Butlerville Days in Cottonwood Heights From Provo

Things to Do September 30, 2026 5 min read ✓ Updated September 30, 2026

Abigail Giordano Senior Writer, Provo.com How we make Provo.com

Butlerville Days is Cottonwood Heights' summer festival: three days at Butler Park, behind the city's recreation center, with a carnival, stage entertainment, food trucks, free inflatables for children, a car show, a Saturday parade and a show in the night sky to finish. The 2026 edition changed more than most years, moving earlier in July, moving the parade to the evening and ending without fireworks, so it is worth knowing the new shape before you plan a trip from Utah Valley.

What changed in 2026

Three things. The dates moved: Butlerville Days ran July 16 to 18 in 2026, where the 2025 festival had run July 24 to 26, around Pioneer Day. The parade moved from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on the Saturday, so the day now builds toward the evening instead of peaking in the morning. And the fireworks were canceled, with a drone show closing Saturday night in their place. The America 250 anniversary gave the 2026 festival its theme.

The three days

The carnival, stage entertainment and inflatables ran on these hours in 2026: 4 to 10 p.m. on Thursday, 4 to 11 p.m. on Friday and noon to 11 p.m. on Saturday.

Thursday was the family-night kickoff, with the carnival rides and food trucks from 4 p.m.
Friday began with yoga in the park and brought a classic car show in the evening and a free movie in the park, The Sandlot, at 8:30 p.m.
Saturday started with a free High Fitness class at 7 a.m., opened the carnival and the free kids' inflatable zone at noon, and built to the parade at 5 p.m. and the night show at 10.

The festival has a strong free program around the edges. Past years have included a chalk art contest, bingo, a historic exhibit and walking tour, a painting session in the park and free public skating in the recreation center's ice arena, which returned in 2026.

The parade

The Butlerville Days parade runs along Bengal Boulevard, starting at 3500 East and ending in the Brighton High School parking lot. In 2026 the city's call was for floats, marching bands, community groups, local businesses, first responders and classic vehicles, and for spectators to line Bengal Boulevard with flags. The 5 p.m. start puts it between the afternoon program and the night show rather than first thing in the morning.

The night show: fireworks, drones, or both

Butlerville Days is a good example of how the Salt Lake Valley's summer skies are changing. The 2025 festival had both: a drone light show on Friday night and fireworks on Saturday, the fireworks advertised as subject to clearance from the Unified Fire Authority. For 2026 the early publicity promised a fireworks finale, but the fireworks display was canceled, and a drone show ran from 10 to 11 p.m. on Saturday instead.

If the fireworks are the reason you are going, check the city's schedule close to the date: in a dry summer they depend on the fire authority as much as on the festival.

Getting there from Utah County

OpenStreetMap routing puts Butler Park, at 7500 South 2700 East, about 41 miles and 49 minutes from downtown Provo without traffic. The parade closes streets around the park, so on Saturday it is easiest to park once and walk. For the rest of what Cottonwood Heights, Holladay and Millcreek offer, see Things to Do in Cottonwood Heights, Holladay and Millcreek.

Practical notes

The parade is in the evening now. It started at 5 p.m. in 2026.
Much of it is free. Budget for carnival wristbands and food.
Do not count on fireworks. 2026 had a drone show instead.
Check the year's dates. The festival moved from late July to mid-July in 2026.

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Frequently Asked Questions

When is Butlerville Days?

In July, Thursday to Saturday. In 2026 it ran July 16 to 18, a week earlier than before; in 2025 it ran July 24 to 26, around Pioneer Day.

Where is Butlerville Days held?

At Butler Park, 7500 South 2700 East in Cottonwood Heights, behind the Cottonwood Heights Recreation Center.

When is the Butlerville Days parade?

On the Saturday. In 2026 it moved from its old morning slot to 5 p.m., running along Bengal Boulevard from 3500 East and ending at the Brighton High School parking lot.

Does Butlerville Days have fireworks?

Not in 2026. The fireworks display was canceled that year, and a drone show closed Saturday night instead. In 2025 the festival had a drone show on Friday and fireworks on Saturday, the fireworks subject to clearance from the Unified Fire Authority.

Is Butlerville Days free?

Admission to the park, the live music and the kids' inflatable zone are free. Carnival wristbands and tickets are sold separately.

How far is Butlerville Days from Provo?

OpenStreetMap routing puts Butler Park about 41 miles and 49 minutes from downtown Provo without traffic.

Where does the Butlerville Days parade go?

Along Bengal Boulevard, from 3500 East to the Brighton High School parking lot. In 2026 it started at 5 p.m. instead of the morning.

Was there a drone show at Butlerville Days?

Yes. In 2026 the planned fireworks were canceled and a drone show ran from 10 to 11 p.m.; the 2025 festival had a drone show on Friday and fireworks on Saturday.

Abigail Giordano

Senior Writer

Abigail Giordano is a senior writer at Provo.com covering student life, family resources, and community events across Utah Valley. Her writing focuses on making Provo more accessible and navigable for newcomers, students, and families — the practical guides that help people feel at home faster.

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