Strut Your Mutt, Red Butte Garden, Pumpkins, and More—Things to Do in October

Looking for something fun to do in October? Check our list of activities and local theater and entertainment.

October 10, 2017

October Activities

October 12–28: Pumpkin Festival on Heber Valley Railroad. This 45-minute train ride includes entertainment from witches, mummies, and Dracula. At the depot visit the haunted car, the Misty Maze, and more. Admission is $15, $3 for those two and under. Find more information here.

October 13 and 14: Creatures of the Night at Ogden Nature Center. For all ages from 5pm to 8:30pm. Learn about nocturnal animals, play games, hear stories & songs, make nature crafts, and hear trailside tales by the campfire. Creatures of the Night is all about education and outdoor adventures. Cost is $6 for members, $8 non-members, and free for those three and under. For more information go to their website.

October 14: Strut Your Mutt, sponsored by Best Friends. This annual event will be held Saturday, October 14 at Liberty Park ( 600 E 900 S—northwest corner) starting at 10am. More than a dog walk, the event is a huge celebration with 50+ vendors, activity zones for pets and kids, a beer garden, food trucks, live entertainment, and more. Registration raises money to support the efforts of Best Friends. All well-behaved, leashed dogs are welcome. For safety, no other pets (cats, birds, etc.) are allowed. Last year’s event raised nearly $270,000 for homeless pets. Visit the website for a full list of vendors and other information.

October 19–21 and October 26–28: Red Butte Garden presents six nights of Halloween fun with the Garden After Dark. This year’s theme is Adventures in Wonderland, featuring the White Rabbit, Mad Hatter, Cheshire Cat, and more. There will be crafts, activities, food, and light displays. Tickets go on sale September 18—$6 for garden members, $12 general public; children two and under are free. Find more information here.

October 21: Castle Valley Gourd Festival. A family-friendly event featuring gourd art for sale, a tractor parade, kids’ tent, potluck lunch, puppet show, and silent auction. Held from 10am to 3pm. Admission is free. Visit the website for more information.

October 21: Dawn, Day and Night of the Running Dead Race at Andy Ballard Arena, 1600 E Highland Drive in Draper. Take the challenge and run three zombie races in one day. 5K-ish races—Zombies vs. Humans with humans having a two-minute head start. Race times are 9am, 1pm, and 8pm.

Theater Listings

Family Friendly

Hale Centre Theater: The Heart of Robin Hood, August 25–October 14. 3333 Decker Lake Drive, West Valley City.

Hale Center Theater: Hello Dolly, October 5–November 18. 225 West 400 North, Orem.

Off Broadway Theatre: Forever Dead, September 29–November 4. 272 S Main Street, Salt Lake City.

Desert Star Playhouse: Wicked-er, August 24–November 4. 4861 South State Street, Murray.

Eccles Theater: An American in Paris, October 10–15. 131 South Main Street, Salt Lake City.

Kingsbury Hall: Odyssey Dance Theatre, Thriller, October 6–30. 1395 East Presidents Circle, Salt Lake City.

CenterPoint Legacy Theatre: A Tale of Two Cities, September 29–October 28. 525 North 400 West, Centerville.

Tuacahn: Shrek The Musical, May 26–October 20. 1100 Tuacahn Dr., Ivins.

Ballet West: Aladdin, October 19–22. Capitol Theatre, 50 West 200 South, Salt Lake City.

Repertory Dance Theatre: Sanctuary, October 5–7. Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center, 138 West 300 South, Salt Lake City.

Utah Children’s Theatre: The Masque of Beauty and the Beast, October 18–November 18. 3605 South State Street, Salt Lake City.

Ririe-Woodbury Dance Company: Parallax: An Evening of Contemporary Dance, September 28–30. Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center, 138 West 300 South, Salt Lake City.

Utah Symphony: Broadway Divas, October 27. Abravanel Hall, 123 West South Temple, Salt Lake City.