Whale Fest 2026

Whale Fest 2026 is a community celebration hosted by the 9th & 9th Business District in collaboration with the Salt Lake City Arts Council. The festival commemorates the completion of Open Your Eyes , the vibrant new mural by artist Jiyoun Lee-Lodge created for Out of the Blue by Stephen Kesler. Taking place at the roundabout at 1100 East and 900 South, this event invites neighbors and visitors alike to come together and enjoy an afternoon filled with creativity, art, and community pride. Join us on Saturday, October 3, from 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM for hands-on crafts, local vendors, live music, food trucks, a costume contest, and a whale call contest. Contest check-in begins at 1:30 PM, with opening remarks at 2:15 PM and activities continuing throughout the afternoon. Space for the contests is limited, so participants are encouraged to arrive early.