Get excited for the holidays in Cottonwood Heights! Our guide has everything you need for a festive season. From Cottonwood Heights regulars to holiday explorers, our guide highlights the season's best events and activities.
One highlight during this joyful time is the enchanting Christmas on Temple Square, where thousands of twinkling lights and decorated trees create a Christmas wonderland right in the heart of Salt Lake City. Another must-see is ZooLights at Utah’s Hogle Zoo, featuring dazzling light displays that illuminate the zoo's pathways, making for a unique holiday experience. And the Walk the Windows at The Grand America is something you definitely don’t want to miss, offering beautifully themed window displays that capture the spirit of the season. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Cottonwood Heights
- Christmas on Temple Square (Salt Lake City)
- ZooLights at Utah’s Hogle Zoo (Salt Lake City)
- Walk the Windows at The Grand America (Salt Lake City)
- Christkindlmarkt at This is the Place Heritage Park (Salt Lake City)
- Luminaria at Thanksgiving Point (Lehi)
- Handel’s Messiah at Abravanel Hall (Salt Lake City)
- Festival of Trees (Sandy)
- Northern Utah Dickens Christmas Festival (Ogden)
- Breakfast with Santa at Gardner Village (West Jordan)
- Candlelight Christmas - This Is the Place Heritage Park (Salt Lake City)
See these and even more events listed below!
Cottonwood Heights Holiday Light Displays
Christmas on Temple Square
What to Expect:
Annual holiday celebration with over one million lights and diverse Christmas activities.
Description:
Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah, transforms into a festive holiday destination with over one million lights and various Christmas-themed activities. The event includes daily concerts by local choirs, a collection of Nativities from around the world, and a display of Christmas foods and traditions from different countries.
Where: Salt Lake City | 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 light and nature, featuring animal and holiday scenes throughout the grounds. Explore a holiday walk-through event filled with your favorite animals in a nature-focused lighting experience.
Where: Salt Lake City | 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. The event includes the iconic Merry Mosaic, the Fire and Ice show, and the Tree of Life sculpture garden. It offers a variety of experiences, from cozy fire pits to private igloos, making it a memorable experience for the entire family.
Where: Lehi | More Info: Luminaria at Thanksgiving Point
Northern Utah Dickens Christmas Festival
What to Expect:
Free holiday light display with Santa visits and train rides.
Description:
Downtown Ogden transforms into a vibrant holiday destination with colorful lights, festive displays, and family-friendly activities. Visitors can stroll through the village, peek into historic cottages, ride trains, and meet Santa. The event is free and open daily from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 5 p.m. to midnight on Friday and Saturday.
Where: Ogden | More Info: Northern Utah Dickens Christmas Festival
Cottonwood Heights Holiday Markets and Shopping
Christkindlmarkt at This is the Place Heritage Park
What to Expect:
German-inspired holiday market with wooden vendor booths and festive entertainment.
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.
Where: Salt Lake City | More Info: Christkindlmarkt at This is the Place Heritage Park
Holladay Christmas Fest
What to Expect:
Unique gifts and local artisanal food.
Description:
Holladay Christmas Fest offers a variety of stalls with handmade crafts, festive ornaments, and cozy knitwear. Enjoy delightful food options like hearty soup and fresh pastries, and experience live performances by local artists.
Where: Holladay | More Info: Holladay Christmas Fest
Herriman Holiday Arts Market
What to Expect:
Unique holiday shopping experience with hand-selected vendors.
Description:
The Herriman Holiday Marketplace is a premier shopping event featuring over 100 hand-selected vendors offering unique gifts and seasonal items. The event includes scheduled food trucks, entertainment, Santa photo-ops, and a giving tree.
Where: Herriman | More Info: Herriman Holiday Arts Market
Eagle Mountain Holiday Market
What to Expect:
Unique holiday celebration with Santa, reindeer, and festive activities.
Description:
The Eagle Mountain Christmas Village is a family-friendly event featuring Santa, live reindeer, a petting zoo, and Christmas-themed vendor booths. Enjoy food from food trucks and participate in various holiday activities.
Where: Eagle Mountain | More Info: Eagle Mountain Holiday Market
Simple Treasures Holiday Boutique in Farmington
What to Expect:
Utah's premier holiday shopping event with extended hours.
Description:
Simple Treasures Holiday Boutique in Farmington features over 180 top local crafters showcasing unique handcrafted gifts, holiday decor, fashion accessories, and more.
Where: Farmington | More Info: Simple Treasures Holiday Boutique in Farmington
Cottonwood Heights Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Handel’s Messiah at Abravanel Hall
What to Expect:
Community sing-along with the Utah Symphony Chorus.
Description:
Handel's Messiah at Abravanel Hall features the Utah Symphony Chorus performing the beloved choral numbers of this famous oratorio, including the "Hallelujah Chorus," in an evening of joy and community.
Where: Salt Lake City | More Info: Handel’s Messiah at Abravanel Hall
Cottonwood Heights Other Holiday Activities
Festival of Trees
What to Expect:
Community-driven holiday decorations and silent auction to support children's health.
Description:
The Festival of Trees is a holiday event featuring beautifully decorated trees, stunning wreaths, and hand-crafted gingerbread houses, all benefiting Primary Children's Hospital.
Where: Sandy | More Info: Festival of Trees
Walk the Windows at The Grand America
What to Expect:
Interactive window displays with hidden objects and QR code challenges.
Description:
The Grand America Hotel's Holiday Window Stroll features 14 windows themed "Let it Snow," showcasing Utah's winter wonders through the eyes of Jaqueline Frost and her playful kitty, Snowball. Each window includes a QR code with a letter to read, and answering all 14 quiz questions correctly enters you into a drawing for a free night stay at the hotel.
Where: Salt Lake City | More Info: Walk the Windows at The Grand America
Breakfast with Santa at Gardner Village
What to Expect:
Yummy buffet breakfast with Santa and Mrs. Claus.
Description:
Join Santa and Mrs. Claus for a delightful breakfast at Mill Plaza, featuring a buffet spread, music, and activities. Enjoy a memorable holiday tradition with your family.
Where: West Jordan | More Info: Breakfast with Santa at Gardner Village
Candlelight Christmas - This Is the Place Heritage Park
What to Expect:
Immersive holiday experience with live Nativity and pioneer-era crafts.
Description:
Celebrate Christmas pioneer-style at This Is the Place Heritage Park with Father Christmas, a live Nativity, and historic activities like candle making and letter writing.
Where: Salt Lake City | More Info: Candlelight Christmas - This Is the Place Heritage Park
Santa 5k, 10k, & Half Marathon Run - Gardner Village
What to Expect:
Santa-themed running event with festive aid stations.
Description:
Join the Utah Santa Run at Gardner Village for a Christmas-themed 5K, 10K, and Half Marathon. Run dressed as Santa Claus with festive aid stations and holiday music. Volunteers dress as elves to add to the holiday cheer.
Where: West Jordan | More Info: Santa 5k, 10k, & Half Marathon Run - Gardner Village
Ice Skating at Gallivan Center
What to Expect:
Public ice skating with rentals available.
Description:
The Gallivan Center transforms into an outdoor public ice skating rink from mid-November through February. Enjoy both hockey and figure skates for rent, warm up with hot cocoa, and savor sweet and savory treats at the concessions booth.
Where: Salt Lake City | More Info: Ice Skating at Gallivan Center
New Year's Eve Torchlight Parade & Fireworks - Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort
What to Expect:
Synchronized torchlight parade with fireworks display.
Description:
Celebrate New Year's Eve at Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort with a Torchlight Parade and fireworks display on the Plaza Deck. The event features a torchlight parade and fireworks from 6-6:30 PM, followed by fire pits and hot cocoa until 7 PM.
Where: Snowbird | More Info: New Year's Eve Torchlight Parade & Fireworks - Snowbird Ski and Summer Resort
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Sandy Hills (3 miles)
- Holladay (3 miles)
- Sandy (4 miles)
- Midvale (5 miles)
- Murray (5 miles)
- East Millcreek (6 miles)
- Millcreek (6 miles)
- West Jordan (7 miles)
- Draper (7 miles)
- South Jordan (7 miles)
- Taylorsville (8 miles)
- South Salt Lake (8 miles)
- South Jordan Heights (8 miles)
- Riverton (10 miles)
- Kearns (10 miles)
- Salt Lake City (11 miles)
- West Valley City (11 miles)
- Herriman (14 miles)
- Lehi (16 miles)
- Magna (16 miles)
- American Fork (17 miles)
- Pleasant Grove (18 miles)
- Bountiful (19 miles)
- Saratoga Springs (19 miles)
- Orem (23 miles)
- Eagle Mountain (24 miles)
- Farmington (25 miles)
- Tooele (26 miles)
- Provo (28 miles)
- Kaysville (29 miles)
- Layton (32 miles)
- Springville (33 miles)
- Syracuse (35 miles)
- Clearfield (36 miles)
- Spanish Fork (36 miles)
- Clinton (38 miles)
- Roy (39 miles)
- Ogden (43 miles)