When we plan upcoming vacations, we always make sure to check out what the city has scheduled as far as special events, musical performances, and new restaurant openings. We hate arriving to a new city and learning that an awesome, one weekend only event happened the weekend before or after our visit. So, to help you plan the best trip to Sun Valley, pick a weekend with one of these city events and it’s sure to add that the little something extra to your next trip. 

Outdoor Ice Show- Hot summertime temps and cool ice-skating usually don’t mix. But not a worry at Sun Valley Resort, where you can ice skate year around. Some of our favorite attractions are seeing past Olympians skate on the outdoor rink and this summer is no different. Coming up don’t miss: Johnny Weir, 2014 Winter Olympic Gold Medalists Meryl Davis and Charlie White.

Music in the Mountains: Bring a blanket or buy seats under the massive, gorgeous pavilion, either way plan to visit the area for one of Sun Valley Symphony’s summer series performances. Mentioned by self-professed “non-symphony lovers” as an experience not to be missed, this is an attraction that locals and visitors love to attend. It’s their 30th anniversary and the shows are going to be better than ever. Best of all, most of these events are free!

Wagon Days: Get ready to go back in time! Experience Ketchum during a time without cars, when wagons ruled the dirt roads. Wagon Days has events all weekend long with the Big Hitch Parade, one of the longest non-motorized parades in the Pacific Northwest, as the main attraction. 

Hemingway Festival 2014- The connection between Sun Valley and Hemingway can be felt around every turn in Ketchum and at the resort. Passing through town you’ll see posters and quotes from the famous author and his words bring a special feeling to the mountains and rivers and streams that you pass. The community library puts on the Hemingway Festival with a very large section on Hemingway. This year’s theme is his life in Cuba. 

Sun Valley Jazz Jamboree- If you love music, this is the weekend to visit Sun Valley and Ketchum. During the five day festival there are over fifty bands on ten different stages throughout the area. 

Ride Sun Valley- An Annual bike race unlike any you’ve been to before. This almost week long festival does have bike races but also features nightly events with bands and a bike race where they pull a fire log behind them. Bring your camera; you don’t want to miss it.

Even more awesome events happening all summer long:

Wine Down Wednesdays at the Sawtooth Botanical Garden

Yoga on the Mountain (Saturdays at the base of Bald Mountain)

The Alpine Beer & Food Tasting (a monthly event)

Sponsored by Sun Valley Tourism.