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.
Murray Tree Lighting – Dec 7 from 6-10 pm at City Hall
Saturday with Santa (Taylorsville) – Dec 7 from 2-4 pm at Bennion Heritage Center; children's crafts and games, participation prizes for kids, guest singers and choirs.
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) – Dec 21 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!
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
Tree Lighting (Sundance) – Dec 13 from 5-6:30 pm at Sundance Resort.
Centennial Light Parade (Lindon) – Dec 13 at 6 pm The parade will go down Center Street from Oak Canyon Jr High to the Community Center.
Pioneer Christmas (Provo) – Dec 13-14, 16 at 5-8 pm at Pioneer Park.
Skate with Santa (Provo) – Dec 14 from 3-5 pm at Peaks Arena; $6 admission
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
Center Street Holiday Celebration (Logan) – Nov 30 from 12-7:30 pm at Center Street; movies, tree lighting, fireworks and more.
Christmas Storybook Festival (Smithfield) – Dec 2 from 5:30-8:30 pm at Smithfield City Library
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
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
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.
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.
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
Juab County
Illuminate the Country (Nephi) – Nov 30 at 6pm at Juab County Courthouse
Young Living Country Holiday Market (Mona) – Dec 4-7;
Drive Thru Light Display (Nephi) – Dec 13-14; carriage rides $5
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
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
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.
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
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
Light the Night (St. George) – Dec 6 from 6-9 pm at St. George Art Museum; entertainment, children's activities, and more.
Hurricane Christmas Tree Festival – Dec 12-14
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.
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
Leslie says
November 15, 2019 at 3:38 pmBrighton has Santa Ski free on Christmas day.
Heidi says
November 29, 2018 at 1:03 pmI called a bunch of Wendy’s for the zoo lights voucher and they said they haven’t heard that they were getting any this year. Do you have a specific Wendy’s I can get them at or some other way? Thank you!
Crystal says
December 1, 2017 at 2:05 amThank you !! So many things I wasn’t aware of that I’m excited for !
Melissa Duffy says
November 28, 2017 at 4:53 pmThe Provo Christmas Market will be on Provo Center Street, not at the Rec Center
Nicki says
November 17, 2017 at 7:03 amI don’t think 7 Peaks is doing their North Pole thing this year. I didn’t see it on their calendar, and I contacted their office and they said it’s off for this year.
Vivian says
August 5, 2017 at 3:27 pmI love every bit of the event listed here…thanks. Just
Shared with my fiance and promised to take me to Utah for Christmas ?.. so super excited ?, can’t wait.
Crystal says
November 17, 2016 at 11:51 pmThank you for this amazing list of fun Christmas events in so excited to do attend some of these that I wasn’t aware of ?
Joani says
November 18, 2016 at 12:01 pmYou’re welcome. Have a great holiday.
Liz Williams says
November 17, 2016 at 5:22 pmI’m so happy when you publish these amazing lists of things to do in Utah. Sometimes it can get really ‘boring’ when the cold winter starts setting in. This gives me some great ideas of things to do with my family. My kids will love hunting the elves at Gardner Village, I didnt’ know they did that!
Joani says
November 18, 2016 at 12:02 pmSo glad it helps. Happy Holidays