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City Cast Salt Lake

Terina Ria

If you're looking for a way to celebrate the Fourth of July without lighting personal fireworks, you've got plenty of options. Between professional shows, drone displays, concerts, and community festivals, there's no shortage of ways to enjoy the long holiday weekend.

Leave the pyrotechnics to the professionals this year and watch fireworks in 

Murray, West Valley City, West Jordan, Riverton, Magna, 

. Stadium of Fire will also feature Brad Paisley, Nitro Circus, and a drone show.

Drone shows are becoming a popular alternative to traditional fireworks. They're quieter, smoke-free, and a little easier on pets, wildlife, and people with sensory sensitivities. You can catch drone shows at:

, and a $15 food voucher for the first 1,500 attendees.

 with lucha libre wrestling, aerialists, fire performers, and ending with a drone show around 10 p.m.

, the drone show will follow a tribute to Toby Keith.

 around 10 p.m., synced to music on KPCW 91.7 FM.

Not every Fourth has to revolve around fireworks or drones for that matter. Here are a few ideas if you'd rather keep things low-key:

 for a free patriotic concert featuring American classics, Broadway favorites, and film music.

, one of the largest Independence Day parades in the West.

Spend the day at Utah’s Hogle Zoo. They’re 

Gather neighbors or friends for a backyard meal in the 

, a nationwide initiative encouraging people to connect over food on July 5.

 Personal fireworks are banned throughout Salt Lake County this year. If you spot someone setting them off you call the non-emergency line. If there's an immediate fire or emergency, call 911.

Utah is entering the holiday weekend under extremely dry conditions, and is already 

 Expect heavy traffic throughout the weekend. If you can, take TRAX or arrive early.

: This Fourth marks America's 250th birthday, which is why you may notice even more celebrations than usual.

Celebrate the Fourth of July in Utah with fireworks, drone shows, parades, concerts, and family-friendly events across Salt Lake City and beyond.

Where to Watch Fireworks in Utah Fourth of July 2026

Skip the Backyard Fireworks. Here's How To Celebrate the Fourth in Salt Lake.

Everything to know about Salt Lake City neighborhoods: Where to go, eat, shop, drink, and more.

Salt Lake Neighborhood Guides

Neighborhood Guides

Summer has officially arrived, and we’re making the most of it. Use this guide to make your July even more interesting.

 where a former mining and railroad community is finding new life through art, small businesses, and historic preservation. Grab a pint at Helper Beer, stroll Main Street, and stop by 

July is Utah Museum Month. Did you know we have almost 300 museums statewide? See how many you can explore: visit at least five museums this month, download 

 so you can collect stamps, and claim a collectible sticker.

. Before Mack's Finest Gelato opens its first Salt Lake location, they’ll park their gelato bike outside their future shop at 313 E. 900 S. every Saturday starting July 4.

, a volunteer group that takes shelter dogs from Animal Care of Davis County on weekly runs. The outings help reduce the dogs’ stress, improve their behavior, and give them a chance to spend time outside their kennel.

What sounds more magical than an evening of ballet within the mountains of Park City? 

 concludes on July 17 at The Amphitheater at Canyons Village. Bring a blanket or low-back chair and settle in for a scenic performance by principal dancers.

Your Guide to Salt Lake in July 2026

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

Salt Lake’s Best

Salt Lake's Best

Shelby Hintze

It’s great to play tourist in your own city, but sometimes you want to go somewhere else entirely. If a plane ticket isn’t in the budget right now, food is a pretty good substitute. For less than the cost of gas to get to the airport, you can transport yourself to the islands with a visit to 

This mom and pop business (literally) started in 

, first in Hawaii and now in Utah. There, Jolene began making budda rolls to sell around the holidays. A budda roll, for the uninitiated, is a fluffy dinner roll packed with an almost irresponsible amount of butter. What started as a seasonal side hustle quickly grew into a devoted following, eventually leading to a brick-and-mortar location in Pleasant Grove and, most recently, a new outpost in Salt Lake City.

According to the Budda’s team, I wasn't the only one making the Utah County pilgrimage. In fact, the steady stream of Salt Lakers showing up for pastries and plate lunches helped convince the family that it was time to expand.

While the bakery case alone is worth the visit, don’t overlook the rest of the menu. Budda’s serves breakfast all day, including island favorites like Loco Moco, Spam musubi, and Portuguese sausage. On my visit, I ordered a breakfast sandwich and then exercised remarkable restraint by limiting myself to only ONE box full of pastries to take home. Everything was excellent. For lunch and dinner, you'll find burgers, teriyaki plates, bulgogi bento boxes, and other Hawaiian comfort-food staples that make it very difficult to decide on just one thing.

What makes Budda’s stand out, though, isn’t just the food. The Keli’iliki family has built community service into the business itself. At both locations, customers can prepay for a meal for someone who may be struggling. The receipt is posted on the wall, and anyone in need can simply take one to the counter and redeem it for a meal. It's a simple idea, but a powerful one.

When I asked about the program, the Budda’s team described it as a small way to give back to the communities that have supported them from a home kitchen to multiple locations. And honestly, that might be the sweetest thing on the menu.

Hawaiian Food to Try in Salt Lake

A Taste of Hawaii on a Staycation Budget

Keep It Local

Sign up for Keep It Local from City Cast Salt Lake

Recently on the City Cast Salt Lake podcast, the team shared their 

. While experiences are great, I also love a good trinket to remind me of a trip. So where should you shop for a Salt Lake souvenir, whether you're treating yourself or sending an out-of-towner home with a piece of Utah?

My favorite spot for the classic souvenir, but elevated. (Get it? 

 OK, moving on.) You'll find fine art and prints featuring Utah's natural beauty, locally made soaps and candles, and yes, the requisite magnet. The shop features work from more than 350 makers, most of them local, all of them small and independent. Wear your love for Salt Lake on your sleeve … or on your Stanley or your fridge.

Note: The 9th & 9th location is not wheelchair accessible, but the Fashion Place location in Murray is!

Another 9th & 9th favorite, Mochi Kids is packed with the funnest toys, clothes, games, and craft supplies to take back to the kids you're temporarily abandoning on your staycation. You may also end up with a sheet of stickers for yourself because vacation is about finding joy. And breaking news, 

You may recognize Mochi Kids from their screen-printed T-shirts at events like Craft Lake City. They've since grown into a full brick-and-mortar and online shop stocked with much more than tees, while continuing to support local printers and socially minded causes.

Think of it as the farmers market that never closes. With four locations across the valley, it's the easiest way to stock up on local favorites year-round: June Pie, Milk Honey yogurt, Cutler's Cookies (my personal champion in Utah's cookie wars, but that's a newsletter for another day), and dozens of other Utah-made treats.

If you want a souvenir you'll actually use, grab a bottle of Redmond Real Salt. It’s harvested from an 

 in Redmond, Utah, in Sevier County. Every pinch can transport you right back to your vacation.

Since 1997, Ken Sanders Rare Books has specialized in Utah history, Mormon studies, Western Americana, national parks, the Colorado River, and the literary West. Inside the old Leonardo Museum, browse three floors of new and used books, artwork, collectibles, and ephemera. Even if you leave empty-handed, it's worth wandering the stacks and imagining what treasures are hiding on the next shelf.

The Best Places to Buy Utah Souvenirs

Staycations Deserve Souvenirs, Too!

City Cast Salt Lake staff

March is here and bringing the end of Ramadan, its usual Madness 🏀, and maybe even 

. Here are ideas for making the most of the month in Salt Lake.

If you already miss Olympic ice dancing, Salt Lake is hosting the U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships at the Maverik Center March 4-7. 

I recently learned that Fit2Recover offers nutritious meal prep! On Tuesdays, you can pick up 

. All while supporting their addiction recovery programs in the Ballpark neighborhood.

Salt Lake’s hottest new lunch (and dinner) spot is 

. The space is super sleek. Plus, five hand rolls and a beer for $36 (with tip) is a steal to me! Keep your eyes peeled for 

The 98th Academy Awards are Sunday, March 15, and the 

 a local watch party. Arrive in full glam; I’ll be doing red carpet interviews. (Really!)

The Central Wasatch Commission is the group tasked with implementing the Mountain Accord, a charter to balance competing interests in our precious Wasatch Mountains. 

 of their stakeholder council before March 20.

March is here and bringing the end of Ramadan, its usual Madness 🏀, and maybe even some snow. Check out these ideas for making the most of the month in Salt Lake.

Your Guide to Salt Lake City in March 2026

Your Guide to March in Salt Lake City

According to Redfin, Salt Lake City is the most 

, with Sugar House earning a special shout out for its local businesses. Sounds like a great excuse to spend a day exploring. Here’s a guide to what to eat and do in Sugar House.

 the SLC brewing operation), this restaurant is still locally owned! When the weather’s warm, grab a seat on their patio and order fried pickles for the table.

Morning, afternoon, or evening enjoy some seriously scrumptious sandos. They’re closed Mondays and Tuesdays, though, so don’t come then. My personal fave is the chopped cheese (which is like a chopped-up cheeseburger on a hoagie).

Come for the burgers, and stay for the shakes. Hot tip: Order your milkshake without a lid. You’ll get two to three more inches of cold, creamy goodness.

Salt Lake’s own “School of Rock,” this nonprofit provides music opportunities to youth through affordable access to instruments, recording equipment, and music lessons. Adults can take lessons, too (the first one’s free)!

A rad skateboard/vinyl record shop that’s been a long-time staple in the Sugar House neighborhood. After grabbing a cool new record and tuning up your board, head to Fairmont skatepark. Salt Lake City recently released the final design for 

The go-to shop in Sugar House for vintage and costumes for more than 30 years!

According to Redfin, Salt Lake City is the most neighborly city in the country, with Sugar House earning a special shout out for its local businesses. Sounds like a great excuse to spend a day exploring. Here’s a guide to what to eat and do in Sugar House.

Visit These Sugar House Businesses

Ali Vallarta

What could be more charming — and affordable — than cutting down your own Christmas tree? 

 from the Bureau of Land Management’s Salt Lake Field Office or 

 from the U.S. Forest Service and make some memories.

If your permit is from the U.S. Forest Service, you’ll be given a map with areas you can cut. If your permit is from the BLM, 

Pick from any species of tree, except the Ponderosa Pine.

 Cutting a wild Christmas tree improves forest health! The perfect Christmas tree is usually found in areas local forest health experts find will benefit from thinning.

Shake it. If needles start falling, keep movin’.

Cut close to the ground. Don’t leave a stump more than 6 inches tall.

Cut an extra 2 inches from the base of the trunk when you get home.

Place the tree at least 3 feet away from any heat sources (i.e. fireplaces, radiators).

Always turn off tree lights before leaving home or going to bed.

Kick that sucker to the curb in January. Don’t let it dry up in your living room.

Other ideas for a festive December

How to Cut Your Own Christmas Tree

What Salt Lakers have been wondering. We break down why things in Salt Lake City are the way they are and how they work.

Salt Lake, Explained

Every year I have grand ideas about Halloween costumes and subsequently wait too long to make any of them happen. In the spirit of changing that, let’s brainstorm some Salt Lake City-themed costumes for 2025.

The lore of the billboard matriarch has only grown since Julia Reagan died in 2024. Read up on 

 was recently unveiled, and I can’t wait to get my hands on a life-sized Tusky mask. What size jersey do you think he wears?

Take notes from our young friend above and do your best impression of closed roads and traffic cones. The construction is finally over on 2100 South, and the jury’s still out on whether it was worth it, but a little arts and crafts could capture hearts this Halloween.

 now that construction’s done. [Hey Salt Lake 📰]

 is so iconic, we put it in our skyline logo. So why not make a costume that lets people know how big a coat to wear without having to drive downtown.

, this has the potential for a great costume. Shout out to Arianna for her incredible interpretation at our 

RE: Salt Lake Halloween Costumes

Share an SLC-themed costume idea 👻

The best halloween costume ideas with a Salt Lake City theme.

Salt Lake City Halloween Costume Ideas 2025

The Most Salt Lake Halloween Costumes

Crisp fall weather is the perfect time to indulge in cheesy goodness, so here are some of the best cheese-based eats around the city, according to Hey Salt Lake readers.

Kicking off the classics is the grilled cheese sandwich and soup on the lunch menu at 

, recommended by reader Jeri T. The sando comes with both Vermont white cheddar and orange cheddar, accompanied by a roasted tomato and fennel soup.

Jeanette M. shouts out the sandwich and soup combo at 

. It looks like they use a panini press, an excellent way to elevate a grilled cheese.

Turn the flavor up to 11 with the Kimcheese from 

, sent in by Amanda H. It’s not on their current menu, but it does come back from time to time.

This is usually relegated to the kids menu, but I respect when restaurants turn it into a proper adult meal.

The first recommendation comes from Candace L., who loves the mac ‘n cheese at 

. It comes with smoked cheddar and Gruyère cheese, topped with everything pretzel crumbs, and served on a cast iron skillet.

Then there’s the loaded mac and cheese from 

, served with bacon, jalapeños, bread crumbs, and onion straws. “Nothing beats beer cheese and pasta when you're sad and/or in dire need of carbs,” says Audra C.

And we can’t forget about the whopping nine options at 

. Several of you mentioned the lobster mac and cheese and I concur.

A lot of us are mourning the cheese fries at Training Table, but Ashley W. recommends the ones from 

Zach S. wants you to try the cacio e pepe at 

. As someone who’s attempted to make this at home, big respect to any chef who gets it right. I hear the 

Lastly, Shannon K. loves the ham & cheese empanada from 

. and Devlin N. raves about the Paneer Tikka with homemade cheese at 

Big thanks to those of you who sent us recommendations. You’re the best 🩵

These are the best cheesy and cheese-based meals around Salt Lake City.

The Best Cheese Meals in Salt Lake City

The Best Cheesy Meals in Salt Lake City

City Cast Salt Lake podcast host Ali Vallarta here. My new year’s resolution is to visit all 511 parks in Salt Lake County, and I’m sharing stellar finds 

 on Salt Lake City’s Westside. Delightful bakeries, a busy skate park, and international gardens await you. Getting there is half the fun.

Jordan Park sits at the crossroads of the 

 (stretching from the Great Salt Lake to Utah Lake) and the 

 (connecting the east and west sides of SLC along 900 S.), which means there is a safe bike/running path whether you’re coming from the north, south, or east.

Fun fact: Jordan Park’s bike polo court just hosted the 

North American Hardcourt Bike Polo Association championships

At the corner of 900 S. and 900 W. is Salt Lake City’s best tres leches cake. Stop by for picnic materials like Mexican sandwich rolls or a sweet treat. Open every day from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.

If you’re taking the 9 Line, you’ll find Forty Three Bakery just two blocks east of Jordan Park. They serve brunch 

Our botanical garden with displays representing different countries is pretty, and free! But my favorite thing is how different 

SLC Council recently approved $325,000 for updates to the gardens, so keep an eye out for improvements.

I was slightly devastated to learn a public pool and bathhouse were demolished to make way for this skatepark in 2001, but I love how busy and joyful it always is.

: The Jordan River Trail has been a recent site of contention in Salt Lake City. 

Learn more on the City Cast Salt Lake podcast

How to spend an afternoon in Salt Lake City? Ride your bike to Jordan Park for a pastry and to smell the roses.

The Salt Lake City Park Home to Skateboards, Bakeries, and Rose Gardens

How to Spend the Perfect Day Around Jordan Park

Salt Lake Parks

Whether it's off-leash dog parks, pickleball courts, pools or playgrounds, we are ranking the best parks in the valley, from Herriman to Salt Lake City, and everywhere in between.

things to do

Skip the Backyard Fireworks. Here's How To Celebrate the Fourth in Salt Lake.

Your Guide to Salt Lake in July 2026

A Taste of Hawaii on a Staycation Budget

Latest articles

Skip the Backyard Fireworks. Here's How To Celebrate the Fourth in Salt Lake.

Your Guide to Salt Lake in July 2026

A Taste of Hawaii on a Staycation Budget

Staycations Deserve Souvenirs, Too!

Your Guide to March in Salt Lake City

Visit These Sugar House Businesses

How to Cut Your Own Christmas Tree

Latest articles

Staycations Deserve Souvenirs, Too!

Your Guide to March in Salt Lake City

Visit These Sugar House Businesses

How to Cut Your Own Christmas Tree

The Most Salt Lake Halloween Costumes

The Best Cheesy Meals in Salt Lake City

How to Spend the Perfect Day Around Jordan Park