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 and some activities are starting this weekend.

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 December 4-January 3. This year the zoo gave out free tickets thanks to a grant, however, they are currently sold out. Watch their Facebook page as they have indicated they may be able to offer more tickets depending upon no shows.

This is The Place Candlelight Christmas – Canceled for 2020

Christmas in Color(South Jordan) Opens November 20 – January 2. Cost is $30 online. Discount: Use code: COUPONSFORUTAH to save 15% off online. 

New – Lumaze (Salt Lake) – Run Nov 27-Jan 2 at Utah State Fairgrounds. With seasonal music, food and activities, Lumaze is a festival that will entertain all ages. Cost: Adults/$19.99, Children (4-12), Seniors, Military/First Responders/$14.99. 3 and under free.

New – Maverik Center Drive-In Holiday Laser Show (West Valley) – Runs December 10 – January 2 every Thurs, Fri, & Sat with two shows (6 pm & 8 pm). $30 per vehicle.

Discount: Save up to $11.83 with this coupon

New – Cross E Ranch Lights & Nativity Drive Thru (Salt Lake) – Nov 27-Dec 19. After visiting the North Pole you will turn a corner back in time and enter our Nativity Area. Cost: Mon-Thur $19.99/vehicle, Fri-Sat $24.95/vehicle.

Festival of Trees – (virtual) December 1-5 at the Vivint Smart Home Arena. Tune into their first-ever live broadcast celebration, purchase something from the virtual shops, or bid online on one of their special auction items. All proceeds go the Primary Children's Hospital.

Discovery Gateway Breakfast & Brunch with Santa – December 5 at 10:00 am – 11:00 am. Be a part of Santa’s elite flying force for the day! Create your own magical reindeer antlers, eat reindeer chow and play games.

Petersen Farm-Style Christmas – at 11800 S 4000 W, Riverton, get high quality trees, local produce, wagon rides, camp fire, fun for the kids, visit with Santa and grab some hot cocoa. 

Red Butte Garden Winter Solstice – Nov 23-Dec 15; Celebrate the longest night of the year at home with our special Winter Solstice Kit! Each kit includes fun crafts, games, and activities to help you enjoy a festive solstice celebration in the comfort of your home

FREE:

Gardner Village with the kids and let them hunt down the list of elves. Find all the elves on the Scavenger Hunt list.

Holiday Lights Tour – Cities from around Salt Lake County are teaming up to bring you a Holiday Lights Tour like never before! Visit homes from South Jordan, Bluffdale, Herriman, Midvale, Millcreek, South Salt Lake, and West Jordan! To register your home, take the tour, or vote for your favorite house, visit bit.ly/lightstourut! 

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

Light the Night Goosechase Scavenger Hunt – November 30 – December 6
Using the GooseChase app, we will give you clues and challenges to help make your spirits bright throughout the week! Join as an individual or with a team in this friendly holiday competition. Prizes will be randomly awarded to participants.

Gingerbread House Contest (South Jordan) – Nov 30-Dec 10, The Gingerbread Houses will be on display in City Hall

Grand America Due to COVID, this event will only be available for Overnight hotel guests and patrons of the restaurants and The Grand Spa. Enjoy the Grand America's lighting display, holiday windows and gingerbread house. Also, follow the whimsical displays in their retail windows for a special surprise awaiting children once they complete their journey.

FM 100 Christmas Concert Series (Virtual) – begin November 27. These are FREE mini-concerts. All concerts begin at 12 noon. Everyone can watch it on FM100.com, on Facebook Live, or on the KSLTV app!

Temple Square: This beautiful light display is a Holiday tradition and known worldwide. The lights will only be viewable from surrounding roads and exterior city sidewalks as the plaza will be fenced off and the gates will be closed at 5 pm. The areas East of Temple Square (reflection pond area) are still open and lite up. This year, Temple Square events will be virtual, check this link for events and details.

Gallivan Center Lights On (Salt Lake) – Friday, November 20.

Santa's Storybook Drive (West Jordan) – Dec 3 from 6-9 pm at Veterans Memorial Park. Drive around Veterans Memorial Park, tune into some classic holiday music, and read a variation of the classic “‘Twas the Night Before Christmas

A Visit from St. Nicolas ( West Jordan) – December 12 at The Virdian Center. Connect with Santa at the North Pole. Professional photos are free with a food donation to the Utah Food Bank, or families may bring their own cameras. Reserve your time slot for this merry socially distanced event.

Tree Lighting (Draper) – Canceled for 2020

Cookies & Candy Canes Underneath Memorial Trees (Multiple Locations) – November 30, December 7, 14, & 21; At each of our five beautiful Utah Cemeteries from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. Come enjoy free individually wrapped cookies and candy canes by our fire pits as you and your family enjoy our Holiday lights! 

Light The Heights (Cottonwood Heights) – This year includes a holiday decorating contest. Free to enter.

Night of Lights (Herriman) – November 30 from 6-8:30 pm at City all. More details to come.

Santa's Arrival  (Riverton) – Canceled for 2020

Heritage Park Christkindlmarkt and Lantern Parade Although this event is canceled this year, support some of your favorite vendors at the virtual market.

Nativity in the Glen – Canceled for 2020

Red Butte Garden Holiday Open House – Admission is Free for December 5 & 6 with online reservation.

Christmas Eve Parade & Fireworks (Snowbird) – Canceled for 2020

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Utah County

Pay for:

Clas Ropes Enjoy a lighted riverboat ride on the lower Provo River during the month of December. 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 $9 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 is $17/adult, $13/ages 3-12. 

Alpine – TBD

Festival of Lights (Spanish Fork) – Run November 26 – January 1 from 6-10 pm. at Canyon View Park. Cost $8/car, $22/large passenger van, $30/bus.

FREE:

Lighting of Riverwoods (Provo) – Friday, November 20 from 5pm at Shops at Riverwoods. 

Holiday Lights & Interactive Christmas Cards (Provo) – at Shops at Riverwoods

Tree Lighting (Lehi) – November 23 from 2-6 pm at Outlets at Traverse Mountain. 

Holiday Lighting (Orem) – November 27 at 9:30 am at University Place. Come join (from the comfort and safety of you own vehicle) as they officially welcome Santa to University Place in grand style! 

Salem Pond Town Christmas – Runs November 27 – January 1 from 5:30 – 11 pm. 

Winter Lights Parade (Spanish Fork) – Reverse parade comes to you this year. Kick off November 27.

Night in Bethlehem (Pleasant Grove) – Nov 27-30; reserve your free tickets online.

Christmas Tree Lighting (Mapleton) – November 30 at 6 pm at the city park.

Christmas Market (Provo) – Saturday, December 5 from 4-8 pm at Pioneer Park. Must register to attend, admission is free.

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Davis County

FREE:

Gingerbread Festival (Bountiful) – Nov 20 – Dec 10 at Bountiful Davis Art Center.

Santa's Arrival (Farmington) – November 27 at 9 am at Station Park. 

Lights On (Kaysville) – 1098 Sherwood Dr. 

Cookies & Candy Canes Underneath Memorial Trees (Multiple Locations) – November 30, December 7, 14, & 21; At each of our five beautiful Utah Cemeteries from 6:00 to 8:00 PM. Come enjoy free individually wrapped cookies and candy canes by our fire pits as you and your family enjoy our Holiday lights! 

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Cache County

Pay for:

Zootah (Logan) –  every Thursday, Friday, & Saturday November 28-December 19. Adults/$7, children/$6

The Reindeer Express (Wellsville) – canceled

FREE:

Winter Gift Market (Logan) – tbd

Weber County

FREE:

Christmas Tree Jubilee – (virtual) November 23-27. Christmas trees available for purchase.

Ogden City Christmas Village, which lights up a Christmas village each year. The Opening Ceremony is held Saturday, November 27. Christmas lights will still glow in the Village and Cottages will still be placed, but many of the normal attractions will be postponed until next year.

Rockin Reindeer Ranch (West Haven) – Personalized ranch tours and during the month of December you can even meet Santa Claus on a few special nights. Prices start at $8-$15.

Ogden Nature Center Open House – November 30-December 5 with holiday shopping, free gift wrapping, bake sale, kids crafts and more. Admission is free.

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Wasatch County

Pay for:

The Homestead Santa Sleigh Rides – Prices are $25, kids 3 and younger are free. Rides are approx. 40 min. Book early, these are very popular and sell out. 

Holiday Lights – TBD

Heber Valley North Pole Express – Runs November 23 – December 23  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: December 5 6 pm at the Midway Town Hall. 

Midway Christmas – Canceled for 2020

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Summit County

FREE:

Snow Globe Stroll Main Street, November 28-January 3: 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

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Tooele County

FREE:

-Christmas Lighting & Live Nativity – Canceled

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Carbon County

FREE:

Electric Parade (Helper) December 4 & 5

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Juab County

Country Christmas at Young Living (Mona) – Nov 27-Dec 23 at Young Living Lavender Farm. Horse-drawn wagon ride through festive Christmas light display. There will also be food trucks, warm fire, and bring your camera to snap a picture of Santa. Cost $5 for ages 4 and up; $25 for groups of 6.

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Sanpete County

FREE:

Manti Light Parade – November 27 at Main Street

Christmas Main Street Lighting – November 28 at Main Street

Christmas Firework Celebration – December 5 

Christmas Carol – December 2-5

Live Nativity (Ft. Green) – December 20 at 800 W 400 S. 

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Uintah County

FREE:

Holly Days (Vernal) – Friday, November 27 in Downtown Vernal.  At 6pm 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 4

Light Parade (Moab) – December 5 at Main Street

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Kane County

FREE:

Christmas Light Parade & Festival – Nov 28 starting at 6:30 pm at the Kanab Center. Donuts and hot chocolate and a short tree lighting ceremony.

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Iron County

FREE:

Christmas Lane (Cedar City) – Opening night Nov 27, held at 400 E 1250 N, Cedar City, UT (behind Cedar City Motor Co. at the Golf Course. Admission is FREE for this winter wonderland and festive walking tour. Live Carolers, & Santa himself. Also, enjoy Hot Chocolate and Cookies for as long as they last!

Christmas on the Farm (Cedar City) – November 27, 28, & 30 at Nature Hills Farm. Gather with us at the farm as it transforms into a magical Winter Wonderland with lights and Christmas displays. Cost $5

Hometown Holiday (Parowan) – November 28 at Parowan Main Street. Enjoy the Santa Parade (Parowan Main St) at 10:00 am, the Holiday Market from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm, Candlelight Parade at 6:00 pm, and Lighting Ceremony at 6:30 pm.

Live Nativity (Cedar City) – November 30 at Nature Hills Farm. Donation based.

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Box Elder County

Pay for:

Willard Bay Christmas Lights – Starts November 27 and runs through December 30. $10-$15 per vehicle

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Washington County

Pay for:

Dickens' Christmas Festival – runs St. George December 6-5 at Dixie Convention Center. Enjoy light displays, trees and quaint shops and booths to browse. Admission is $8/Adults; $7/Seniors; $6/children 4-12. 

FREE:

The St. George Tuacahn Starts November 30; has a Live Nativity includes real live camels, and beautiful costumes. Cost is $2 per person or $15 per family. There is also a Christmas in the Canyon (light display) that is FREE

Drive Thru Light Show (St. George) – Nov 12-Jan 9; 1st annual drive-thru light show at Red Cliffs Mall. Cost $16/vehicle.

Hurricane Tree Lighting – Dec 1-5 at the community center. Kids can pick up an ornament and donut coupon from December 1-15

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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