Plan your holiday fun in Salt Lake City with our ultimate guide. Whether you're deeply connected to Salt Lake City or just making connections, this guide enhances your holiday experience.
One of the most enchanting experiences this season is the Christmas on Temple Square, where twinkling lights and festive decorations transform the iconic square into a winter wonderland. The Festival of Lights offers a vibrant display of illuminated scenes that captivate both young and old. And the Nutcracker by Ballet West is something you definitely don't want to miss, showcasing a timeless ballet performance that brings the magic of the season to life. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Salt Lake City
- Christmas on Temple Square
- Nutcracker by Ballet West
- Festival of Lights (Spanish Fork)
- Festival of Trees (Sandy)
- Lightwalk at Tracy Aviary
- Christkindlmarkt at This is the Place Heritage Park
- Handel’s Messiah at Abravanel Hall
- Candy Rush by World of Illumination
- Christmas Village 2023 (Ogden)
- Luminaria at Thanksgiving Point (Lehi)
See these and even more events listed below!
Salt Lake City Holiday Light Displays
Festival of Lights
What to Expect:
Drive-through holiday light display with festive installations.
Description:
The Festival of Lights is a holiday event featuring a 2.5-mile drive-through display of festive light installations, open nightly from Thanksgiving to New Year's Day.
Where: Spanish Fork | More Info: Festival of Lights
Lightwalk at Tracy Aviary
What to Expect:
Holiday celebration with lighted walk-thru tunnel and colorful holiday maze.
Description:
Stroll through eight acres of dazzling light displays at Tracy Aviary, immersing yourself in a festive atmosphere with Santa, a life-size gingerbread house, and delicious holiday beverages and treats.
Where: Salt Lake City | More Info: Lightwalk at Tracy Aviary
Christmas Village 2023
What to Expect:
Free holiday activities with Santa visits and train rides.
Description:
Christmas Village in Ogden, UT, features colorful lights, holiday displays, and activities like visiting Santa and riding trains, all free for visitors.
Where: Ogden | More Info: Christmas Village 2023
Candy Rush by World of Illumination
What to Expect:
Animated drive-through light show with synchronized lights and music.
Description:
Candy Rush by World of Illumination is a mile-long drive-through light show featuring millions of colorful lights and larger-than-life Christmas characters, hosted by Chef Kuma, with enchanting Christmas music that everyone in the family will enjoy.
Where: Salt Lake City | More Info: Candy Rush by World of Illumination
Snow Globe Stroll
What to Expect:
Life-size snow globes themed around holiday songs.
Description:
Seven life-size snow globes, each themed around different holiday songs, are placed along Historic Park City's Main Street, creating a visually appealing and harmonious holiday display.
Where: Park City | More Info: Snow Globe Stroll
Christmas on Temple Square
What to Expect:
Annual light display with daily concerts and international exhibits.
Description:
Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah, is adorned with over one million lights each year, starting the day after Thanksgiving and continuing through New Year's Day. The event features daily concerts, international nativities, and special exhibits showcasing various Christmas traditions and food displays. Complimentary guided tours are available daily, and virtual tours are also accessible in multiple languages.
Where: Salt Lake City | More Info: Christmas on Temple Square
Luminaria at Thanksgiving Point
What to Expect:
Interactive light and fire performance with real flame units.
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 garden with 130 bronze sculptures symbolizing hope and redemption.
Where: Lehi | More Info: Luminaria at Thanksgiving Point
Salt Lake City Holiday Markets and Shopping
Gingerbread Village and Holiday Market
What to Expect:
Unique holiday market with gingerbread houses and seasonal items.
Description:
The Gingerbread Village and Holiday Market at Outlets at Traverse Mountain features intricately designed gingerbread houses, festive holiday decorations, and a variety of seasonal items for sale. Visitors can explore the market to find unique gifts and enjoy the holiday atmosphere.
Where: Traverse Mountain | More Info: Gingerbread Village and Holiday Market
Christkindlmarkt at This is the Place Heritage Park
What to Expect:
German-inspired holiday market with community service celebration.
Description:
Christkindlmarkt at This Is The Place Heritage Park offers a unique holiday shopping and cultural experience with tantalizing food and entertainment. Stroll through wooden vendor booths amidst a festive backdrop, celebrating acts of service with the St. Martin's Lantern Parade.
Where: Salt Lake City | More Info: Christkindlmarkt at This is the Place Heritage Park
Salt Lake City Holiday Shows and Entertainment
The Night Before Christmas
What to Expect:
Elaborate sets and costumes in a festive ballet production.
Description:
The Night Before Christmas is a festive ballet production where a young girl named Alexandria embarks on a dream journey through various Christmas-themed lands, encountering the Christmas Fairy, Santa's workshop, the Snow Queen, and Mother Goose's Storybook Land. The show features elaborate sets and costumes, and its 13th season promises to be a strength and technique builder for dancers.
Where: Salt Lake City | More Info: The Night Before Christmas
Nutcracker by Ballet West
What to Expect:
World-class ballet performance with elaborate sets and costumes.
Description:
Ballet West's production of Willam Christensen's The Nutcracker is a timeless holiday classic, featuring Tchaikovsky's iconic score and Christensen's captivating choreography. The show includes elaborate sets, costumes, and a cast of hundreds, making it a visually stunning and delightful performance.
Where: Salt Lake City | More Info: Nutcracker by Ballet West
Handel’s Messiah at Abravanel Hall
What to Expect:
Historic choral performance of Handel's Messiah.
Description:
Handel's Messiah is a timeless oratorio composed in 1741, drawing inspiration from both the Old and New Testaments. The performance features the Utah Symphony Chorus singing beloved choral numbers, including the iconic Hallelujah Chorus, creating an evening of joy and community.
Where: Salt Lake City | More Info: Handel’s Messiah at Abravanel Hall
Salt Lake City Holiday Giving Opportunities
Festival of Trees
What to Expect:
Unique holiday celebration with community-created decorations and live performances.
Description:
The Festival of Trees is a holiday event featuring beautifully decorated trees, wreaths, and gingerbread houses, with all proceeds supporting Primary Children's Hospital.
Where: Sandy | More Info: Festival of Trees
Salt Lake City Other Holiday Activities
Walk the Windows at The Grand America
What to Expect:
Interactive window displays with a scavenger hunt.
Description:
The Grand America's Holiday Window Stroll features whimsical window displays and a life-size gingerbread house, celebrating winter wonders and Utah traditions through the eyes of Jaqueline Frost and her playful kitty, Snowball.
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 morning with Santa's elves creating mischief and magic for #elfieselfies.
Where: West Jordan | More Info: Breakfast with Santa at Gardner Village
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- South Salt Lake (3 miles)
- Millcreek (5 miles)
- East Millcreek (6 miles)
- Murray (6 miles)
- Taylorsville (7 miles)
- Holladay (7 miles)
- West Valley City (7 miles)
- Kearns (9 miles)
- Bountiful (9 miles)
- Midvale (10 miles)
- Cottonwood Heights (11 miles)
- West Jordan (11 miles)
- Magna (12 miles)
- Sandy (12 miles)
- Sandy Hills (13 miles)
- South Jordan (14 miles)
- South Jordan Heights (14 miles)
- Farmington (15 miles)
- Draper (16 miles)
- Riverton (17 miles)
- Herriman (19 miles)
- Kaysville (19 miles)
- Layton (21 miles)
- Syracuse (24 miles)
- Clearfield (25 miles)
- Lehi (26 miles)
- Tooele (27 miles)
- American Fork (27 miles)
- Clinton (27 miles)
- Saratoga Springs (28 miles)
- Pleasant Grove (29 miles)
- Roy (29 miles)
- Eagle Mountain (31 miles)
- Ogden (32 miles)
- Orem (34 miles)
- Provo (38 miles)
- Springville (44 miles)