Cedar City
Around Cedar City
Photo: Ken Lund · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Town and around · Utah · 65k people
Cedar City
“Festival City”
Red rocks and rising curtains
SUU Red
Welcome to Cedar City, the gateway to Utah's red rock country. Whether you're here for the Shakespeare Festival or the mountain air, you'll find a friendly community and endless outdoor adventures.
Clubs for Cedar City
No clubs for Cedar City yet.
The room
One room for everyone around Cedar City. It never closes; when it's busy it splits into tables. Once you're in, you stay until you leave.
Ask the neighbours
AllA good plumber, the best tacos, a lost cat: nobody has asked yet. Be the first.
Coming up
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Marketplace
Things for sale, free and wanted, and rooms for rent, from people around Cedar City. Sign in to sell something.
Things to do
- Frontier Homestead State Park Museum Pioneer history with pioneer-era buildings and artifacts
- Cedar Breaks National Monument Natural amphitheater of red rock hoodoos and wildflower meadows
- Southern Utah University Campus with historic buildings and the Shakespeare Festival theaters
- Zion National Park Gateway to towering red cliffs and narrow canyons
- Bryce Canyon National Park Famous for its unique hoodoo rock formations
- Brian Head Ski Resort Southern Utah's highest ski area with great powder
- Outdoors Hike the Kolob Terrace in Zion
- Outdoors Ski or snowboard at Brian Head
- With kids Visit Frontier Homestead State Park Museum
- With kids Attend a Southern Utah Thunderbirds game
- Evenings See a nighttime performance at the Shakespeare Festival
- Evenings Stargaze at Cedar Breaks
- Locals love Red rock hiking trails
- Locals love Ski slopes
Through the year
- Utah Shakespeare Festival June–October World-renowned theater performances in the summer and fall
- Utah Summer Games June Multi-sport event for athletes of all ages
- Cedar City Arts Festival September Local artists, live music, and food vendors
- Brian Head Summer Music Festival July–August Outdoor concerts at the ski resort
- Panguitch Valley Balloon Rally June Hot air balloon launches and festivities in Panguitch
High desert climate with four distinct seasons: hot summers, cold winters, and mild spring/fall. Best time to be out is spring and fall. Best: Spring and fall are ideal for outdoor activities with mild temperatures.
Talk like a local
- “The Fest”
- The Utah Shakespeare Festival
- “The Mountain”
- Brian Head Ski Resort
- “Up north”
- Salt Lake City
- “The Canyon”
- Any of the nearby canyons
Getaways
- St. George Red rock trails, golf, and warmer winter weather
- Las Vegas Entertainment, dining, and nightlife
- Price Dinosaur fossils and scenic drives
Local flavour
Teams
- Southern Utah Thunderbirds NCAA Division I
Eat and drink
- Fry sauce A Utah staple, often served with fries.
- Funeral potatoes A creamy, cheesy potato casserole common at gatherings.
- Pastrami burger A Utah classic, a burger topped with pastrami and sauce.
- Utah scones Fried dough, often served with honey butter.
Where people go
- Red rock canyons and mesas The area is a gateway to stunning geological formations.
- Utah Shakespeare Festival A renowned theater festival with outdoor performances.
- Historic main streets Charming small-town downtowns with local shops and eateries.
- National park gateways Close to Bryce Canyon, Zion, and other iconic parks.
Heritage and traditions
Cedar City is proud of its pioneer heritage, its vibrant arts scene anchored by the Utah Shakespeare Festival, and its role as a welcoming gateway to southern Utah's red rock country.
This time of year in Cedar City
- Fall colors in the canyons Fall Aspen and maple leaves turn gold and red in September and October.
Say it like a local: “Sluff” — To skip class or work.
Festivals
- Pioneer Day July 24 Statewide celebration of Mormon pioneer arrival, with parades and fireworks.
- Iron County Fair August Agricultural fair with livestock shows, rodeo, and carnival rides.
- Parowan Old West Days June Reenactments and pioneer crafts in the historic town of Parowan.
- Panguitch Quilt Walk Festival September Quilt exhibits and demonstrations honoring the 19th-century quilt walk.
- Brian Head Summer Music Festival Summer Outdoor concerts at the mountain resort (already listed in base, but included for completeness).
- Cedar City Christmas Parade December Holiday parade with lights and community groups.
Landmarks with a story
- Cedar City Utah Temple A prominent LDS temple, a spiritual landmark for the community.
- Old Iron Town Ruins of a 19th-century iron smelting operation, a reminder of the area's industrial past.
- Parowan Historic District Well-preserved pioneer homes and buildings from the 1850s.
- Panguitch Historic District Brick buildings from the late 1800s, reflecting the town's pioneer heritage.
- Beaver County Courthouse A 19th-century courthouse in Beaver, now a museum.
- Milford Railroad Depot Historic train station from the early 20th century, a nod to the railroad era.
Food traditions
- Dutch oven cooking Pioneer tradition of slow-cooking stews, roasts, and breads in cast iron pots, often at family gatherings and community events.
- Huckleberry treats Wild huckleberries are foraged in the mountains and used in pies, jams, and ice cream.
- Trout dinners Fresh-caught trout from nearby streams like the Sevier River, often pan-fried at camp.
- Scones with honey butter Utah scones (fried dough) are a local favorite, often served with honey butter.
- Green Jell-O A Utah staple, often served at potlucks and family dinners.
Music and arts
- SUU performing arts The university's music and theatre programs are a cultural hub, feeding the Shakespeare Festival.
- Community theater Local groups like the Cedar City Arts Council stage productions throughout the year.
- Quilting and folk art Pioneer-era crafts still practiced, showcased at festivals and museums.
- LDS hymn tradition Choral music and hymns are deeply woven into community life.
A little history
- 1851 Iron Mission established
- 1897 Southern Utah University founded as Branch Agricultural College
- 1961 Utah Shakespeare Festival founded
- 1920s Railroad arrived, boosting trade and tourism
Rivalries
- SUU vs. Utah Tech Football and basketball rivalry with the Trailblazers
- SUU vs. Weber State Big Sky Conference matchups
- Game day SUU Thunderbirds football tailgating
- Game day Friday night high school football
- Outdoors ATV riding on the trails
- Outdoors Horseback riding
- With kids Visit the Cedar City Public Library
- With kids Go to the movies at the local theater
Locals speak with a mild Utah accent, often softening 't' sounds (like 'mountain' becomes 'moun'in') and using phrases like 'oh my heck' and 'pop' for soda. The influence of the LDS community is seen in polite expressions and a tendency to avoid strong oaths.
Only here
- Old Iron Town ruins – the remains of a failed iron smelting venture that gave the area its name.
- The Utah Shakespeare Festival – one of the largest and most respected Shakespeare festivals in the US.
- Brian Head – the highest incorporated town in Utah, at 9,800 feet.
- The 'Festival City' nickname, earned from the many arts and sports events.
New here? A few tips
- Stay hydrated – the altitude (around 5,800 ft) and dry climate can dehydrate you quickly.
- Learn to pronounce 'Parowan' as 'puh-ROW-an' – locals will appreciate it.
- Get a season pass to the Utah Shakespeare Festival – it's the town's crown jewel.
- Use Cedar City as a base to explore Zion, Bryce, and Cedar Breaks – all within a short drive.
- Be ready for big temperature swings – hot days and cool nights, even in summer.
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Nearby
Every areaCedar City, UT. Areas from the US Census Bureau and Statistics Canada; places from GeoNames. Local flavour was written with a model and may have mistakes. Team names identify teams; no endorsement.