Festivals and Events

Moab Arts Festival. Every Memorial Day weekend, artists from across the West gather at Moab's Swanny City Park to show their wares, including pottery, photography, and paintings. This fun, free festival is small enough to be manageable and sells a variety of affordable artworks and crafts. Expect lots of food, plus activities for the kids. Most days have live music and local theater on two stages. 400 N. 100 W, Moab, Utah, 84532. 435/259–2742; www.moabartsfestival.org.

Moab Art Walk. Moab galleries and shops celebrate the perfect weather of spring and fall with a series of exhibits. Art Walks are held the second Saturday of the month from April through June and September through November. Stroll the streets (5–8 pm) to see and purchase original works by Moab and regional artists. Moab, Utah, 84532. 435/259–6272.

Canyonlands PRCA Rodeo. Cowboys come to the Old Spanish Trail Arena (just south of Moab) for three days in late May or early June to try their luck on thrashing bulls and broncs at this annual Western tradition. 3641 S. U.S. 191, Moab, Utah, 84532. www.moabcanyonlandsrodeo.com.

Moab Folk Festival. Some of America's top folk artists converge in Moab each November to perform on indoor and outdoor stages. Past artists have included Richard Thompson, Shawn Colvin, Bruce Cockburn, Loudon Wainwright III, and Ferron. Moab, Utah, 84532. 435/259–3198; www.moabfolkfestival.com.

Moab Music Festival. Moab's red rocks resonate with world-class music—classical, jazz, and traditional—during this annual festival held at indoor and outdoor venues including the city park, local auditoriums, private homes, and a natural stone grotto along the Colorado River. Musicians from all over the globe perform, and it's one of the West's top music showcases. The festival starts the Thursday before Labor Day and runs about two weeks. Moab, Utah, 84532. 435/259–7003; www.moabmusicfest.org.