Grab the calendar – these are the major Utah food and drink events for 2026

With Summer just around the corner, there’s a bevvy of food and drink events that you’ll want to mark on your calendar – each a fantastic excuse to get out and about, clink a glass, and taste what Utah has up its sleeve. Here’s a rundown of the best and brightest this year.

Living Traditions 2026

May 15th – 17th
Washington Square / Library Park, downtown SLC
Free entrance
saltlakearts.org/programs/living-traditions-festival

This multi-day celebration of Utah’s cultural landscape always marks the start of the big Summer festival season, and this year is no exception. As per usual, the event is anchored by a mix of food vendors showcasing the eclectic diversity of cuisine (pictured top) in our state.

During the three-day festival, the various dining options can be found in one central space towards the South end of the site. Most take cards these days, but always bring some dollars just in case. There’s beer and wine for purchase, and of course, endless live musical performances, and artist displays. On the food side, here’s the complete list of what to expect this year:

• Basque Club of Utah – Txorizo Ogi Tartekoa (Basque Chorizo Sandwich), Txurroak (Churros), Kroketak (Croquetas)
• Italian-American Civic League – Sausage sandwich, Cannoli, Cornetto Nutella, Italian Soda
• Asociación de Colombianos en el exterior – Avena, Jugo De Maracuya, Empanada, Platano Maduro, Arepa
• National Tongan American Society -Kumala, Mussels, Sapasui, Kalua Pork, Lupulu, Rice, Mango Otai, Watermelon Otai
• St Archangel Michael Serbian Orthodox Church – Sarma (Serbian Stuffed Cabbage),Gulas Sa Rizom (Meat Stew With Rice) , Cevapi (Mini Sausages), Sopska Salata (Shopska Salad) , Balkan Pita , Krofne (Airy Filled Doughnuts), Kuglice (Sweet Truffles), Cajni Kolutici (Tea Cookies), Sok od Zove (European Elder Juice
• Utah Tibetan Association – Beef Momo, Veggie Momo, Veggie Noodles, Spicy Potato, Chicken Curry, White Rice, Mango lassi
• Native American EventsNative American Events – Navajo Taco, Frybread, Frybread with Honey butter &/or Powdered Sugar, Blue Corn Mush
• Pakistani Association – Pita bread, Samosa, Chicken Kabob, Daal, Vegetable curry w/basmati rice, Chicken potato curry w/basmati rice, Kashmiri cookies, Mango lassi, Chai, Iced Chai
• Nepalese Association Of Utah – Tea, Mango lassi, Veg Samosa, Samosa chaat, Chatpate, Nepali style chicken rice, Nepali style mixed vegetables with rice, Chicken Momo, Vegetable Momo, Barbeque Chicken Nepali style with Naan
• Thai Association – Thai Combo Veggie Pad Thai,) Chicken Fried Rice Red Curry w/ Chicken, Yellow Curry w/ Chicken, Chicken Tenders, Egg Roll Veggie, Gyoza, Mango Sticky Rice, Thai Iced Tea,Thai Iced Coffee
• Utah Argentina Alliance – Beef Empanada, Chicken Ricotta Empanada, Corn and Cheese Empanada, Flan, Alfajores, Yerbe Mate (Plain, Mango, Berries or mint), Choripan, Combos of above
• 8th Street Greek Food – Gyro, Chicken Gyro, Gyro Dinner, Chicken Gyro Dinner
• Oaxaca en Utah – Tacos Chapulin, Memelitas, Tlayudas, Tamales, Mole, Quesadillas, Horchata, Jamaica, Pepilimonda, Flan, Galletas de Oaxaca
• The Vietnamese Volunteer Youth Association – Fried Egg Roll, Fresh Spring Roll, Potstickers, Pork Patechaud, Chicken&Pineapple Skewer, Grilled Pork Skewer, Ham Fried Rice, Bánh mì, Bún, Bánh Bao, Lychee Lemonade, Passionfruit Mint Cooler
• Centro Civico Mexicano – Tacos, Aguas
• Utah Ukrainian Community – Borsch with Sour Cream & Pampiuky, Vareniki, Sweet Rolls, Golublti,Uzvar
• Mama Africa – Chicken Combo, Fish Combo, Veggie Combo. Small bites: Samossa, Beignet, Ginger Punch, Bissap Punch, Authentic Hot sauce

Utah Asian Festival

June 6th, 11.00 a.m. – 10.00 p.m.
Utah State Fairpark
Free entrance
utahasianfestival.org/uaf2026/home.html

This year’s event is the 49th edition of the celebration of Utah’s Asian communities. The 2026 bash expects to see some 15,000 attendees for a family-friendly event that will see “30+ food trucks/booths, 70+ booths featuring local artisans, educational cultural booths, Asian-owned businesses, mini health fair, and local nonprofits. And finally, they explore the captivating performance lineup, showcasing an enchanting blend of music, dance, martial arts, and cultural demonstrations.”

Summer Farmers Market

June 6th – October 24th, 8.00 a.m. – 2.00 p.m. 
Pioneer Park, 300 South 300 West
Free
slcfarmersmarket.org

The Summer market is back at Pioneer Park, after spending the Winter over in the old Leonardo building. The warmer edition always affords a sprawling array of goods to check out. Here’s a look at what to expect, and some tips for first-time visitors to the market. TL;DR:

• Come early to avoid the Summer rays
• Bring cash
• Bring more bags than you think you need
• Trust me

Savor The Summit

June 27th
Main Street, Park City
Price varies
parkcityrestaurants.com/savor-the-summit/june-2026/

This one sells out reliably early. If you have any thoughts about hitting Park City’s biggest dining day of the year, book now. For the uninitiated, StS sees most of Main Street’s restaurants sprawl out onto the road, with a ‘grand table’ making its way from the top to the bottom of Main Street; each restaurant creating a one-off multi-course tasting menu, typically replete with a unique drinks pairing. 100s flock to Main Street for the extravagant celebration that continues long after the sun sets.

Indian Food Fair

August 15th, 11.00 a.m. – 8.00 p.m.
Liberty Park, Salt Lake City
Free admission
indianfoodfairs.com

Now in its seventh year, the Liberty Park-hosted event features some of the best South Asian cuisine in Utah. No names have been confirmed, as far as I can tell, for 2026, but it’s usually a very strong lineup of some of Utah’s most well-regarded names.

Greek Festival

September 11th – 13th
Holy Trinity Cathedral
$5 admission, kids 5 and under free
saltlakecitygreekfestival.com

A Utah institution, and of course, back again this year. The three-day festival has a solid food offering celebrating Greek culinary tradition. Dishes you’re likely to see here, according to organizers include Baked Greek Chicken, Dolmathes, Fasolakia, Calamari, Gyro, Keftethes, Pastichio, Pilafi, Souvlaki, Spanakopita, Stifatho, Roasted Lamb, and Tyropita. On the sweeter side, expect Amigthalota, Baklava, Galaktobeureko, Kataifi, Koulouria, Kourambiethes, Macaroons, Melomacarona, Pasta Flora, Portokalopita, Ekmek, and Risogalo.

Eat Drink SLC

September 16th & 17th
Tracy Aviary
Price TBA
eatdrinkslc.com

Another event that sells out in the blink of an eye. Head to their site and signup for their email list right now, if you want to be sure of snagging 2026 tickets. Then act with some alacrity when they announce sales. If I remember correctly from last year, the event was a sell-out in a week.

EDLC then is a two-night food sampling event held at Traciary Aviary. On enterting you’ll grab a map/guide, a plate, and a wine glass. You then spend the next three hours wandering the site, tasting bites from different local restaurants, as well as pours from a range of winemakers, brewers and distillers.

In recent years, the event switched up the format. Each of the two nights features a different food lineup (and usually has some of the better names in town spread over each evening.

Festa Italiana

September 19th & 20th
The Gateway
Free entrance
festaitalianaslc.com

Another Gateway-hosted event, and back again this year. Vendors are still to be confirmed, but lovers of all things Italian won’t want to miss this September festival.

Other useful links

• Free newsletter – signup and receive our weekly newsletter for free
• Food talk group – chew the fat with other like-minded Utah foodies over on Facebook.
• Best of SLC 2024 – what you can’t miss in the Beehive right now.

Stuart Melling

Hi, I’m Stuart, nice to meet you!  I’m the founder, writer and wrangler at Gastronomic SLC.  I’m a multiple-award winning journalist and have written in myopic detail about the Salt Lake City  dining scene for the better part of seventeen years.

I’ve worked extensively with multiple local publications from Visit Salt Lake to Salt Lake Magazine, not least helped to consult on national TV.   Pause those credits, yep, that’s me! I’m also a former restaurant critic of more than five years, working for the Salt Lake Tribune.    I’m largely fueled by a critical obsession with rice, alliteration and the use of big words I don’t understand.   What they’re saying about me: “Not inaccurate”, “I thought he was older”, “I don’t share his feelings”.

Want to know more? This is why I am the way I am.