Festivals and Events

Winter

Canyonlands Half Marathon and 5-Mile Run. No doubt because of the spectacular scenery, great weather and fantastic hospitality, Moab's half-marathon held the third Saturday in March (unless it conflicts with Jeep Safari) is fast becoming one of America's favorite running events. (This group also does a popular half marathon on the third Sunday in October called the Other Half.) The course runs along Rte. 128, following the Colorado River and parallelling the east side of the park. Registration and hotel rooms fill to capacity months in advance so plan ahead. 435/259-4525. www.moabhalfmarathon.org.

Spring

Moab Art Walk. Moab galleries, shops, and cafés celebrate the perfect weather of spring and fall with a series of exhibits. Art Walks are held the second Saturday of the month from March through June and September through November. Stroll the streets to see and purchase original works by Moab artists. 435/259-4446. www.moabartwalk.com.

Jeep Safari. Every year for about nine days around Easter week, thousands of four-wheel-drive vehicles descend on Moab to tackle some of the toughest backcountry roads in America, from slickrock to sand. The jeep safari goers occupy every hotel room and seemingly every campsite, so plan well in advance or you will struggle to find a room. This is the busiest time of the year in Moab. 435/259-7625. www.rr4w.com.

Moab Arts Festival. Every Memorial Day weekend, artists from across the West gather at Moab's Swanny City Park to show their wares, including pottery, photography, and paintings. The festival is small enough to be fun, admission is free, and the artwork is affordable. Live music, cultural entertainment, a kid's tent, and lots of food keep everyone happy. 435/259-2742 Moab Arts Council. www.moabartsfestival.org.

Summer

Canyonlands PRCA Rodeo. Cowboys come to the Old Spanish Trails Arena (just south of Moab) for three days in early June to try their luck on thrashing bulls and broncs at this annual Western tradition. Tickets start at $12 for adults. 3641 S. Hwy 191, UT. 435/259-6226.

4th of July Celebration. Moab community schools and organizations unite for some old-fashioned Fourth fun with apple-pie baking contests, fireworks, a parade, a kiddie carnival (including a dunk tank for temporarily sinking town officials), watermelon-eating contests, the mayor's address, and local bands and dance groups. The free community festivities fill Swanny City Park and end with a traditional bang: fireworks. 435/259-7814.

Fall

Green River Melon Days. All the watermelon you can eat, an old-fashioned parade, 5k run and other small-town-America activities await you on the third Saturday of September. 435/564-3448.

Moab Music Festival. Listen to world-class music—classical, jazz, and traditional—among the red rocks, in the city park, in private homes, or floating along the Colorado River in Canyonlands National Park. Musicians from all over the globe perform, and it's one of the West's top music showcases. The festival starts the Thursday before Labor Day and runs about two weeks. 435/259-7003. www.moabmusicfest.org.

Skydive Moab Boogie. Parachutists from around the world have descended upon Moab each year since 2003 for the joys of free falling and (presumably) soft landings from 18,000 feet in the sky. The "Boogie" takes place the last weekend in September and features 300+ skydivers, live music, and festivities with altitude. 435/259-5867. www.skydivemoab.com.

24 Hours of Moab Bike Race. Every October, this 24-hour race whips 1,500 competitors through the desert near Moab. Riders bike laps of 15 mi as individuals or in teams of up to 10 people. In all, riders will cover more than 60,000 miles! About 2,000 fans (mostly friends and family of the riders) camp and cheer the riders on. 304/259-5533. www.grannygear.com.

Moab Folk Festival. Some of America's top folk artists converge in Moab each November to play at indoor and outdoor stages. Past artists have included Bruce Cockburn, Loudon Wainwright and Ferron—this is a real treat for folk music aficionados. 435/259-3198. www.moabfolkfestival.com.

Electric Light Parade. If you visit Arches or Canyonlands in early December, you will avoid the crowds and also be in Moab for the Winter Sun Festival, which includes this memorable—and often silly—local event. Merchants, clubs, and other organizations build whimsical floats with Christmas lights for a nighttime parade down Main Street. A 10k race, holiday arts-and-crafts fair, dance, and a visit from Santa Claus are also highlights of the weekend festivities. 435/259-7814.