Things to Do in Spanish Fork, Utah (2026)

Abigail Giordano Senior Writer, Provo.com

Spanish Fork punches well above its size when it comes to things to do. This south-valley city has leaned hard into its identity as a festival town, packing the calendar with some of the most distinctive celebrations in Utah — from a Holi color festival that draws thousands to a rodeo that's been running for more than 80 years — while sitting right at the mouth of a canyon full of trails, rivers, and mountain scenery.

Here's a local's guide to the best of Spanish Fork, festivals and outdoors alike.

Fiesta Days: the main event

If Spanish Fork has a signature, it's Fiesta Days. Held each July around Pioneer Day and running about ten days, it's one of the most energetic summer celebrations in Utah Valley — and the 2026 edition carries the theme "At the Heart of It All."

The centerpiece is the Fiesta Days Rodeo, a PRCA event that has been a tradition for more than 80 years, bringing bareback riding, bull riding, barrel racing, team roping, and crowd-favorite mutton bustin' to the fairgrounds arena. Around the rodeo, the festival fills out with parades, concerts, a carnival, craft and food vendors, a duck race, and fireworks. It's the kind of week-long community party that defines small-city Utah summers.

The Festival of Colors

Spanish Fork's most photographed event happens just outside town at the Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple, a striking hilltop temple that's worth a visit any time of year. Each spring — typically late March — it hosts the Festival of Colors, a Holi-inspired celebration where thousands gather to throw vibrant colored powder skyward, dance to live music, and share food. The mass color throws, set against the temple and the mountains, are genuinely unforgettable, and the event has become one of the marquee experiences in all of Utah Valley.

Icelandic heritage and more festivals

Few people realize Spanish Fork was the site of the first permanent Icelandic settlement in the United States — and the city celebrates that history every June with Icelandic Days, a heritage festival of music, food, and culture. The festival calendar keeps going through the year with the Festival of Lights, the Harvest Moon Hurrah, and other community events. For a town its size, there's almost always something on. The Provo.com events calendar tracks what's happening across the valley week to week.

Spanish Fork Canyon and the outdoors

Spanish Fork sits at the gateway to Spanish Fork Canyon, which opens the door to year-round outdoor recreation. Hikers and mountain bikers head up canyon routes like the Soldier Creek Trail for panoramic views and wildflower meadows, while anglers and campers find reservoirs and creekside spots within easy reach. Closer to town, the Spanish Fork River Trail is an easy, well-maintained path ideal for a casual walk, run, or family bike ride.

The city also makes a handy basecamp for bigger adventures — it's a quick drive to the Sundance ski slopes and the rest of the southern Wasatch, so you can chase trails in summer and snow in winter from the same home base.

The wind turbines and local landmarks

One of Spanish Fork's most recognizable sights is the row of wind turbines spinning at the mouth of the canyon — part of the Spanish Fork Wind Project and a genuine local landmark visible from miles away. Downtown, the historic Main Street rewards a stroll, with the Old Academy building and other heritage sites lending the city a sense of history that its faster-growing neighbors can't match. It's a pleasant, low-key area to grab a bite and wander.

Make a day of it

A great Spanish Fork day depends on the season. In July, build everything around Fiesta Days — catch a parade, wander the carnival, and end the night at the rodeo or fireworks. In spring, time your visit to the Festival of Colors and pair it with a walk on the River Trail. Any other time of year, combine a morning hike up Spanish Fork Canyon with an afternoon exploring historic Main Street. Because Provo is only about 20 minutes away, it's easy to fold a Spanish Fork outing into a broader Utah Valley day.

Thinking about living here?

Spanish Fork's mix of affordability, heritage, and community spirit makes a lot of visitors wonder what it would be like to live in the south valley. If that's you, our complete guide to living in Spanish Fork covers the housing market, the schools, the commute, and what daily life is really like here. And just up against the foothills next door, the quiet, estate-and-equestrian character of Mapleton makes an interesting contrast.

Between the festivals, the canyon, and that small-town-Utah warmth, Spanish Fork is one of the most genuinely fun places to spend a day in the whole valley.

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.