Salt Lake City

blue

Get smarter, faster on what matters in Salt Lake City with Kim Bojórquez and Erin Alberty.

Axios Salt Lake City

Standard

Get smarter, faster on the most consequential news unfolding in Salt Lake City

Axios Salt Lake City Thought Bubble

Thought Bubble

Axios Salt Lake City Partners

Salt Lake City Alerts

Alert

Salt Lake City Members

Membership

Salt Lake rebrands as "America's Mountain City"

The new branding campaign comes as Salt Lake City prepares to host the 2034 Winter Olympics.

News

Visit Salt Lake is rebranding the Salt Lake area as &quot;America&#x27;s Mountain City&quot; in the lead-up to the 2034 Winter Olympics.Why it matters: The <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="new campaign" data-vars-click-url="https://brand.welcometomountaincity.com/" data-vars-content-id="d3a5a4e4-1ee8-495d-a300-d39064166859" data-vars-headline="Salt Lake rebrands as &quot;America&#x27;s Mountain City&quot;" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://brand.welcometomountaincity.com/" target="_blank">new campaign</a> is designed to establish Salt Lake as a top destination — where urban meets mountains — as it prepares to welcome a global audience for its second Winter Games.

To seek execution in Charlie Kirk's murder, prosecutors turn to a seldom-used provision in Utah law

Here are the factors that have led to Utah death sentences in the past 50 years.

To get the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="death penalty" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2024/08/08/utah-executes-first-death-row-inmate-taberon-honie" data-vars-content-id="a9115c5e-0890-4d12-9d5e-74d2e1c55d22" data-vars-headline="To seek execution in Charlie Kirk&#x27;s murder, prosecutors turn to a seldom-used provision in Utah law" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2024/08/08/utah-executes-first-death-row-inmate-taberon-honie" target="_self">death penalty</a> in Utah, a defendant has to commit &quot;aggravated murder&quot; — that is, a murder that&#x27;s particularly heinous, committed alongside other crimes, or involves other factors that <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="state law" data-vars-click-url="https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title76/Chapter5/76-5-S202.html?v=C76-5-S202_2025050720250507" data-vars-content-id="a9115c5e-0890-4d12-9d5e-74d2e1c55d22" data-vars-headline="To seek execution in Charlie Kirk&#x27;s murder, prosecutors turn to a seldom-used provision in Utah law" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://le.utah.gov/xcode/Title76/Chapter5/76-5-S202.html?v=C76-5-S202_2025050720250507" target="_blank">state law</a> deems exceptional.Why it matters: At a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="preliminary hearing this week" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/07/06/preliminary-hearing-evidence-charlie-kirk-case-tyler-robinson" data-vars-content-id="a9115c5e-0890-4d12-9d5e-74d2e1c55d22" data-vars-headline="To seek execution in Charlie Kirk&#x27;s murder, prosecutors turn to a seldom-used provision in Utah law" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/07/06/preliminary-hearing-evidence-charlie-kirk-case-tyler-robinson" target="_self">preliminary hearing this week</a>, a judge is deciding whether Tyler Robinson can be charged with aggravated murder, which would make him <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="eligible for the death penalty" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/16/charlie-kirk-suspect-facing-death-penalty" data-vars-content-id="a9115c5e-0890-4d12-9d5e-74d2e1c55d22" data-vars-headline="To seek execution in Charlie Kirk&#x27;s murder, prosecutors turn to a seldom-used provision in Utah law" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/16/charlie-kirk-suspect-facing-death-penalty" target="_self">eligible for the death penalty</a> if he&#x27;s convicted in the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk " data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/09/11/charlie-kirk-shot-utah-valley-university-turning-point" data-vars-content-id="a9115c5e-0890-4d12-9d5e-74d2e1c55d22" data-vars-headline="To seek execution in Charlie Kirk&#x27;s murder, prosecutors turn to a seldom-used provision in Utah law" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/09/11/charlie-kirk-shot-utah-valley-university-turning-point" target="_self">fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk </a>at UVU in September.

Buc-ee's watch, Utah edition

Where we've been and where we're going, vis à vis the most anticipated gas station opening in Utah memory.

When marking your calendar for major events on Utah&#x27;s horizon, your mind might drift toward the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="2034 Olympics" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2024/07/24/salt-lake-city-2034-winter-olympics-host-utah" data-vars-content-id="a6db37cd-6afa-4148-ab28-90e52c4ae29a" data-vars-headline="Buc-ee&#x27;s watch, Utah edition" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2024/07/24/salt-lake-city-2034-winter-olympics-host-utah" target="_self">2034 Olympics</a> or next year&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Salt Lake Temple open house" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/04/13/temple-square-visitors-center-lds-mormon-sneak-peek" data-vars-content-id="a6db37cd-6afa-4148-ab28-90e52c4ae29a" data-vars-headline="Buc-ee&#x27;s watch, Utah edition" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/04/13/temple-square-visitors-center-lds-mormon-sneak-peek" target="_self">Salt Lake Temple open house</a>.<ul><li>We are no longer convinced either of those is the real biggie, now that we&#x27;ve read our colleagues&#x27; recent reports about <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Buc-ee&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/03/17/queen-city-quarter-epicentre-uptown-development" data-vars-content-id="a6db37cd-6afa-4148-ab28-90e52c4ae29a" data-vars-headline="Buc-ee&#x27;s watch, Utah edition" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/charlotte/2026/03/17/queen-city-quarter-epicentre-uptown-development" target="_self">Buc-ee&#x27;s</a> grand <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="openings" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/04/09/bucees-store-huber-heights-ohio-open" data-vars-content-id="a6db37cd-6afa-4148-ab28-90e52c4ae29a" data-vars-headline="Buc-ee&#x27;s watch, Utah edition" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/columbus/2026/04/09/bucees-store-huber-heights-ohio-open" target="_self">openings</a> in other <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="states" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/06/10/buc-ees-mebane-north-carolina-gas-station" data-vars-content-id="a6db37cd-6afa-4148-ab28-90e52c4ae29a" data-vars-headline="Buc-ee&#x27;s watch, Utah edition" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/raleigh/2026/06/10/buc-ees-mebane-north-carolina-gas-station" target="_self">states</a>. </li></ul>

Tyler Robinson appears for hearing in Charlie Kirk killing case

Erika Kirk and Donald Trump Jr. were present at Monday's preliminary hearing for the man accused of killing Charlie Kirk.

Utah prosecutors began presenting their evidence Monday at the preliminary hearing for <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tyler Robinson" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/12/charlie-kirk-killing-suspect-arrested" data-vars-content-id="74b1d8b5-f07f-4d41-af8b-61f66705478a" data-vars-headline="Tyler Robinson appears for hearing in Charlie Kirk killing case" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/12/charlie-kirk-killing-suspect-arrested" target="_self">Tyler Robinson</a>, who is accused of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fatally shooting" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/10/charlie-kirk-shot-utah-valley-university" data-vars-content-id="74b1d8b5-f07f-4d41-af8b-61f66705478a" data-vars-headline="Tyler Robinson appears for hearing in Charlie Kirk killing case" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/2025/09/10/charlie-kirk-shot-utah-valley-university" target="_self">fatally shooting</a> conservative activist Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University last year.Why it matters: The weeklong hearing in Provo will help Judge Tony Graf determine whether there&#x27;s enough evidence to send the case to trial in what could become one of the nation&#x27;s most-watched criminal cases.

Confusion follows Utah's new fireworks restrictions

Carve-outs in Gov. Cox's order mean some cities still haven't figured out where fireworks will be allowed.

<figure><img alt="Fireworks over Salt Lake City. Image: Erin Alberty/Axios" height="450" id="6c1eb17e-7945-41e8-aa23-e90d2d83aff6" src="https://images.axios.com/6HpQmgNrHFRiUai-UQtuxuii1mI=/2026/06/26/1782500622961.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>Amateur fireworks over SLC. Image: Erin Alberty/Axios</figcaption></figure>Utah cities are publicizing a patchwork of <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="fireworks bans" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/06/27/where-fireworks-banned-utah" data-vars-content-id="0dc44c9a-b48a-4a63-8679-ffbed802f0ae" data-vars-headline="Confusion follows Utah&#x27;s new fireworks restrictions" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2025/06/27/where-fireworks-banned-utah" target="_self">fireworks bans</a> after Gov. Cox&#x27;s executive order changed restrictions statewide amid historic drought and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="wildfires" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/05/04/utah-wildfire-season-drought" data-vars-content-id="0dc44c9a-b48a-4a63-8679-ffbed802f0ae" data-vars-headline="Confusion follows Utah&#x27;s new fireworks restrictions" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2026/05/04/utah-wildfire-season-drought" target="_self">wildfires</a>.The intrigue: Thursday&#x27;s <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="order" data-vars-click-url="https://governor.utah.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026.06.25-EO-State-Forester-Authority.pdf" data-vars-content-id="0dc44c9a-b48a-4a63-8679-ffbed802f0ae" data-vars-headline="Confusion follows Utah&#x27;s new fireworks restrictions" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://governor.utah.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026.06.25-EO-State-Forester-Authority.pdf" target="_blank">order</a> is a legal shift away from Utah&#x27;s relatively permissive approach to fireworks — but they could still be allowed in some neighborhoods.

America's time capsule features a mostly businesslike Utah

Our contributions are heavy on government and business, light on nature.

Theme park tickets, coins and documents will <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="represent Utah in a national time capsule" data-vars-click-url="https://america250.org/time-capsule/contents/#UT" data-vars-content-id="b71f5d24-3858-4ba1-8998-c6ea664c7c53" data-vars-headline="America&#x27;s time capsule features a mostly businesslike Utah" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://america250.org/time-capsule/contents/#UT" target="_blank">represent Utah in a national time capsule</a> honoring America&#x27;s 250th birthday.The intrigue: Utah&#x27;s contributions barely acknowledge the state&#x27;s iconic landscapes, focusing instead on Republican office-holders and industries like mining and railroads.

Ways to celebrate Juneteenth in Utah

The main event is in Ogden, but there are other parties along the Wasatch Front.

Ending slavery is something all Utahns can celebrate. <ul><li>Here&#x27;s how:</li></ul>

How to watch the Kentucky Derby in Salt Lake

Here are the fanciest parties in town — or pour a mint julet and watch on your own.

It&#x27;s time to muddle your mint and don your fanciest spring &#x27;fits for a day at the races.How it works: &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Post time" data-vars-click-url="https://www.kentuckyderby.com/come-to-the-derby/visiting-information/event-information/" data-vars-content-id="c949c938-5f8c-4c24-a4bb-efa2e7f76353" data-vars-headline="How to watch the Kentucky Derby in Salt Lake" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.kentuckyderby.com/come-to-the-derby/visiting-information/event-information/" target="_blank">Post time</a>&quot; — when the horses are due at their gates — is at 4:57pm.

When the national media claimed Mormons would take over New Mexico

The tales of theocratic conquest grew tall as New Mexico sought statehood.

<figure><img alt="An old newspaper headline reads: &quot;THE KINGDOM OF MORMON!&quot; || The Real Purpose of the New Mexico State Bill. || A Prospective Exodus of Mormons from Utah to New Mexico --- A Colossal Job, with Millions in It." height="625" id="cdb9bc3f-93c0-44f0-b3a0-8a1f05e1e850" src="https://images.axios.com/XoqgtvBi2UKr2jQ5Uf122KtYxgc=/2026/03/31/1774989443044.jpg" width="1023"/><figcaption>A front page headline from the New York Sun, April 1, 1876. Image via <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New York Historic Newspapers" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nyshistoricnewspapers.org/?a=d&amp;d=sun18760401-01.1.1" data-vars-content-id="7e1fda95-0199-48d9-90b7-90080609f201" data-vars-headline="When the national media claimed Mormons would take over New Mexico" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nyshistoricnewspapers.org/?a=d&amp;d=sun18760401-01.1.1" target="_blank">New York Historic Newspapers</a></figcaption></figure>A century and a half ago, a scantily sourced news report claimed Latter-day Saints planned to convert New Mexico into a religious empire, leading the faithful in Salt Lake to cry &quot;April Fools.&quot;<ul><li>This is <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Old News" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2024/07/01/utah-history-story-collection-old-news-powell-bundy-olympics" data-vars-content-id="7e1fda95-0199-48d9-90b7-90080609f201" data-vars-headline="When the national media claimed Mormons would take over New Mexico" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2024/07/01/utah-history-story-collection-old-news-powell-bundy-olympics" target="_self">Old News</a>, where we try to separate historic fact from fiction.</li></ul>The big picture: Congress was debating statehood for New Mexico in 1876 when an April 1 report in the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="New York Sun alleged" data-vars-click-url="https://www.nyshistoricnewspapers.org/?a=d&amp;d=sun18760401-01.1.1&amp;e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN----------" data-vars-content-id="7e1fda95-0199-48d9-90b7-90080609f201" data-vars-headline="When the national media claimed Mormons would take over New Mexico" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.nyshistoricnewspapers.org/?a=d&amp;d=sun18760401-01.1.1&amp;e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN----------" target="_blank">New York Sun alleged</a> that:<ul><li>The territorial governor there was secretly a well-connected Latter-day Saint who was pushing for massive land sales to the church and for statehood at the church&#x27;s behest.</li><li>Brigham Young had suddenly ordered all Mormon men to learn Spanish.</li><li>Once admitted to the union, New Mexico would be devoured by a polygamous swarm and transform into a theocracy.</li></ul>Reality check: New Mexico was <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="heavily Catholic" data-vars-click-url="https://publishing.cdlib.org/ucpressebooks/view?docId=ft72900812&amp;chunk.id=d0e1869&amp;toc.depth=1&amp;toc.id=d0e199&amp;brand=ucpress#:~:text=Two%20changes%20in%20the%20pattern,sited%20in%20the%20center%20of" data-vars-content-id="7e1fda95-0199-48d9-90b7-90080609f201" data-vars-headline="When the national media claimed Mormons would take over New Mexico" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://publishing.cdlib.org/ucpressebooks/view?docId=ft72900812&amp;chunk.id=d0e1869&amp;toc.depth=1&amp;toc.id=d0e199&amp;brand=ucpress#:~:text=Two%20changes%20in%20the%20pattern,sited%20in%20the%20center%20of" target="_blank">heavily Catholic</a>, it <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="didn&#x27;t become a state" data-vars-click-url="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bXAFwNWkYY" data-vars-content-id="7e1fda95-0199-48d9-90b7-90080609f201" data-vars-headline="When the national media claimed Mormons would take over New Mexico" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bXAFwNWkYY" target="_blank">didn&#x27;t become a state</a> for decades and its present LDS population <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hovers around 1%" data-vars-click-url="https://www.pewresearch.org/religious-landscape-study/state/new-mexico/" data-vars-content-id="7e1fda95-0199-48d9-90b7-90080609f201" data-vars-headline="When the national media claimed Mormons would take over New Mexico" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.pewresearch.org/religious-landscape-study/state/new-mexico/" target="_blank">hovers around 1%</a>.Still, the story was a sensation in SLC.<ul><li>Church-aligned publications <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pointed" data-vars-click-url="https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/details?id=23765018" data-vars-content-id="7e1fda95-0199-48d9-90b7-90080609f201" data-vars-headline="When the national media claimed Mormons would take over New Mexico" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/details?id=23765018" target="_blank">pointed</a> to the date and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="said" data-vars-click-url="https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/details?id=11687843&amp;hl=%22april%20fool%22" data-vars-content-id="7e1fda95-0199-48d9-90b7-90080609f201" data-vars-headline="When the national media claimed Mormons would take over New Mexico" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/details?id=11687843&amp;hl=%22april%20fool%22" target="_blank">said</a> the &quot;correspondent&quot; had been <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="pranked" data-vars-click-url="https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/details?id=23764828" data-vars-content-id="7e1fda95-0199-48d9-90b7-90080609f201" data-vars-headline="When the national media claimed Mormons would take over New Mexico" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/details?id=23764828" target="_blank">pranked</a>.</li><li>The church-critical press <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="defended" data-vars-click-url="https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/details?id=29671734" data-vars-content-id="7e1fda95-0199-48d9-90b7-90080609f201" data-vars-headline="When the national media claimed Mormons would take over New Mexico" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/details?id=29671734" target="_blank">defended</a> the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="report" data-vars-click-url="https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/details?id=29671737" data-vars-content-id="7e1fda95-0199-48d9-90b7-90080609f201" data-vars-headline="When the national media claimed Mormons would take over New Mexico" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/details?id=29671737" target="_blank">report</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="warned" data-vars-click-url="https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/details?id=12973598" data-vars-content-id="7e1fda95-0199-48d9-90b7-90080609f201" data-vars-headline="When the national media claimed Mormons would take over New Mexico" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/details?id=12973598" target="_blank">warned</a> the nation to be wary of Young&#x27;s power grabs.</li></ul>Context: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Deadly persecution" data-vars-click-url="https://www.sos.mo.gov/archives/resources/mormon.asp" data-vars-content-id="7e1fda95-0199-48d9-90b7-90080609f201" data-vars-headline="When the national media claimed Mormons would take over New Mexico" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.sos.mo.gov/archives/resources/mormon.asp" target="_blank">Deadly persecution</a> existed in living memory for many Latter-day Saints, and anti-Mormon <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hysteria" data-vars-click-url="https://muse.jhu.edu/pub/6/article/506313/pdf#:~:text=In%20doing%20so%2C%20Fluhman%20argues,and%20American%20religion%20broadly%20conceived." data-vars-content-id="7e1fda95-0199-48d9-90b7-90080609f201" data-vars-headline="When the national media claimed Mormons would take over New Mexico" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://muse.jhu.edu/pub/6/article/506313/pdf#:~:text=In%20doing%20so%2C%20Fluhman%20argues,and%20American%20religion%20broadly%20conceived." target="_blank">hysteria</a> was <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="rampant" data-vars-click-url="https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1525/rac.2012.22.2.163" data-vars-content-id="7e1fda95-0199-48d9-90b7-90080609f201" data-vars-headline="When the national media claimed Mormons would take over New Mexico" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.jstor.org/stable/10.1525/rac.2012.22.2.163" target="_blank">rampant</a>.<ul><li>Meanwhile, much of the country viewed Young as a <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="powerful and ambitious theocrat" data-vars-click-url="https://www.dialoguejournal.com/articles/federal-authority-versus-polygamic-theocracy-james-b-mckean-and-the-mormons-1870-1875/" data-vars-content-id="7e1fda95-0199-48d9-90b7-90080609f201" data-vars-headline="When the national media claimed Mormons would take over New Mexico" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.dialoguejournal.com/articles/federal-authority-versus-polygamic-theocracy-james-b-mckean-and-the-mormons-1870-1875/" target="_blank">powerful and ambitious theocrat</a>.</li></ul>Zoom out: The national media ran with the story — all the way to fantasyland.In May, the San Francisco Chronicle <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="reported" data-vars-click-url="https://www.newspapers.com/image/1236450045/" data-vars-content-id="7e1fda95-0199-48d9-90b7-90080609f201" data-vars-headline="When the national media claimed Mormons would take over New Mexico" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.newspapers.com/image/1236450045/" target="_blank">reported</a> that Young had picked New Mexico as the saints&#x27; new Zion because his &quot;prophetic eye&quot; had divined that the Great Salt Lake would soon spill its shores and submerge SLC.<ul><li>A week later, the Detroit Free Press &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="transcribed" data-vars-click-url="https://freep.newspapers.com/image/1048532765" data-vars-content-id="7e1fda95-0199-48d9-90b7-90080609f201" data-vars-headline="When the national media claimed Mormons would take over New Mexico" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://freep.newspapers.com/image/1048532765" target="_blank">transcribed</a>&quot; an interview in which Young himself purportedly said that after five years, the &quot;Salt Lake Valley will be one vast ocean and Salt Lake City a city in the ocean.&quot;</li></ul>The intrigue: This theory was based on a claim that salt deposits would soon clog a rumored underground outlet for the lake&#x27;s water — <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="which itself became a nationwide April Fool&#x27;s joke" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2024/04/01/april-fool-fake-news-great-salt-lake-outlet" data-vars-content-id="7e1fda95-0199-48d9-90b7-90080609f201" data-vars-headline="When the national media claimed Mormons would take over New Mexico" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2024/04/01/april-fool-fake-news-great-salt-lake-outlet" target="_self">which itself became a nationwide April Fool&#x27;s joke</a>.What they said: The Salt Lake Herald tried to deflect the gossip, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="claiming" data-vars-click-url="https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/details?id=11697655" data-vars-content-id="7e1fda95-0199-48d9-90b7-90080609f201" data-vars-headline="When the national media claimed Mormons would take over New Mexico" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/details?id=11697655" target="_blank">claiming</a> in jest that Satan had actually told the Mormons to build 50,000 hot air balloons to fly to the North Pole, where they would find the 10 lost tribes of Israel.The other side: The church&#x27;s defenders <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="downplayed" data-vars-click-url="https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/details?id=2622359" data-vars-content-id="7e1fda95-0199-48d9-90b7-90080609f201" data-vars-headline="When the national media claimed Mormons would take over New Mexico" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/details?id=2622359" target="_blank">downplayed</a> its efforts to expand, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="including" data-vars-click-url="https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/details?id=23764983" data-vars-content-id="7e1fda95-0199-48d9-90b7-90080609f201" data-vars-headline="When the national media claimed Mormons would take over New Mexico" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://newspapers.lib.utah.edu/details?id=23764983" target="_blank">including</a> in New Mexico, more forcefully than was ultimately <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="accurate" data-vars-click-url="https://collections.lib.utah.edu/dl_files/93/ec/93ec8d09a6a5fac089ee40ce62b88d6197d7c0a1.pdf" data-vars-content-id="7e1fda95-0199-48d9-90b7-90080609f201" data-vars-headline="When the national media claimed Mormons would take over New Mexico" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://collections.lib.utah.edu/dl_files/93/ec/93ec8d09a6a5fac089ee40ce62b88d6197d7c0a1.pdf" target="_blank">accurate</a>.<ul><li>Yes, but: That narrative was less absurd than the one much of the national media was peddling.</li></ul>The bottom line: Even on April Fool&#x27;s Day, people will believe what they want.

Easter Egg hunts in and around Salt Lake

The bunny is hiding treats all around the valley.

Egg hunts and other Easter events are afoot this weekend around the Salt Lake Valley.<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="West Valley City" data-vars-click-url="https://www.wvc-ut.gov/1155/Easter-Events" data-vars-content-id="f8bb47f8-f15d-4d7d-a48a-64aa55d4fa71" data-vars-headline="Easter Egg hunts in and around Salt Lake" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.wvc-ut.gov/1155/Easter-Events" target="_blank">West Valley City</a>: Multiple egg hunts — including for adults — and other activities Friday and Saturday at Centennial Park and the Family Fitness Center. Admission varies

Salt Lake weekend events: Friday the 13th, St. Paddy's and more

Misfortune and luck converge this weekend as Friday the 13th gives way to Utah&#x27;s St. Patrick&#x27;s Day celebrations.Friday the 13th: Haunted attractions like <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Fear Factory" data-vars-click-url="https://www-11h.bookeo.com/bookeo/b_grimmghosttours_start.html?ctlsrc2=kEBUYnwKh%2FKU7zHU4v%2BNNp9k0BGf2gkrAsILstg8QUM%3D&amp;src=03i&amp;devent=2113E4YUN19B8FD2D856_2026-03-13_a3hiiAQfjho9&amp;fbclid=IwY2xjawQevONleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFiY3YyZ0dWNlN4a2p1ME1Pc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHo5-SKEJsz1JuW82ldTfKgTdlABarGoFGuWBZa0IJMMWEr2qft_-0CEYPZ2E_aem_liAvAmbDqsiV3Jkg99tWDQ" data-vars-content-id="2e0f620f-7370-4d52-8808-8f71434d7486" data-vars-headline="Salt Lake weekend events: Friday the 13th, St. Paddy&#x27;s and more" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www-11h.bookeo.com/bookeo/b_grimmghosttours_start.html?ctlsrc2=kEBUYnwKh%2FKU7zHU4v%2BNNp9k0BGf2gkrAsILstg8QUM%3D&amp;src=03i&amp;devent=2113E4YUN19B8FD2D856_2026-03-13_a3hiiAQfjho9&amp;fbclid=IwY2xjawQevONleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFiY3YyZ0dWNlN4a2p1ME1Pc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHo5-SKEJsz1JuW82ldTfKgTdlABarGoFGuWBZa0IJMMWEr2qft_-0CEYPZ2E_aem_liAvAmbDqsiV3Jkg99tWDQ" target="_blank">Fear Factory</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Nightmare on 13th" data-vars-click-url="https://secure.interactiveticketing.com/1.43/a41c04/?fbclid=IwY2xjawQewb5leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFiY3YyZ0dWNlN4a2p1ME1Pc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHjIUYPhywIKRJskVEBULj7Gj62-VJ8N9qVUh8UfZu5B0L5Ld0o_ChZX4U2Er_aem_uMDfqbuDWlz3Uppi5cFAdw#/select" data-vars-content-id="2e0f620f-7370-4d52-8808-8f71434d7486" data-vars-headline="Salt Lake weekend events: Friday the 13th, St. Paddy&#x27;s and more" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://secure.interactiveticketing.com/1.43/a41c04/?fbclid=IwY2xjawQewb5leHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFiY3YyZ0dWNlN4a2p1ME1Pc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHjIUYPhywIKRJskVEBULj7Gj62-VJ8N9qVUh8UfZu5B0L5Ld0o_ChZX4U2Er_aem_uMDfqbuDWlz3Uppi5cFAdw#/select" target="_blank">Nightmare on 13th</a> are opening their doors for special spooks.<ul><li>You also can <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="learn all about Ouija" data-vars-click-url="https://croneshollow.com/all-events/?event=8355" data-vars-content-id="2e0f620f-7370-4d52-8808-8f71434d7486" data-vars-headline="Salt Lake weekend events: Friday the 13th, St. Paddy&#x27;s and more" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://croneshollow.com/all-events/?event=8355" target="_blank">learn all about Ouija</a>, get some <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="ink" data-vars-click-url="https://www.slctattoos.com/friday13" data-vars-content-id="2e0f620f-7370-4d52-8808-8f71434d7486" data-vars-headline="Salt Lake weekend events: Friday the 13th, St. Paddy&#x27;s and more" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.slctattoos.com/friday13" target="_blank">ink</a>, or catch <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Nine Inch Nails" data-vars-click-url="https://www.deltacenter.com/events/nine-inch-nails/" data-vars-content-id="2e0f620f-7370-4d52-8808-8f71434d7486" data-vars-headline="Salt Lake weekend events: Friday the 13th, St. Paddy&#x27;s and more" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.deltacenter.com/events/nine-inch-nails/" target="_blank">Nine Inch Nails</a> at the Delta Center.</li></ul>St. Paddy&#x27;s: The main event is the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Hibernian Society&#x27;s" data-vars-click-url="https://www.irishinutah.com/parade" data-vars-content-id="2e0f620f-7370-4d52-8808-8f71434d7486" data-vars-headline="Salt Lake weekend events: Friday the 13th, St. Paddy&#x27;s and more" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.irishinutah.com/parade" target="_blank">Hibernian Society&#x27;s</a> annual parade and festival at the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Gateway" data-vars-click-url="https://atthegateway.com/calendars/stpatricksday26/" data-vars-content-id="2e0f620f-7370-4d52-8808-8f71434d7486" data-vars-headline="Salt Lake weekend events: Friday the 13th, St. Paddy&#x27;s and more" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://atthegateway.com/calendars/stpatricksday26/" target="_blank">Gateway</a>. Also check out:<ul><li>Parties and specials at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Piper Down" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/events/1453011536407048/" data-vars-content-id="2e0f620f-7370-4d52-8808-8f71434d7486" data-vars-headline="Salt Lake weekend events: Friday the 13th, St. Paddy&#x27;s and more" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/events/1453011536407048/" target="_blank">Piper Down</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Mountain West Cider" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/p/DVOuPOijy-I/" data-vars-content-id="2e0f620f-7370-4d52-8808-8f71434d7486" data-vars-headline="Salt Lake weekend events: Friday the 13th, St. Paddy&#x27;s and more" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DVOuPOijy-I/" target="_blank">Mountain West Cider</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Lucky 13" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/events/2109898666509956/" data-vars-content-id="2e0f620f-7370-4d52-8808-8f71434d7486" data-vars-headline="Salt Lake weekend events: Friday the 13th, St. Paddy&#x27;s and more" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/events/2109898666509956/" target="_blank">Lucky 13</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tailgate Tavern" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/events/2096067027853209" data-vars-content-id="2e0f620f-7370-4d52-8808-8f71434d7486" data-vars-headline="Salt Lake weekend events: Friday the 13th, St. Paddy&#x27;s and more" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/events/2096067027853209" target="_blank">Tailgate Tavern</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Chappell Brewing" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/events/1448364783335155/" data-vars-content-id="2e0f620f-7370-4d52-8808-8f71434d7486" data-vars-headline="Salt Lake weekend events: Friday the 13th, St. Paddy&#x27;s and more" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/events/1448364783335155/" target="_blank">Chappell Brewing</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Dubai Utah" data-vars-click-url="https://tickets.vemos.io/-MuEFQNMocpWS0CPTOOY/dubai-ut/-OmM4Mm1PMz-ddONSn9S/st-patricks-day-dance-party?fbclid=IwY2xjawQeyPFleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFpUmVBWkkxNWRMSlZQVmxVc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHowcyVO0-o1N39_n0QZe7-1ci4Seavtyy6M1rA5rXcXsR80a31289uAQeJ9__aem_4EqTUn5WR7tGwhznDydFkw" data-vars-content-id="2e0f620f-7370-4d52-8808-8f71434d7486" data-vars-headline="Salt Lake weekend events: Friday the 13th, St. Paddy&#x27;s and more" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://tickets.vemos.io/-MuEFQNMocpWS0CPTOOY/dubai-ut/-OmM4Mm1PMz-ddONSn9S/st-patricks-day-dance-party?fbclid=IwY2xjawQeyPFleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFpUmVBWkkxNWRMSlZQVmxVc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHowcyVO0-o1N39_n0QZe7-1ci4Seavtyy6M1rA5rXcXsR80a31289uAQeJ9__aem_4EqTUn5WR7tGwhznDydFkw" target="_blank">Dubai Utah</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Bewilder Brewing" data-vars-click-url="https://bewilderbrewing.com/pages/events-calendar#calendar-7fd75454-b2cd-459d-9a55-da0a40b11834" data-vars-content-id="2e0f620f-7370-4d52-8808-8f71434d7486" data-vars-headline="Salt Lake weekend events: Friday the 13th, St. Paddy&#x27;s and more" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://bewilderbrewing.com/pages/events-calendar#calendar-7fd75454-b2cd-459d-9a55-da0a40b11834" target="_blank">Bewilder Brewing</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Barbary Coast" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/events/1678662133148733/" data-vars-content-id="2e0f620f-7370-4d52-8808-8f71434d7486" data-vars-headline="Salt Lake weekend events: Friday the 13th, St. Paddy&#x27;s and more" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/events/1678662133148733/" target="_blank">Barbary Coast</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Westerner" data-vars-click-url="https://westernerslc.com/event/st-patricks-party-2026/" data-vars-content-id="2e0f620f-7370-4d52-8808-8f71434d7486" data-vars-headline="Salt Lake weekend events: Friday the 13th, St. Paddy&#x27;s and more" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://westernerslc.com/event/st-patricks-party-2026/" target="_blank">The Westerner</a>;</li><li><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Pub crawls" data-vars-click-url="https://www.beehivesports.com/league/70624/details" data-vars-content-id="2e0f620f-7370-4d52-8808-8f71434d7486" data-vars-headline="Salt Lake weekend events: Friday the 13th, St. Paddy&#x27;s and more" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.beehivesports.com/league/70624/details" target="_blank">Pub crawls</a> around <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="town" data-vars-click-url="https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/salt-lake-city-st-patricks-day-2026-bar-crawl-friday-march-13th-tickets-1980561650211?aff=ebdssbdestsearch" data-vars-content-id="2e0f620f-7370-4d52-8808-8f71434d7486" data-vars-headline="Salt Lake weekend events: Friday the 13th, St. Paddy&#x27;s and more" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/salt-lake-city-st-patricks-day-2026-bar-crawl-friday-march-13th-tickets-1980561650211?aff=ebdssbdestsearch" target="_blank">town</a>;</li><li><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="More" data-vars-click-url="https://book.singenuity.com/510/catalog/activities?_gl=1*sf582g*_gcl_aw*R0NMLjE3NzMyNjYzNjIuQ2p3S0NBandwY1ROQmhBNUVpd0FkTzFTOW9aNmdLc282OFBBZ2pTSXRtYXVGTk1HR2k4TzR5NDdmZV9FYkRsSndYcU5TZTEycFoxaVRob0NicElRQXZEX0J3RQ..*_gcl_au*MzExNTM3ODA1LjE3NzMyNjYzNjI.*_ga*ODI4NzUxMzYzLjE3NzMyNjYzNjI.*_ga_PL1QCL0P8V*czE3NzMyNjYzNjEkbzEkZzEkdDE3NzMyNjYzNzUkajQ2JGwwJGg2OTc3NzQyNjk." data-vars-content-id="2e0f620f-7370-4d52-8808-8f71434d7486" data-vars-headline="Salt Lake weekend events: Friday the 13th, St. Paddy&#x27;s and more" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://book.singenuity.com/510/catalog/activities?_gl=1*sf582g*_gcl_aw*R0NMLjE3NzMyNjYzNjIuQ2p3S0NBandwY1ROQmhBNUVpd0FkTzFTOW9aNmdLc282OFBBZ2pTSXRtYXVGTk1HR2k4TzR5NDdmZV9FYkRsSndYcU5TZTEycFoxaVRob0NicElRQXZEX0J3RQ..*_gcl_au*MzExNTM3ODA1LjE3NzMyNjYzNjI.*_ga*ODI4NzUxMzYzLjE3NzMyNjYzNjI.*_ga_PL1QCL0P8V*czE3NzMyNjYzNjEkbzEkZzEkdDE3NzMyNjYzNzUkajQ2JGwwJGg2OTc3NzQyNjk." target="_blank">More</a> <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="hauntings" data-vars-click-url="https://book.singenuity.com/79/activity/details/2500/rates" data-vars-content-id="2e0f620f-7370-4d52-8808-8f71434d7486" data-vars-headline="Salt Lake weekend events: Friday the 13th, St. Paddy&#x27;s and more" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://book.singenuity.com/79/activity/details/2500/rates" target="_blank">hauntings</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="glimpses of the future" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/events/923432330275416/" data-vars-content-id="2e0f620f-7370-4d52-8808-8f71434d7486" data-vars-headline="Salt Lake weekend events: Friday the 13th, St. Paddy&#x27;s and more" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/events/923432330275416/" target="_blank">glimpses of the future</a>;</li><li>And <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="celtic tunes" data-vars-click-url="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bonny-celtic-moon-march-15-2026-tickets-1980199467914" data-vars-content-id="2e0f620f-7370-4d52-8808-8f71434d7486" data-vars-headline="Salt Lake weekend events: Friday the 13th, St. Paddy&#x27;s and more" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bonny-celtic-moon-march-15-2026-tickets-1980199467914" target="_blank">celtic tunes</a>.</li></ul><h2 class="text-h6 !font-sans !font-normal !leading-[1.2em]">Wait, there&#x27;s more </h2><a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Nostalgia Con" data-vars-click-url="https://www.thenostalgiacon.com/saltlakehome26" data-vars-content-id="2e0f620f-7370-4d52-8808-8f71434d7486" data-vars-headline="Salt Lake weekend events: Friday the 13th, St. Paddy&#x27;s and more" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.thenostalgiacon.com/saltlakehome26" target="_blank">Nostalgia Con</a>: Travel back to the 90s and 2000s Friday and Saturday at the Salt Palace. <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Tickets" data-vars-click-url="https://www.tixr.com/groups/thenostalgiacon" data-vars-content-id="2e0f620f-7370-4d52-8808-8f71434d7486" data-vars-headline="Salt Lake weekend events: Friday the 13th, St. Paddy&#x27;s and more" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.tixr.com/groups/thenostalgiacon" target="_blank">Tickets</a>Oscars: Watch parties will be hosted Sunday by <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Brewvies" data-vars-click-url="https://brewvies.com/movie/15754?date=2026-03-15" data-vars-content-id="2e0f620f-7370-4d52-8808-8f71434d7486" data-vars-headline="Salt Lake weekend events: Friday the 13th, St. Paddy&#x27;s and more" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://brewvies.com/movie/15754?date=2026-03-15" target="_blank">Brewvies</a>, the <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Utah Film Center" data-vars-click-url="https://utahfilmcenter.org/redcarpet?fbclid=IwY2xjawQeweJleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFiY3YyZ0dWNlN4a2p1ME1Pc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHiQGPC767VYA4Uf8xhKfxxqSOQTgVL4w2sbEEt7SuciI6i2RBCX6AH0TaQPX_aem_mhsgYtdR1fKB_8XqTJS03Q" data-vars-content-id="2e0f620f-7370-4d52-8808-8f71434d7486" data-vars-headline="Salt Lake weekend events: Friday the 13th, St. Paddy&#x27;s and more" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://utahfilmcenter.org/redcarpet?fbclid=IwY2xjawQeweJleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFiY3YyZ0dWNlN4a2p1ME1Pc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHiQGPC767VYA4Uf8xhKfxxqSOQTgVL4w2sbEEt7SuciI6i2RBCX6AH0TaQPX_aem_mhsgYtdR1fKB_8XqTJS03Q" target="_blank">Utah Film Center</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Craft By Proper" data-vars-click-url="https://questionable-productions.com/theme-quizzes/oscar-night-trivia" data-vars-content-id="2e0f620f-7370-4d52-8808-8f71434d7486" data-vars-headline="Salt Lake weekend events: Friday the 13th, St. Paddy&#x27;s and more" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://questionable-productions.com/theme-quizzes/oscar-night-trivia" target="_blank">Craft By Proper</a>.Spring markets: Shop from local vendors at <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Sunroom Coffee" data-vars-click-url="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ccm-x-sunroom-coffee-x-sl-crossing-spring-equinox-market-tickets-1983593107381" data-vars-content-id="2e0f620f-7370-4d52-8808-8f71434d7486" data-vars-headline="Salt Lake weekend events: Friday the 13th, St. Paddy&#x27;s and more" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ccm-x-sunroom-coffee-x-sl-crossing-spring-equinox-market-tickets-1983593107381" target="_blank">Sunroom Coffee</a>, <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Psychedelic Rocks" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/events/1784851662181806/" data-vars-content-id="2e0f620f-7370-4d52-8808-8f71434d7486" data-vars-headline="Salt Lake weekend events: Friday the 13th, St. Paddy&#x27;s and more" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/events/1784851662181806/" target="_blank">Psychedelic Rocks</a> and <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="The Hearth" data-vars-click-url="https://www.instagram.com/p/DVrBg-5DvNx/" data-vars-content-id="2e0f620f-7370-4d52-8808-8f71434d7486" data-vars-headline="Salt Lake weekend events: Friday the 13th, St. Paddy&#x27;s and more" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.instagram.com/p/DVrBg-5DvNx/" target="_blank">The Hearth</a>.

A Cottonwood Heights Christmas lights tour

Grab your sunglasses for a trip to the East Bench.

In the final days before Christmas, you can visit these fun holiday houses in and around Cottonwood Heights.The big picture: We&#x27;ve photographed and mapped <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="more than 200 free light displays" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2022/12/02/best-christmas-lights-salt-lake-neighborhoods" data-vars-content-id="5254e5ef-b830-4619-ac42-0cb14168fde6" data-vars-headline="A Cottonwood Heights Christmas lights tour" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/local/salt-lake-city/2022/12/02/best-christmas-lights-salt-lake-neighborhoods" target="_self">more than 200 free light displays</a> that are up and running in Salt Lake for 2025.

Salt Lake's holiday markets for last-minute shopping

Shopping procrastinators, breathe easy. Solstice and Christmas markets abound in Salt Lake.

There are still several holiday markets to find gifts for the impossible-to-buy-for.🌜 <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="Moonlight Market" data-vars-click-url="https://www.facebook.com/events/677108662140527/" data-vars-content-id="1b197c20-4ebe-4123-a1c9-5d69ec6f7d8b" data-vars-headline="Salt Lake&#x27;s holiday markets for last-minute shopping" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.facebook.com/events/677108662140527/" target="_blank">Moonlight Market</a>: Peruse the wares of 30+ artists and other vendors, plus food trucks.

A West Jordan Christmas lights tour

Use our map to find more than 20 houses in and around West Jordan.

<figure><img alt="A GIF of digital Christmas lights flashing and moving." height="450" id="8be16cf8-8d8a-4b38-acf4-20721caf2b03" src="https://images.axios.com/Y7j-8OIrq_BMwPnkMuCgX6f9Tlg=/2025/12/11/1765492082015.gif" width="800"/><figcaption>Christmas lights at 8967 Soliai Circle in West Jordan. Footage: Erin Alberty/Axios</figcaption></figure>We&#x27;ve mapped more than 160 Christmas light displays this year in Salt Lake County — and many of the very best are around West Jordan.Zoom in: The suburb covers a lot of ground, so we plotted a driving route to help you get to some of our favorites.

Holidays

Confusion follows Utah's new fireworks restrictions

America's time capsule features a mostly businesslike Utah

Ways to celebrate Juneteenth in Utah

How and where to celebrate Cinco de Mayo in Salt Lake

How to watch the Kentucky Derby in Salt Lake