All signs are pointing to an almost back-to-normal concert schedule this summer. With so much lost time to make up—and everyone clambering to get out of the house—you’ll want to start booking tickets as soon as possible. Take note, many events are being pushed back to the end of summer and running through fall. Venues and artists each have their own refund and social-distancing policies. Make sure you understand what cancelation or rescheduling policies are before making your final purchase. With no further adieu, here are some of the top (and some free) Salt Lake and Wasatch Front Outdoor Summer Concerts in 2021.
Photo credit Red Butte Gardens, feature image University of Utah Continuum
Red Butte Gardens
Salt Lake’s most anticipated and acclaimed outdoor concert series is back! Red Butte’s lineup will be announced the first of June. You must have a Garden-Flex level membership bought by June 15 in order to qualify for the June 21 member-only presale. Tickets go on sale to the public June 28, but be warned most of the good seats (or all of the seats) are often gone by then.
Photo credit Utah Symphony and Opera
Utah Symphony’s Deer Valley Music Festival
The world-renowned Utah Symphony and Opera returns to the hills of Park City this summer. This year’s schedule looks a lot like 2020 with an almost-identical lineup. Those who purchased 2020 tickets will be sent new tickets for the corresponding 2021 shows. New tickets are also on sale now. All shows start at 7:30 p.m., but plan on being there much earlier if you have a general admissions seat. It’s a good excuse to pop a bottle of wine, delve into a picnic charcuterie board and bask in the resort’s spectacular views of mountain and sky.
Friday, July 2 — “Patriotic Pops,” featuring vocalist Capathia Jenkins
Friday, July 9 — Kool & the Gang
Saturday, July 10 — Kristin Chenoweth
Friday, July 16 — Super Diamond (Neil Diamond tribute act)
Saturday, July 17 — The Temptations
Friday, July 23 — “The Magical Music of Harry Potter”
Saturday, July 24 — “Take Me Home: The Music of John Denver,” starring Jim Curry
Friday, July 30 — Little River Band
Saturday, July 31 — 1812 Overture, with Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2, performed by pianist Changyong Shin
Saturday, August 7 — The Beach Boys
Sunday, August 8 — To be announced
Photo credit Salt Lake City Arts Council
Salt Lake Twilight Series
The Salt Lake Twilight Series has been bringing the best of indie-rock, hip-honk, funk, reggae, folk and blues to Downtown Salt Lake City for the last 30 years. Organizers are hoping for an early-fall event schedule. Keep checking lineup and ticket information here.
Photo credit Ogden Twilight Series
Ogden Twilight Series
This series is at the epicenter of Ogden’s emergence as one of the trendiest Millenial and Gen Z cities in Utah. Shows return in August and September on Friday and Saturday nights. Some individual show tickets are still available (season passes are sold out). Doors open at 5 p.m.
August 13 — Fitz and the Tantrums / Kishi Bashi
August 20 — The Flaming Lips / Dan Deacon
August 21 — Big Wild / Crooked Colours
August 28 — Louis the Child / Washed Out (DJ Set)
September 3 — TBA
September 4 — Noah Cyrus / Ant Clemons
September 10 — Death Cab for Cutie
September 16 — Purity Ring / Dawn Richard
September 21 — Portugal. The Man / Japanese Breakfast
September 25 — Grouplove / Blackstarkids
Photo credit Ogden Music Festival
Ogden Music Festival
This outdoor event is a 3-day bluegrass, folk, and Americana music celebration in Weber County’s Fort Buenaventura Park. Sponsored by the Ogden Friends of Acoustic Music, tickets are on sale now for Labor Day weekend (September 3rd-5th). Get your 3-day pass with or without a camping pass. This family-friendly festival offers free live music for anyone under the age of 16. Enjoy workshops, music from local bands as well as award-winning artists such as:
Sierra Hull
Town Mountain
Dustbowl Revival
Mile Twelve
The Brothers Comatose
Po’ Ramblin’ Boys
Crying Uncle
Snowbasin Blues, Brews & BBQ
Every year Snowbasin brings in nationally- and regionally-acclaimed artists for their free summer concert series. Typically three bands perform each week, playing everything from blues to funk and Americana to rock-and-roll. For 2021, the concert series will start later in the summer. Join Andy Frasco & Kris Lager on August 1st to kick off the season. The rest of the lineup is TBA. But you can count on free, family-friendly live music rocking Earl’s Lodge patio and lawn every Sunday between 12:00pm and 5:30pm from August 1st to September 5th.
Photo credit Live Nation
USANA Amphitheater
Music and sun will once again set over Salt Lake City’s largest outdoor music venue this summer. With between 13,000 and 20,000 lawn seats, plus 7,000 reserved seats, you’re bound to score a ticket to most shows. Be aware of cancellation policies: some summer shows have already been pushed back to 2022 or canceled. Here’s this summer’s lineup (subject to change):
July 10 — Lindsey Stirling
Aug. 8 — Alanis Morrisette
Aug. 12 — Maroon 5
Aug. 13 — Dierks Bentley
Sept. 8 — Megadeth/Lamb of God
Sept. 18 — Matchbox Twenty
Sept. 22 — Kiss
Sept. 29 — The Doobie Brothers
Photo credit Freedom Festival of Provo
Epic Can’t-Miss Events
Garth Brooks Stadium Tour
This top-selling solo artist of all time is coming to Rice-Eccles stadium on July 17. Tickets are already sold out. (On a side note, it became the fastest stadium sellout in history.) But keep your ears to the ground, and check here to see if any new tickets become available.
Hive Festival 2021
Utah’s own Post Malone is headlining this 2-day festival at the Utah State Fairpark August 6th-7th. This event is fast becoming one of the top hip-hop and rap music festivals in the country. Definitely not a family-friendly event, but bound to be legendary. Purchase your tickets here.
Stadium of Fire
America’s Freedom Festival of Provo is moving forward with its traditional 4th of July concert at BYU’s Lavell Edwards Stadium. The stadium will not be operating at full capacity, so a big-name headliner is unlikely. But you can count on a patriotic musical show and one of the best firework displays in the nation. Tickets not available yet, but check here for updates.
Photo credit Fork Fest
Lesser-Known Local Gems
ForkFest
Join up with local bands thronging to American Fork for this one-day music & arts festival. Don’t miss this unforgettable summer kickoff with twenty-eight Utah-grown bands on three stages. June 19th, Purchase tickets here
Sandy Amphitheater
There’s not a bad seat in the house at this local amphitheater. Buy ticketed seats or lounge on the lawn.
June 18 — Peter Breinholt
June 19 — Ryan Shupe & The Rubberband
July 13 — Trampled by Turtles & Caamp
June 30 — For King & Country
August 4 — Shakey Graves Was Here
August 7 — Melissa Etheridge
September 11 — Need to Breathe into the Mystery Tour with Switchfoot
Scera Shell Outdoor Theatre
Orem City presents nationally-touring concerts, along with live theatre and outdoor movies, at their local amphitheater with spectacular mountain views. Check here for their summer lineup that includes headliners like David Archuleta, Colbie Callait and the Oak Ridge Boys.
Free Neighborhood Concerts
Daybreak Summer Concert Series
Daybreak hosts free outdoor concerts every Friday and Saturday evening during the summer on their SoDa Row stage. More information and lineup here.
Salt Lake Symphony Summer of Music
The Salt Lake Symphony will be playing free outdoor concerts throughout the valley this summer. Expect smaller groups of players and shorter programs with no intermission. Concert details on their website.
Saturday, May 15 at 6:00 p.m., Midvale City Park Amphitheater
Saturday May 22, 2021 at 7:00 p.m., Midvale City Park Amphitheater
Saturday June 5, 2021 at 7:00 p.m., Canyon Rim Amphitheater
Saturday June 12, 2021 at 7:00 p.m., Holladay City Gazebo
Wednesday, July 7, 2021 at 7:00 p.m., Midvalley Arts Center
Highland Park Music Stroll
Stroll from house to house, yard to yard, band to band, through the tree-lined streets of Salt Lake’s Highland Park neighborhood. The event plans to return in 2021, with date and information TBA. Check back here for more information.
Laird Park Music and Movie Event
Niche Homes presents the Pixar movie, “Soul” alongside a live Jazz band and food trucks at Laird Park on September 18th starting at 6:00 p.m.
Gallivan Center Excellence in the Community Concerts
Wednesdays May through September 4th in Downtown Salt Lake. No tickets required.
Murray City Arts in the Park
Free Family-Night Concerts are held every second Monday. Free Lunch Concerts are held every Tuesday at noon and a free Children’s Matinee Series every Thursday at 2:00 p.m. Tickets can also be purchased for live theater productions as well.
Utah Cultural Celebration Center in West Valley
The Summer Concert Series runs July through August on Monday nights. Some events are free and others require tickets.
Logan Tabernacle Summer Concerts
Schedule TBA, check here for updates.
Layton Free Sunday Night Concert Series
Every Sunday night during the summer at 7 p.m., enjoy a free concert at the Kenley Amphitheater in Layton. Purchase tickets to other outdoor performances as well.
Bountiful Concerts in the Park
Free concerts most Friday nights starting at the end of June and running through August. Schedule TBA, check here for updates.
Niche Homes is a full-service real estate agency specializing in Wasatch Front neighborhoods and enclaves. Contact us if you are interested in buying or selling a home.
