Butlerville Days kicked off Thursday, July 16, 2026, in Cottonwood Heights, opening a week of celebrations that culminates with Utah's Pioneer Day on Friday, July 24. The three-day festival runs through Saturday, July 18, with a drone show by Open Sky Productions and a fireworks display by Lantis Productions scheduled to close the event, according to the Cottonwood Heights City Council agenda from its July 7 meeting. The city had earlier signaled fireworks might be cut due to a $2.6 million budget shortfall, but the July 7 agenda approved the contract.
Eight musical acts are booked for the weekend, including Johnny Utah, House of Rock, Andrea Sharp's country band, and the Alex Elggren Band. Custom Events, Inc. is providing inflatables and games for kids.
The celebration is named for the Butler family, which won a tied vote in 1849 to name the community. Butlerville Days has been a Cottonwood Heights staple for more than 20 years.
No Holladay-specific Pioneer Day events have been announced for 2026. The closest options for Holladay residents are Butlerville Days and the Millcreek Common celebration listed below.
What's happening on Pioneer Day
Pioneer Day falls on Friday, July 24, 2026. Here's what's close to home:
Millcreek Common — Line dancing, roller skating, and live music, 6–9 p.m. Free pie slices and root beer floats while supplies last. Millcreek borders Cottonwood Heights to the north, making this the nearest Pioneer Day event for most residents.
Days of '47 Parade — Starts at 9 a.m. at South Temple and State Street in Salt Lake City, travels east to 200 East, south to 900 South, and ends at Liberty Park. Theme: "Like~Learn~Love Pioneers!"
This Is The Place Heritage Park — Family celebration from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. with a flag ceremony at 10:30 a.m., handcart parade, dancing, candy cannon, and watermelon eating contest.
Liberty Park drone show — Free, 10–10:30 p.m., hosted by Salt Lake City Public Lands. Leashed dogs permitted.
Days of '47 Rodeo — July 21–25 at Utah State Fairpark, 1000 W. North Temple, Salt Lake City. Tickets $24.74–$43.37 at utahdaysof47rodeo.com.
Deseret News Marathon — Four races (marathon, half-marathon, 10K, 5K) starting up Emigration Canyon at 5:30 a.m. Registration at run.deseret.com.
Fireworks warning
Gov. Spencer Cox banned personal fireworks through July 5 due to historic wildfire conditions. Utah State Forester Jamie Barnes said on Monday, July 13, that her office is evaluating whether to extend the ban through the Pioneer Day window of July 22–25.
"It's warm. It's hot. We're hitting 100-degree temperatures. It's still drying out the fuels," Barnes told FOX 13 News. Utah has burned more than 360,000 acres so far in 2026, with the majority of fires human-caused.
No decision had been announced as of Wednesday, July 16. Residents should check utahfireinfo.gov before lighting personal fireworks.
Coming up
- Saturday, July 18 — Wasatch Wildflower Festival at Snowbird (30th anniversary). Registration at cottonwoodcanyons.org.
- Sunday, July 19 — Wasatch Wildflower Festival at Alta.
- July 21–22 — Float Preview Party, Mountain America Expo Center, 9575 S. State St., Sandy. Free admission, 11 a.m.–9 p.m.
- Friday, July 24 — 32nd annual Uniting Communities POWWOW at Liberty Park. Free admission.
