What Happened to Kilby Block Party?
Kilby Block Party is an annual independent music festival held in Salt Lake City, Utah, that originated in 2019 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the iconic local venue, Kilby Court. It has rapidly grown from a one-day event into a multi-day festival, attracting tens of thousands of attendees and featuring a diverse lineup of indie, alternative, and electronic artists, establishing itself as Utah's largest music event.
Quick Answer
Kilby Block Party is an annual independent music festival in Salt Lake City, Utah, that has significantly expanded since its inception in 2019. As of May 15, 2026, the festival is currently underway at the Utah State Fairpark, running from May 15-17, 2026. It continues to be a major draw for indie music fans, featuring a wide array of national and international artists, and is organized by S&S Presents.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline11 events
Inaugural Kilby Block Party
The first Kilby Block Party was held as a one-day event in Salt Lake City's Granary District, commemorating the 20th anniversary of Kilby Court and featuring Death Cab for Cutie as a headliner.
Post-Pandemic Return and Afterparties
After a hiatus, the festival returned as a one-day event in the same location, featuring Young the Giant and introducing the now-signature KBP afterparties.
Expansion to Two Days and New Venue
Kilby Block Party expanded to a two-day format and moved to Library Square in Downtown Salt Lake City, with headliners including Phoebe Bridgers and Mac DeMarco.
Three-Day Format and Utah State Fairpark Move
The festival expanded to three days and relocated to the larger Utah State Fairpark, becoming a significant event in Utah's music scene.
2024 Lineup Announcement
The lineup for the 2024 Kilby Block Party was announced, featuring headliners LCD Soundsystem, The Postal Service, and Vampire Weekend.
Kilby Block Party 5 (25th Anniversary of Kilby Court)
The 5th annual festival celebrated Kilby Court's 25th anniversary, drawing approximately 23,000 attendees per day and featuring a diverse lineup across multiple stages.
2025 Lineup Announced and Four-Day Expansion
Kilby Block Party announced its 2025 lineup, featuring headliners New Order, Beach House, Weezer, and Justice, and expanded to a four-day format for the first time.
Kilby Block Party 6 (First Four-Day Event)
The 6th annual festival was held over four days, attracting around 25,000 attendees per day and showcasing a wide array of artists, including its first electronic headliner, Justice.
2026 Kilby Block Party Lineup Drops
The initial lineup for the 2026 Kilby Block Party was released, building anticipation for the upcoming festival.
2026 Full Schedule and Single-Day Tickets Release
The complete schedule for Kilby Block Party 2026 was announced, with single-day tickets becoming available for purchase.
Kilby Block Party 7 Underway
The 7th annual Kilby Block Party is currently taking place at the Utah State Fairpark, featuring headliners Lorde, The xx, and Turnstile, and over 70 artists.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
The Kilby Block Party began in 2019 as a one-day celebration marking the 20th anniversary of Kilby Court, a renowned all-ages music venue in Salt Lake City, Utah. The inaugural event took place on a closed-off street near Kilby Court in the Granary District, reflecting the venue's legacy of supporting emerging indie and alternative artists. Its immediate success and positive reception demonstrated a significant demand for a large-scale independent music festival in the region.
Driven by this initial triumph, the festival quickly evolved. After a hiatus in 2020, it returned in October 2021 as a one-day event that notably introduced afterparties, expanding the festival experience beyond the main stage. A pivotal turning point occurred in 2022 when Kilby Block Party expanded to a two-day format and relocated to Library Square in Downtown Salt Lake City to accommodate its growing audience. The following year, in 2023, the festival further expanded to three days and moved to its current, larger home at the Utah State Fairpark, a venue capable of hosting the increasing attendance and multiple stages.
The festival continued its impressive growth into 2024, celebrating Kilby Court's 25th anniversary. This edition, held from May 10-12, 2024, at the Utah State Fairpark, was described as the biggest and most attended to date, drawing approximately 23,000 attendees per day. Headliners included major acts like LCD Soundsystem, The Postal Service, and Vampire Weekend. The success of 2024 paved the way for an even more ambitious 2025 event.
In 2025, Kilby Block Party made headlines by expanding to a four-day format, running from May 15-18, and featuring an expanded lineup of 75 artists. Headliners for this edition included New Order, Beach House, Weezer, and Justice, showcasing a broader range of genres while maintaining its indie roots. This expansion was partly in response to fan feedback, as the dates were adjusted to avoid Mother's Day, and organizers planned for more space and amenities to enhance the attendee experience. Daily attendance reached approximately 25,000 people from around the world.
As of today, May 15, 2026, the Kilby Block Party is currently taking place at the Utah State Fairpark. The 2026 edition, its seventh annual event, runs from May 15-17 and features headliners such as Lorde, The xx, and Turnstile, alongside over 70 other artists across four stages. The festival has solidified its reputation as a nationally respected indie music festival, curated by S&S Presents, and continues to be a significant cultural and economic event for Salt Lake City, known for its focus on new music discovery and a community-oriented atmosphere.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Kilby Block Party made different choices?