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SALT LAKE CITY — For many fans, the excitement of the Utah Jazz and Salt Lake City hosting the 2023 All-Star Weekend probably dropped a bit when the prices were announced.
The league wants $1,399 to get into the actual game? And $999 to get into All-Star Saturday night? Yeah, that's a hefty price tag for some made-for-TV exhibition events.
That's the bad news. The good? All-Star Weekend is more than just those two premier events. So if you have an All-Star itch — and don't have the wallet (or stomach) for those prices — there are other options available.
Community events during All-Star Weekend (from cheapest to most expensive)
Grit Rail Jam: There will be two snowboarding rail competitions at Gateway's Olympic Plaza. Amateurs will compete on Friday, Feb. 17 from 2-5 p.m., and professional snowboarders will take the rails on Saturday, Feb. 18 from 3-6 p.m. Both events are free and open to the public.
- When: Feb. 17-18
- Where: Olympic Legacy Plaza in The Gateway
- Cost: Free
The Shop Salt Lake City: Described as an "innovative pop-up retail experience," this shop, curated by Calyann Barnett, will feature brands such as Cactus Jack, MRKT, StockX, The Webster Miami, CounterPoint, and Mitchell & Ness, featuring Slam & Thrifthood.
- When: Feb. 16-18 (10 a.m. – 8 p.m.), and Feb. 19 (11 a.m. – 4 p.m.)
- Where: The Gateway (16 N. Rio Grande)
- Cost: Free
CENTRAL: This three-day music and art event at Galivan Plaza will include 25 musicians performing on upcycled shipping containing. Those containers will feature artwork inside from local artwork. A generative A.I. film, which will be projected on the Gallivan stage, will tell stories about Salt Lake City. Sculptures will also fill the Gallivan grounds.
- When: Feb. 17-19 and will be open 1-10 p.m.
- Where: Gallivan Plaza
- Cost: Free
NBA Ice Buckets: This basketball shooting game has been open since Dec. 2 and will run through Feb. 19. This souped up version of Pop-a-Shot is free to play and allows players to either compete by themselves or against others. Winners can get prizes, such as tickets to All-Star 2023 events, merchandise and more.
- When: Now through Feb. 19 (Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays)
- Where: Trolley Square
- Cost: Free
TRAX entertainment: During All-Star Weekend, downtown TRAX trains will be filled with singers, musicians, comedians, magicians and hosts. Performers will be on trains from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. during All-Star Weekend. This event will coincide with UTA's zero fare week, which will take place Feb. 12-21.
- When: Feb. 17-19, 6 p.m.- 10 p.m.
- Where: Downtown TRAX
- Cost: Free
Utah Jazz Catapult: This new exhibit at the Discovery Gateway Children's Museum consists of a catapult that allows the user to launch a basketball from the free-throw line of a mini-basketball court and make a basket.
- When: Open now
- Where: Discovery Gateway Children's Museum
- Cost: Entry to the museum is $13.50 per adult, $12.50 per child
NBA Crossover: This is a large NBA fan convention. Think of it like Comic Con or FanX but with the NBA. It will feature player appearances, live performances and unique activities focused on art, music, fashion, technology and entertainment
- When: Feb. 17-19, noon - 8 p.m.
- Where: Salt Palace Convention Center
- Cost: Tickets start at $40 for Adults and $20 for Kids (12 & under)
All-Star Weekend basketball events (from cheapest to most expensive)
NBA HBCU Classic: Grambling State University vs. Southern University
- When: Feb. 18, 2 p.m.
- Where: Huntsman Center
- Cost: Tickets start at $10
NBA G League Next Up Game: The All-Star Game-like G League event is the first of its kind at an All-Star Weekend.
- When: Feb. 19, 1 p.m.
- Where: Huntsman Center
- Cost: $15
All-Star Celebrity Game: The annual exhibition basketball game between two teams of celebrities serves as the opening game of sorts for All-Star Weekend. Jazz owners Ryan Smith and Dwyane Wade will act as captains of the two squads. The pool of players, though, have yet to be announced.
- When: Feb. 17, 4:30 p.m.
- Where: Huntsman Center
- Cost: Available tickets (and tickets are limited) start at $45
NBA All-Star Practice: Probably the most accessible event for everyday fans to see the top stars all at one place. Fans can get a glimpse of drills the players will be working on, maybe see some plays, and likely see some high jinx from the top players in the league.
- When: Feb. 18, 10:30 a.m.
- Where: Huntsman Center
- Cost: Tickets start at $50
NBA Rising Stars: The NBA's Rookie-Sophomore showcase event will feature a tournament of four teams. The Utah Jazz's rookie center Walker Kessler will participate in this event.
- When: Feb 17, 6:30 p.m.
- Where: Vivint Arena
- Cost: Available tickets begin at $60
NBA All-Star Saturday Night: The made-for-TV event featuring the dunk contest, the 3-point contest, and the skills challenge. This is one of the two premier events of the weekend (the actual All-Star Game being the other), and it takes more than a few pennies to get inside. Single-game tickets aren't sold, and fans must purchase an NBA experience with a starting cost of $999 to get inside.
- When: Feb. 18, 6 p.m.
- Where: Vivint Arena
- Cost: Packages start at $999
NBA All-Star Game: The exhibition game featuring the top players in the game. The game will be preceded by the two captains — LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo — choosing their teams in a playground-like draft. Like All-Star Saturday night, an experience package will be needed to gain entry, and this one's even more expensive.
- When: Feb. 19, 5:30 p.m.
- Where: Vivint Arena
- Cost: Packages start at $1,399
