Published August 27, 2026
Summer is winding down, and as the school year begins, it’s time to get the gears turning for an amazing year of learning! Fall in Utah is one of the best times of year, with pumpkin patches, colorful mountains, rich history, and plenty of exciting events to explore.
The best part? These activities can all connect to STEM learning, encouraging young minds to identify patterns, discover new opportunities, and see how STEM concepts are used in everyday life.
Here’s a list of fun fall events and activities in Utah that you won’t want to miss, plus ways to turn each adventure into a STEM learning experience!
1. Take a Class at the Innovation Hub
The Innovation Hub is your go-to place for project exploration! Our vibrant 2,000-square-foot space focuses on project-based, career-focused, and hands-on learning. We’re equipped with cutting-edge tools, including 3D printers, laser systems, sewing machines, Cricuts, saws, and more!
Every month, the makerspace hosts classes to help you learn how to use the equipment, along with seasonal specials to get you into the autumn spirit. Check out our upcoming classes and events on Eventbrite!
2. See an Exhibit at the Planetarium
Clark Planetarium is an out-of-this-world experience featuring three floors of free exhibits. The planetarium’s 55-foot-diameter dome theater features striking, themed laser shows, while its 70-by-50-foot IMAX screen showcases movies exploring the wonders of nature and science.
It’s an exciting opportunity to learn about STEM beyond the classroom! For more information and to keep up on fall events, visit the planetarium’s website.
3. Go to the Pumpkin Patch
Utah in the fall isn’t complete without a good pumpkin patch! Luckily, there are incredible festivals and farms across the state offering activities, mazes, pumpkin picking, and more. No matter where you go, STEM principles can be part of the fun.
When picking pumpkins, try measuring their width, height, and circumference using both customary and metric measurements. Compare their mass using a scale, make predictions about which pumpkins will be the heaviest, and test your hypotheses!
Here are some pumpkin patches and festivals you might check out:
- Kuwahara’s Pumpkin Patch & Thriller Park
- Cross E Ranch
- Wheeler Farm
- Towley’s Red Barn
- Black Island Farms
- Cornbelly’s Corn Maze and Pumpkin Festival
- Jacker’s Jack-O-Lanterns
- Gordo’s Fun Farm
- Glen Ray’s Corn Maze and Pumpkin Patch
- Hee Haw Farms
- Staheli Family Farm
4. Swiss Days
From September 4–5, the annual Swiss Days celebration kicks off in Midway! This highly anticipated event is a beloved tradition where Midway transforms into a vibrant celebration of Swiss heritage, community, and craftsmanship.
Stroll through the bustling outdoor market featuring talented artisans, learn about the craftsmanship and science behind their handmade goods, and discover unique gifts. Swiss Days also features live music, delicious food, and plenty of traditional activities for the whole family to enjoy throughout the weekend.
Learn more about Swiss Days on the Midway City website!
5. Kokanee Salmon Run
Every fall, landlocked kokanee salmon turn a vibrant shade of red from their usual silver-blue color as they migrate from deep reservoirs into tributary streams. This fascinating event occurs over several weeks in mid-September and offers an incredible opportunity to observe nature up close.
One popular location is Causey Reservoir, where kokanee make their way up tributaries connected to the South Fork of the Ogden River. Other locations where you may spot Utah’s famous red spawning salmon include:
- Strawberry Reservoir
- Sheep Creek
- Fish Lake
- Jordanelle Reservoir
- Porcupine Reservoir
- Electric Lake
- Stateline Reservoir
This is a great sight and a valuable learning opportunity for the whole family! During the spawning period, the salmon seek clean, oxygen-rich streams where they can reproduce. They devote nearly all their remaining energy to spawning before completing their life cycle.
Use this experience to explore ecosystems, animal life cycles, migration patterns, water quality, and environmental science!
6. Alta Star Party
On September 10, enjoy an unforgettable evening under the stars at the 2026 Alta Star Party! This special night will feature stargazing, dinner, drinks, live music, and more.
Guests will have the opportunity to view different celestial objects through telescopes specially focused on the night sky. Astronomers will also be on hand to highlight unique perspectives and share fascinating insights about the views.
Get ready for a magical night under the stars at Snowpine Lodge!
For more information and registration, visit: 2026 Alta Star Party Registration.
7. Murray River Fest
Celebrate the Jordan River this September at the Murray River Fest! Bring your chairs, blankets, and favorite games for an afternoon filled with live music, yard games, ice cream, and fun for the whole community.
On September 12, visit Winchester Park for an opportunity to participate in community art projects and explore educational booths from the aquarium and Jordan Valley Water Conservancy Districts. Kids can also join in on a fun scavenger hunt!
Come learn more about the ecosystem that brings us together and helps make our community and its surroundings so amazing.
For more information, visit the Murray City Cultural Arts Facebook event page.
8. Bewitching Scavenger Hunt and Witchfest at Gardener Village
Transport yourself to Halloweentown at Gardner Village’s WitchFest! Running from September 18–October 31, the village transforms into a witch-filled wonderland featuring displays and events such as Witches Night Out, breakfast with a witch, magic shows, art workshops, photo ops, and more.
Families can also take part in a scavenger hunt focused on witch-spotting as they explore the village. Something as simple as searching for hidden objects can help foster critical-thinking and problem-solving skills.
To see all the WitchFest events this year, visit the Gardner Village WitchFest website.
9. Heber Valley Railroad: Pumpkin Train & Halloween Express
Get ready for an adventure with amazing views, delicious snacks, and live entertainment! The Heber Valley Railroad hosts a variety of themed train rides throughout the season.
This fall, costumes take over the train with themes featuring princesses and pirates, witches, the Halloween Express, and the Pumpkin Train!
Along the way, learn about the history of the railroad in Heber Valley during the 1800s and discover how the trains work while enjoying beautiful views of the Wasatch Back and Deer Creek Reservoir.
10. Thanksgiving Point Scarecrow Festival and STEM Saturdays
Throughout the week of October 12–17, Ashton Gardens will showcase vibrant autumn colors along with dozens of scarecrows created by the community. Visitors can enjoy displays, local vendors, and family activities from Thursday through Saturday. The event will wrap up with a Scarecrow Costume 5K!
On September 5 and October 10, Thanksgiving Point will also host Super STEM Saturdays at the Museum of Natural Curiosity. This event emphasizes hands-on learning through science, technology, engineering, and math, featuring themed activities such as rocket launches, coding challenges, and farm-tech experiments.
It’s an incredible opportunity for kids to explore STEM concepts through fun, interactive experiences!
11. Planes & Popcorn at the Hill Aerospace Museum
Get ready for takeoff and movie night! This October, the Hill Aerospace Museum is hosting Planes & Popcorn, featuring the aviation action-packed favorite Top Gun: Maverick.
On October 11, grab your family, friends, blankets, and comfiest movie-night gear and settle in for a movie surrounded by legendary aircraft! Before the film, explore the museum, check out incredible planes, and learn more about the history of aviation. It’s the perfect combination of planes, popcorn, and a movie night you won’t forget!
12. Riverton Halloween Bash and Rodeo
The City of Riverton is hosting a special Halloween night on October 12, filled with interactive activities, games, candy, and a Scare Rodeo! This family-friendly event encourages everyone to dress up and participate in a fun photo station.
It’s a great opportunity to enjoy the holiday while exploring creativity, design, and problem-solving through games and activities.
For more information, visit the Riverton Halloween Bash website.
13. Garden after Dark at Red Butte Garden
Botanical gardens offer hands-on exploration, observation, and identification, making them a great place to discover nature, conservation, and environmental science.
From October 15–30, embark on a spooky adventure in Neverland! This year, Red Butte Garden is creating a portal to Neverland, where you can explore Peter Pan–themed botanical displays featuring immersive scenes, interactive storytelling, glowing displays, and more.
For more information, visit the Red Butte Garden event page.
14. The Ginormous Pumpkin Regatta and Fall Farmers Market
Ever been to a boat race? Now’s your chance! On October 17, giant pumpkin boats will take to Oquirrh Lake for a fun and unique regatta. The event also features cardboard boats, porta-potty races, and more, making it a full family festival with a petting zoo, food trucks, and a farmers market.
Whether you’re participating in the regatta or cheering from the shore, this is a great opportunity to explore engineering and STEM concepts. Kids can experiment with building cardboard boats, learn about buoyancy and stability, and discover how different designs affect how well a boat floats.
Visit the Daybreak Regatta website to register or learn more about the festival!
15. Cedar City Sheep Parade
This October 24, stay off the road because the sheep are coming! The Sheep Parade is the highlight event of the Cedar Livestock & Heritage Festival. Nearly 1,000 sheep will be herded from Cedar Mountain pastures to Cedar City’s Main Street, along with horses, wagons, stock dogs, and more!
The parade will feature many other displays showcasing the history of the livestock industry and educating attendees about the herding process. For more information, visit the Sheep Parade website here!
16. Giant Pumpkinpalooza and Zombie Walk
The 4th annual Giant Pumpkinpalooza is coming to The Gateway this fall! Cheer on some of the area’s top pumpkin and vegetable growers as they compete for the coveted orange jacket.
As you admire these massive pumpkins, take the opportunity to learn more about agriculture and the plant life cycle. Giant pumpkins begin with carefully selected seeds and require nutrient-rich compost, plenty of water, and careful vine pruning to reach their enormous size.
The community will also come together for a creative zombie costume walk through The Gateway, along with pie-eating contests, soda-chugging contests, dance-offs, pumpkin bowling, and more!
Keep an eye out for event dates and details at The Gateway.
17. Little Haunts at This is the Place
Get your costumes on and trick-or-treat around the village! At This Is the Place Heritage Park, guests can enjoy parades, storytelling, and trick-or-treating at historic pioneer homes throughout the village.
Families can also learn about and interact with animals such as snakes and lizards. Other activities include wagon rides, tours, gold panning, and more!
With so many hands-on experiences, Little Haunts is a fun way to explore Utah history, wildlife, geology, and STEM concepts while enjoying the Halloween season.
18. Utah State Park Events
Utah is home to environmentally diverse ecosystems, breathtaking landscapes, and a whole lot of history. Utah’s state parks offer a variety of events and activities where the community can have fun, explore the outdoors, and learn more about the natural world around us.
Recurring events take place throughout the state, including hikes, bike rides, stargazing events, festivals, nature walks, storytimes, sketching classes, and family-friendly gatherings.
With so many opportunities to explore, there’s always something new to discover at a Utah state park! To see upcoming events at state parks in your area, visit the Utah State Parks Events Calendar.
19. Films in Concert Series
Rewatching your favorite movies is fun, but experiencing them with a live orchestra is something you won’t want to miss! The Utah Symphony at Abravanel Hall will show blockbuster movies on the big screen while the orchestra performs the film’s music live.
The 2026–27 season will feature favorites like Hocus Pocus and Ghostbusters, combining movies, music, and learning in a unique experience.
Music can also help bring math, physics, and engineering to life through rhythms, sound waves, and the design of instruments.
For more information, visit the Films in Concert Series page.
20. Utah Tech University Liftoff Aerospace Day
Blast off into an out-of-this-world adventure!
On October 26, as part of Tech Week, the Utah Tech University America First Performing Arts Center will host Liftoff Aerospace Day. Families can explore hands-on, space-themed STEM activities, learn about the exciting world of space exploration, and even hear from an astronaut!
Discover what it takes to work in the space industry and hear about an astronaut’s truly out-of-this-world life experiences
21. Brain Night at the Atwood Innovation Plaza
Ready to get your brain in the game? On November 5, Utah Tech University is hosting Brain Night, where curiosity takes center stage!
Students and families can explore brainwaves, try hands-on brain activities, and discover the amazing science behind how our brains work. With real experiments, observations, and plenty of opportunities to get involved, this is one night that will have you thinking in a whole new way!
22. St. George Tech Ridge Code Camp
From November 13–14, Southern Utah Code Camp will bring programming, design, entrepreneurship, and a little friendly competition together!
Teams will compete to build the best web or mobile app while tackling creative challenges along the way. Don’t worry if you’re not a coding expert; teams are organized by experience level, with different categories, prizes, and challenges for every skill level.
Ready to start coding? Learn more at Southern Utah Code Camp Website!
