Festivals

Shakespearian Festival
Southern Utah is home to some truly remarkable festivals which celebrate a wide variety of interests. Perhaps the most well-known is Cedar City's Tony Award winning Shakespearian Festival. Each year, the Utah Shakespeare Festival produces ten or more plays, some of which are presented outdoors in the Adams Theater, which has been modeled after Tudor stages built in London and surrounding areas during the 16th century. In addition to staging the works of Shakespeare, the festival also includes performances of works spanning many years and genres, from Elizabethan drama to absurdist experimentalism to modern musicals. Furthermore, they frequently provide workshops for children and young actors who are interested in theatre. Additional information about the Shakespeare Festival can be found at www.bard.org

St. George Arts Festival
Another highly regarded exhibition is the St. George Arts Festival, which is held every spring in the Town Square. This festival celebrates local painters, sculptors, photographers, and ceramicists while simultaneously providing them with an outlet to promote or sell their work. Recently, ribbons and prizes have been incorporated into the artists' show as a way to recognize exceptional work and encourage the submission of new work. In addition to artists' booths, the Arts Festival consists of food trucks from local restaurants as well as many diverse ethnic groups (Native American, Greek, Polynesian, etc), and a score of creative activities and events for children.


Dickens Festival
You’ll feel like you’re in 19th Century London as walk through the narrow streets experiencing the sites and sounds of The Dickens’ Christmas Festival.
This Festival is a unique and unusual form of entertainment and a shopping experience.  Many think of it as a craft show, but Olde English shops, hundreds of period costumes, fortune tellers, orphans, royalty, and the “real” Father Christmas all combine to offer visitors an interesting Christmas experience. At The Dickens’ Festival you’ll ind unique gifts and quality merchandise. Come To experience Olde London come to life, shop at The Dickens’ Festival!


Kite Festival
The Dixie Power Kite Festival is another local event held each spring. Aiming to promote the habit of reading among children and young students, increase the amount of funding for education, and to establish an annual uplifting event for families, the Kite Festival has become a favorite of southern Utah residents. While the event is mostly for fun, competitions also occur on a separate field, with certain competitions open to the public while others are closed to elementary students.

Zion Flute Festival
The Zion Flute Festival is held annually in May in Springdale, and includes a world flute and drum event. Many of the finest Native American and World musicians have participated in or performed for festival attendants, who typically browse vendor booths, listen to and play flute music, and enroll in workshops where they can further develop their knowledge and skills. It is a truly soothing and peaceful event that encourages attendants to connect with nature and cultural art.

St. George Bird Festival
Rounding out the list is the St. George Winter Bird Festival, held annually in January at Tonaquint Nature Center. The purpose of the Bird Festival is to allow locals and tourists a rare glimpse at any of the 375 species of migratory birds that frequently visit southern Utah in their winter travels. In addition to bird watching, the Bird Festival hosts multiple presentations, workshops, and field trips for die-hard "birders," or those whose interest in our fine feathered friends has just begun.