The Ogden Arts Festival is taking over Union Station this weekend, bringing in live music, hundreds of artists, and plenty of hands-on projects for kids and adults. Along with the art and crowds comes a fresh challenge: navigating Ogden’s newer downtown paid-parking rules while still snagging those coveted free spots. City staff have pushed out a brief advisory to help festivalgoers get parked without too much drama.
Festival Dates and What’s On
The two-day festival runs Saturday and Sunday, with Saturday events from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The whole thing unfolds at historic Union Station and is set to feature live muralists, local bands, and family art stations, according to Ogden Downtown Alliance.
What Ogden City Posted About Parking
Ogden City Government outlined the new rules on Facebook: on-street metered spaces are $1.50 per hour, while off-street lots run $1.00 per hour, and the WonderBlock garage charges $1 per use. Visitors can pay using the Passport app, kiosks, or text-to-pay. The city notes that the first 15 minutes are free when a session is started through Passport or a kiosk, and ADA-designated spaces are free for two hours with no app or kiosk required.
Parking enforcement is in effect Monday through Saturday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The post also points festival attendees to the Junction parking structures and lots south of Union Station as free options with no time limits, and notes that Sundays and state holidays are free as well, per the Ogden City Government.
Why Parking Is Changing Downtown
Paid parking rolled out in parts of downtown this summer as Ogden puts a managed-parking system in place tied to financing for new garages. Visit Ogden detailed the June 15 start date for the paid zones and the Passport payment options, while the Standard‑Examiner has been following the city council debate and community reaction.
Visitor Tips for Parking and Arrival
If you are driving to the festival, it is worth planning to get there a little early or heading straight for the free Junction garages and walking a few blocks to Union Station to avoid circling for a meter. Use the Passport app or a kiosk if you just need a quick drop-off so you can take advantage of the free 15-minute grace period, and keep in mind that accessible parking stalls are exempt from payment for two hours.
For maps, artist listings, and event updates, check the festival page on Ogden Downtown Alliance.
For the city’s full parking list and detailed rules, see the original Ogden City Government Facebook post. Volunteers and signage will be on site at Union Station, so keep an eye on posted enforcement times and plan accordingly.
