moab music festival
The award-winning Moab Music Festival is noted for its distinctive programming, superb performances, and intimate concert experiences of chamber music, traditional, jazz, Latin, and music of living composers.
The concerts are held in a variety of indoor and outdoor venues around Moab, with the festival’s signature events, the Grotto Concerts, taking place in a pristine wilderness grotto 30 miles down the Colorado River, reached by jet boat. This is an incredible experience with the beautiful music bouncing off the canyon walls!
This year, the festival is held Aug. 31-Sept. 15, 2020. Check out their website for details. moabmusicfest.org.
The Moab Free Concert Series
The Moab Free Concert Series presents a family-friendly music performance held each Friday in July (3rd, 10th, 17th, 24th, and 31st) in Swanny City Park, 4:30-7:30pm.
The music genres are varied and can include Americana, world, soul, and folk/country. Bring a picnic and dance!
For more details, visit moabfreeconcerts.com.
Moab Folk Festival
The 18th Annual Moab Folk Festival will be Nov. 6-8, 2020. Twelve performers on three stages will feature Americana, roots, bluegrass, world, folk, and much more. The festival features intimate indoor venues and ballpark shows with food trucks, beer and wine tent, and arts vendors. For tickets, lineups, and more visit moabfolkfestival.com.
An Evening on the Water
A popular nighttime activity since 1963 is cruising down the Colorado River on the world-renowned Sound and Light Show tour with Canyonlands By Night & Day. Enjoy a cowboy-style Dutch oven dinner and then a slow moving evening boat ride on a calm part of the Colorado River.
Lights, shadows, music, and narration make the stories of the canyon’s formation, creation, and history come to life on the walls above the river. The tour reveals a totally different side of canyonland beauty. 435-259-5261, canyonlandsbynight.com.
Dine with Live Music
Atomic Grill & Lounge offers live music in their lounge or on their patio from 6:30 to 9:30pm every Thursday-Sunday from March through October. Enjoy a meal or a cocktail while listening to a variety of music from local and regional artists. 1393 N. US Hwy 191, 435-259-5201, atomicmoab.com.
The Blu Pig & Blu Bar offers live music every night. The entertainment is diverse, ranging from known acts to community performers and open mic night if you want to share your inner Elvis. Munch on tasty delectables while you’re enjoying the music. The restaurant opens at 11:30am, bar opens daily at 4pm, music starts at 7pm. 811 S. Main Street, 435-259-3333, blupigbbq.com.
the stars at night
Some of the best entertainment in the entire southeastern part of Utah is the show at night with a dark and clear sky. Due to the drier desert air and the higher elevation, you will see more stars here just by looking up. This area has some of the best viewing opportunities in the U.S. No special equipment needed.
Most people living east of the Mississippi River and sadly, one third of the human population, cannot see the Milky Way due to light pollution. Children growing up today have never seen most constellations.
Natural Bridges National Monument, Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, Dead Horse Point State Park, Capitol Reef National Park, and Hovenweep National Monument are designated as Gold-Tier International Dark-Sky Parks. Take advantage of their night-sky programs and go stargazing.
FULL MOONS
When the full moon is out, it can be bright enough to feel like daytime. The moon comes out in all its glory lighting up the night sky. Make sure to enjoy the full moon on the desert landscape.