Events Archives - Discover Moab, Utah

By the Moab Information Center

Join the Moab Information Center on Thursdays throughout the summer months for the Moab lecture series, where local scientists and park rangers discuss their work.

Lectures are hosted at the Moab Information Center (3015 S. Hwy 191) at 5 p.m.

May 8 ~ Nair Perez-Torres ~ Stories of Work, Community, and Change ~
Moab has always been shaped by the people who live and work here, but not all of their stories are well known. In this talk, we will dive into the experiences of longtime residents whose voices haven’t always been heard. Through interviews and research, we’ll explore the histories, struggles, and contributions of Moab’s working people, preserving their stories for future generations.

May 15 ~ Mike DeHoff ~ Returning Rapids ~
A group of river runners from Moab Utah had a simple question: “When will the next rapid in Cataract Canyon return?”From this singular curiosity a ragtag group of people started out on a treasure hunt that became a pivotal role in the study of a declining reservoir and a water and river management system that is in dire crisis.What the research team found was an incredibly rapid rate of ecosystem return. Areas of the Colorado and San Juan Rivers that were once affected by Glen Canyon Dam and Lake Powell Reservoir were able to recover from the effects of man-made engineering gone wrong. The Returning Rapids Project team will present the on-going story of how a river can restore itself from massive impacts of a water storage project that some deem one of the greatest environmental catastrophes of modern times. Using historic photos, pre-Glen Canyon Dam Maps, and ongoing monitoring will show how they have been able to document a river’s return and a canyon’s recovery.

Looking ahead
June 19 | Climate Change in Utah’s High Mountains: Implications for Natural Resources and Biodiversity by Scott Hotaling
June 26 | Juneteenth: Freedom Day by Robert Anderson
July 10 | Site Stewardship Program by Ian Wright (State Historic Preservation Office)
July 17 | Our Time in the Parks by Rhodes Smartt
July 24 | Resilient Food Webs in a Changing Environment by Moria Robinson

Have a press release or story you’d like to see published on Discover Moab? Email asst. marketing director Alison Harford at aharford@discovermoab.com.

Press Release by the Moab Music Festival

MOAB MUSIC FESTIVAL SEASON 33: NEW BEGINNINGS WITH NEW ARTISTIC DIRECTOR TESSA LARK; AUGUST 27 – SEPTEMBER 12

The Destination Festival for Adventure-Seekers and Classical Music Lovers Includes Outdoor Bucket List Experiences, Debuts, Celebrity Author, and A World Premiere
Artists Include Edgar Meyer, Sierra Hull, People of Earth, Inon Barnatan, Celebrity Author and Chef Kenji López-Alt, and a World Premiere MMF Commission by Viet Cuong

April 14, 2025 (Moab, UT) — The Moab Music Festival (MMF) rings in its 33rd season with the appointment of award-winning violinist Tessa Lark as Artistic Director. As the Festival ushers in a bold and adventurous future, it will also honor the legacy of its co-founding Directors Emeriti Leslie Tomkins and Michael Barrett with exhibitions, events, and concerts exploring the ambitious visionary dream they turned into a magnificent reality.

A Kentucky native, Tessa Lark has charmed Moab audiences since her 2016 Festival debut with her technical mastery, stylistic fluidity of wide-ranging abilities, and spiritual openness. She boasts a long list of classical music bona fides, including a GRAMMY™ nomination for Best Classical Instrumental Solo. Lark is also a recipient of the Hunt Family Award, one of Lincoln Center’s prestigious Emerging Artist Awards; a 2018 Borletti-Buitoni Trust Fellowship; and an Avery Fisher Career Grant.

Lark’s trademark omnivorous sensibility is on display this summer with concerts featuring a global Latin fusion band, the unconventional trio Triple Cortado (trumpet, trombone, piano), a premiere by Composer-in-Residence Viet Cuong, guitarist Frank Vignola, pianist Inon Barnatan, and seven-time Grammy-winning bassist and composer Edgar Meyer, making his Festival debut this summer. Lark herself will take the stage to share original compositions, traditional fiddle tunes, and chamber music gems alongside programs featuring beloved classical and romantic repertoire, modern Americana music, and more.

The spectacular settings play a starring role this season, as they have since the Festival’s founding. Natural red rock amphitheaters and the current of the timeless Colorado River make the perfect backdrop for MMF’s do-not-miss Music Hikes and Grotto Concerts. Other events include a special opening night celebration honoring the co-founders, as well as a return to picturesque Easy Bee Farm. Floating Concerts on an open-air river boat, and a program at the Red Earth Venue make a comeback as well. There’s also an exciting Musical Raft Trip featuring Lark and double James Beard Foundation Award Winner and New York Times Bestselling cookbook author/chef Kenji López-Alt. Taken together it’s more than a music festival or a destination–it’s music in concert with the landscape®.

Full Calendar

OPENING NIGHT RECEPTION
Moab’s momentous 33rd season begins as it should–with a celebration. On Wednesday, August 27, directors past and present take the stage to kick off the landmark year at beautiful Star Hall in downtown Moab for a concert celebrating its rich legacy with a program of duos and Schubert’s Trout Quintet. Opening Night: Celebrating 33 Years of Moab Music Festival opens with a video presentation honoring Barrett and Tomkins and echoes the Festival’s inaugural 1992 performance, while heralding Lark’s exciting new direction. Begin the evening at the MARC (Moab Arts & Recreation Center) with an exhibit tracing MMF’s years of visionary music and joy born from Tomkins and Barrett’s dream.

GROTTO
An exhilarating jet boat ride down the Colorado River brings listeners to one of MMF’s signature Grotto Concerts in “nature’s own concert hall” (The New York Times), where the scenic and sonic wonders of the remote acoustically pristine grotto carved from the surrounding red rock are on full display. The inaugural Grotto Concert, Colorado River Winds, on Thursday, August 28, features the quintet WindSync. Each individual instrument gets a solo turn in the site’s otherworldly acoustics before uniting for Poulenc’s cheeky Sextet for Piano and Winds. This sojourn in this very special locale also features food and drink. The grotto’s alien beauty inspires a second look at beloved repertoire in Classics Reimagined. On Thursday, September 4, the rocks become a cathedral when Renaissance composer Gregorio Allegri’s haunting Miserere, originally written for three choirs at the Sistine Chapel, will be played by two distanced instrumental groups, surrounding listeners with the myriad sonic phenomena of the ancient canyons. Mendelssohn’s beloved Piano Trio in D minor is heard next anew in a thrilling version for piano, trumpet, and trombone. The program closes with the immortal Death and the Maiden string quartet, whose second movement borrows from the famous song Der Tod und das Mädchen, heard in this grotto event as a vocalise for viola and piano. In Manouche!, Romani folk traditions from the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries bring the grotto’s normally placid walls to life with virtuosic energy and spirited melodies rippling against the rock formations. Folk-inspired works by Haydn, Liszt, and Brahms meld with Django Reinhardt’s jazz manouche for a fittingly vibrant MMF finale on Tuesday, September 9.

FLOATING CONCERTS
A fixture of MMF’s adventurous offerings in recent seasons is the Festival’s buzzy, and regularly sold-out Floating Concerts, which take patrons several miles up the Colorado River on an open-air river boat, where they are surrounded by towering canyon walls for another bucket list experience. This Michael Barrett-curated program on Friday, August 29 features the virtuosic WindSync in an intricate program filled with endless variation which defies classification. The program, which includes works by Buxtehude, Mozart, and Viet Cuong, takes inspiration from the natural world and patterns of music and nature, from the night sky to the plants of the desert. MMF’s newly minted Artistic Director turns the vessel into a party boat on Sunday, September 7 for á la Django, a sassy serenade featuring tunes popularized by the jazz guitar virtuoso Django Reinhardt and his friend Stéphane Grappelli, with whom he formed the Paris-based Quintette du Hot Club de France in 1934. Joining Lark for this romp is Festival favorite guitarist Frank Vignola in a thrilling improvisation-infused, stylistically diverse program.

EASY BEE FARM
Next Week’s Trees blossom at charming Easy Bee Farm on Friday, August 29. Back by popular demand, this lively event offers complimentary beverages and bites and is where the sound of Tessa Lark’s fiddle leads guests down paths to virtuoso artists in mini-performances throughout the property. Toe-tapping folk-inspired gems from Bach to Mark O’Connor surround Composer-in-Residence Viet Cuong’s recently written Next Week’s Trees.

MUSIC HIKES
Among its most popular events, MMF’s three frequently sold-out Music Hikes offer unparalleled access to the natural wonders of Moab. Guides lead trekkers to secluded canyons, where an hour of impeccable music awaits, performed by Festival artists on intimate natural “stages.” Adventurers meet at the Aarchway Inn at 7:45am and board shuttles to the hikes’ surprise locations. The hikes require a moderate level of stamina and agility, so comfortable desert environment clothing is recommended, as are hiking poles. Hydration is a must! Musical serenity amidst the canyons starts the day on Saturday, August 30 when solos and duos for strings lead the way in A Little Respite. Classics by Bach and Rossini are complemented by a recent work by the enthralling composer/violinist Jessie Montgomery, which revels in friendship in all its joy and silliness, showing the surprisingly vast range of depth of just two instruments. Calm prevails in the quiet of Moab’s majestic landscape on Sunday, August 31 with Catharsis Canyon. Sublime music meets breathtaking wilderness in Beethoven’s Heiliger Dankgesang for string quartet, an extended prayer of thanks following a return to health. A work by Lark written during a time of deep personal grief, captivating Danish folk tunes, and Bach’s E major Partita, performed by Blake Pouliot, bring further rhythm and joy, heightening the sense of peace and quietude that only nature can provide. Finally, virtuosity is the order of the day on Saturday, September 6 when seven-time GRAMMY-winning bassist Edgar Meyer joins a glittering lineup of artists in Living Legends. This artistic rarity features Meyer’s seminal interpretation of solo Bach, virtuosic arrangements of Baroque brass music, and the dramatic whirlwind of Carl Maria von Weber’s devilishly difficult and delightfully entertaining Clarinet Quintet.

RED CLIFFS LODGE
The cliffs enveloping the tranquil Colorado River, made famous in so many film and television shows, is home to Red Cliffs Lodge, which hosts two electrifying shows this season. From the heart of Catalonia to the vibrant streets of New York City to the Moab desert, captivating singer-songwriter and virtuoso guitarist Lau Noah comes to the Festival on Saturday, August 30th. Hailed for her depth as a songwriter with a penchant for cross-cultural storytelling, her NPR Tiny Desk concert captivated listeners across the globe. Listeners will be in for a magical evening under the stars. The next night features powerhouse global music collective People of Earth, which exploded on to the music scene with some of today’s top artists. The Sunday, August 31 concert will bring the audience to its feet with Cuban timba and rumba, Puerto Rican Bomba and Plena, Haitian Kompa, Brazilian MPS, and American soul, R&B, and hip-hop in an electrifying and memorable experience under the Moab moon at Red Cliffs Lodge.

LABOR DAY EXTRAVAGANZA: FREE ROCKY MOUNTAIN POWER COMMUNITY CONCERT
Spread out your blanket, soak up the sunshine, and enjoy the Festival’s free annual Rocky Mountain Power Community Concert. Come together on Labor Day, Monday, September 1 beneath the shady cottonwoods at Old City Park for a joyous celebration in the community MMF calls home. Moab’s own Community Dance Band opens the show; WindSync dazzles with virtuosic chamber music works; percussionists Ian Rosenbaum and Andy Akiho impress with a marimba and steel pan duo; and members of Latin fusion band People of Earth take it home with its own originals to close the afternoon concert.

OUTREACH
As a festival rooted in the unique beauty of its natural home, MMF makes community investment essential to its operation. On Tuesday, September 2, members of NYC-based People of Earth will visit the Grand County Schools to give presentations for elementary, middle and high school classes. The band’s musicians are seasoned educators and have led workshops at Carnegie Hall, the Kimmel Center, and beyond. At MMF, the education programs go beyond just performances for students and include scholarships, teacher support, instrument purchases, and more. With these programs, the Festival endeavors to give back to the community that has nurtured and supported it for decades.

SIPS & SOUNDS
Tuesday, September 2 treats audiences to what has become an eagerly anticipated fun event, Sips & Sounds. This edition offers an intimate opportunity to meet and engage with the Moab Music Festival’s new Artistic Director. Listeners will sip on a favorite beverage and enjoy a mini-concert and lively 60-minute conversation at Café & Lounge Italiano moderated by Artistic Director Emerita Leslie Tomkins, where they’ll chat about Lark’s background, her creative vision for the Festival’s future, and of course, hear some fiddle tunes!

RED EARTH VENUE
The Red Earth Venue, a glass-walled structure surrounded by red rock cliffs, sits at the center of sprawling 17-acre wilderness in the heart of canyon country. On Wednesday, September 3, MMF brings longtime collaborators and close friends Andy Akiho and Ian Rosenbaum to the venue to share works from their recently released album, Kin. Akiho and Rosenbaum encapsulate their 15+ year creative partnership by presenting works by Akiho, old and new, written or reimagined for their duo of varied percussion, marimba, and steel pan. With the duo’s rhythms vibrating over immaculate glass-covered nature views, the multi-sensory experience is completed with hors d’oeuvres, beer, and wine.

PRIVATE RANCH / HOUSE CONCERTS
Two of Moab’s most beautiful private homes host festival artists in intimate evenings of music and fine food. The convivial occasion offers an exceptional opportunity to experience a performance up close, followed by a celebratory dinner. Three much in demand artists who have carved unique roles in the music world form the Lark/Roman/Meyer trio. On Friday, September 5, the new ensemble brings its moxie in Edgar Meyer – Then & Now. Meyer, the renowned double bassist who has collaborated with a who’s who of artistic legends, joins Festival Director/violinist Tessa Lark and cellist Joshua Roman who, according to Yo-Yo Ma, is “one of the great exemplars of the ideal 21st-century musician.” These sought-after creatives bring a typically UNtypical program of Bach and Meyer, including a newly written work. On Monday, September 8, Inon Barnatan, “one of the most admired pianists of his generation” (The New York Times); violinist Kristin Lee, who has appeared on major stages across the globe; and guitarist Frank Vignola, known for his stunning virtuosity and work with musicians from Ringo Starr and Lionel Hampton to the Boston Pops and Madonna, offer an intimate evening of solos, duets, and trios across styles and genres.

SORREL RIVER RANCH
Kick off your hiking shoes and head over to the open-sided pavilion at Sorrel River Ranch on Saturday, September 6. The outdoor venue allows concertgoers of all ages to take in the show from the covered pavilion or the lawn. The dazzling mandolinist Sierra Hull returns to MMF for a solo show, after her 2023 appearance as a member of Béla Fleck’s band. Two-time Grammy nominated Hull headlines with her 5-piece band playing tracks from her first new album in five years, A Tip Toe High Wire, which blends a modern sonic palette with the bluegrass and Americana that launched her trajectory.

STAR HALL
On Sunday, September 7, MMF presents a powerful exploration of music in times of war, revealing the human spirit’s struggle, hope, and ultimate resilience when words offer limited reprieve. The Promise of Peace at historic Star Hall in downtown Moab brings together music across four different era-defining conflicts–the Civil, Vietnam, and First and Second World Wars–for a survey of art’s response in troubled times. This program also includes the world premiere of the MMF Commissioning Club’s newest project – a clarinet quintet by award-winning American composer Viet Cuong, which commemorates the 50th anniversary of the end of U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War, and reflects Cuong’s own experience as an American-born composer whose parents fled Vietnam in 1975. The varied program also includes works by Stravinsky, Charlie Parker, Bernstein, Ives, Blitzstein, Ravel, and more.

CATARACT CANYON MUSICAL RAFT TRIP + KENJI LÓPEZ-ALT
The festival concludes with the trip of a lifetime, when adventurers embark with Tessa Lark and special guest Kenji López-Alt on Tuesday, September 9 for an unprecedented, star-studded musical and culinary journey through Cataract Canyon! This 4-day/3-night Musical Raft Trip will satisfy thrill-seekers and music lovers alike, with daily concerts by renowned festival artists, the glorious scenery of Canyonlands National Park, and some of the largest and most challenging whitewater in the United States. The celebrated cookbook author and chef (not to mention talented violinist) López-Alt, curates remarkable meals along with demonstrations, and hosts conversations exploring the parallels between food and music. Powerhouse string players—violinist Geneva Lewis, and cellist Jay Campbell—transform the canyon and the mighty Colorado into nature’s concert hall. Launching after the signature Grotto Concert, rafters continue on past the confluence of the Green and Colorado rivers, with an expert crew guiding travelers through exhilarating days of adventure. A scenic return flight over Canyonlands National Park lands back in Moab on Friday, September 12, concluding a transcendent journey. Outfitted by Sheri Griffith River Expeditions.

For more information about the Festival or to purchase tickets for the 33rd annual Moab Music Festival go to the website, or telephone the Box Office at (435) 259-7003. You may also visit the Festival Office at 58 East 300 South, Moab, UT 84532.

Have a press release or story you’d like to see published on Discover Moab? Email asst. marketing director Alison Harford at aharford@discovermoab.com.

Take it from a local Moabite: there’s no such thing as fun for everyone … unless you’re in Moab, Utah, a small town hub for outdoor adventures, tours, guided trips, National Parks, State Parks, natural and cultural history, dive-bar nightlife—do we really have to go on? Even us locals have a Moab bucketlist miles long. This list of 50 things to do in Moab, Utah, is in no way exhaustive, but will provide you with a good jumping off point as you plan your trip—or as you find yourself driving down Highway 191 toward the heart of town.

50 Things to do in Moab, Utah: written by a local

A few travel tips before we dive in! Moab is hot in the summer and cell service can be spotty outside of town. Bring lots of water and a lunch if you’re going on a day hike, and download your maps. This might be a hot take, but it’s worth booking a hotel room for access to the pool and hot tub (nothing better than soaking sore muscles at the end of a long day!).

–National and State Parks–

1. Arches National Park

We know you know this one. But Arches truly is worth every second you spend in the park: the landscape is so utterly fascinating, so unlike anything you’ve seen before. Delicate Arch is popular for a reason. And if you’re up for it, the 8-mile Devils Garden Primitive Loop Trail is a great way to spend the day.

2. Canyonlands National Park

Did you know Canyonlands National Park is split into districts? It’s just that big. The two most accessible are the Island in the Sky and Needles districts; Island in the Sky is closer to Moab. If you’re visiting I-Sky, make sure you stop by Mesa Arch (again, popular for good reason), and Aztec Butte. If you’re heading down to the Needles District, stop at Newspaper Rock along the way to see hundreds of petroglyphs, and spend the rest of the day hiking out to Druid Arch.

3. Dead Horse State Park

A gorgeous drive and even more gorgeous overlook.

–Knock something off your bucketlist–

List of local guides and outfitters

4. Book a rafting trip down The Daily

The Daily stretch of the Colorado River is a great beginner’s whitewater trip: the rapids range from class I-III, especially if the water is high (for high water, visit in May or June).

5. Rent mountain bikes and explore the Bar M trail system

Mountain biking is fun! Don’t be intimidated by the shredder content you see online: in my opinion, mountain biking is one of the most playful sports you can do. And if an obstacle is too big, just walk it—you’re not bikin’ till you’re hikin’, as they say. Bar M is a great place to start – take a few hours and try the Rusty Spur, Bar M loop, and Lazy-EZ trails.

6. Take on Hell’s Revenge

Hell’s Revenge is one of the most popular off-roading trails in the Moab area—and dare we say, the world? If you want to see this trail for yourself, you can chat with outfitters in town to rent vehicles for a self-guided experience, book a guided tour, or hop in a massive, open air Hummer to let a guide drive the trail for you.

7. Try rock climbing at Wall Street or the Cinema

Moab is a haven for rock climbers—and many of those climbers work as guides, offering tours to, literally, show visitors the ropes. Book an experience with a climbing outfitter to really get to know the Moab sandstone.

8. Get splashed through Westwater or Cataract canyons

If The Daily isn’t enough oomph for you, book a rafting trip down Westwater Canyon or Cataract Canyon to experience huge rapids (and huge thrills!).

9. Rappel into a slot canyon

If you’re scared of heights, this experience probably isn’t for you. But if you want to explore the hidden and hard-to-get-to sides of Moab’s landscape, book a canyoneering tour with a local outfitter.

10. Take a mini beach vacation at the Mill Creek Waterfall

Moab sits on an important piece of landscape within the Colorado River watershed—which is a fancy way of saying that we have multiple creeks that run from the La Sal mountains, through town, and into the Colorado River. The Mill Creek waterfall hike is one mile each way, and drops you at a lovely little swimming hole.

11. Camp at Oowah Lake in the La Sal Mountains

If it’s too hot in Moab, escape to the nearby mountains like the locals do. You can also fish in Oowah Lake, so bring a rod!

12. See Moab from the sky

It’s hard to understand just how vast this desert landscape is until you see it from above. Treat yourself to an air tour on an airplane or helicopter to get a new perspective on the canyons you’ve explored from the ground!

13. Live our your cowboy dreams

Horseback riding is another popular way to change your perspective on the Moab landscape.

14. Go “set-jetting” around landscapes featured in Western films

Did you know the Moab to Monument Valley Film Commission is one of the oldest in the world? Head out Highway 128 and you’ll recognize the landscape featured in movies like Wagon Master (1950) and Horizon: An American Saga (2024).

15. Take a night hike

Moab is a certified dark sky community – and is surrounded by the official Dark Sky Parks of Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, and Dead Horse Point State Park. Book an astronomy tour to explore the stars with a local expert, attend a star party at a nearby park, or just wait until darkness falls to see some of the best stars in the world.

16. See dinosaur tracks

The Mill Canyon Dinosaur Tracksite boasts tracks of eight different dinosaurs who stomped across this patch of land when Utah was part of a vast inland sea in the Jurassic period. Well-written interpretive signs help tell the story of the dinosaurs, and a boardwalk allows visitors to explore every track.

17. Drive the Upper Colorado River scenic byway

If you’ve never driven Highway 128, you’re in for a real treat. The 44-mile stretch of road takes visitors from the town of Moab along the Colorado River, passing by Castle Valley and the Fisher Towers. You’ll watch the landscape open up and morph as you wind your way to the end of the scenic byway at Dewey Bridge.

18. See petroglyphs

There’s something really special about petroglyphs: about looking at stories carved into sandstone thousands of years ago. Easily accessible sites include a site along Potash Road and the Birthing Scene petroglyph off of Kane Creek road.

19. Take an adrenaline-filled leap

Soar through the skies by leaping from a plane – or cliff! In Moab, you can book a skydiving experience, a BASE jump off a cliff, or swing off the world’s largest rope swing.

20. Go on a scenic tour

Let a local expert take the wheel to guide you through all of the must-see sights in Moab.

–Explore the landscape on must-do trails–

Outdoor Adventure Guide

21. Corona Arch Trail

This arch is massive – 140 by 105 foot opening! – and the hike is fun, with a section that requires visitors to use a ladder and safety cable.

22. Fisher Towers Trail

The Fisher Towers are composed on Moenkopi and Cutler sandstones that have eroded into fantastical shapes! Allow four hours if you’d like to do the whole trail.

23. Grandstaff Canyon Trail

The Grandstaff Canyon trail leads to the magical Morning Glory Natural Bridge, winding along a creek to do so. Look out for poison ivy!

24. Hidden Valley Trail

Ascend a steep incline to find hidden valley, a valley tucked on top of the Moab Rim. This is an out and back trail – scamper along the valley for as long as you feel like it.

25. Juniper Trail

The Juniper Trail is a small loop located within the Sand Flats Recreation Area that leads visitors on a scavenger hunt looking for native flora and fauna.

26. Longbow Arch

A fun little trail located at the Poison Spider parking area that leads to the 60 foot Longbow Arch.

27. Moab Rim

Want to see sweeping views of Moab and the Colorado River? Hike up the Moab Rim Trail! This trail is tough – it’s pretty steep – but the views are worth it.

28. Amphitheater Loop

A 3 mile loop starting at the Hittle Bottom campground on Hwy 128 that requires a small gully scramble.

29. Dellenbaugh Tunnel

This trail leads to a long, tunnel-like arch.

30. Hunter Canyon

Hunter Canyon is a lovely walk: the canyon stretches for 2 miles before reaching the end. Look for the large arch on the right-hand side of the canyon about half a mile from the trailhead.

–In town–

31. Learn local history

Visits to the Moab Museum and Moab Giants are always worth it: we guarantee you’ll learn something new and surprising! Look out for special events and programs hosted by the Moab Museum, too.

32. Attend an arts or music festival

The shoulder seasons boast a number of cultural events, including the Moab Folk Festival, Moab Music Festival, Red Rock Arts Festival, and Moab Arts Festival.

33. Grab a milkshake at Moab’s oldest restaurant

Today, Milt’s Stop and Eat is just as popular as it was when it first opened in 1954. Grab a classic milkshake, fries, and a burger – and know that Milt’s sources as many ingredients as they can from local food producers!

34. Cap off your night with a visit to Moab’s dive bar

Locals will laugh that I’m including Woody’s Tavern on this list. Moab doesn’t have a ton of nightlife – it’s hard to get a liquor license in Utah – but Woody’s is always fun, and on the weekends often hosts local bands to play live music.

35. Peruse local art

Moab is an artistic haven – you can’t help but to be inspired here. Visit Moab Made and Gallery Moab to buy souvenirs and art made by only local artists.

36. Find something for everyone at the Moab Food Truck Park

You’re coming back into town from a morning hike, searching for lunch, but no one can agree where to go? The Moab Food Truck Park is home to individually owned and operated food trucks, offering a wide range of food, and a centralized place to eat.

37. Customize your Moab swag at the T-Shirt Shop

Print customized designs, ranging from silly to artistic, on any color t-shirt, sweatshirt, tanktop, long sleeve, hat, you name it.

38. Try a “dirty soda”

The dirty soda is a Utah-born beverage trend: it’s a soda base spiked with add-ins like cream, syrups, and fruit juices. Lops Pop Stop is our local dirty soda shop – get the Moab On the Rocks (Coke, cherry syrup, coconut milk, lime juice) and pretzel bites.

39. Read books by local authors

Back of Beyond Bookstore, which is independently and locally-owned, specializes in natural history and regional titles of the Colorado Plateau. But they also boast an impressive collection of popular fiction and rare acquisitions.

–Hidden Gems–

40. Swim at Ken’s Lake

Take a rest – spend a day at Ken’s Lake, a small, man-made lake just south of Moab. The lake allows dogs, fishing, and watercrafts. There’s also a campsite nearby!

41. Spend the day at Warner Lake

If Moab is too toasty, head into the La Sal Mountains. While camping near Oowah is a must, like we mentioned, a day spent at Warner Lake – fishing and exploring the nearby sections of the Whole Enchilada Trail – is never wasted.

42. Mountain bike the Raptor Route

The Raptor Route is a set of trails within the Sand Flats Recreation Area that provide an alternate exit to the Whole Enchilada trail – but are also just a ton of fun to do by themselves. Do the whole thing – Eagle Eye to Kestrel Run – or just try Falcon Flow if you’re looking for a fun, flowy, blue-black mountain bike trail.

43. Listen to live bluegrass music or catch a magic show at the Backyard Theater

The Backyard Theater is truly a Moab gem – a little stage tucked behind Zax restaurant, the Backyard Theater hosts free bluegrass music every Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday night, and a magic show on Saturdays ($10). Bring a picnic dinner – outside food and drink are welcome – and utilize the dance floor.

44. Challenge yourself to run a race

Moab is home to tons of running races at a variety of distances, from 5Ks to the legendary Moab 240. There’s no better place to run a half marathon than on Moab trails.

45. Thrift your new favorite shirt

Moab has excellent thrift stores, including WabiSabi, Underdog Thrift Store, Moab Gear Trader, and Radium Alley Thriftique.

46. Drink from a natural spring

The legend around Matrimony Springs – a natural spring located on Highway 128 – is that if you drink the water, you’ll never leave Moab.

47. Sled the sand dune

The giant sand dune located on the other side of the highway from the entrance gate to Arches National Park is hard to miss. Bring a sled, or just walk up and roll down the dune – and see if you can make the trek up to the very top!

48. Play in a park

The Moab landscape is its own playground – but if you need a place for kids to run around, head to Rotary Park (which has a playground, volleyball net, basketball court, gazebo, and musical structures that kids and adults will have a blast experimenting with) or Lions Park (which is home to a playground and bouldering structures).

49. Get hands-on with local geology – and take it home

In 1960, Lin Ottinger – a uranium miner turned tour guide – opened the Moab Rock Shop, a treasure trove of rocks, minerals, and fossils. Many of Ottinger’s discoveries have been donated to museums and universities, but others are hosted in the rock shop!

50. Fall in love with a Moab local and never leave

Only slightly joking.

A person playing guitar on the stage to a crowd of people

The Moab Folk Fest in 2024

Press Release by the Moab Folk Festival

Contact: Emily Sudduth, Asst. Director of the Moab Folk Festival, emily@moabfolkfestival.com
For immediate release

The Moab Folk Festival celebrates 23 years on November 7-9, 2025. Set in the stunning red rock canyon country of southeastern Utah, this intimate festival presents an outstanding lineup of singer-songwriters, Americana, roots, and bluegrass music. The Festival will take place at our outdoor venue, the Moab City Ballpark, and indoors at Star Hall. Early bird tickets are available for 10% off until May 8. Tickets range from $63 to $400, not including discounts for kids and locals.

The Festival begins with a concert on Friday, November 7th from 7-9:30pm at historic Star Hall. Three female folk musicians will join forces as Mother Tree to kick off the weekend. Mother Tree is the collaboration of three nationally acclaimed songwriters and close friends Susan Cattaeno, Sloan Wainwright and Cosy Sheridan have created a set of music that will lift your spirits. The Festival is excited to welcome back beloved singer songwriter and 4 time Grammy nominee Darrell Scott. Darrell’s lyrics allow us to make sense of the world, what is at stake here, and our place in it. He will headline both evening Star Hall shows.

There will be two performers at Star Hall on Saturday, November 8th from 7-9:30pm. Opening the evening will be Emily Scott Robinson, a North Carolina native turned Colorado songwriter. She travels the dusty highways of America’s wild country, capturing the stories of the people she meets and expertly crafting them into songs. With hints of bluegrass, country, and folk, her talent for storytelling and pristine soprano will be a performance you won’t want to miss. Darrell Scott returns Saturday night for another memorable set.

Eight performances will take place between Saturday, November 8th and Sunday November 9th on the Moab City Ballpark mainstage, from 11:00am-4:30pm each day. Our lineup is a work in progress, six more artists will be announced.

We are excited to have Yonder Mountain String Band headlining on Sunday. They have been a driving force in roots music for nearly three decades. Yonder continues to exist at the forefront of the progressive bluegrass scene as undeniable innovators and pioneers of the modern jamgrass movement. Yonder’s high-energy acoustic sound blends bluegrass with elements of rock, alternative, psychedelic and improvisational music. IYKYK, their shows are lively and fun! Della Mae will also be performing Sunday. They are a GRAMMY-nominated all-woman string band hailing from across North America, and reared in diverse musical styles. Their live shows are foot-stomping, crowd-pleasing riots, full of high-octane instrumental skills. Their mission as a band is to showcase top female musicians, and to improve opportunities for women and girls through advocacy, mentorship, programming, and performance.

In addition to the many performances spanning three days, the Moab Folk Festival offers several free public workshops on Saturday and Sunday of the event. For more information: www.moabfolkfestival.com or 435-260-1756. If you are interested in volunteering for the event, please visit moabfolkfestival.com/volunteer.

Have a press release or story you’d like to see published on Discover Moab? Email asst. marketing director Alison Harford at aharford@discovermoab.com.

Tessa Lark, a middle-aged brunette woman, lounging in a chair with her violin.

Press Release by the Moab Music Festival

The 2025 season runs from August 27 – September 12. To arrange for interviews or photos, contact Elizabeth Dworkin – elizabeth@dworkincompany.com, 914-244-3803.

For immediate release

[Moab, UT] — The Moab Music Festival today announces that violinist Tessa Lark has been named its next Artistic Director. Co-Founding Directors Michael Barrett and Leslie Tomkins will be stepping back from the award-winning Festival (MMF) after 33 years; Lark’s role will combine the co-founders’ artistic responsibilities.

Festival Board of Trustees President Anne Wilson said, “While it is bittersweet to be moving on to the next chapter of artistic leadership, we are grateful to have had our founders’ direction, guidance, and support in choosing their successor. This extraordinary festival is well positioned for the future, with the strong foundation they built, and their long and exemplary tenure. We are delighted to welcome Tessa as the Festival’s next Artistic Director. Her long history as a Festival violinist, coupled with her immense talent and creativity, make her a perfect fit. We are excited to see Tessa’s vision unfold, and work together to usher in a new generation of world-class music in concert with the landscape® experiences, for which the Festival has become famous.”

Since her Festival debut in 2016, Lark has delighted audiences with her technical mastery, stylistic fluidity, and welcoming spirit. She boasts a Grammy- nomination for Best Classical Instrumental Solo for her recording of Sky, the violin concerto Michael Torke wrote for her. She has been engaged by the San Francisco, Seattle, and BBC Symphonies, Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra, Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Louisville Orchestra, Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, London’s Wigmore Hall, and Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw. A recipient of Lincoln Center’s most prestigious honor for emerging artists, the Hunt Family Award, she also received a Borletti-Buitoni Trust Fellowship, an Avery Fisher Career Grant, and top prize at the Naumburg International Violin Competition. She serves as a Co-Host/Creative of From the Top, NPR’s famed showcase for young classical musicians, and is Artistic Director of the Musical Masterworks series in Old Lyme, CT.

During Moab’s 2024 season, Lark performed works from her latest album, The Stradgrass Sessions, which pays homage to her love for both Bluegrass and classical music, and her idyllic Kentucky upbringing. The variety of styles presented on the album offers a small window into her fresh take on Festival programming, enhancing what audiences have come to expect from the Festival over the last three decades. As Lark explains, “I’ve already fallen in love many times over with the Moab Music Festival and what makes the community unique: the impactful relationships that Michael Barrett and Leslie Tomkins have forged through their loving leadership, the symbiosis of new classical music with canonical favorites, the complex network of the Native cultures of the region, and the presence of myriad musical styles. I take genuine pleasure in personally connecting with folks from all backgrounds, and am passionate about creating spaces that joyfully embrace both musical and spiritual confluence. What makes the Festival extraordinary is also my ultimate life goal: relishing nature and music, all at once. Sharing that heaven-on-earth with others is a dream come true.”

Under the direction of Tomkins and Barrett, MMF has gained an award-winning national and international reputation, growing from a grassroots organization in a geodesic dome in 1992 to a globally respected institution attracting world-class artists and patrons who want to experience music among southeast Utah’s stunning red rock landscape. The founders were a critical part of selecting the incoming artistic director who will usher in the next generation of leadership as they become Directors Emeriti.

“I am beyond excited to be handing the reins of the Moab Music Festival to Tessa Lark,” shares Music Director Emeritus Michael Barrett. “I’ve known Tessa for nearly 20 years and have watched with admiration as she has fulfilled the promise of her immense talent in such creative and unexpected ways. It brings me great satisfaction that she has agreed to become Artistic Director. She has a finger on the pulse of musical life in America, and I’m certain her instinct and artistry will guide the Festival toward the synthesis of art, nature, and community Leslie and I first imagined 33 years ago.”

As Artistic Director Emerita, Leslie Tomkins commented, “It has been a great honor and privilege to create and lead this organization for over three decades. Tessa came to mind immediately when considering a successor. She is a spectacular artist who brings joy and endless creativity to her playing and shines in musical genres beyond classical. Music in concert with the landscape distinguishes the Moab Music Festival from all others. Tessa has a deep connection to that special alchemy, and I look forward to seeing the Festival thrive and evolve under her imaginative, thoughtful leadership.”

**

ABOUT TESSA LARK
Violinist Tessa Lark is one of the most captivating artistic voices of our time, consistently praised by critics and audiences for her astounding range of sounds, technical agility, and musical elegance. Increasingly in demand in the classical realm, she was nominated for a Grammy in the Best Classical Instrumental Solo category. She is also a highly acclaimed fiddler in the tradition of her native Kentucky.

Highlights of Lark’s 2024-25 season include returns to the BBC Symphony Orchestra in London, and the Rochester Philharmonic, and debut with Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra. In recital, she will debut with San Francisco Symphony and the University of California at Santa Barbara. She reprises Michael Torke’s bluegrass-inspired violin concerto, Sky – written for her – with the Boulder and Colorado Springs Philharmonic Orchestras, as well as the West Michigan, Williamsburg, Shreveport, and Tallahassee Symphony Orchestras. As a chamber musician, she will tour with her string trio project with composer-bassist Edgar Meyer and cellist Joshua Roman.

Lark’s most recent album, The Stradgrass Sessions, features an all-star roster of collaborators and composers. Her debut recording was the Grammy-nominated Sky, which she performed with the Albany Symphony Orchestra. Her discography also includes Fantasy on First Hand Records; Invention, the debut album of her violin-bass duo with Michael Thurber; and a live performance of Piazzolla’s Four Seasons of Buenos Aires with the Buffalo Philharmonic in honor of Piazzolla’s centenary.

Lark is a graduate of New England Conservatory and completed her Artist Diploma at The Juilliard School. She plays a ca. 1600 G.P. Maggini violin on loan from an anonymous donor through the Stradivari Society of Chicago.

ABOUT THE MOAB MUSIC FESTIVAL
Founded in 1992 by New York-based pianist and conductor Michael Barrett, and violist Leslie Tomkins, the Moab Music Festival has delighted audiences and adventurers for 32 seasons. On a rare vacation, Barrett and Tomkins fell in love with the red rocks of Moab and were inspired to introduce the joy of music-making to the magical landscape. “Starting a music festival seemed like the perfect way to make sure we would return again and again,” says Tomkins.

Noted for its distinctive programming, superb performances, and intimate concerts, the award-winning Moab Music Festival celebrates music in concert with the landscape®, and features chamber music in a variety of genres including classical, jazz, Latin, traditional music from around the globe, and works by living composers. Each season’s star-studded roster is a venerable Who’s Who, and has included the likes of George Takei, Paquito D’Rivera, Bela Fleck, Marcus Roberts, Chick Corea, Clarice and Sergio Assad, David Amram, Lukas Foss, Chris Thile, Time for Three, Ned Rorem, Jamie Bernstein, and many more.

The Festival presents approximately 20 concerts over the course of two weeks in late August/early September. Concerts are held in a variety of indoor and outdoor venues around Moab. Grotto Concerts, the Festival’s signature events, take place in a pristine wilderness grotto reached by jet boat some 30 miles down the Colorado River. Destination-worthy venues also include floating concerts along the Colorado at sunset, music hikes to secret wilderness locations, and 3- and 4-day Musical Raft Trips through Cataract and Westwater Canyons, or on the San Juan River.

The Moab Music Festival, from its inception, has been committed to education and cultural enrichment in the Moab area. The Board and leadership of the festival bring their passion for national arts education to the local level, and work to reach all Grand County students annually through assemblies with visiting Festival musicians. An artist-in-residence program also provides educational experiences for music lovers of all ages during the year.

The Moab Music Festival has received the Utah Arts Council’s Governor’s Award in the Arts, First Prize for “Adventurous Programming” from the American Society of Composers, Artists, and Publishers (ASCAP), and a Utah Governor’s Mansion Arts Award.

Have a press release or story you’d like to see published on Discover Moab? Email asst. marketing director Alison Harford at aharford@discovermoab.com.

The Moab Music Festival in late August and early September offers floating concerts.

By local experts at Discover Moab

According to Conde Nast Traveler, athletic adventures are in: travelers are bringing their sports with them, or seeking out destinations where they can really play. We expect that Moab, which has long been a hub of outdoor sports like mountain biking, trail running, and white water rafting, will see this trend guide the activities of our 2025 visitors. Other trends relevant to our little slice of the desert southwest? Detour destinations–think “getting a little lost on purpose” and “spotting a sign for an ancient ruin and deciding that your hotel can wait a bit”–cowboy core travel–“horse riding trips and camping under the stars”–and night tourism–Moab is a perfect spot to chase the stars. If you’re looking to add a bit of structure to your trip (there are so many things to do in Moab, it can feel a bit overwhelming!), consider planning your Moab trip around one of the many music festivals, off-road gatherings, trail running races, rodeos, or a free entrance day to our nearby national parks.

Here’s an overview of not-to-miss events in Moab this year, or check out our full events calendar!

FREE NATIONAL PARK ENTRANCE DAYS

Monday, January 20 – Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Saturday, April 19 – First day of National Park Week
Thursday, June 19 – Juneteenth National Independence Day
Monday, August 4 – Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act
Saturday, September 27 – National Public Lands Day
Tuesday, November 11 – Veterans Day

ANNUAL CULTURAL AND OUTDOOR EVENTS

January

January 25: Arches Ultra
The Arches Ultra offers four distances of a running race: 9K, half marathon, 50K, and 50 mile. The courses are lower elevation, taking runners along the border of Arches National Park using the Bar M, Klonzo, and Klondike Trail Systems.

January 25 to February 1: Moab Music Festival “Winterlude”
Community and education take centerstage during the Moab Music Festival’s Winterlude, a week of workshops and concerts. Guest ensembles include W4RP, Pascal Le Bouef, and Sara Carswell. Workshops include a potluck and play (bring an instrument and a dish!) and musical coaching. There will be two formal concerts, plus a casual “sips and sounds.”

February

February 7: ArtWalk
Explore art exhibits all over town during ArtWalk! Featured locations this year include the Grand County Library, Moab Museum, Gallery Moab, Moonflower Co-op, and Moab Arts.

February 7, 14, and 21: Moab SyFy Film Festival
Join the Moab community in enjoying classic films of the science fiction genre, for free! Event-goers are encouraged to dress up as they watch Day of the Triffids (1963) on Feb. 7, When Worlds Collide (1951) on Feb. 14, and Europa Report (2013) on Feb. 21.

February 22: Buckers & Barrels Unlimited Rodeo
Bull teams, barrel racing, bronc riding: attend an action-packed rodeo day in Moab. Don’t miss out on the chance to witness some of the best riders in the country showcase their skills, whether you’re a seasoned cowboy or just looking for a bit of excitement!

February 22: Moab’s Red Hot Ultra
Runners of Moab’s Red Hot Ultra choose between four distances: 15K, 33K, 50K, and 50 mile. Each course utilizes a mixture of double and single track trails over a variety of terrain and elevation.

March

March 7-9: Moab Run the Rocks
A three-day trail running race on singletrack trails around Moab with two distances: 85K and 53K.

March 8-11: Skinny Tire Festival
A road biking event that will take bikers through Arches National Park, up to Dead Horse Point State Park, and alongside the Colorado River. $15 for every paid registration goes toward the Moab Cancer Treatment Center, and bikers can register for all four days or join just two.

March 15: Canyonlands Half Marathon and 5 Mile Run
Celebrate 50 years of the Canyonlands Half Marathon in 2025! This race is known locally as the Moab Half Marathon: the first event was run on May 1, 1976 and had 22 finishers (including a dog). The course follows the Colorado River and has been named one of the world’s greatest races.

March 22: Behind the Rocks Ultra
The Behind the Rocks Ultra (distances: 10 mile, 30K, 50K, 50 mile) starts and ends at the Behind the Rocks Trail, following the Behind the Rocks Wilderness Study Area. The courses traverse remote trails, sandy washes, and double and single track trails.

April

April 4: ArtWalk
Explore art exhibits all over town during ArtWalk! Featured locations this year include the Grand County Library, Moab Museum, Gallery Moab, Moonflower Co-op, and Moab Arts.

April 5-7: Moab Rocks
A three day mountain biking race covering 76 miles and over 7,800 feet of elevation across classic Moab trails. A race, festival, family-friendly vacation, and adventure all rolled into one weekend!

April 12: Amasa Trail Race
Explore the Amasa Back trail system on foot during the Amasa Trail Race at three distances: 10K, 15K, and 25K.

April 12-20: Easter Jeep Safari
The Red Rock 4 Wheelers most popular event returns on April 12: the Easter Jeep Safari. Attendees are invited to join trail rides departing from Moab each day to explore the vast array of trails that the area has to offer with a community of likeminded souls!

April 23-27: Cruise Moab
A Toyota Land Cruiser Association sanctioned event that has occurred every year since 1999. Attendees will explore off-road trails around Moab together during guided trail runs.

April 25-27: Moab Rotary/April Action Car Show
Gather with fellow car enthusiasts to explore the best cars the Moab region has to offer. There are typically 13 award classes for cars, including best muscle car, best truck, best hot rod, and best import; attendees can expect to see modified and stock cars and motorcycles dating back to 1900.

April 26: Thelma and Louise

A women’s running event with races at four distances: 15K, half-marathon, marathon, and 50K – because every girls’ weekend should include an exciting challenge!

May

May 1-4: Moab Grenadier 4×4 Gathering
Bring your Grenadier Station Wagon to Moab to explore the epic 4×4 trails this area has to offer – and meet a community of off-roaders to adventure with.

May 2: Arts&Ag Market
Peruse locally-grown produce and artisanal goods with live music at this evening market.

May 3-4: Moab Fondo Fest
Prepare for a remarkable cycling experience during one of Utah’s premiere Gran Fondo-style events. The course will take riders on a journey through challenging terrain and captivating scenery.

May 8-11: Raptors on the Rocks
Explore the off-road trails in the Moab area in your Ford Raptor and enjoy the camaraderie of others who are equally passionate for this off-road vehicle! Four days of world-class off-roading, giveaways, and an opportunity to learn from guides.

May 17: C10 Red Rock Retreat
A charity event for the City of Moab and the Grand County Search and Rescue Team! Peruse classic GM trucks under the red rock cliffs and peruse items from a large silent auction.

May 17-18: Barrels 4 Bucks
See the best barrel racers in the region compete during the Barrels 4 Bucks event in Moab!

May 24-25: Moab Arts Festival
Peruse a broad selection of original art – textiles, fine art, glasswork, jewelry, metal and wood – created by local and regional artists! There is also a kids corner with activities for children, live performances, live music, and a beer and wine garden. The arts festival is free to attend!

May 30 – June 1: Canyonlands PRCA Rodeo
The Canyonlands PRCA Rodeo is part of the All American ProRodeo Series and is a member of the PRCA Pro Rodeo Cowboy Association. Classic rodeo events include steer wrestling, saddle bronc riding, team roping, calf roping, barrel racing, bull riding, and bareback riding.

June

June 6: Arts&Ag Market
Peruse locally-grown produce and artisanal goods with live music at this evening market.

June 7-8: Crystal Festival
A rock, gem, and mineral festival with a vendor market and rockhounding trips!

June 11-14: RedRok Rally
A rally for UTV enthusiasts! Attend guided trail rides (including Hells Revenge and Fins N’ Things), peruse vendor markets, and enjoy live music with likeminded community.

July

July 3-5: Grand County Fair
Fair activities include eating contests, relay games, exhibits, sporting tournaments and derbies, and a car show! Admission is free.

People sitting on the lawn of Swanny City Park

The Moab Free Concert series takes place every summer.

August

August 1: ArtWalk
Explore art exhibits all over town during ArtWalk! Featured locations this year include the Grand County Library, Moab Museum, Gallery Moab, Moonflower Co-op, and Moab Arts.

August 27-September 12: Moab Music Festival
Enjoy performances of chamber music, jazz, and Latin music within the beautiful red rock landscapes near Moab. That’s right: this is a music festival performed in wilderness and historic venues unlike any other! Concerts range from family-friendly music in local parks to accessible-by-jet-boat-only grottos carved from rocks where musicians play odes to timeless masterpieces.

September

September 5: Arts&Ag Market
Peruse locally-grown produce and artisanal goods with live music at this evening market.

September 18-21: Moab Festival of Science
A fantastic variety of free events showcasing the wonders and value of science, with a special focus on Colorado Plateau science! Events include activities with the National Park Service; astronomy, archaeology, and geology tours; and keynote speakers.

September 20-22: Skinny Tire Fall Festival
A brand new event showcasing Moab’s full geographical beauty to road cyclists from across the country! Ride to the Bull Canyon Overlook, through the River Portal, and up to Dead Horse Point State Park.

September 25-28: Red Rock Arts Festival
Three days of art celebrating a theme announced in spring 2025! Programming will feature collaborative projects, art experiences, music performances, a community art show, and an artisan vendor market: the perfect way to get a taste for Moab’s exuberant arts community.

September 27-28: Barrels 4 Bucks
See the best barrel racers in the region compete during the Barrels 4 Bucks event in Moab!

October

October 3: Arts&Ag Market
Peruse locally-grown produce and artisanal goods with live music at this evening market.

October 3-5: Outerbike
A mountain bike festival that is not to be missed! Experience the red rock beauty and world-class mountain biking trails in the desert sunshine before winter sets in. Shuttles, catered lunches, vendor market, and bike demos are included in registration.

October 4: Arches Marathon and Half
Runners can explore the Behind the Rocks Wilderness Study Area and the remote Picture Frame Arch over four distances: 15K, half marathon, marathon, and 50K.

October 10-15: Moab 240
Runners will complete 240 miles in one loop around Moab and the surrounding areas with a 117 hour cutoff.

October 23-25: Moab Jeep Jamboree
Attendees will spend the weekend exploring offroad trails around Moab with a guide, then enjoy dinner together.

October 25: Canyonlands Ultra
Runners will immerse themselves in the nearby landscapes through six offered course lengths: 100K, 50 mile, 50K, marathon, half marathon, and 15K.

October 25-26: Barrels 4 Bucks
See the best barrel racers in the region compete during the Barrels 4 Bucks event in Moab!

November

November 2-7: Moab Folk Camp
A week of music classes for musicians of every skill level! Classes last year included a singing workshop, guitar theory, beginning dobro g-tuning, songwriting 101, basic jazz, and beginning mandoline with a variety of instructors. Attendees will complete four classes per day and evening activities.

November 7: ArtWalk
Explore art exhibits all over town during ArtWalk! Featured locations this year include the Grand County Library, Moab Museum, Gallery Moab, Moonflower Co-op, and Moab Arts.

November 7-9: Moab Folk Festival
Over 10 bands and musicians play at the annual Moab Folk Festival, a celebration of folk music in downtown Moab. Each festival includes two days of outdoor concerts, but also free community concerts, student assemblies, music workshops, and artist residency programming.

November 8-9: Moab Trail Marathon
An unforgettable run through the Kane Creek Canyon area at four distances: marathon, half marathon, 10K adventure run, and kid’s K. In 2024, this race was the host of the USATF trail half marathon national championships and collegiate trail running championships.

November 15: Dead Horse Ultra

Runners will explore the Magnificent 7 singletrack trail system over four distances: 15K, 30K, 50K, and 50 mile.

December

December 6: Holiday Light Parade
Kick off the holiday season with the electric light parade on Main Street, a chance to see local floats decorated with hundreds of holiday lights.

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A graphic showing all of these calendar events

During your winter stay in Moab, lodging prices drop by 20% to 40% and many restaurants run winter specials!

Seasonal Discounts
One of the best-kept secrets of visiting Moab in winter is the substantial discounts on lodging. Many hotels, motels, resorts, and vacation rentals offer enticing price reductions during this season. Take advantage of the quieter streets and the serene beauty of winter while enjoying substantial savings on accommodation costs.

Current Deals in lodging, dining, and experiences

Lodging: Moab Springs Ranch

Third night free! To redeem the 3rd night free, use code 3FOR2 – or call if you’re booking more than 3 nights. Offer is valid for reservation dates starting December 1st, 2024 and ending by February 13th, 2025.

Lodging: Wolfes Hotel

Book more than 7 days in advance and receive 15% off

Lodging: Utah Escapes

Take an extra 15% off with the code WINTER-MOAB, valid Dec. 1, 2024 through Feb. 28, 2025

Experience: Moab Giants

20% off all online tickets with code HOLIDAY20

Dining: Dewey’s Restaurant and Bar

Pint specials at $4.25 and $9 burgers on Thursdays

Dining: Pasta Jay’s

Daily Specials – Monday spaghetti night ($10); Tuesday pizza all day (large pizza with two toppings, $12); Wednesday lasagna night (half order, $12, full order, $16); Thursday baked meatball or sausage sandwich ($10); Friday chicken parmigiana night ($12); Saturday coach mac ($10); Sunday chicken and mushroom cannelloni ($13)

Dining: Gloria’s

Daily Specials – Monday $12 burger and soft drink; Tuesday $12 steak or chicken tacos; Wednesday 15% off any menu item; Thursday smoothie 16oz $5, 24oz $7; Friday $11 any wrap

Dining: The Spoke on Center

$7 winter menu: chips & salsa, half grilled cheese and cup of soup, two street tacos, cheese quesadilla, breakfast sandwich or burrito, mini loaded fries, or half mac and cheese

Dining: Trailhead Eatery

New specials announced on Facebook

Dining: The Broken Oar

Daily Specials – Monday buy one get one half off; Tuesday $10 burgers, Wednesday $8 1 pound wings, Thursday $10 sandwiches

Dining: Josie Wyatt’s Grille

Daily Specials – Monday signature prime rib ($30) and house wine ($8); Tuesday mushroom and swiss burger ($16) and Squatters juicy IPA ($5); Wednesday 10 oz sirloin ($28) and old fashioned ($9); Thursday half price wings ($12 for a dozen) and local beers ($5); Friday fish and chips ($15) and Josie’s margarita ($7); Saturday baby back ribs ($12) and mimosas and bloody marys ($8); Sunday chicken fajita quesadilla ($12) and mimosas and bloody marys ($8)

Planning Your Escape
To make the most of your budget-friendly winter escape to Moab, plan ahead. Research accommodations offering seasonal discounts, explore bundled packages, and take advantage of any special promotions. Additionally, consider mid-week stays for additional savings and a more tranquil experience in this popular destination.

Click Here to Book Lodging for your Moab Winter Escape!