As summer days fade, Northern Utah presents a variety of local attractions and community events, inviting residents to explore the season's offerings. Activities range from outdoor adventures to unique indoor entertainment and shopping opportunities, many right here in Ogden and Weber County.
Ogden will host a chilling Candlelight Concert at The Monarch, with its final performance scheduled for October 23. A string quartet performs Halloween-themed hits such as John Carpenter's "Halloween" theme, Michael Jackson's "Thriller," Camille Saint-Saëns' "Danse Macabre," and the "Stranger Things" theme, surrounded by dozens of candles to create a seasonal ambiance.
For family-friendly spooky fun, the George S. Eccles Dinosaur Park in Ogden is bringing back its annual Carnivore Carnival. This event allows both kids and adults to experience "Dinos in the dark" with haunted paths, trick-or-treating, carnival games, prizes, and crafts. Attendees are encouraged to wear costumes, and tickets for select dates through October 24 are available on the park's website.
Later in the fall, the Acorn Antiques & Vintage Show will take place at the Weber County Fairgrounds in Ogden the weekend of November 20. This event offers a chance to find vintage items, jewelry, linens, art, decor, and collectibles, with vendors traveling from Utah, Iowa, and Oregon. Admission is $10 for early access shopping on Friday, which includes re-admission all weekend, or $7 for Saturday and Sunday entry.
Local music enthusiasts can also enjoy several concerts at Weber State University. Student vocalists will perform opera and musical theater scenes on October 29 and 30. For instrumental performances, the Fall into Jazz concert is set for November 6, and the WSSO Movie Scores concert, featuring timeless movie classics from films like "Out of Africa" and "E.T.," will be held on November 17. Tickets for all Weber State concerts can be purchased through the university's website.
Beyond Ogden, other Northern Utah attractions draw residents for scenic beauty and thrills. A drive through Logan Canyon, accessible from Highway 89, is listed by TripAdvisor as the No. 1 thing to do in Logan. The approximately 45-minute drive features dense forests of trees turning vibrant shades of red, orange, and yellow, winding through the canyon and ending near Bear Lake. Visitors are advised to plan for stops at pullouts for photos.
For those seeking an outdoor challenge, the Wind Cave hike is a popular three-mile out-and-back trail. Located about five miles up the canyon near the Guinavah-Malibu Campground, the trail leads to a triple arch etched out of limestone. According to AllTrails, the hike involves roughly 1,000 feet of elevation gain and offers sweeping views of colorful trees in the canyon and valley below, though Google reviewers note it can be steep near the end.
Lagoon amusement park also transforms for its Frightmares event, running through November 8. The park keeps all classic rides open while introducing nine haunted attractions. Families can enjoy Peter's Pumpkin Patch in Pioneer Village for pumpkin and cookie decorating, and games. Older visitors looking for more intense scares might explore the Malevolent Mansion in North Midway, which is described as "absolutely too scary for most kids" due to its malevolent spirits. Details on all spooky attractions are available on the Lagoon website.
With these diverse events and attractions, Northern Utah's fall season offers more than enough for a quick day trip, providing numerous ways for residents to celebrate autumn.
