4 Best Performing Arts in Cedar City, Southwestern Utah

Utah Shakespeare Festival

Fodor's choice

Since 1962, Cedar City has been Bard-crazy, staging productions of Shakespeare's plays from mid-June through mid-October in three Southern Utah University campus theaters, the largest of which is an open-air replica of Shakespeare's Globe Theatre. The Tony award–winning festival that has featured Jeremy Irons, Ty Burrell, and Bradley Whitford over the years also presents literary seminars, backstage tours, cabarets showcasing festival actors, and an outdoor pre-show with Elizabethan performers. Try to book well in advance, as many performances sell out.

Paiute Restoration Gathering and Pow Wow

Since 1980, the Paiute Indian Tribe of Utah has hosted this event on the second weekend of June for two days of festivities, tribal dances, and contests.

SimonFest Theatre Co.

Formerly known as the Neil Simon Theatre Festival, this showcase of Broadway-style comedies enjoys a three-week run from mid-July to early August. It continues to be a popular part of Cedar City's well-respected theater scene. Performances are held at downtown's 1,000-seat Heritage Theater Center, which hosts a variety of other performances and concerts throughout the year.

Recommended Fodor's Video

Utah Midsummer Renaissance Faire

One of the longest running renaissance fairs in the country takes place in mid-July in Main Street Park and offers a variety of entertainment, including fencing demonstrations, games, crafts, and lots of food vendors.