Every May, Salt Lake City starts to feel a little different. The mountains are still dusted with snow, the weather finally warms up, and for one weekend, the Utah State Fairpark turns into a sprawling home for music fans who care about more than just the headliners. That weekend is Kilby Block Party, and this year’s edition, which takes place May 15-May 17, is shaping up to be one of its biggest yet.

Set times just dropped, which means the real planning can begin. Whether you’re mapping out a nonstop sprint between stages or leaving room to wander and stumble into something new, the lineup gives you plenty to work with. At the top, you’ve got names like Lorde, The xx, Turnstile, and Hayley Williams. But what’s always made Kilby stand out is everything happening beneath those names. It’s the mid-day sets that turn into your favorite memory of the weekend. It’s catching a band early and realizing you’ll be talking about them for the next year. That sense of discovery is baked into this festival in a way that feels increasingly rare. Check out the set time below. With 23 artists across 4 stages daily, a little strategy will come in handy when trying to pack as much music into your day as possible.

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The changes introduced to the layout last year are back, and it means more room to move, better sound between stages, and actual places to sit for a minute without missing half a set. Even the smaller details, like extra water stations, make all the difference when you’re in it for three full days.

And then there’s everything that happens each night after the gates close. Official aftershows are scattered across Salt Lake City, turning the whole weekend into something bigger than just the fairgrounds. You might find yourself packed into Kilby Court for a late set, or bouncing between rooms at Urban Lounge and Metro Music Hall. With artists like Snail Mail, Kevin Morby, and Dehd playing those smaller rooms, it’s a completely different, more intimate kind of experience.

In between sets, people drift. Some head to the vendor booths or flip through records, others post up by the skate competition or track down food. A lot of people just find a place to sit and hang out, and that’s part of the festival’s appeal. The experience doesn’t need to feel rushed if you don’t want it to.

What began as a one-day event tied to Kilby Court now pulls in fans from all over, but it hasn’t really lost that local, community-driven feel. That balance is probably why people keep coming back, with the fairgrounds seeing over 25k people from around the world each day.

One thing that hasn’t changed: tickets don’t stick around forever. VIP is already gone, and general admission is getting thin. If you’ve been on the fence, now is the time to act. 

Three days, a stacked lineup, and a setting that’s hard to beat — it’s all there. You just have to decide if you’re going (and we highly recommend that you do). Tickets can be purchased here. A portion of all proceeds from KBP 2026 will be given to support the following organizations: EQUALITY UTAH / HEAL UTAH / SPY HO.

Kilby Block Party kick-off shows and after parties can be found here. 

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