Get Those Ski Passes Early  
For best pricing, secure your next season’s ski pass now! Most resorts and ski venues are selling winter passes now for next season and you will get the best prices if you purchase now.

*Tip: Get your cross-country ski pass now too. Soldier Hollow Nordic Center is an Olympic venue with some of the world’s best trails located right here in Heber Valley. It’s almost too good a price to pass up.

Get your tickets for the July Demolition Derby and the August Stampede Rodeo.

Lake Recreation   
The area state parks and reservoirs get busy in the summer season - particularly Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Head to Strawberry Reservoir - only 25 minutes to the east of Heber City - and enjoy a quieter and less crowded lake experience. Plus, the fishing is some of the best in the state!

*Tip: Buy your annual Utah state park pass in January to get the full year of use. The pass expires at the end of December regardless of when you buy one.

Heber Thursday Market on Main 
The Heber Market on Main is a weekly, summertime event that welcomes visitors and locals alike to gather together in downtown Heber City to enjoy local food, drink, shopping, and live music. This weekly event happens on Thursdays from early June through mid-August.

*Tip: Bring a blanket and chair and make an evening of it. Toss a frisbee or sit under the large shade trees and enjoy the setting. Please note: dogs are not permitted at the park nor at this weekly event. So, please leave Fido at home.

Red, White & Blue Independence Day Celebration  
Celebrate Independence Day right here in Heber Valley. This inaugural annual event will be spectacular. A day filled with family-friendly activities to keep the fun going all day long. Start the morning with the canon fired from Memorial Hill in Midway, then a pancake breakfast. Come to Heber City Main Street Park for breakfast (again) and to run or cheer on racers in the Main-to-Main 10K. Spend the day with friends and family at Heber City Main Street Park where there will be live music, vendor booths, and food trucks.

*Tip: Bring your own blanket and chairs to sprawl out on the green grass at the park. Play lawn games and enjoy time together throughout the day. Head to South Field Park at dusk to catch the fireworks from Memorial Hill. It is a great location to see the full fireworks show.

Heber Thursday Market on Main 
The Heber Market on Main is a weekly, summertime event that welcomes visitors and locals alike to gather together in downtown Heber City to enjoy local food, drink, shopping, and live music. This weekly event happens on Thursdays from early June through mid-August.

*Tip: Bring a blanket and chair and make an evening of it. Toss a frisbee or sit under the large shade trees and enjoy the setting. Please note: dogs are not permitted at the park nor at this weekly event. So, please leave Fido at home.

Charleston Pioneer Celebration – Around July 24th  
The town of Charleston, Utah puts on a big small-town celebration for Pioneer Day each year. Complete with flag raising ceremony at 6:45am, 5K race, pancake breakfast, car show, vendor booths, food trucks, live entertainment, evening parade, and fireworks at dark. Make a full day of it! Most activities are free to attend.

*Tip: Plan for the day-of events in Charleston but book the “Fiddlers & Fireworks” train at Heber Valley Railroad far in advance. This train ride is a great way to experience the historic railroad scenic night ride. The train stops along the bank of Deer Creek Reservoir and you watch the fireworks over the lake before returning to the train depot.

Wasatch Wipeout Demolition Derby  
This is a popular demolition derby, and one of the largest in the western US! It has a lot of contenders and a large winner’s purse prize. Drivers and spectators come from all over the country to be part of this derby. Dress comfortably and in cool clothing layers. This event happens at the end of July and the temps are warm, even at night.

*Tip: Tickets sell out very quickly for this 2-night event, so be sure to get your tickets online when they go on sale in early June. You’ll likely want to see both nights!

Wasatch County Fair Days – First Week of August     
Experience the best of small-town USA right here in Heber Valley! The annual Wasatch County Fair Days offers a full week of local community fun. Fill your days visiting the Country Market and the Carnival, spend your nights experiencing movies in the park, BBQ dinners, live performances, concerts, and talent contests. Each day is something different, so come out for the full week.

*Tip: Get discount tickets for the Carnival at the Wasatch Rec Center. Buy tickets online and in advance to the other paid events. Arrive early for decent parking, or better yet, ride your bike. Bring your sunscreen and water!

Wasatch Stampede Rodeo     
The Mountain Valley Stampede Rodeo is great family fun with the best stock from Powder River and the best cowboys and cowgirls from across the Intermountain West. Easily one of the most popular rodeos in the northern part of the state, this 3-night rodeo event sells out on both Friday and Saturday nights. You’ll have better luck getting tickets on Thursday night if you don't purchase tickets in early June when they go on sale.

*Tip: Get tickets online when they go on sale in early June. This rodeo sells out every year.

Heber Thursday Market on Main 
The Heber Market on Main is a weekly, summertime event that welcomes visitors and locals alike to gather together in downtown Heber City to enjoy local food, drink, shopping, and live music. This weekly event happens on Thursdays from early June through mid-August.

*Tip: Bring a blanket and chair and make an evening of it. Toss a frisbee or sit under the large shade trees and enjoy the setting. Please note: dogs are not permitted at the park nor at this weekly event. So, please leave Fido at home.

Get your tickets to the upcoming Heber Valley Western Music & Cowboy Poetry Gathering Festival. Tickets go on sale in early August. The week-long event is held in October.

Swiss Days Festival Over Labor Day Weekend  
Midway Swiss Days takes place every year on Friday and Saturday over Labor Day weekend and draws tens of thousands of visitors and vendors from all parts of the country to mix, mingle, and enjoy the wares, food, and activities. With two fun-filled days, be sure to bring some comfortable shoes so you can explore everything. The fun goes all day Friday and Saturday. (Also, the Soldier Hollow Classic Sheepdog Championships will not be happening in 2023. We plan for this world-class event to return in 2024.)

*Tip: Arrive early on Friday for first pick, but be prepared to be joined by a several thousand others doing the same. If you can hold off, Friday after about 2:00 pm is a much better experience with fewer people. All booths are set up both days, so you won’t miss anything if you aren’t there right at the opening time on Friday. More how-to guide and “best of” Swiss Days tips here.

Heber Valley Western Music & Cowboy Poetry Gathering Festival  
Heber Valley hosts one of the nation’s largest Cowboy Poetry gatherings where performers from all over the country travel to Utah to perform in front of audiences that embrace the Western culture. The Cowboy Poetry Gathering and Buckaroo Fair includes vendor booths, mountain man camp, cowboy church, and a full schedule of cowboy poetry, music, and entertainment.

*Tip: Get tickets in advance - they are on sale by early August. Some performances will sell out. The mountain man camp is free to walk through.

Heber City Community Trick-or-Treating Night  
Free trick-or-treating event held every year at the historic Heber City Tabernacle Square. Dress up, bring your bucket or bag, and visit all the participating area businesses with booths and the trunk-or-treat set up along the side streets. Catch a live magician performance and enjoy this free community event.

*Tip: Dress warm for this outdoor event. Park on 100 South or Heber City Main Street for easier access. Have a business that wants to participate and hand out candy? Let us know!

Celebrate the Holidays in Heber Valley  
Learn more about what is happening throughout this magical Hallmark town during the holiday season. From Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day, there’s a lot to explore, experience, and enjoy.

Christmas Tree Permits 
The tradition of cutting down your own Christmas tree is a special, memory-making moment for many local families. With easy access to lots of open land spaces, all you need to do is get your tree permit and plan your day to go find that perfect holiday tree. 
Bureau of Land Management tree permit request 
Recreation.gov tree permit request

Turkey Trot 5K  
Join the local running community for this mid-morning 5K fun run. The Lynden Legacy Turkey Trot meanders through beautiful Midway, Utah. This is a great race for everybody from the competitive runner to the leisurely walker and everyone in between. Strollers are welcome and kids can ride bikes, scooters, etc.

*Tip: Register in advance. Dress warm the day of the race. Costumes encouraged!

Midway Tree Lighting  
Happening the Saturday after Thanksgiving each year, join the local community for a nighttime celebration and annual tree lighting event at Midway Town Hall. Enjoy caroling, cookies and cocoa, a visit from Santa, and a grand tree lighting to top off the evening.

*Tip: Arrive early for closer parking. Dress warm and be prepared for all weather conditions at this outdoor event. We suggest you pack hand and foot warmers. This event receives a lot of area resident attendees, so expect a crowd and bring your cheerful spirit.

Heber City Old Fashioned Christmas  
Plan to partake of the community fun at this annual holiday celebration and beautiful tree lighting event that takes place the first Friday in December. Similar to the Midway tree lighting ceremony, this night is also filled with caroling, entertainment, and a big crowd to visit Santa and Mrs. Claus. Be sure to catch the ice sculpture and stick around for the tree lighting at the end.

*Tip: This is an outdoor event, so dress appropriately and for all weather conditions. We suggest you pack hand and foot warmers. This event receives a lot of area attendees, so expect a crowd and bring your happy holiday mood.

North Pole Express Trains at Heber Valley Railroad  
If you have young kids or grandkids, you do not want to miss this fun-filled train ride experience. All aboard the historic Heber Valley Railroad for a festive night of caroling, dancing, hot cocoa and cookies, and a visit from Santa, of course! The elves come through and entertain kids, musicians perform, and the Big Guy makes his appearance to say hello to each and every kid then leaves them with a magical reindeer bell.

*Tip: Tickets for this themed train ride excursion go on sale around early September, and it sells out every year. So get your tickets early!

Also, there are a few North Pole Express After Christmas Trains that are offered and also tend to sell out, but usually later in the season. If you can’t get tickets for the (before Christmas) North Pole Express Train, then consider celebrating on the North Pole Express After Christmas Train. Yes – Santa still visits on these trains as well.

Make Your Own Traditions

With so much to do, explore, taste, try, and experience, there are lots of options to make your own memorable traditions right here in Heber Valley. Fill your calendar with some or all of the above recommendations, and be sure to make some of your very own along the way. Welcome to the Heber Valley community!

If you haven't already seen the green dinosaur at the south end of town, then please drive by and meet Octane, the Sinclair dino at Mountainland One Stop in Heber City, Utah. He is a favorite for locals and visitors!