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 December 6-10, 13-19, 20-23, 26-30. Members receive a $3 discount.

Discount: Preview Nights just $8 on November 24-26.

Festival of the Seas (Sandy) – Starts November 24 at Loveland Planet Aquarium. Discover both beautiful light displays throughout the plaza, and stunning light shows on the incredible EECO, set to some of our holiday favorites. Enjoy seasonal treats and shopping at the Gingerbread Village Under the Sea. Enjoy some hot coco by the fireside. All while being entertained by spectacular street performers and characters. 

This is The Place Candlelight Christmas – December 7-23 Mon-Sat. Tickets $8-$10.

Christmas in Color(South Jordan) Opens November 17 – December 30. Cost is $35 online. 

Discount: Use code: COUPON15 to save 15% off online. 

Lightwalk (Salt Lake) – Runs November 25-January 1 at Liberty Park. The worlds largest Christmas Light Maze awaits you and all the selfies your camera will hold. Tickets $15-20.

New: Candy Rush (Salt Lake) – Begins Nov 18; Worlds largest drive thru animated lightshow. $39.99 per vehicle $49.99 per vehicle on weekends.

Nativity Market (Sandy) Nov 16-18 at Mountain America Expo. Cost $5-10

Holiday Kick Off  (Sandy) – Nov 27 & 28 from 5-8 pm at LaCaille. Free cookies and hot cocoa with St. Nick. Tickets $20

Festival of Trees – (Sandy) November 29-December 2 at Mountain America Expo Center.

Magic Ice Show – (Millcreek) November 30-December 2 at Millcreek Common. Admission $5

Cookies with Canines (Murray) – Dec 16 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 $15

Donuts with Santa (Sandy) – Dec 2 from 8:30-11:30 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 18

Holiday Lights Tour – TBD -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! 

Lights On! (Salt Lake) Nov 18 from 6:30-8:30 pm at The Gateway. Holiday lights will be on display to enjoy through December 31st.

Tree Lighting (Taylorsville) Nov 27 at 6:30 pm at Centennial Plaza. Art walk, 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 1 from 6-8 pm
Tree Lighting • Candy windows • Cookies & Hot Cocoa • Live Music • Santa • Gingerbread House Competition 

Gingerbread House Contest (South Jordan) – Nov 28-Dec 6, The Gingerbread Houses will be on display in City Hall

Grand America(Salt Lake) starting Nov 1, The Holiday Stroll begins at the Ladies’ Boutique and ends at JouJou, Children’s Boutique. No treat will be given this year.

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 24. 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 14

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) and experience an animated nativity in the Salt Lake Tabernacle. Virtual opportunities to experience Christmas on Temple Square and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ are also available during the holidays.

Lights On Celebration (Salt Lake) – Nov 24 from 4-7 pm at The Gallivan Center. Meet Santa and some Disney princesses.

Tree Lighting (Salt Lake) – Nov 24 at 7:30 pm at Millcreek Common

Santa and the Lights (Bluffdale) – Nov 25 from 5:30-9 pm at City Park. Lighted tractor parade, pictures with Santa. entertainment, hot chocolate and cookies.

Tree Lighting (Draper) – Nov 27 from 6-8 pm at Draper City Park.

Light The Heights (Cottonwood Heights) -November 27 from 5-7:30 pm at City Hall.

Night of Lights (Herriman) – November 27 at 6 pm at Crane Plaza and City Hall.

Santa's Arrival  (Riverton) – Nov 27 at 5:30 pm at Riverton City Park

Christmas Movie Classics (West Jordan) – Nov 27-Dec 18 (Mondays) at 7 pm at The Viridian Center. See Christmas movies on their big screen. This is a free event.

Santa's Arrival  (Riverton) – Nov 27 at 5:30 pm at Riverton City Park

Twas the Lights Before Christmas  (Riverton) – Nov 28-Dec 31 from 6-9 pm at Riverton City Park

Nativity in the Glen – Nov 28 from 6-9 pm at 1035 S 1500 E

Heritage Park Chistkindlmarkt (Salt Lake) – Nov 29-30 & Dec 1-2 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 1 from 6-8 pm at City Hall. Live music entertainment including Hale Centre's choir The Broadway Stars, hot chocolate and treats, photos with Santa, visit the fire engine, and more!

Holiday Season Kickoff (West Jordan) – Dec 1 from 5:30-8:30 pm at Veterans Memorial Park. Crafts, roast s’mores, enjoy delicious cookies and a drone show.

Light the Night (South Jordan) – Dec 1 at 6 pm at City Hall. Live music, photos with Santa, free cookies and hot cocoa, candy windows and more.

Red Butte Garden Holiday Open House – Admission is Free for December 2 & 3.

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

World Ice Skating Day (Millcreek) – Dec 3 from 3-7:30 pm at Millcreek Common. Free ice skating, lessons, parade and more.

Lights Up Main Street (Midvale) – Dec 9 at 6 pm at Main Street. 

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

Larry H Miller Christmas Sing Along (Salt Lake) – Dec 11 at 7 pm at Delta Center. Christmas concert and sing-along.

Santa's Christmas Eve Parade & Fireworks (Snowbird) – December 24 at 6pm 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. 

Discount: From Dec 11-14 save $2 with code: THINGSTODOINUTAH 

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. 

Evermore Aurora Winter Festival (Pleasant Grove) – Begins Nov 10 on Fridays & Saturdays. Experience a Magical Old European Christmas Village featuring a variety of Fantasy Themed Characters such as Santa & Mrs. Claus, Elves, Kringle Dwarfs, Ice Giant, Jack Frost and Aurorians, Goblins and more. 

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

New: Red Nose Ranch (Payson) – Runs Nov 18- Dec 30; Experience a scenic wagon ride through the countryside complemented by a colorful audio narration of the original story of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. Visit Rudolph's favorite ranch friends including horses, a miniature donkey, ponies, alpacas and more. Santa himself is even known to make the occaisional visit! Enjoy Christmas lights, food, goodies, hot cocoa, fire pits & an array of other activities

Alpine – Live Nativity Dec 1-3. Ticket are $5.

Festival of Lights (Spanish Fork) – Run November 23 – January 1 from 6-10 pm. at Canyon View Park. Cost $10/car, $25/large passenger van, $50/bus.

FREE:

Orchard Lighting (Orem) – November 13 at 6-8 pm at University Place. Grinch will turn the lights on.

Lighting of Riverwoods (Provo) – Friday, November 17 from 6pm at Shops at Riverwoods. 

Tree Lighting & Gingerbread Festival (Lehi) – November 18 Gingerbread Festival runs from 2-5pm and the Tree Lighting at 5 pm at Outlets at Traverse Mountain. 

Tree Lighting (Highland) – November 20 at 6 pm at Highland Heritage Park. Free hot chocolate and donuts provided!

Santa Arrival (Orem) – November 24 at 10 am at University Place. Live entertainment and refreshments as you wait for Santa to arrive via helicopter.

Salem Pond Town Christmas – Runs November 24- January 1 from 5:30 – 11 pm. 

Night in Bethlehem (Pleasant Grove) – Nov 25-27 Dec 1-3 at 5:30 pm  Bring a can of food per guest. Reserve your tickets

Christmas by the Pond (Salem) – Nov 24 from 7-8 pm at Knoll Park

Santa's Welcome Party (Provo) – Nov 24 from 1-3 pm at Provo Town Centre. 

Winter Lights Parade (Spanish Fork) – Nov 25 at 7pm at Main Street

Christmas Tree Lighting (Saratoga Springs) – November 27 at 6 pm at Neptune Park. Santa, crafts for the kids and musical entertainment.

Holiday Magic on Main (American Fork) – November 27 at 5:45 pm at Robinson Park. Santa arrives on a fire truck, tree lighting, food trucks, entertainment and more.

Christmas Tree Lighting (Mapleton) – November 27 at 5 pm at the city park.

Lights On (Orem) – November 27 at 5 pm at City Center. Free donuts, hot cocoa, and Santa.

Holiday Festival (Springville) – Dec 1-2 Friday night Santa arrives at 5:45 pm

Community Creche (Payson) – Dec 1-2 from 5-9 pm

Provo Lights On (Provo) – Dec 2 at 5:30 pm at Pioneer Park. 

Christmas Village (Eagle Mountain) – Dec 2 from 12-4 pm at Cory Wride Memorial Park. Santa, petting zoo, live reindeer, and more.

Santa Parade (Lehi) – Dec 2 at 5 pm at Main Street Plaza. Concludes with a tree lighting ceremony, free hot chocolate and cookies, and visits with Santa.

Santa at City Hall (Highland) – Dec 2 at 10 am at City Hall. Meet Santa enjoy hot cocoa

Camp Floyd Christmas (Fairfield) – Dec 2 from 10-4 pm at Camp Floyd State Park

Living Bethlehem (American Fork) – Dec 4-9 at Harrington Center; experience the streets of Bethlehem, visit Santa, food, music and more.

Live Nativity (Orem) – Dec 8 from 6-8 pm at University Place

Pioneer Christmas (Provo) – Dec 8-11 from 4-8 pm at Pioneer Village

“Santa”quin Holly Days (Santaquin) – December 8-9; carriage rides, Santa's light parade, drone show and more.

Davis County

FREE:

Lights On (Kaysville) – 1098 Sherwood Dr. 

Lighting Ceremony (Layton) – November 20 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) –  (Thurs, Fri, & Sat)

Holiday Sleigh Ride (Wellsville) – Dec 9, 16, 22, 23, 26, 29 & 30. $8 includes hot cocoa and sledding hill.

FREE:

Logan Tree Lighting – Nov 25 starting at 12pm on Historic Center Street

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

Weber County

Rockin Reindeer Ranch (West Haven) – See the reindeer at multiple locations this year

A Very Dairy Christmas (Ogden) – Dec 2-17 from 5-9 pm at Green Acres. Walk thru the light covered hay maze, visit with Santa,  and Nativity scene. Cost $8 per person ages 2+.

Dinos in the Snow (Ogden) – Dec 8 & 9 at Ogden Dinosaur Park. Tickets $7 and member $5.

FREE:

Christmas Tree Jubilee – (virtual) November 20-4. Christmas trees available for purchase.

Ogden City Christmas Village, which lights up a Christmas village each year. The Opening Ceremony is held Saturday, November 25. Includes an electric parade, performers and more.

Ogden Nature Center Open House – Dec 1-2 with holiday shopping, free gift wrapping, bake sale, kids crafts and more. Admission is free.

Tree Lighting (North Ogden) – Dec 2 at 5 pm at Barker Park

Parade & Cookies with Santa (Ogden) – Dec 9 from 8-11 am from Station 82 to Station 81. Santa will take his big red fire engine, cookies, photos, and more.

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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 17-18 at County Fairgrounds

Tremonton Lights (Tremonton) – Nov 24-Jan 1

Tremonton Tree Lighting (Tremonton) – Dec 2 from 3-8 pm at the library

Tremonton Light Parade (Tremonton) – Dec 2 at 5:30 pm from North Park Elementary School and proceed 10 blocks to Shuman Park

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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 29  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 25 at 6pm at the Midway Town Hall. 

Heber City Tree Lighting and Old Fashioned Christmas – Dec 1 at 6 pm at Heber City Government Bldg. Free event with music, hot cocoa, and Santa.

Midway Creches – December 1-4 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

Holiday Tree Lighting & Fireworks (Park City) – Nov 24 from 4-6 pm at Canyons Village at Park City Mountain. There will be live ice sculpting.

Electric Parade  Main Street, TBD from 6-6:30 pm

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Tooele County

Live Nativity & Luminary Walk – Dec 9 & 11 from 6-8:30 pm at Clark Historic Farm. Cost $2 or $1 off with food donation.

FREE:

Santa Parade & Tree Lighting (Tooele) – Nov 25 from 3-7 pm at Veterans Memorial Park. 

Christmas Lighting & Live Nativity – Nov 27 from 6-8 pm at Benson Grist Mill

 

Carbon County

FREE:

Tree Lighting (Price) November 17 at 5:30 pm at Peace Garden

Lights On (Helper) November 24 at 6 pm at Main Street

Luminary (Helper) November 29 at 6:30 pm at City Cemetery

Electric Parade (Helper) December 1-2

Christmas Fireworks (Helper) December 2

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Juab County

Christmas Festival (Nephi) – Nov 25 at 11 am at Juab County Fine Arts Auditorium. Santa arrives by firetruck with plenty of treats for the kids.

Illuminate the Night (Nephi) – Nov 25 from 5:30-8 pm at Pioneer Park

Young Living Country Christmas Wagon Ride (Mona) – Dec 8-9, 15-16; 

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Sanpete County

FREE:

Live Nativity (Ft. Green) – TBD

Light Parade (Manti) – Nov 24 at 6 pm

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Millard County

FREE:

Light Parade (Delta) – Nov 25 from 10 am – 6 pm at Downtown

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Uintah County

FREE:

Holly Days (Vernal) – Friday, November 24 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 1

Holiday Craft Fair (Moab) – December 1-2

Light Parade (Moab) – December 2 at Main Street

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Kane County

Christmas Light Parade (Kanab) – Nov 25 at 6 pm at Kanab Center

Polar Express – Nov 27- Dec 2

FREE:

Christmas Light Parade & Festival (Kanab)- Nov 25 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 24-25; tickets $5-8

FREE:

Christmas Lighting (Cedar City) – Opening night Nov 25 from 11 am – 9 pm

Christmas in the Country (Parowan) – Nov 24-25 starting at 10 am on Main Street. Santa's parade, town lighting, candle light walking parade and more.

Holiday Tree Jubilee (Cedar City) – November 25-28 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 3 from 10 am – 3 pm

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Washington County

Pay for:

Dickens' Christmas Festival – runs St. George November 29-December 2 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 1, 2, 4, 8, 9, 11, 15, 16 & 18; 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 $10

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 – Nov 27 at dusk at Veterans Park

St. George Kick Off to Christmas – Nov 27 from 6-8 pm at Town Square.

Hurricane Christmas Tree Festival – Nov 27 at 6 pm Recreation center.

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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