Harvest Moon Festival | Ogden's Biggest Event of the Year
By feature writer Tami Theobald for My Local Utah.
When: September 21
Where: Historic 25th Street, Ogden
How Much: Free
Mark your calendars for Saturday, September 21, as Ogden’s iconic Harvest Moon Festival returns for its 23rd year, promising to be bigger and better than ever! As Ogden’s largest single-day event, the festival typically attracts nearly 40,000 attendees, and this year, it is expected to break previous attendance records.”
This all-day celebration, starting at 10:00 am and running to 9:00 pm, is a must-attend event as Ogden bids farewell to summer and embraces the arrival of fall.”
Getting There
The Harvest Moon Festival is free and open to everyone. Parking options include Electric Alley (behind the north side of Historic 25th Street), nearby parking garages, and the District Court parking lot. Due to increased traffic from the festival and other events, the Ogden Downtown Alliance suggests using alternative transportation if possible. Visitors from neighboring cities might consider taking UTA’s Frontrunner or local bus routes.
The Greenbike system is also available for convenient two-wheel transportation.
Festivities and Activities:
The day kicks off with the NuHope Walk to raise awareness for suicide prevention.
Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. at the Ogden Amphitheater, with the walk and short program starting at 10:00 a.m. Informational booths will be available at the amphitheater from 11:30 a.m. to noon, providing valuable resources and support.
For those looking to try something new, Social Axe, one of Ogden’s most popular attractions, offers free axe throwing for anyone over the age of 13 until 5:30 p.m. At 5:30 p.m., the excitement ramps up with a live Axe Throwing Competition, limited to 50 participants. If you haven’t yet visited Social Axe at their Lincoln Avenue location, Harvest Moon is the perfect opportunity to experience this growing competitive sport.
The famous climbing wall returns this year. Climbing is free until 4:00 p.m., after which a small fee will be charged until 8:00 p.m.
Other activities include:
- Gibson Green Acres pumpkin display
- Plaster fossil casting with Ogden’s George S. Eccles Dinosaur Park (kid- friendly activity)
- Wooden Moon Phases art activity with the Local Artisan Collective (kid- f riendly)
- Create Your Own Pumpkin activity with Eccles Art Center (kid-friendly)
- A variety of interactive activities from ten different departments at Weber State University
- Antique tractor display from Great Basin Antique Tractors
- Balloon art by Locally Twisted
Entertainment Lineup:
Live music fills the festival with vibrant energy. While popular headliners may steal the show, the Harvest Moon Festival also offers a stage for emerging local talent to shine. From noon to 5:00 p.m., enjoy performances by Imagine Music on the community stage. Keep an eye out for the Giant Pumpkin from Cache Valley Giant Pumpkins, with live carving by Adam Smith. Roaming magician Elias “Lefty” Caress will amaze from 12:00 to 5:00 p.m. Don’t miss the Endless Indulgence fashion show at 4:30 p.m. on the main stage.
The main stage will also feature performances by:
- Branson Anderson
- Ogden Taiko Drummers
- WSU Pow Wow
- Divya School of Dance
- Ballet Folklorico Tutulli
- Snarlin” Yarns
- Utah Irish Dance Company y Caleb & The Canvas
- Congolese Drummers
This year’s headliner is the talented Michelle Moonshine, who is sure to deliver a memorable performance with her mix of country, bluegrass, and rock ‘n’ roll.
Additional Highlights:
A beer garden will showcase a variety of local brews from across Utah for those 21 and over (wristbands are provided). The festival on the street wraps up around 9:00 p.m., but the fun continues at nearby venues such as Lighthouse Lounge, KoKoMo Club, Alleged, and Brewskis. Make the most of this incredible day, enjoy all the festival has to offer, and get home safely and responsibly.
Never miss a Utah event. Subscribe free to My Local Utah for festivals, local food, recipes and giveaways.
Hosting a festival or event? Put it in front of Utah locals. List your event or advertise on My Local Utah, and get local SEO help from 360 ELEVATED.
My Local Utah is your one stop destination for everything Utah. Whether you’re a business owner looking for resources, a resident looking to explore hidden gems, or a visitor eager to experience Utah’s unique culture and offerings, we’ve got you covered.
Share the adventure!
