The Mountain West is filled with the best live music venues in the country, and Utah is not short on outdoor venues and amphitheaters that routinely provide mind-blowing musical journeys to their visitors. While music genre preferences vary widely, here’s something I hope we can all agree on: seeing music outdoors, in the summertime, with an ice-cold whatever in hand, rocks. Pun intended.
While Colorado’s Red Rocks and Oregon’s Gorge Amphitheater often dominate the conversation in the field of which-music-venues-are-the-coolest-ology (it’s a small field), Utah has some incredible options for world-class live music under the wide open Western skies. In fact, I’d make the argument that our state is every bit as competitive as our neighbors in the region.
I’ve been touring the Beehive State and Mountain West for many years in search of elevated experiences in music, hitting the road near and far and doing the important research so you don’t have to (you should, though!) I’m here to provide some insight on why Utah is your can’t-miss summer music destination and share my favorite outdoor spaces for organized noise-making with you! What are my criteria? Vibes (!!!) of course. And that’s it! Now get in… we’re hitting the road in search of dangerously danceable places.
Red Butte Amphitheater, Salt Lake City
🔗 Website
📸 Instagram: @redbuttegarden
📘 Facebook: facebook.com/redbutte
Starting the list with a good one: THE Red Butte Amphitheatre, located on the East Bench of Salt Lake Valley near the University of Utah. It’s a stunningly beautiful space with an adjoining set of beautiful gardens (hence the name). If you can arrive early for a stroll through the roses, please do so. This place has a true grassroots feel – set right at the base of the foothills, I can recall many late afternoons of hiking nearby and catching the sweet sounds of shows at Red Butte before I finally went to Shakey Graves in 2024. It’s a special place. Featuring ample bike parking, a BYOB policy (you read that right, bring your own cooler, chairs, blankets and all!) and a reliably incredible lawn seating atmosphere, make your summer trip to Utah complete with a stop at the RBG Amp!
Utah First Credit Union Amphitheater, West Valley
🔗 Website
📸 Instagram: @utahfirstamp
📘 Facebook: facebook.com/utahfirstamp
The big one! Every city needs what we have in the West Valley: a large outdoor venue with a capacity crowd of 25,000, including 7,000 fixed seats and room for 18,000 more between the lawn and pit. It’s big, and it draws big-time names accordingly. I’ve taken in Third Eye Blind and Matchbox Twenty shows there, and I wish I could travel back in time to experience Dead and Company’s 2017 tour stop in Utah. The stage is roughly west-facing, meaning concertgoers have the incredible opportunity to see the alpenglow in all of its glory as the show unfolds in the foreground. If you’re really lucky, you'll see a moonrise in the eastern sky.
Sandy Amphitheater, Sandy
🔗 Website
📸 Instagram: @sandyamphitheater
📘 Facebook: facebook.com/sandyamphitheater
Behold! A beautiful stage towards the base of the Cottonwood Canyons without a bad seat in the house. What’s not to love about this place? An intimate setting at 2,700 with a bigtime stage, the quality of sound and views is unmatched. I strolled in for Mt. Joy’s performance in 2022 and was blown away by the setting, their set (which included a Fire on the Mountain cover) and the entire experience. Link up a show at the Sandy Amphitheater with a day of hiking or biking in the Cottonwoods. The venue is less than five miles from the LCC Park and Ride. What more could you ask for?
Cherry Peak, Richmond
🔗 Website
📸 Instagram: @cherrypeakresort
📘 Facebook: facebook.com/cherrypeakresort
A cool two hour drive north from Salt Lake airport along the northern Wasatch, Cherry Peak’s concert series at this lovable local resort takes the title of “hidden gem” on this list. There are many places in the modern world that claim “hidden gem” status, but let me assure you, Cherry Peak is one, and it shouldn’t be missed. Nestled in Cherry Canyon of the Bear River range, take in a concert on the summer slopes of Cherry Peak, a family-owned and operated resort with a family-friendly, festival-like atmosphere. They’ve had their fair share of big names since they got started, and the setting alone is worth the trip.
Granary Live, Salt Lake City
🔗 Website
📸 Instagram: @granarylive
📘 Facebook: facebook.com/granarylive
Tucked into the Granary District of Salt Lake City proper, there’s a lot to love about this centrally located stage. First, the turf feels great on your feet! That goes a long way in my book. I love the festival-grounds atmosphere of this place, and the way it's situated between buildings captures the sound of the music wonderfully. I saw a band from my very own little hometown of Duxbury, Massachusetts, play here in 2023, and it was a delight to see a band I had grown up listening to in my new home of Salt Lake City. The environment is just right, and there is so much to explore in the Granary neighborhood of SLC before or after the show, from great restaurants to breweries!
Ogden Amphitheater, Ogden
🔗 Website (Ogden Twilight Series)
📸 Instagram: @ogdentwilight
📘 Facebook: facebook.com/ogdentwilight
Ogden residents know: the Twilight Concert Series is legit, and so is the Ogden Amp. Welcoming a wide variety of acts to the stage and blending local flavor with national touring artists, this venue delivers serious bang for your buck in one of Utah’s most underrated cultural hubs. The setting is unique — nestled right downtown and surrounded by historic buildings and Wasatch views — and the crowd always brings the energy. Whether you’re posted up on the grass with friends or dancing up front near the stage, it’s got a warm, communal vibe that’s hard to beat. Bonus: the venue is walking distance from the city’s 25th Street, home to excellent food, drinks, and late-night hangs. Pro tip: if coming from the south, ride the FrontRunner train up from Salt Lake and make a day of it!
Snow Park Outdoor Amphitheater, Park City (Deer Valley)
🔗 Website (Deer Valley Music Festival)
📸 Instagram: @deervalleyresort
📘 Facebook: facebook.com/deervalleyresort
For mountain elegance and elevated acoustics, the Snow Park Outdoor Amphitheater at Deer Valley Resort offers one of the most scenic and refined outdoor concert experiences you’ll find anywhere in the West. This is where music meets luxury: think picnics on manicured grass, gourmet food baskets, and velvety mountain air. The Deer Valley Music Festival, featuring the Utah Symphony and a mix of pop and classical guests, is a highlight of the summer season. It’s ideal for those looking to unwind with an unforgettable evening of music surrounded by alpine splendor. And yes, it’s very Park City in the best possible way.
Sundance Mountain Resort – Sundance
🔗 Website (Sounds of Summer)
📸 Instagram: No official venue account for concerts — main: @sundanceresort
📘 Facebook: facebook.com/SundanceResort
Some venues feel like they were made for quiet magic, and Sundance Mountain Resort is one of them. Tucked under the shadow of Mount Timpanogos, this resort’s outdoor stage offers a serene, soul-feeding concert experience. The “Sounds of Summer” series feels more like a community gathering than a commercial concert, with picnic blankets, string lights, and a backdrop so perfect it almost looks fake. The crowd is mellow, the scenery is off the charts, and the whole thing feels like a summer evening should. Come early, hike Stewart Falls, grab a glass of wine and sink into the good sounds.
Snowbasin Resort – Huntsville
🔗 Website (Blues, Brews & BBQ Concert Series)
📸 Instagram: @snowbasinresort
📘 Facebook: facebook.com/snowbasin
Nestled in a lush alpine basin above Ogden, Snowbasin Resort brings big mountain energy to its outdoor concert series, and the views are worth the winding drive alone. From funk bands to bluegrass collectives, the range of performances keeps things fresh each week. Tickets are just $10! Locals post up on the lawn with camp chairs and coolers, and it quickly turns into a dance-friendly gathering that feels like your favorite neighborhood block party, just one that happens to be at 6,400 feet. The sunsets here are unbeatable, and catching live music with a true mountain breeze? That’s what we call a summit-level vibe.
In Summary...
So, what’s the verdict? Utah holds its own in the world of outdoor music venues and then some. Whether you’re vibing with 20,000 people under the stars or soaking in orchestral strings with a cheese plate at your side, this state delivers unforgettable summer concert moments. From hidden canyons to bustling city blocks, the venues here reflect the diversity, energy, and sheer beauty of the Beehive State.
So crack a cold one, grab your ticket, and remember: the only thing better than music is music with a view.
