Summary: For one unforgettable weekend every August, Historic Main Street becomes an open-air gallery, and the Kimball Arts Festival is the reason. Running August 7 through 9, 2026, the 57th annual festival brings nearly 200 jury-selected artists across 13 mediums together with live music, food trucks, and art-making stations. But this weekend is bigger than the booths. It’s a chance to pair one of America’s top-ranked art festivals with lift-served mountain biking, alpine hikes, Deer Valley concerts featuring Chicago the Musical and Idina Menzel, and Sunday morning at Park Silly Sunday Market. Here’s how to build your perfect August weekend, and why Park City RV Resort is the smartest basecamp for it all.
Why the Kimball Arts Festival Belongs on Your Summer Calendar
The Park City Kimball Arts Festival has earned its place among the top-ranked art festivals in the country, and its 57th year promises to be one of the best yet. Presented annually by the Kimball Art Center, the event transforms Historic Main Street into a walking gallery filled with nearly 200 booths spanning 13 mediums, from oil painting and ceramics to jewelry, glass, wood, and fiber arts. Every artist is jury-selected, meaning the quality bar stays remarkably high year after year.
Beyond the visual art, the festival is a full sensory weekend. Multiple stages host live music curated in partnership with Mountain Town Music, food trucks and Main Street restaurants keep everyone fueled, and the Creation Station offers hands-on art-making for all ages. Proceeds support Kimball Art Center’s year-round exhibitions and community education, so every ticket, every painting purchased, and every craft beer sipped feeds the local creative economy. It’s a rare festival where art collectors, families with kids, and casual weekenders all leave equally happy.
Weekend At a Glance: August 7 to 9, 2026
Friday, August 7 kicks off with the festival opening from 5 to 9 p.m., historically featuring Locals’ Night energy that makes the first evening one of the most beloved. Saturday, August 8 and Sunday, August 9 run 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., giving you two full days to browse, shop, meet artists, and catch performances. Weekender passes and single-day tickets are available at kimballartsfestival.org, with early-bird pricing typically running through July.
Because this weekend overlaps with the Deer Valley Music Festival and the Deer Valley Concert Series, some of the biggest names of the summer are performing just minutes from Main Street. Friday, August 7 brings Chicago the Musical in Concert with the Utah Symphony. Saturday, August 8 features Idina Menzel at the Snow Park Outdoor Amphitheater. That means you can spend the day at the festival and finish the night under alpine stars with a full orchestra and blockbuster vocals. Booking Park City RV Resort early is essential because this weekend fills up fast across all lodging.
Friday: Kimball Kickoff and a Broadway Night at Deer Valley
Roll into the resort Friday morning, get set up on your full-hookup site, and use the afternoon for a warm-up ride or hike close to home. Rob’s Trail behind the property or the Glenwild Loop network are perfect low-commitment options that get you moving without eating your entire day. Grab a shower back at the resort, then head to Main Street for the 5 p.m. festival opening.
Spend the golden hour walking Main Street from top to bottom, chatting with artists as they set up displays. Duck into your first food truck of the weekend, or grab a table at The Spur Bar & Grill for wings and live music, or No Name Saloon for a classic buffalo burger. Both are festival-goer favorites and steps from the action.
By 7 p.m., make your way to Deer Valley for Chicago the Musical in Concert with the Utah Symphony at the Snow Park Outdoor Amphitheater. Pack a low-back chair and a picnic, or splurge on a Gourmet Picnic Basket from Deer Valley. Watching the sky turn peach behind the mountains while “All That Jazz” plays live is the kind of evening you plan a whole trip around.
Saturday: All-In on Art, Then Idina Menzel Under the Stars
Saturday is the big day. Get up with the light, brew coffee at your rig, and head to Main Street by 10 a.m. when the festival opens. Start at the top of Main Street and work your way down, meeting artists, taking notes on favorites, and picking up your Festival Guide at the Kimball Art Center info booth at Heber Avenue and Main Street.
Break for lunch at Handle or Red Banjo Pizza, one of Park City’s oldest and most beloved family-friendly spots. If you have kids, Annex Burger is another Main Street favorite that keeps everyone happy. The Creation Station is a great mid-afternoon reset for the family, offering interactive art projects for kids and adults alike.
Head back to the resort for a rest, refresh, and quick dinner. Then it’s back to Deer Valley for Idina Menzel at the Snow Park Amphitheater. From “Wicked” to “Frozen,” her voice against a Wasatch backdrop is the definition of a bucket-list summer night. Gates typically open a few hours before showtime so you can settle in with a picnic and drinks.
Sunday: Sunday Market Morning and a Slow Ride Home
Sunday morning belongs to the Park Silly Sunday Market, which turns Main Street into a full-blown open-air party every Sunday from June through September. More than 200 vendors, live music, farmers, and food trucks line the street, and the market runs from mid-morning through the afternoon. It’s the perfect Sunday follow-up to the Kimball Arts Festival, letting you circle back to any artist booths you missed the day before.
Grab breakfast from a market vendor or duck around the corner to Atticus Coffee & Teahouse for a proper pour. Local favorites like High West Distillery & Saloon open their patios to weekend crowds, making it easy to bounce between the market and a cocktail lunch. Stock up on Utah peaches, honey, and handmade goods for the road, then close the weekend with a final festival lap on Main Street before booths close at 6 p.m.
If you’d rather ride than shop, Sunday morning is the perfect time to spin an easy loop through Round Valley, one of the most beginner-friendly and beloved mountain bike networks in the West. It’s free, family-friendly, and pedals directly from town.
Add a Ride Day: Lift-Served Downhill at Park City Mountain and Deer Valley
If you extend your stay by a day or two, don’t leave without riding the lifts. Both Park City Mountain Resort and Deer Valley Resort run their chairlifts as bike shuttles throughout the summer. That means the mountain does the climbing while you enjoy the descents.
Park City Mountain’s bike park offers progression-friendly flow, jump lines, and technical trails for every level. Deer Valley is famous for iconic bermy flow trails like Tidal Wave and Holy Roller. Both resorts rent full-suspension bikes and full-face helmets, and both offer lessons for first-time downhillers. For guided rides or shuttle-supported adventures, White Pine Touring in town is a local classic. It’s the kind of afternoon that leaves you dust-covered, grinning, and ready to sleep like a rock at your campsite.
Hikes to Layer Into Your Weekend
If the pace of festival and concerts calls for balance, work in a hike or two. Behind Park City RV Resort, Rob’s Trail winds through aspens and wildflowers for a quiet morning outing. The Glenwild Loop offers a longer, view-packed option that connects into a larger trail network.
For a bucket-list day, drive up to Big Cottonwood Canyon and hike the Brighton Lakes Trail to Lake Mary, Lake Martha, and Lake Catherine. August wildflowers are peaking, and afternoon storms tend to build fast, so start early. On the way home, stop at Silver Fork Lodge for a legendary breakfast or lunch, one of the oldest restaurants in the canyon.
Why Park City RV Resort Is the Perfect Basecamp
Between the Kimball Arts Festival, Deer Valley concerts, Park Silly Sunday Market, and every trail in between, your basecamp should make everything easier. Park City RV Resort delivers exactly that. Full-hookup sites accommodate every rig size, and the setting is quiet enough to sleep well after a long day out. You’ll find current site information on the RV Sites page and can lock in dates through the short-term booking portal.
The resort sits close enough to Main Street for easy access and quick returns, but far enough to enjoy the mountain quiet you came to Park City for. Amenities include on-site laundry, a clubhouse, spacious sites, and pet-friendly accommodations. Get a feel for the setting on the gallery, or reach the team through the contact page with any questions. This weekend books faster than any other in August. If you’re planning to come, don’t wait.
Key Takeaways
- The 57th Park City Kimball Arts Festival runs August 7 to 9, 2026, on Historic Main Street with nearly 200 jury-selected artists across 13 mediums.
- Same weekend: Chicago the Musical in Concert (Aug 7) and Idina Menzel (Aug 8) headline at Deer Valley’s Snow Park Outdoor Amphitheater.
- Sunday morning wraps with the beloved Park Silly Sunday Market, running every Sunday June through late September.
- Add-on options include lift-served downhill riding at Park City Mountain and Deer Valley, plus hikes on Rob’s Trail, Glenwild, and Brighton Lakes.
- Park City RV Resort offers full-hookup sites minutes from every festival and event, and August weekends fill up quickly.
FAQ
How much are Kimball Arts Festival tickets, and where do I buy them?
Ticket types include single-day, Weekender, and VIP passes, all available at kimballartsfestival.org. Early-bird pricing typically runs through July, so booking early saves money. Summit County locals get in free on Locals’ Night.
How do I get from Park City RV Resort to Main Street during the festival?
Main Street is a short drive from the resort. Parking downtown is limited during festival weekend, so most guests use Park City’s free transit system or rideshare. It’s an easy round trip that keeps you free to enjoy the day.
Do I need reservations for the Deer Valley concerts?
Yes. Reserved seating and lawn tickets for Deer Valley Music Festival shows like Chicago the Musical and Idina Menzel are available at deervalleymusicfestival.org and sell out quickly for headliner nights.
Are pets welcome at Park City RV Resort?
Yes, the resort is pet-friendly. Reach out through the contact page for specific policies and pet-friendly trail recommendations near the property.
How far in advance should I book my August stay?
As early as possible. The Kimball Arts Festival weekend is one of the busiest lodging weekends of Park City’s summer. See availability now before dates fill.
Ready for a Park City weekend you’ll remember? See availability at Park City RV Resort and lock in your August getaway today.