Three festivals forging community bonds in Summit County this summer

Kimball Arts Festival 2025. Photo: Claire Wiley

SUMIT COUNTY, Utah — There are few experiences that can rival the power of arts and culture festivals to generate a sense of belonging, forge deep connections and remind us why community matters.

Art, film, music, movement and mutual intention create something special: vehicles through which we can all experience shared joy and common ground.

“Throughout history, there has never been a strong community that did not have a pillar of arts and culture embedded into its fabric,” says Allison DeBona of Ballet West, who will be launching a new festival in Park City this year. “It is integral to provide opportunities to escape everyday life and immerse yourself in a world that is not your own.”

Read on to see how Summit County is transforming trails, galleries, libraries, ski resorts and fairgrounds into community hubs this summer.

Ballet West Summit Festival: where art meets elevation (July 15-17)

This is the genesis year for the festival, which will feature three distinct programs designed to unite residents and visitors through world-class dance and collaborative programming.

The lineup includes a farm-to-table dinner experience with Ballerina Farm and Ballet West, film screenings with Park City Film, and a ballet performance at the Amphitheater at Canyons Village at Park City Mountain. Each day will bring a fresh approach to elevating regional arts access.

“Park City is incredibly diverse and proud of what it has to offer the world. The Ballet West Summit Festival was designed with that in mind, creating a multidisciplinary festival where classical ballet is a purveyor of beauty through movement, culinary excellence and film,” DeBona said.

More information about the Ballet West Summit Festival can be found here.

Kimball Arts Festival (Aug. 5-7)

This high-altitude summer arts festival is ranked as one of the best in the United States, drawing visitors with its multisensory approach to art. The festival features a wide range of work spanning painting, sculpture, glasswork and digital art, among other media.

The event is known for its Historic Main Street backdrop, turning downtown Park City into an open-air gallery that brings locals and visitors together through a shared appreciation of fine art, live music and interactive culture.

The festival also includes culinary zones, kids zones, hands-on experiences and a locals night reserved for Summit County residents. Learn more about the Kimball Arts Festival here.

Song Summit (Aug. 27-29)

What makes Song Summit in Park City a unique experience is that it functions as a purpose-driven wellness and educational summit rather than a traditional music festival. It is intentionally designed to redefine the live music experience by emphasizing human connection, mental health and vulnerable storytelling over massive crowds and spectacle. Musicians taking the stage include Jim James, Sierra Hull and Patrick Hallahan.

Song Summit’s wellness activities and musical performances will be staged at Library Field this year. The event will also include gatherings that intertwine music and culinary arts, featuring chefs such as Damaris Phillips and Gregory Gourdet. Check out the Song Summit events here.

For those who live for artsy summer weekends, here are a few more events for the entire family:

Summit Arts Market (July 11)

The Summit Arts Market is an annual event hosted by the Arts Council of Park City & Summit County at the Red Barn in Oakley. Each year the event grows to accommodate more makers and artists displaying their work both inside and outside.

The day includes live music, art demonstrations, nonprofit partner activations and food options.

Art on the Trails (Aug. 22)

This beloved summertime event gives Summit County residents and visitors an accessible way to take in Park City’s natural beauty alongside high-caliber performances and works of art.

Art on the Trails features pop-up creative performances along McLeod Creek Trail, between Copper Moose Farm Stand and Temple Har Shalom in Park City.

CREATE PC | Local Artist Collective
1500 Kearns Blvd, Space F110
(Open Wed.-Sun. all summer long)

The CREATE PC summer gallery features art and creative goods from local artists.

CREATE PC offers Summit County locals and visitors the chance to browse and shop for one-of-a-kind artwork, ranging from pottery to painted works. Inside the gallery, visitors can support local artists, shop handmade gifts and experience the diversity of Summit County’s arts scene.

For a guide to all arts and culture events in Summit County, go to pcscarts.org.