Utah Winter Events Calendar: Ice Skating, Festivals, and Things to Do in January–February 2026

From ice skating at Millcreek Common, Gallivan Center, and the Utah Olympic Oval to winter festivals, outdoor adventures, and cultural events across the state, this January–February calendar highlights a wide range of activities happening throughout Utah, from Bluff Balloon Festival and SkiJoring Utah to concerts, races, and seasonal celebrations.

Connie Lewis

January 6, 2026

Public Ice Skating

Ice skating is available at Millcreek Common, 1354 Chambers Ave., Millcreek, from 10:30 am to 8:30 pm. Reservations can be made online.

Gallivan Center, 70 E 200 S from 12 pm to 10 pm on Sundays, 4 pm to 10 pm Monday through Thursday, and 12 pm to 12 am Saturday and Sunday.

Utah Olympic Oval, 5662 Cougar Lane, Kearns, with times daily excluding Sundays. For a schedule of times, visit utaholympiclegacy.org.

January 15

It’s Austentatious! Presented at the Salt Lake City Library Sprague Branch from 6 pm to 8 pm. Join local author and Jane Austen expert, Judith Hale Everett, for a look at the world of Jane Austen and to celebrate her 250th anniversary by exploring passages from her novels. Light refreshments will be served.

January 17

Make Your Own Hiking Stick. This event is presented by the Ogden Nature Center at the Ogden Nature Center, 966 W 12th Street. Decorate a hiking stick and then use your creation to explore the on-site trails and complete a scavenger hunt. Two separate classes will be offered at 10 am and 2 pm. $5 for members and $11 for non-members.

January 16-17

SkiJoring Utah 2026. Presented by Skijoring Utah atWasatch County Event Complex, Heber City, the Pro SkiJor Wild Frontier Tour features a mash-up of horsepower and skiing. Friday, January 16, will be qualifying rounds, while Saturday, January 17, will include the finals, food trucks, and merch. Visit skijoringutah.com for tickets and prices.

Photo from the Bluff Balloon Festival Facebook Page.

January 16-18

Bluff Balloon Festival. Celebrating 27 years, the Bluff Balloon Festival will send hot air balloons floating over red rock beauty. A list of events for the three-day festival can be found at bluffutah.org/bluffballoonfestival/.

January 17

Special Olympics Polar Bear Plunges. Plungers, dressed in capes and costumes, can sign up to take the #UltimateShiver Challenge. Plunges can be done solo or with a team. Events will be held January 17 at Daybreak, January 29 at America First Field, February 7 in Ogden, and February 21 in Cedar City. Money raised will benefit the Utah Special Olympics Teams. For more information visit their website.

January 24

Solitude Nordic Nights. From 6 pm to 9 pm explore the Nordic and snowshoe trails by moonlight as torches and candles guide the way at Solitude Mountain Resort. The Lake Flat and Silver Lake trails will be illuminated. Fire pits along the way will feature s’mores, hot chocolate, and a chance to warm up. Classic skis, skate skits, and snowshoes can be rented for $17. The trail pass is $13.

January 24

PawCause and Pickleballs. Hosted by the Willow & Co. Off-Leash Social Club at Second Summit Cider, 4010 S Main St., Millcreek from 12 pm to 4 pm. This is a 21+ event, and dogs are welcome. Cost is $10 for entry, $25 for pickleball and entry. Sign up at willowandcosocial as entries are limited.

January 31

I Heart Pets 10K/5K/Fun Run Walk N’Roll 2026. Presented by St. George Races at Tonaquint Nature Center, St. George. This annual race welcomes all pets to join their humans in a race of their choice to celebrate a love for animals. Those without pets are encouraged to dress up as any creature, or simply come and show support. This is an untimed fun run.

February 6

Tango After Dark. Presented by the Utah Valley University School of the Arts at the Noorda Center for Performing Arts, 800 W University Parkway, Orem. Starting at 7:30 pm tango stars from the World Tango Championships and world-class tango dancers will perform to a live tango band. Visit uvu.edu/events for tickets.

February 13-14

Valentine Dinner Dance at Thanksgiving Point. Enjoy an evening of live music and live entertainment by the local band, The Salamanders. A three-course meal before the dance will be served. Photos will be available. Tickets are available to thanksgivingpoint.org for $90 per person. Tickets sell out quickly. Held at the Show Barn at Thanksgiving Point from 6 pm to 10 pm.

February 13 – 15

Banff Centre Mountain Film Festival World Tour 2026. Presented by Peery’s Egyptian Theater at Perry’s Egyptian Theater, 2415 Washington Blvd., Ogden. The Banff Centre Mountain Film and Book Festival is one of the largest mountain festivals in the world. The tour will include 600 stops in more than 40 countries. Reserved tickets are $28.50 for adults and can be purchased here.

Feature Image Photo by Karl Hörnfeldt on Unsplash

Utah Stories

Connie Lewis

Connie has been with Utah Stories since 2013, and has enjoyed learning everything involved in producing a monthly magazine. In addition to writing, Connie performs administrative tasks, coordinates writers, photographers and editors, and oversees a million little details. Her least favorite word is ‘deadline.’ A journalism class at the University of Utah sparked Connie’s love of writing. Finding it hard to narrow her interests to just one major, journalism allowed her to explore a wide variety of topics and disciplines. When she is not writing, Connie loves spending time with her family and traveling with her dogs. “It has been a pleasure learning new things about the state I was born in and meeting the people who make Utah great,” she says. Connie plans to continue her love of learning and improving as the magazine moves onward and upward.