Holiday cheer is here, Cedar City! Let our guide lead you to all the festive fun. From residents to tourists, this guide is your gateway to the holiday wonders of Cedar City.
Popular events in Cedar City this season include the enchanting Christmas on Temple Square, where twinkling lights and beautiful nativity scenes create a magical atmosphere. With stunning trees adorned in festooned decorations, the Festival of Trees showcases local talent and festive spirit. And the iconic Ballet West: The Nutcracker is something you definitely don't want to miss, offering a delightful performance that captures the essence of the holiday season. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Cedar City
- Christmas on Temple Square (Salt Lake)
- Festival of Trees (Sandy)
- Luminaria at Thanksgiving Point (Lehi)
- Ballet West: The Nutcracker (Salt Lake)
- ZooLights at Utah’s Hogle Zoo (Salt Lake)
- Handel’s Messiah at Abravanel Hall (Salt Lake)
- Walk the Windows at The Grand America (Salt Lake)
- Christkindlmarkt at This is the Place Heritage Park (Salt Lake)
- Breakfast with Santa at Gardner Village (Salt Lake)
- Holiday Electric Light Parade (Ogden)
See these and even more events listed below!
Cedar City Holiday Light Displays
Christmas on Temple Square
What to Expect:
Annual light display with free concerts by the Tabernacle Choir.
Description:
Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah, transforms into a dazzling display of over one million lights each year, starting the day after the United States Thanksgiving holiday. The event features complimentary guided tours, virtual tours in multiple languages, and free Christmas concerts by the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square. The lights remain on until January 1, serving as a reminder of the birth of Jesus Christ.
Where: Salt Lake | More Info: Christmas on Temple Square
ZooLights at Utah’s Hogle Zoo
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration in a zoo setting
Description:
At Utah's Hogle Zoo, ZooLights transforms the zoo into a vibrant display of animal and holiday-themed lights. While the animals rest, immerse yourself in a nature-focused lighting experience featuring brilliant light displays throughout the zoo.
Where: Salt Lake | More Info: ZooLights at Utah’s Hogle Zoo
Luminaria at Thanksgiving Point
What to Expect:
Interactive light and fire performance with themed areas.
Description:
Luminaria at Thanksgiving Point is a spectacular holiday light display featuring millions of twinkling lights, themed areas, and interactive elements like the Fire & Ice show and the Tree of Life sculpture garden.
Where: Lehi | More Info: Luminaria at Thanksgiving Point
Tree Lighting at Valley Fair
What to Expect:
Vibrant light display and festive atmosphere.
Description:
Valley Fair's Tree Lighting event features a stunning display of lights and decorations, festive music, and a joyful atmosphere, making it a special holiday tradition for the community.
Where: West Valley City | More Info: Tree Lighting at Valley Fair
Holiday Electric Light Parade
What to Expect:
Elaborate floats and live entertainment culminating in fireworks.
Description:
The Holiday Electric Light Parade in Ogden, UT, features elaborate floats and fantastic performers along Washington Boulevard, culminating in a spectacular fireworks show.
Where: Ogden | More Info: Holiday Electric Light Parade
Draper Tree Lighting Ceremony
What to Expect:
Spectacular display of over three million lights.
Description:
The Draper Tree Lighting Ceremony is an annual event where Draper City lights up the holiday season with over three million lights displayed throughout Draper City Park. The ceremony includes a main stage ceremony at 6:00 PM, Santa visits at the Day Barn from 6:30 to 8:00 PM, hot chocolate and cookies, pony rides, and marshmallow roasting.
Where: Draper | More Info: Draper Tree Lighting Ceremony
Cedar City Holiday Markets and Shopping
Christkindlmarkt at This is the Place Heritage Park
What to Expect:
Traditional German market with unique gifts and delicious food.
Description:
Christkindlmarkt at This Is The Place Heritage Park offers a unique holiday shopping and cultural experience inspired by German Christmas markets. Stroll through wooden vendor booths and enjoy tantalizing food and festive entertainment amidst the park's magical backdrop.
Where: Salt Lake | More Info: Christkindlmarkt at This is the Place Heritage Park
Cedar City Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Ballet West: The Nutcracker
What to Expect:
World-class ballet performance with elaborate sets and costumes.
Description:
Ballet West presents Willam Christensen's The Nutcracker, a timeless holiday classic choreographed by the founder of Ballet West. This iconic production, set to Tchaikovsky's moving score, features elaborate sets and costumes. It is recognized as America's first and longest-running Nutcracker, annually performed by Ballet West at the Janet Quinney Lawson Capitol Theatre.
Where: Salt Lake | More Info: Ballet West: The Nutcracker
Handel’s Messiah at Abravanel Hall
What to Expect:
Unique blend of classical music and community participation.
Description:
Handel's Messiah, composed in 1741, is an oratorio that draws inspiration from both the Old and New Testaments, detailing the life of Christ in three parts. The Utah Symphony Chorus performs this beloved composition, including the iconic "Hallelujah Chorus," in an evening of joy and community.
Where: Salt Lake | More Info: Handel’s Messiah at Abravanel Hall
Trans-Siberian Orchestra
What to Expect:
All-new version of "The Lost Christmas Eve" with fan-favorite songs.
Description:
Trans-Siberian Orchestra is renowned for its elaborate live performances that blend hard rock and Christmas tunes, featuring a new version of "The Lost Christmas Eve," the final chapter of their Christmas trilogy.
Where: Salt Lake | More Info: Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Cedar City Other Holiday Activities
Festival of Trees
What to Expect:
Community-driven holiday auction supporting children's health.
Description:
The Festival of Trees is a holiday event featuring beautifully decorated trees, wreaths, and gingerbread houses, with proceeds supporting Primary Children's Hospital. Community volunteers create and donate intricate holiday decorations for a silent auction, showcasing a variety of items including Christmas trees, wreaths, centerpieces, gingerbread villages, nativities, quilts, and playhouses.
Where: Sandy | More Info: Festival of Trees
Walk the Windows at The Grand America
What to Expect:
Interactive holiday window displays with a scavenger hunt.
Description:
The Grand America Hotel's Holiday Window Stroll features intricately designed windows celebrating Utah's winter wonders, including a playful kitty named Snowball. Each window display includes a QR code with a letter from Jaqueline Frost, and answering all 14 quiz questions correctly enters you into a drawing for a free night stay at the hotel.
Where: Salt Lake | More Info: Walk the Windows at The Grand America
Breakfast with Santa at Gardner Village
What to Expect:
Yummy buffet breakfast with Santa and his elves.
Description:
Join Santa and Mrs. Claus for a delightful breakfast at Gardner Village, featuring a yummy buffet, music, and activities. Enjoy a special visit with Santa's elves and create cherished Christmas memories.
Where: Salt Lake | More Info: Breakfast with Santa at Gardner Village
Santa’s Arrival in Riverton
What to Expect:
Free activities for kids with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Description:
Bring the kids to see Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive in Riverton on a bright red fire engine. Children can greet Santa, make their Christmas requests, and write letters to Santa. The event includes free scones, hot chocolate, marshmallow roasting, cookie decorating, and crafts.