Festivals at Deer Valley Ski Resort
There’s a certain kind of magic that happens in the mountains, especially when live music and good food are involved. At Deer Valley Resort in Park City, Utah, the scenery alone is worth the trip, but if you time your visit with one of the resort’s seasonal festivals, you’ll find even more reasons to come back year after year. Each year’s calendar includes a lineup of orchestral performances, film premieres, and DJ-backed après ski parties. Deer Valley’s proximity to Park City’s concert venues, art galleries, and fine dining scene makes for a multi-faceted cultural experience.
Summer Events at Deer Valley
Deer Valley Music Festival
Every July and August, the Utah Symphony brings its talents to the slopes of Deer Valley for an annual festival that showcases world-class music in the Wasatch Mountains. This concert series takes place over several weeks at the Snow Park Outdoor Amphitheater below the lifts of Deer Valley, where visitors spread out on blankets and low-slung chairs, or at St. Mary’s Church in nearby Park City. On any given weekend, you might hear the Utah Symphony perform the celebrated works of composers like Beethoven or Rachmaninoff, or a performance accompanied by Broadway stars or tribute bands.
Deer Valley Mountain Beer Festival
In early fall, ride the chairlift through the mountains up to the Silver Lake area for the Deer Valley Mountain Beer Festival. Craft beer lovers enjoy a weekend of tasting flights, live music, and alpine views. It’s low-key and scenic, with plenty of space and time to relax as guests try craft brews from across Utah. Tickets typically include a tasting mug and entry to sample dozens of regional brews. For a more elevated experience, consider adding the Brewmaster Dinner, a five-course meal crafted by Deer Valley chefs and expertly paired with featured beers that kicks off the weekend.
Live Music at Silver Lake
Beyond the big-name festivals, Deer Valley’s smaller weekend concert series at Silver Lake Lawn is a more mellow, come-as-you-are option for summer afternoons. Held Friday through Sunday in the warmer months, these shows feature local artists, food trucks, and plenty of open-air seating at the mid-mountain venue. It’s a favorite for families (kids ride the chairlift free!), day hikers, and anyone looking to end their day with some fresh air and music.
Winter Events at Deer Valley
Sundance Film Festival
Though it’s not technically a Deer Valley event, it would be impossible to talk about the area’s cultural calendar without mentioning the Sundance Film Festival. Every January, Park City transforms into a buzzing hub of filmmakers, celebrities, critics, and curious filmgoers as it hosts the largest independent film festival in the United States. Venues are scattered throughout Park City and Salt Lake City, including theaters just minutes from Deer Valley Resort, making it easy to combine a day on the slopes with a screening or panel discussion. Park City is especially busy at this time, so a stay at one of Deer Valley’s accommodations is a way to stay close to the action of the festival, without being immersed in it. Restaurants book out weeks in advance, and many resorts offer special Sundance lodging packages that include shuttle access to town.
Slopeside Sets at Chute Eleven
In February and March, après-ski takes on a new energy at Deer Valley’s Slopeside Sets. Hosted at the Chute Eleven yurt near Silver Lake Lodge, this pop-up experience is an example of modern ski culture’s social aspect. DJs spin from the decks while guests sip curated cocktails, dig into seafood towers, and lounge after a day of skiing. Tables can be reserved for groups, with options like bottle service, cheese boards, and high-end bar snacks.
Where to Stay
Whether you're coming for a long weekend of music and outdoor adventure or visiting for a major cultural event, your vacation rental property plays a key role in the experience. Deer Valley lodging has a mix of resort-based and more private accommodations to meet guest needs.
Near Silver Lake Lawn, several rustic-chic condominium options allow groups of guests to be close to mid-mountain events, while having a private retreat at the end of the day.
Or treat yourself to a weekend getaway for two at the Stein Eriksen Lodge or the Chateaux Deer Valley where knowledgeable staff can assist with planning and transportation to concerts, dinners, or festivals.
Katherine Lawless is a Minneapolis-based freelance travel and lifestyle writer. See her work on BBC Travel, Afar, the Minnesota Star Tribune, and Toronto Star, and more.