The Independent

05/29/2026

As fire danger continues to rise across the region, the Bureau of Land Management has implemented seasonal fire restrictions across public lands in Southwest Utah and Northwest Arizona.
The restrictions are designed to reduce the risk of human-caused wildfires during the hottest and driest months of the year, when vegetation becomes especially vulnerable and outdoor recreation activity increases across public lands.
Under the restrictions, campfires and open flames are typically limited to designated developed recreation sites or approved campgrounds, while activities such as fireworks, exploding targets, and certain welding or grinding operations are prohibited on BLM-managed lands. Visitors are also urged to properly extinguish smoking materials and avoid parking vehicles on dry vegetation.

BLM fire restrictions are now in effect across Southwest Utah and Northwest Arizona to reduce wildfire risk during the dry summer season. Visitors are urged to follow campfire rules, avoid sparks, and check current conditions before recreating on public lands.

05/29/2026

Southern Utah Events Guide – May 28, 2026. This week’s Southern Utah Events Guide features The Last Light Boat Show, Heritage Rodeo, Because You're Mine, comedy shows, theater productions, art, markets, local live music, and more.

If you would like to add an upcoming event, you can add one here, or if you need to cancel or edit a previously submitted event, you can do so here. We would like to ask those who have had an ongoing event or one that had to be postponed, is no longer happening, or has had changes, to update those changes on the calendar.

The Independent is known as St. George and southern Utah’s events source. It produces the events calendar for southern Utah as the definitive calendar for the surrounding area. No need to wonder what is happening in southern Utah anymore; just check out our events calendar for St. George and southern Utah daily.
&FoodFrenzy ’sdinner

This week’s Southern Utah Events Guide features The Last Light Boat Show, Heritage Rodeo, Because You're Mine, comedy, theater, art, markets, live music, and more.

05/25/2026

Visitors heading to Zion National Park over Memorial Day weekend should prepare for heavy traffic, full parking lots, shuttle lines, and warm temperatures as the park enters one of its busiest times of year.
With nearly 5 million visits recorded in 2025, Zion National Park officials say advance planning will be essential for anyone visiting during the holiday weekend. Last year alone, more than 95,000 people visited the park over Memorial Day weekend, exceeding the annual visitation totals of 165 National Park Service sites nationwide.
For 2026, the National Park Service anticipates long lines at entrance stations, trailheads, visitor centers, and restrooms, along with temporary intermittent closures at the park’s east and south entrances due to congestion.
Heavy traffic is also expected throughout Springdale and Zion Canyon.

Nature Center Opens for Summer Season
Families visiting over the holiday weekend will also see the seasonal reopening of the Zion Nature Center on May 22.

Snippet: Zion National Park expects heavy Memorial Day weekend crowds with long shuttle lines, parking shortages, traffic delays, and new fire restrictions as the busy 2026 summer season begins.

05/19/2026

Artists and art lovers alike are invited to experience the landscape and creative energy of Southern Utah at the Escalante Canyons Art Festival, returning September 18–27, 2026.

Whether returning to familiar terrain or visiting for the first time, participants are encouraged to explore the ever-changing landscape and interpret it through their own artistic lens. The invitation is simple: capture the essence of the land, and let its beauty capture you.

The festival includes a range of opportunities for artists at every level. Plein air painting begins with a stamp-in running September 18–21, followed by submissions on September 23. Awards include a Best of Show purchase award of $1,500, a $500 merit award, and two $200 honorable mentions.

Studio artists may also submit work on September 23, with awards of $1,000 for first place, $500 for second, and $250 for third.
–Escalante

Join the Escalante Canyons Art Festival September 18–27, 2026, featuring plein air painting, workshops, competitions, and over $10,000 in awards.

05/17/2026

Raven’s Heart Gallery in Kanab is welcoming summer with a vibrant, hands-on celebration of art on Saturday, June 13, from 1–4 PM. The Summer Show, featuring live art-making demonstrations, takes place at 57 W. Center St. This interactive event is free and open to the public, offering a chance to experience art not just on the gallery walls, but in the making by the gallery’s artists.

The afternoon centers on live demonstrations, transforming the gallery into a working studio. Gail Alger will present an acrylic animal painting demo, while Angela Woods showcases her whimsical animal subjects in oil. Rebekka Anderson brings the complexity of color reduction linocut printmaking to life, guiding visitors through the multi-step process, and Ken Ragsdale demonstrates his detailed “basket illusion” technique, hand-painting intricate patterns onto a hand-turned wooden vessel using a fine brush and magnification.

Additional artists expand the experience across mediums.
’sHeartGallery

Experience live art demonstrations and local artists at Raven’s Heart Gallery Summer Show in Kanab, Utah, June 13, 2026. Free and open to the public.

05/17/2026

As temperatures rise across Utah, black bears are emerging from hibernation, and the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources is reminding residents and visitors how to prevent conflicts and stay safe while recreating outdoors.

Black bears are the only species of bear in Utah and can be found throughout much of the state, particularly in mountainous areas, foothills, and canyons. During the spring, plants and insects make up the majority of their diet, but bears will seek out human food if it’s easily accessible—often leading to conflicts in campsites and neighborhoods.

“Even though they’re incredibly strong and surprisingly fast, black bears will typically do everything they can to avoid people,” said DWR Game Mammals Coordinator Chad Wilson. “When a bear finds food, though, that can all change.”

Drought conditions may also play a role this year, potentially reducing natural food sources and increasing the likelihood that bears will search for food in developed areas.

Learn how to stay safe around black bears in Utah with tips from the DWR on preventing conflicts while camping or at home.

05/17/2026

Trail: Canyon Overlook Trail
Location: Zion National Park
Difficulty: Easy, with a few exposed sections and drop-offs
Average Hiking Time: 30 minutes to 1 hour round-trip at a leisurely pace
Elevation: 3,900 feet at the trailhead, with approximately 160 feet of elevation gain
Family Friendly: Yes, with supervision due to cliffs and narrow sections
Dog Friendly: No

Getting There: From St. George, drive east on State Route 9 through Hurricane and into Zion National Park. Continue along the Zion-Mt. Carmel Highway and pass through the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel. The trailhead is immediately east of the tunnel. Driving time is approximately 45–60 minutes from St. George. Parking is limited.

Perched just above the iconic Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel, the Canyon Overlook Trail continues to be one of Southern Utah’s most rewarding short hikes.

Discover why Canyon Overlook Trail continues to be one of Zion National Park’s most rewarding short hikes. This one-mile round-trip trail delivers stunning canyon views, sandstone cliffs, and a scenic overlook just minutes from the Zion-Mount Carmel Tunnel.

05/17/2026

This summer, The Stage Door invites audiences to experience a powerful story of resilience and kindness with its upcoming production of the hit musical Come From Away. Running from June 18 through July 11 at the historic Electric Theater, the production marks a meaningful moment for the Southern Utah arts community.

Based on the true events of September 11, 2001, Come From Away tells the story of Gander, Newfoundland, a small town that became an unexpected global refuge when 38 planes were diverted to its airstrip. In an instant, the town’s population nearly doubled as thousands of stranded travelers from around the world arrived.

Undaunted by language barriers or cultural differences, the people of Gander opened their homes and hearts, welcoming the “come-from-aways” with music, hospitality, and a spirit of unity. The story highlights acts of generosity and connection that emerged during a time of uncertainty and fear.

Experience Come From Away at The Stage Door in St. George, Utah, a powerful musical running June 18 to July 11, 2026.

05/14/2026

Southern Utah’s live music lineup gets a high-energy boost this May as the Sand Hollow Resort Rock Bowl hosts back-to-back tribute concerts celebrating some of the most iconic sounds in music history.

Serpentine Fire: A Tribute to Earth, Wind & Fire
Friday, May 15
Serpentine Fire brings an electrifying tribute to the legendary music of Earth, Wind & Fire to the stunning outdoor setting of the Sand Hollow Resort Rock Bowl. Fronted by bandleader Tyriq Johnson, whose falsetto consistently brings audiences to their feet, the group delivers powerhouse performances with charisma, precision, and undeniable stage presence.
From classics like “September,” “After the Love Has Gone,” “Let’s Groove,” and “Boogie Wonderland,” Serpentine Fire breathes new life into the band’s iconic catalog while staying true to the signature sound fans know and love. Set against Southern Utah’s red rock backdrop, the performance blends nostalgia with a fresh, high-energy experience.