Lake City’s second town hall, iykyk.

Salt Lake’s Best Patios for Every Occasion

Tomorrow is Pi Day! Eating pie for breakfast, lunch, and dinner is encouraged. Here’s where to find the best slices around Salt Lake.

 has returned after a brief break and his pie slices, in blueberry sour cream and mango key lime, will be 

A long time farmers market staple, now with a brick and mortar in Millcreek. I’ve got my eye on their gluten-free passionfruit pie made with a graham cracker crust.

This Sugar House restaurant is famous for their pies. I’m a sucker for the Tollhouse pie, which is basically just cookie dough in a pie crust — a dream.

This pie shop in Pleasant Grove rotates flavors weekly, so you can always try something new. Their lunch special combo includes a pocket pie, chips, and a drink. Don't wanna drive to PG? Try their 

A convenient walk-up window at 9th and 9th, slinging up hand pies. These remind me of elevated Hostess pies, which to me is the highest compliment. Growing up, my mom would go to the Wonder Bread outlet store and always grab me a Hostess cherry pie as a treat.

Offering sweet and savory pies in Park City. If you happen to visit the shop with a person who doesn’t love pie (gasp!), they make tasty cookies, too.

It’s pie day! Or Pi Day. Or 3.14159265 … Day. Whatever you call it, any excuse to celebrate a good slice is a win in my book. Here are some of the best pies in Salt Lake.