The annual Swiss Days event takes place the Friday and Saturday before Labor Day each year. The festival is a huge event for the community, and Utahns at large. Many locals camp out for up to several days in advance to secure prime real estate for viewing the Swiss Days parade and to have access to the more than 180 purveyors of arts, crafts, and food.
Swiss Days attracts roughly 100,000 attendees yearly, making it the second largest festival in Utah (topped only by the Days of ‘47 festivities). Obviously, the sleepy mountain town buzzes with excitement during Labor Day weekend, perfect for visitors to both the Salt Lake City and Park City areas to enjoy.
75 Years of Tradition
Since the 1940s, the festival has been a Midway tradition. What was initially the Harvest Festival, created to celebrate the then-community’s farmers and growers, soon took on a different tone and direction — and a new name, Swiss Days.
The festival set out to celebrate the Swiss pioneers who came to Midway and the Heber Valley, stunned by its similarity to their homeland (Read: Swiss Traditions Meet Mountain Adventure in Utah's Heber Valley). The view of the Wasatch Back — including Mount Timpanogos and the rest of the mighty mountains — is indeed visually arresting. Today, the scene is home to one of Northern Utah’s largest state parks, Wasatch Mountain State Park. These pioneers knew they were “home.”
Things to Do at Swiss Days
Swiss Days offers a lively experience in honor of these forebears. The sound of yodelling and alp horns, along with the smell of cinnamon from scones, fills the air. Spot a few dirndls, flower hair wreaths, and alpine hats, to boot, as the festival sweeps you back to the Olde World (Read: Historic Heber).
You can also shop for a variety of children’s toys, home decor, artwork, and crafts from the 180 or so vendors chosen via juried selection. And don’t miss the food smorgasbord, which includes the aforementioned scones, along with Navajo tacos, and Swiss cheese sandwiches (Heber Valley Artisan Cheese produces the cheese from local dairy for the festival). There’s also entertainment from more than a dozen local acts to keep the whole family entertained.
The Saturday parade is possibly the most anticipated part of the two-day event. Community members craft artful floats, kids pedal their bikes, folks ride their horses, and familial generations walk side by down Main. Then, of course, there’s the Swiss Miss and her royalty. The girls, age 10–13, serve as festival ambassadors, and during the parade, they smile, wave and even perform an alpine jig.
The festival is sweet, innocent and friendly — a real-life glimpse into the tiny town of Midway and its people, who volunteer their time to host this flawless festival. What’s more, funds raised from Swiss Days go back to the community to facilitate improvements to town square and public parks.
Read the Stories
-
6 Fun Fall Activities for the Whole Family
Give your family an autumn vacation to remember with these six fun fall activities, including vibrant fall festivals, foliage and forest forays.
-
Utah: Home of the ‘Dirty Soda’
Five spots where you can experience Utah’s soda craze.
-
Swiss Traditions Meet Mountain Adventure in Utah's Heber Valley
In the Heber Valley, visitors can find a mountain playground steeped in authenticity, heritage, and come-as-you-are hospitality.
-
Sun and Fun Below Mount Timpanogos: Explorations of Deer Creek State Park
The sunlight sparkled and danced on the water as we drove beside the reservoir of Deer Creek State Park. The day was warm, the sun was out, and I was excited to get out on the water.
-
8 Sunny-Day Getaways to Tucked-Away Towns in Northern Utah
Prefer off-the-beaten-path destinations? Head to these farm towns, desert gateways and mountain meadows for outdoor adventure and main street charm.
-
Looking Up: Dark Skies of Heber Valley
A trio of state parks in Heber Valley offer stellar views of the Utah night sky. Come stargaze here.
-
Wild Heber: Close-to-Home Adventure
Just 45 minutes from Salt Lake City, Heber Valley’s state parks and national forest lands offer a world of adventure. Hike, bike, camp, kayak, watch wildlife and reel in blue-ribbon trout while learning about nature and how to protect it.
-
6 Surprising Activities That Take Place at The Homestead Crater
From soaking to scuba diving, this hot spring has a lot to offer.
-
Historic Heber: 4 Spots Where You Can Journey to the Past
Discover four Heber Valley destinations where stories of Utah and regional history are told and cherished.
-
Your Guide to Utah's Best Hot Springs
Here’s a quick guide to planning your visit to Utah’s best hot springs. The fun goes beyond sitting and soaking — you’ll find waterslides, paddleboard yoga, camping and music festivals that turn a quick visit into a weekend worth of fun.
-
Ski into Summer: Mountain Resorts in Transition
From spring skiing to golfing and fly fishing, here are tips and things to do to make the most of spring in Utah.
-
11 More Utah Winter Experiences Outside the Ski Resorts
No matter your level of adventure, you will find good reason to save some time for a day away from the resort.
-
Mountain Chocolate Calling
Make your chocolate fantasy into reality by including on your itinerary a visit to the Ritual Chocolate Factory, one of Utah’s premier chocolate makers.
-
Cross-country Skiing in the Tracks of Olympians
Utah cross country skiing for beginners starts with techniques. Soldier Hollow is the perfect location and hosted 2 events for the 2002 Winter Olympics.
-
7 Utah Artisan Cheeses to Try Now
Taste delicious hand-crafted cheese from Utah dairies at farmers markets, restaurants and specialty shops. Visit Utah and find your favorite artisanal cheese.
-
Top Ski Towns in Utah
The best ski towns in Utah tout easy access to The Greatest Snow on Earth®, along with lively culture, fine dining and off-mountain activities.
-
Reclaiming the Stars: Utah’s Dark Sky Initiative
Utah's Dark Sky Initiative helps state park visitors experience the cosmos by protecting night skies, encouraging astrotourism and promoting stargazing.
-
Supporting Women Entrepreneurs While Traveling in Utah
Women entrepreneurs in Utah have been particularly successful at honing their expertise. Find out about women-owned businesses you can support while adventuring in Utah.
-
Where to Find the Best Snowmobiling in Heber Valley
Less than an hour's drive from Salt Lake City, Heber Valley is the perfect Utah snowmobile base camp for newbies and experienced riders alike.
-
Why Backcountry Snowmobiling Is an Unforgettable Way to Experience the Uinta Mountains
The Uinta Mountains are about 100 miles east of Salt Lake City and just a few minutes from Vernal in Eastern Utah. It's one of the state's top snowmobiling destinations.
-
How to Slow Travel in Utah
Avoid the mad scramble and consider slow travel as a better approach to your Utah trip.
-
Heber Eats
Heber Valley is a basecamp for adventure with none of the crowds! With restaurants, bakeries, yurt dining and more there is never a shortage of places to eat.
-
Northern Utah Adventure Gateway Towns
Looking for outdoor adventures in The Beehive State? These northern Utah cities are perfect spots to set up base camp. Start planning today!
-
The Coyote Canyon Loop
An easy 20-minute trip south from Park City, the Coyote Canyon Trail is a gorgeous 20-mile loop that undulates through the sprawling expanses of Heber Valley and showcases some of its best features along the way.
-
Best Trails for Horseback Riding Within an Hour of Salt Lake City
Here's a list of the best trails for horseback riding within an hour of Salt Lake City, Utah. Note, these five trails are for those with access to horses and trailers.
