Utah This Month: September 2025
- Utah Touring
- Sep 8
- 3 min read
Riding in Utah is always a treat, but there’s something special about September. The summer crowds start to thin, the air gets a crisp edge, and the state's event calendar heats up. It's the ideal time to plan a weekend getaway, combining the thrill of the open road with unique festivals that celebrate everything from food and music to local culture.
Here's another edition of our monthly guide to some of the best events happening this month. Read on to discover your next great ride and the perfect event to go with it!
Events
Utah State Fair
September 5-15, Salt Lake City
A classic event located close to downtown with a lot of energy and variety. You can easily spend an afternoon wandering through the exhibits, enjoying the carnival rides, watching the rodeo, and sampling all the classic fair food. It's a fun way to wrap up the summer and get a taste of Utah's agricultural roots before the weather fully turns.
Admission: $10 entry fee. If staying downtown, take Trax (roundtrip) to avoid $20 parking fees
Moab Music Festival
August 27- September 12, Moab
The Moab Music Festival is celebrated for combining world-class music with the stunning landscape itself. Over two weeks, it hosts about twenty concerts in unique venues, from intimate halls to a wilderness grotto on the Colorado River that you reach by jet boat—truly a destination worth the journey! It's the perfect way to unwind and immerse yourself in the beauty of Moab, both visually and audibly. The scenic ride there and back is the cherry on top.
Admission: By event, starting around $250 to $5,000
Festa Italiana
September 13-14, Salt Lake City
Hosted at Gateway Plaza, enjoy the beautiful surroundings of Downtown Salt Lake City while exploring the culture, entertainment and culinary diversity of Utah’s thriving Italian community. The two day festival highlights include live Italian entertainment, food booths highlighting the regions of Italian cuisine, Italian beer and imported Italian wine, arts & crafts, historical displays, exotic Italian cars, and a vintage bike show. Bring your Ducati, Moto Guzzi, or Aprilia adventure bikes!
Admission: Free, but bring funds for food and drink!
Ongoing: Snowbird's Oktoberfest
August 9 - October 12, Snowbird Resort
Experience a taste of Bavaria high in the Wasatch Mountains. Oktoberfest runs ten weekends every Saturday and Sunday, plus Labor Day, from 12p - 6p. This large event features live music, traditional Bavarian food, and over 50 varieties of beer including local Utah brews. While you're there, enjoy Snowbird's other summer activities like scenic tram rides and hiking, or make it a weekend with an overnight stay at one of their resort hotels
Admission: Free, but some parking lots have a $15 daily fee. Parallel parking on the road is free, but be aware of restricted parking zones. The event is cashless.
National Park Information
Please note that there may be delays entering gated parks, increased crowds, or reduced services due to staffing shortages. We suggest making campsite reservations early using the Recreation.gov website or mobile app. And as usual, leave no trace and be kind to park workers.
Arches: Advanced timed entry reservations are required again in September and October. Make a reservation before you arrive at the gates. We suggest doing this at least a few days in advance of your intended Arches visit. The reservation is free, but they do charge a $2 processing fee.
Bryce Canyon: No advance reservations required
Canyonlands: No advance reservations required. Traveling the White Rim Trail requires a backcountry permit
Capitol Reef: No advance reservations required
Zion: It is shuttle season until November 1. You cannot ride or drive the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive during shuttle season, and instead must take a free shuttle that does not require advance reservation. There are other great roads near and through Zion N.P. that can be explored on a motorcycle!
Statewide seasonal roads
All roads are open until mid-autumn!
Blog thumbnail photo credit: Andreas Ebner, Pexels
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