Things to do in Utah During Christmas

Can you believe it? Thanksgiving is just around the corner. I love this time to celebrate with family and friends. Are you ready to start making some holiday magic and memories?

To help you plan your holiday season we have compiled a huge comprehensive list of over 100 fantastic Holiday Activities and Events in Utah to put on your to do list this Christmas season. Many are free.

The list is organized by county, to help you find what you're looking for quickly. We've included the free events at the bottom of each counties listing. Please be sure to check each link to see the full details and what dates the events run along with any updates. 

Salt Lake County

Pay for:

Hogle Zoo’s ZooLights is something you can’t go wrong with. Runs select dates in December. Members receive a $3 discount.

Lantern Festival (Sandy) – Starts November 8 at Loveland Planet Aquarium. Immerse yourself in a night of enchantment as larger-than-life, nature-inspired lanterns illuminate the sky and ignite your imagination. Stroll through the captivating plaza with loved ones, enjoying festive activities and creating unforgettable memories.

This is The Place Candlelight Christmas – December 10-23 Mon-Sat. Tickets $8-$10.

Christmas in Color(South Jordan) Opens November 15 – December 29. Cost is $35 online.

Discount: Use code: THINGSTODO to save 15% off online. 

Lightwalk (Salt Lake) – Runs November 22-December 31 at Liberty Park. The worlds largest Christmas Light Maze awaits you and all the selfies your camera will hold.

World of Illumination Candy Rush (Salt Lake) – Begins Nov 19; Worlds largest drive thru animated lightshow. $39.99 per vehicle $49.99 per vehicle on weekends.

Festival of Trees – (Sandy) December 4-7 at Mountain America Expo Center.

Magic Ice Show – (Millcreek) December 5-7 at Millcreek Common. Admission $5

Cookies with Canines (Murray) – Dec 21 at Wheeler Farm. Bring your pup to decorate doggie cookies provided by Rebel Paw, enjoy a human treat and pick up your doggie stocking. Cost $17

Donuts with Santa (Sandy) – Dec 7 from 8:30-10 am at Shops at South Town. Ages 2 and under free.

FREE:

Gardner Village with the kids and let them hunt down the list of elves. Find all the elves on the Scavenger Hunt list starting Nov 23; also wear your ugly Christmas Sweater for a free hot chocolate at the Chocolate Covered Wagon.

Lights On! (Salt Lake) Nov 16 from 6:30-8:30 pm at The Gateway. Holiday lights will be on display to enjoy through December 31st.

Tree Lighting (West Valley) – Nov 23 from 6-7 pm at Valley Fair Mall.

Tree Lighting (Taylorsville) Dec 2 at 6:30 pm at Centennial Plaza. Music, hot chocolate and cookies

South Jordan Candy Windows –  runs December 1-31 with candy creations in the windows of the shops at City Hall.

Light the Night (South Jordan) – December 6 from 6-8 pm
Enjoy the lights, the sights, sounds, and smell of warm cookies and hot chocolate.

Grand America(Salt Lake) starting Nov 1, The Holiday Stroll begins at the Ladies’ Boutique and ends at JouJou, Children’s Boutique. 

Trees of Diversity (West Valley) – Mid Nov-Dec 30 at Utah Cultural Celebration. Trees on display represent different countries and ethnic backgrounds as well as family traditions.

FM 100 Christmas Concert Series (Sandy) – begin November 29. These are FREE mini-concerts. All concerts begin at 12 noon. Everyone can watch at Shops at South Town. Shows are Tues & Thurs thru Dec 19

Temple Square: Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah, will be open to the public this Christmas season with displays and limited lights. Construction has modified some of the plans for this year’s celebration, but families are invited to walk around parts of the grounds (see map)

Twas the Lights Before Christmas  (Riverton) – Nov 29-Dec 31 from 6-9 pm at Riverton City Park

Tree Lighting (Salt Lake) – Nov 30 from 4-8 pm at Millcreek Common

Santa and the Lights (Bluffdale) – Dec 2 from 5:30-8 pm at City Park. Lighted tractor parade, pictures with Santa. entertainment, hot chocolate and cookies.

Tree Lighting (Draper) – Dec 2 from 6-8 pm at Draper City Park.

Tree Lighting (Taylorsville) – Dec 2 from 6:30-8 pm at Centennial Plaza.

Tree Lighting (West Valley) – Dec 2 at 6:30 pm at West Valley City Family Fitness Center.

Light The Heights (Cottonwood Heights) -Dec 2 from 5-7:30 pm at City Hall.

Night of Lights (Herriman) – December 2 at 6 pm at Crane Plaza and City Hall.

Santa's Arrival  (Riverton) – Dec 2 at 6:30 pm at Riverton City Park

Christmas Movie Classics (West Jordan) – Dec 2-16 (Mondays) at 7 pm at The Viridian Center. See Christmas movies on their big screen. This is a free event.

Nativity in the Glen – Dec 3 from 6-9 pm at 1035 S 1500 E

Heritage Park Chistkindlmarkt (Salt Lake) – Dec 4-7 from 11 am – 8 pm at This is The Place Heritage Park. The St. Martin's Lantern Parade will take place the evening of December 1st. This is a free event.

Light Up Cairns (Sandy) – Dec 6 from 5-8 pm at City Hall. Live music, food trucks, photos with Santa, and more!

Holiday Event (West Jordan) – Dec 6 from 6-9 pm at Viridian Center. Crafts, roast s’mores, enjoy delicious cookies and a drone show.

Utah Olympic Oval Holiday Festival (Kearns) – Dec 7 from 5-9 pm at Utah Olympic Oval. Enjoy activities for the whole family: public ice skating, an Oval Figure Skating Ice Show, holiday crafts and more! Admission is $5 or free when you donate a non-perishable food item or an unwrapped toy. Skate rental is $5.

Red Butte Garden Holiday Open House – Admission is Free for December 7 & 8.

Sounds of the Season Concert (South Jordan) – Dec 7 at 2 & 7 pm at Bingham High School. Free but donations suggested.

Lights Up Main Street (Midvale) – Dec 14 at 6 pm at Main Street. 

Luminary (West Valley) – Dec 14 at 5 pm at Memorial Park.

Larry H Miller Christmas Sing Along (Salt Lake) – Dec 17 at 7 pm at Delta Center. Christmas concert and sing-along.

Skate with Santa (Cottonwood Heights) – TBA from 2-4 pm at Cottonwood Heights Rec Center. Free to the public.

Santa's Christmas Eve Parade & Fireworks (Snowbird) – December 24 at 7pm at Snowbird. Torchlight Parade followed by fireworks and Santa drops in for a visit!

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Utah County

Pay for:

Clas Ropes Enjoy a lighted riverboat ride on the lower Provo River from December 1-23. There are thousands of lights reflecting off the water, holiday scenes along the shore, and Christmas music on the boat. Santa even comes to visit on his canoe. Prices are $10-12 per person. 

Thanksgiving Point Luminaria Experience The Light. Located in Lehi on 3003 Thanksgiving Way, magical holiday world as you make your way through the captivating Ashton Gardens. The Grand Allee’s 8,000 programmable luminaries blanket the sweeping hill. View the nativity scene before entering the Light of the World Garden. Glowing lanterns and peaceful music accompany this space featuring 35 monument- sized bronze sculptures depicting scenes of Jesus Christ from the New Testament. Cost starts at $24/adult, $17/ages 3-12. 

Gordo's Winter Wonderland (Spanish Fork) – Begins Thanksgiving week – Dec 31;

Alpine – Live Nativity Dec 2-7. Ticket are $5.

Festival of Lights (Spanish Fork) – Run November 28 – January 1 from 6-10 pm. at Canyon View Park. Cost $10/car, $25/large passenger van, $50/bus.

FREE:

Orchard Lighting (Orem) – November 11 at 6-8 pm at University Place. Grinch will turn the lights on.

Tree Lighting & Gingerbread Festival (Lehi) – November 16 events run from 11-6pm and the Tree Lighting at 5 pm at Outlets at Traverse Mountain. 

Lighting of Riverwoods (Provo) – Friday, November 22 from 6pm at Shops at Riverwoods. 

Holiday Magic on Main (American Fork) – November 25 at 5:30 pm at Robinson Park. Santa arrives on a fire truck, tree lighting, food trucks, entertainment and more.

Santa Arrival (Orem) – November 29 at 9:30 am at University Place. Santa to arrive via helicopter.

Salem Pond Town Christmas – Runs November 29- January 1 from 5:30 – 11 pm. 

Night in Bethlehem (Pleasant Grove) – Nov 29-Dec 3 at 5:30 pm  Bring a can of food per guest. Reserve your tickets

Santa's Welcome Party (Provo) – Nov 29 from 1-3 pm at Provo Town Centre. 

Winter Lights Parade (Spanish Fork) – Nov 30 at 7pm at Main Street

Christmas Tree Lighting (Saratoga Springs) – Dec 2 at 6 pm at Neptune Park. Santa, crafts for the kids and musical entertainment.

Lights On (Orem) – December 2 at 5 pm at City Center. Music, treats and Santa.

Holiday Festival (Springville) – Dec 6-7 Friday night Santa arrives at 5:45 pm

Community Creche (Payson) – Dec 6-7 from 5:30-8:30 pm

“Santa”quin Holly Days (Santaquin) – December 6-7; carriage rides, Santa's light parade, drone show and more.

Living Bethlehem (American Fork) – Dec 6-14 at Harrington Center; experience the streets of Bethlehem, visit Santa, food, music and more.

Christmas Village (Eagle Mountain) – Dec 7 from 12-5 pm at Cory Wride Memorial Park. Santa, petting zoo, live reindeer, and more.

Santa Parade (Lehi) – Dec 7 at 5 pm at Main Street Plaza. Concludes with a tree lighting ceremony, free hot chocolate and cookies, and visits with Santa.

Camp Floyd Christmas (Fairfield) – Dec 7 from 1-5 pm at Camp Floyd State Park

Pioneer Christmas (Provo) – Dec 13-14, 16 at 5-8 pm at Pioneer Park. 

Silent Santa (Eagle Mountain) – Dec 14 from 10 am – 6 pm at City Hall. Free 10-Minute Appointments with Santa in a quiet atmosphere for families with children and adults with sensory sensitivities. Registration required.

Davis County

FREE:

Santa's Arrival (Farmington) – Nov 22 from 5-7 pm at Station Park; Santa will be escorted through Station Park by Farmington PD and Fire to Fountain Square where Santa will light the holiday tree

Lighting Ceremony (Layton) – November 25 at 6 pm at Layton Commons Park. 

Santa's Arrival (Farmington) – November 24 from 3-5 pm at Station Park

Festival of Lights (Centerville) – Nov 27 from 6-8 pm at Smith Park. Santa, refreshments, entertainment and more.

Cache County

Pay for:

Zootah Zoo Lights (Logan) –  Dec 7, 14, 21

Holiday Sleigh Ride (Wellsville) – Dec 14, 21, 23, 24, 26, 27, 28. $9 includes hot cocoa and sledding hill.

FREE:

Parade of Gingerbread Homes – On display Dec 1-31 in Downtown Logan

Weber County

Rockin Reindeer Ranch (West Haven) – TBD

FREE:

Christmas Tree Jubilee – November 25-29 at Ogden Eccles Center. Christmas trees available for purchase.

Ogden City Christmas Village, which lights up a Christmas village each year. The Opening Ceremony is held Saturday, November 30. Includes an electric parade, performers and more.

Ogden Nature Center Open House – Nov 30 with holiday shopping, free gift wrapping, bake sale, kids crafts and more. Admission is free.

Tree Lighting (North Ogden) – Dec 7 at 5 pm at Barker Park

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Box Elder County

Pay for:

Willard Bay Christmas Lights – December 1-24. $20 per vehicle

FREE:

Cowboy Christmas Market (Tremonton) – Nov 22-23 at County Fairgrounds

Tremonton Lights (Tremonton) – Dec 2-Jan 1

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Wasatch County

Pay for:

Holiday Lights Wagon Rides – Prices are $30, kids 3 and younger are free. Rides are approx. 40 min. Book early, these are very popular and sell out. 

Heber Valley North Pole Express – Runs November 22 – December 30  board this fun Christmas themed train and enjoy hot cocoa, cookies, choirs, a visit from Santa, and lighted houses as you travel to the North Pole. Prices range from $25-50 depending upon the time of day and the seats you select. 

FREE:

Tree Lighting and Shop Local Celebration: (Midway) Nov 30 at 6pm at the Midway Town Square. 

Heber City Tree Lighting and Old Fashioned Christmas – Dec 6 at 6 pm at Heber City Tabernacle Historic Square. Free event with music, hot cocoa, and Santa.

Midway Creches – December 6-9 at Town Hall, 

Homestead Tree Lighting – December 2 from 7-8:30 pm at The Homestead. 

Live Nativity – Dec 13 at 6 & 7:30 pm at the Wasatch County Event Center.

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Summit County

FREE:

Snow Globe Stroll  Nov 22-Jan 5; The Snow Globes will be placed throughout Park City’s Historic Main Street to allow for social distancing as visitors interact with the Snow Globes

Junction Commons in Park City Tree Lighting – Nov 22 from 4-6:30 pm at Junction Commons; tree lighting, food trucks, tree lighting and more.

Holiday Tree Lighting & Fireworks (Park City) – Nov 29 from 3-6 pm at Canyons Village at Park City Mountain. There will be live ice sculpting.

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Tooele County

Live Nativity & Luminary Walk – Dec 14 & 16 from 6-8:30 pm at Clark Historic Farm. Cost $2 or $1 off with food donation.

FREE:

Santa Parade & Tree Lighting (Tooele) – Nov 30 from 2-3 pm 

Tree Lighting – Nov 30 at 5:30 pm at Veterans Memorial Park

Cookies & Carols – Nov 30 from 3-5 pm at Ritz Theater

Carbon County

FREE:

Tree Lighting (Price) November 15 at 5:30 pm at Peace Garden

Lights On (Helper) November 26 at 6 pm at Main Street

Luminary (Helper) December 4 at 6:30 pm at City Cemetery

Electric Parade (Helper) December 6-7

Christmas Fireworks (Helper) December 7

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Juab County

Illuminate the Country (Nephi) – Nov 30 at 6pm at Juab County Courthouse 

Young Living Country Holiday Market (Mona) – Dec 4-7; 

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Sanpete County

FREE:

Live Nativity (Ft. Green) – TBD

Christmas Drone Show (Ephraim) – Dec 6 Ephraim Main Street

Light Parade (Ephraim) – Dec 6 at 7 pm Ephraim Main Street

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Uintah County

FREE:

Holly Days (Vernal) – Friday, November 29 in Downtown Vernal.  from 11 am -6 pm to watch the parade of lights, fire dancers, lantern launch and a firework spectacular to end the night.

Grand County

FREE:

Christmas Tree Lighting (Moab) – December 6

Holiday Craft Fair (Moab) – December 6-7

Light Parade (Moab) – December 7 at Main Street

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Kane County

Polar Express (Kanab) – Dec 2-14 at 6 pm at Kanab Center

FREE:

Christmas Light Parade & Festival (Kanab)- Nov 30 starting at 6 pm at the Kanab Center. Donuts and hot chocolate and a short tree lighting ceremony.

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Iron County

Christmas on the Farm (Cedar City) – Nov 29-30; tickets $6-8

FREE:

Christmas Lighting (Cedar City) – Opening night Nov 30 from 10 am – 9 pm

Christmas in the Country (Parowan) – Nov 29-30 starting at 10 am on Main Street. Santa's parade, town lighting, candle light walking parade and more.

Holiday Tree Jubilee (Cedar City) – November 30, December 2 & 3 at 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm in the Heritage Center Theater (105 N 100 E, Cedar City). See Santa and amazing display of decorated Christmas trees. Enjoy free professional Christmas photos, hot chocolate, and more.

Red Acres Christmas (Cedar City) – Dec 7 from 11 am – 4 pm

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Washington County

Pay for:

Dickens' Christmas Festival – runs St. George December 4-7 at Dixie Convention Center. Enjoy light displays, trees and quaint shops and booths to browse. Admission is $10/Adults; $9/Seniors; $8/children 4-12. 

North Pole Express – Dec 3rd, 6th, 7th, 9th, 10th, 13th, 14th, 16th, 17th, 20th and 21st; This year special guests will have multiple evenings to pick from to view the lights, ride the train and visit with Santa. The park will be closed to the general public during the special event. All guests must present a North Pole Express ticket in order to be allowed into the Thunder Junction Park area. The event will be hosted from 6:00-8:00pm. Cost $12

FREE:

Red Hills Desert Garden November 22-January 1; thousands of lights and displays. Lights are on nightly until 10 p.m. 

The St. George Tuacahn November 24-December 23; has a Live Nativity includes real live camels, and beautiful costumes. Cost is $5 per person . There is also a Christmas in the Canyon (light display) that is FREE

Washington City Tree Lighting – Dec 2 at dusk at Veterans Park

Hurricane Christmas Tree Festival – Dec 12-14 

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And last, but not least, we do want to mention our traditional annual Christmas Light Displays list. The list is the most comprehensive list of free and pay to see lights in the state of Utah. Click here to see the list of light displays.

If you know of a great Christmas Activity in Utah contact us here.

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Our contributors spend a huge amount of time compelling these lists so you don't have to do the research. We “LIKE”when you “SHARE” but please do not copy and paste this list into any other website without first contacting Coupons4Utah. Thank you. pm at pm at