Fall Events in Southern Utah: Things to Do This Fall

If it feels like Southern Utah suddenly got very busy, you’re not imagining it.

September and October are packed around here. School is back in session, the weather is finally starting to cool down, and it seems like every weekend brings another festival, parade, race, or community event.

We’ve been reminded of that pretty constantly lately. One weekend we’re at Dixie Days, the next we’re heading up to Cedar City for SUU Homecoming, and before you know it, the St. George Marathon is here and Halloween is right around the corner.

There are a lot of fall events in Southern Utah this time of year, so we thought we’d put together a few worth checking out over the next several weeks.

Some are longtime local traditions. Some are great for families. Some are worth making a Saturday morning out of. And a few are events we’ve gotten to be part of ourselves.

Here are a few things to put on your fall calendar.

Santa Clara Swiss Days

September 24–26

If you live in Southern Utah, you’ve probably heard of Swiss Days. If you haven’t been yet, this might be the year to check it out.

Swiss Days takes place in Santa Clara, just outside St. George, and it’s a tradition our family has enjoyed for more than 25 years.

There’s a little bit of everything packed into the weekend. You can find vendors, entertainment, a 5K, a car show, the Swiss Days Parade, and activities that celebrate Santa Clara’s history and pioneer roots. This year’s schedule even includes a mooing contest and a yodeling contest, along with an America 250 flag display.

In other words, you probably won’t run out of things to see.

And if you’re driving around Santa Clara right now, you may have already noticed another sign that Swiss Days is almost here: the cows are out. Keep an eye out for the Swiss Days cows popping up around town as the community gets ready for the weekend.

Swiss Days runs September 24–26, so grab the family, wander through the booths, watch the parade, check out the car show, and see what you discover.

SUU Homecoming

September 21–26

If you’re heading up to Cedar City this weekend, SUU Homecoming is another local tradition worth checking out. Southern Utah University fills the week with events for students, alumni, and the community, leading up to Saturday’s Homecoming Parade at 10 a.m. along University Boulevard.

This is our first year being part of the parade, so we’re looking forward to seeing it from a different perspective. If you’ve never been, Saturday morning is a good excuse to head to campus, grab some breakfast, watch the parade, and take in a little Thunderbird spirit.

There’s plenty more happening throughout the week, too, including the grand opening of SUU’s new Eccles Music Center and the Homecoming football game Saturday evening.

Corn-A-Palooza at Staheli Family Farm

September 26 | 6 p.m.

If you’re looking for something fun to do with the family this fall, Staheli Family Farm is officially open for the season. There’s plenty to do there for kids and adults alike, and it’s one of those places where you can easily turn an ordinary evening into a night of fun.

On September 26, Corn-A-Palooza adds a little friendly competition to the mix with a cornhole tournament. Grab some friends, head out to the farm, and see who can come out on top.

St. George Marathon

October 3

One of the biggest events on the Southern Utah calendar is almost here: the St. George Marathon is celebrating its 50th year.

There are plenty of ways to be part of the weekend, whether you’re running, cheering someone on, or bringing the kids out for one of the other events. I’ll be out there Friday night running the 5K with the rest of my family before my sister and sister-in-law take on the marathon Saturday morning. They’re doing the “Desert Double,” which means completing two races over the course of the weekend.

We usually have our yard games set up near the expo and fun run area, so if you’re there, come find us and play a game or two.

We also want to give a special shoutout to the incredible volunteers who help make this event happen. An event this big takes a lot of people working together behind the scenes and along the course. Injury Smart Law sponsors the volunteer shirts each year because we know that it takes many hands to make this event possible.

The St. George Marathon has become such a recognizable part of life in Southern Utah, and its 50th year is a pretty special milestone to celebrate.

Scarecrow Walk & Haunted Canyon

October 7–31

If you’re looking for a fall activity that doesn’t cost anything, put the Scarecrow Walk on your list. This free, family-friendly event at the Washington County Water Conservancy District is fun for kids and adults alike, and it’s a great way to get outside and enjoy a little bit of fall.

The walk takes you through a collection of scarecrows created by members of the community, and you never quite know what you’ll find around the next corner. It’s fun to see the creativity that goes into each one and to see what kinds of ideas people come up with from year to year.

There’s even a spooky section called the Haunted Canyon for those who dare to enter. Don’t worry if spooky isn’t your thing, though—the rest of the walk is just fun, and the Haunted Canyon is clearly marked so you can decide whether it’s for you.

The entire walk is handicap- and stroller-friendly, making this an easy fall outing for the whole family. Best of all, it’s free, so you can go enjoy the scarecrows without having to plan your budget around it.

Witches Light Parade at Staheli Family Farm

October 26 | 6 p.m.

If your family is ready to start getting into the Halloween spirit, the Witches Light Parade at Staheli Family Farm is a fun one to put on the calendar.

The Staheli witches invite families to dress up and join them for a glowing walk through the farm. Gather near the Pavilion at 5:45 p.m., and the parade gets underway at 6 p.m. The first 100 kids to arrive will even get a foam glow torch to help light the way.

It’s a fun way to kick off Halloween week, especially if your kids like costumes and a little bit of spooky without needing a full haunted-attraction experience.

Halloween Trunk-or-Treats

If your kids are already counting down to Halloween, Southern Utah and Mesquite have some big community celebrations worth checking out.

Washington Trunk or Treat

October 26 | 6–8 p.m.

The Washington, Utah Trunk or Treat has grown into a huge Halloween night for local families. The Washington Recreation Center blocks off an entire section of the parking lot, giving kids plenty of room to wander from trunk to trunk collecting candy.

Local businesses and community groups go all out decorating their trunks, so it’s more than just walking around getting candy. There are always creative displays, fun themes, and plenty to see along the way.

With thousands of kids participating, it’s become one of those community events that really feels like Halloween in Southern Utah.

Mesquite Trunk or Treat

October 31 | 5:30–7:30 p.m.

If you’re in Mesquite, Nevada, don’t miss the city’s Trunk or Treat on Halloween night. This has become such a popular event that it actually outgrew its original location in a parking garage and was moved to a field to make room for everyone.

Local businesses and community groups bring decorated trunks and create all kinds of fun stops for kids to visit. With thousands of children taking part, it’s a pretty impressive community effort—and a great way to spend Halloween night if you’re looking for something beyond going door to door.

This year’s event will be held at the Mesquite Recreation Center West Field, from 5:30–7:30 p.m.