What the city has confirmed
Whale Fest is scheduled for Saturday, October 3, 2026. Salt Lake City and the Salt Lake City Arts Council describe it as the community celebration and official unveiling for Open Your Eyes, Jiyoun Lee-Lodge's new mural on Out of the Blue.
Painting is scheduled to begin in late August and continue through September. Whale Fest sits at the end of that public timeline, when the Whale's first mural change is expected to be complete.
What has not been announced
As of August 22, the official announcement does not list a start time, program, street plan, or accessibility details. The city says more information will be shared in the coming weeks.
That missing information is worth stating plainly. This is a save-the-date, not a complete visitor guide, and third-party calendars should not be treated as final until the organizers publish the event plan.
Why this unveiling is different
Out of the Blue was designed to receive a new mural every three to five years. Open Your Eyes will replace Point of Reference, Michael Murdock's sunrise-and-sunset mural that has covered the sculpture since its 2022 installation.
The Whale is not being replaced. The permanent sculpture stays while its painted surface changes, making Whale Fest both an unveiling and the first public proof that this landmark was built to evolve.
Before making plans
Check the Salt Lake City Arts Council's announcement again before traveling. The Whale stands beside a live roundabout at 900 South and 1100 East, not at the neighborhood's namesake 900 South and 900 East intersection, and any event-specific access instructions should come from the organizers.
Sources
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