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 2-30. Members receive a $3 discount.

Festival of the Seas (Sandy) – Starts November 25 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 6-23 Mon-Sat. Tickets $8-$10.

Christmas in Color(South Jordan) Opens November 18 – January 1. Cost is $35 online. 

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

North Pole Festival(Sandy) walk-thru light show at Rio Tinto Stadium in Sandy. Explore the North Pole with over 1,5 million lights, larger-than-life decor, gigantic Christmas trees that come to life with your favorite Christmas music, walk-thru light tunnels, and more. 

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.

Discount: Save $5 with food bank donation Mon-Thurs.

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

Discount: Save up to 20% off by visiting Mon-Thurs before Dec 19

Festive Fridays on the Farm (Murray) – Dec 2, 9 & 16 from 5-7 pm at Wheeler Farm. Take a wagon ride and see holiday lights. $3 per person for ages 2+.

 Cross E Ranch Christmas Treat Drive Thru (Salt Lake) – Dec 16-17. 

Festival of Trees – (virtual) November 30-December 3. Coming back in person at Mountain America Expo Center.

Gingerbread Lane (Salt Lake) – Nov 19-Jan 8 at the Leonardo Museum. Se a Christmas scene made entirely of candy, icing, and gingerbread. 

Holiday Tunnels (Sandy) – TBD

Festive Fridays (Murray) – Nov 25-Dec 16. Take a wagon ride and see some holiday lights displays. Santa will greet visitors on the porch of the Farmhouse from 5pm – 7pm. Kona Ice will be here selling hot cocoa. Wagon ride tickets can be purchased in the Activity Barn. Tickets are $3 per person age 2 and up.

New: The Gift of Light (Herriman) – Dec 1-24 at Zions Bank Stadium. Live nativity, Santa's workshop, winter wonderland, hot coco, performances. Tickets $15/adults, $8/children, under 2 free.

Donuts with Santa (Sandy) – Dec 3 from 8:30-10 am at Shops at South Town. $5 per person, 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 19

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 19 from 6-9 pm at The Gateway. Holiday lights will be on display to enjoy through December 31st.

Tree Lighting (Taylorsville) Nov 28 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 2
Tree Lighting • Candy windows • Cookies & Hot Cocoa • Live Music • Santa • Gingerbread House Competition • Craft at the Library • Find the Elves • Letters to Santa • Wagon Rides

Gingerbread House Contest (South Jordan) – Nov 30-Dec 5, 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 25. 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 15

Temple Square: Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah, will be open to the public this Christmas season with displays and limited lights. Construction and the COVID-19 pandemic have 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 25 from 4-7 pm at The Gallivan Center. Meet Santa and some Disney princesses.

Santa and the Lights (Bluffdale) – Nov 26 from 5:30-9 pm at City Park. Lighted tractor parade, pictures with Santa. entertainment, hot chocolate and cookies.

Tree Lighting (Draper) – Nov 28 from 6-8 pm at Draper City Park.

Light Up Cairns (Sandy) – Nov 28 from 6-8 pm at City Hall. Entertainment, hot chocolate and food trucks, photos with Santa, visit the fire engine and  Rudolf's round-up scavenger hunt.

Light The Heights (Cottonwood Heights) -November 28 from 5-7:30 pm at City Hall.

Night of Lights (Herriman) – November 28 at 6 pm at Crane Plaza and City Hall.

Santa's Arrival  (Riverton) – Nov 28 at 6:30 pm at Riverton City Park

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

Heritage Park Christkindlmarkt and Lantern Parade November 30, December 1-3 from 11 am – 8 pm at This Is The Place Heritage Park. Inspired by the world famous German Christmas markets, Christkindlmarkt SLC offers a unique holiday shopping and cultural experience this season. Free to the public.

Find a schedule here

Nativity in the Glen – TBD from 5:30-9 pm at 1035 S 1500 E

Holiday Season Kickoff (West Jordan) – Dec 1 from 5-7:30 pm at Veterans Memorial Park. Children can ride the West Jordan Express (mini-train ride) and solve riddles along the train route, participate in crafts, make a s’more, or enjoy hot chocolate and cookies!

Tree Lighting Ceremony (West Valley) – Dec 1 from 6-7:30 pm at Valley Fair Plaza. Free hot chocolate, music, and Santa.

Polar Lights Magic Ice Show (Millcreek)- December 1-3 at Millcreek Common. Free magic ice show at 6 pm & 8 pm. Admission is free, however registration is required.

Light the Night (South Jordan) – Dec 2 at 6 pm at City Hall. Live music, photos with Santa, free cookies and hot cocoa, wagon rides, candy windows and more.

Lights Up Main Street (Midvale) – Dec 3 at 6 pm at Main Street. 

Red Butte Garden Holiday Open House – Admission is Free for December 3 & 4.

Christmas Movie Classics (West Jordan) – Nov 28-Dec 19 (Mondays) at 7 pm at The Viridian Center. See Christmas movies on their big screen. Popcorn and hot chocolate will be served. This is a free event.

Skate with Santa (Cottonwood Heights) – Dec 9 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 14 at 7 pm at Vivint Arena. 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 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 starts at $24/adult, $17/ages 3-12. 

Evermore Aurora Winter Festival (Pleasant Grove) – Begins Nov 11on 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. 

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 24 – January 1 from 6-10 pm. at Canyon View Park. Cost $10/car, $25/large passenger van, $50/bus.

FREE:

Orchard Lighting (Orem) – November 14 at 6-8 pm at University Place. Grinch will turn the lights on.

Tree Lighting (Highland) – November 14 at 7 pm at Highland Heritage Park. Free hot chocolate and cookies provided!

Lighting of Riverwoods (Provo) – Friday, November 18 from 6pm at Shops at Riverwoods. 

Tree Lighting (Lehi) – November 19 from 2-5 pm at Outlets at Traverse Mountain. 

Lights On (Orem) – November 21 at 5:30 pm at City Center. Free donuts, hot cocoa, and Santa.

Santa Arrival (Orem) – November 25 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 25- January 1 from 5:30 – 11 pm. 

Night in Bethlehem (Pleasant Grove) – Nov 25-28 at 5:30 pm  Bring a can of food per guest

Santa's Welcome Party (Provo) – Nov 26 from 12-2 pm at Provo Town Centre. 

Christmas Tree Lighting (Saratoga Springs) – November 28 at 6 pm at Neptune Park. Santa, crafts for the kids and musical entertainment.

Holiday Magic on Main (American Fork) – November 28 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 28 at 5 pm at the city park.

Tree Lighting (Pleasant Grove) – November 28 at 6 pm at Downtown Park. Donuts, hot chocolate, Santa and more.

Lights On Ceremony (Provo) – December 3 from 4-8 pm at Pioneer Park. Lights on at 5:30, Christmas market from 4-8 pm.

Christmas Village (Eagle Mountain) – Dec 3 from 12-4 pm at Cory Wride Memorial Park. Santa, petting zoo, live reindeer, and more.

Santa Parade (Lehi) – Dec 3 at 5pm

Live Nativity (Orem) – Dec 9 from 6-8 pm at University Place

“Santa”quin Holly Days (Santaquin) – December 9-10

Live Nativity (Eagle Mountain) – Dec 16 from 5-7 pm at Friends in Need Animal Sanctuary. Free event with hot cocoa and treats available to purchase to benefit the animals.

Davis County

FREE:

Lighting Ceremony (Layton) – November 21 at 7 pm at Layton Commons Park. 

Snowman Scavenger Hunt (Farmington) – November 25 – December 31. 

Festival of Lights (Centerville) – Nov 28 from 6-8 pm at Smith Park. Santa, refreshments, entertainment and more.

Breakfast with Santa (Farmington) – December 3-4 at Station Park. $27 per person

Lights On (Kaysville) – 1098 Sherwood Dr. 

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Cache County

Pay for:

Zootah Zoo Lights (Logan) –  (Thurs, Fri, & Sat)

Holiday Sleigh Ride (Wellsville) – Dec 10, 17, 21-24, 26-30. $8 includes hot cocoa and sledding hill.

FREE:

Logan Tree Lighting – Nov 26 at 4pm on Historic Center Street

Parade of Gingerbread Homes – On display Dec 2-31 in Downtown Logan

Weber County

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

Frozen in Time (Ogden) – Dec 2, 3, 9 & 10 at the Dinosaur Park.

A Very Dairy Christmas (Ogden) – Dec 2-33, 5-10, 12-17 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+.

FREE:

Christmas Tree Jubilee – (virtual) November 21-25. Christmas trees available for purchase.

Ogden City Christmas Village, which lights up a Christmas village each year. The Opening Ceremony is held Saturday, November 26. Includes an electric parade, performers and more.

Tree Lighting (Ogden) – December 3 at 5 pm at Barker Park. 

Ogden Nature Center Open House – Dec 2-3 with holiday shopping, free gift wrapping, bake sale, kids crafts and more. Admission is free.

Parade & Cookies with Santa (Ogden) – Dec 10 from 8-11 am from Station 82 to Station 81. Santa will take his big red fire engine, cookies, photos, and more.

The North Pole (North Ogden) – Dec 20-23 from 5:30-8:30 pm at Barker Park. Electronic light shows, holiday displays, live nativity, Santa, free hot cocoa.

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Box Elder County

Pay for:

Willard Bay Christmas Lights – Starts November 25 and runs through December 30. $15-$20 per vehicle

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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. 

Discount: Save 10% off with code: coupon4utah10 or Thursday nights you can save 20% off with code: Local20

Heber Valley North Pole Express – Runs November 18 – 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: Nov 26 at 6pm at the Midway Town Hall. 

Heber City Tree Lighting and Old Fashioned Christmas – Dec 2 from 6:30 pm at Heber City Government Bldg. Free event with music, hot cocoa, and Santa.

Midway Creches – December 2-5 at Town Hall, 

Live Nativity – Dec 14 at 6 & 7:30 pm at the Wasatch County Event Center.

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Summit County

FREE:

Snow Globe Stroll Thru 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 25 from 4-6 pm at Canyons Village at Park City Mountain. There will be live ice sculpting.

Winterfest (Kamas) – Nov 26 from 12-6 pm at Kamas Event Center.

Electric Parade  Main Street, Dec 3 from 6-6:30 pm

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Tooele County

Live Nativity & Luminary Walk – Dec 10 & 12 from 6-8:30 pm at Clark Historic Farm. Cost $2 or $1 off with food donation.

FREE:

Christmas Lighting & Live Nativity – Nov 28 from 6-8 pm at Benson Grist Mill

Santa Parade (Tooele) – Dec 3 at 10 am at Veterans Memorial Park. 

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Carbon County

Breakfast with Santa (Helper) – December 3 from 8-11 am at Civic Auditorium.

FREE:

Lights On (Helper) November 25 at 6 pm at Main Street

Electric Parade (Helper) December 2&3

Christmas Fireworks (Helper) December 3

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Juab County

Christmas Festival (Nephi) – Nov 26 at 11 am at Juab County Fine Arts Auditorium. Santa arrives by firetruck with plenty of treats for the kids.

Young Living Country Christmas Wagon Ride (Mona) – Dec 2-17; admission is $5 per person

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Sanpete County

FREE:

Live Nativity (Ft. Green) – TBD

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Millard County

FREE:

Light Parade (Delta) – Nov 26 at 6 pm at Downtown

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Uintah County

FREE:

Holly Days (Vernal) – Friday, November 25 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 2

Green Rivers Light the Night (Moab) – December 3-4

Light Parade (Moab) – December 3 at Main Street

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Kane County

FREE:

Christmas Light Parade & Festival – Nov 26 starting at 6 pm at the Kanab Center. Donuts and hot chocolate and a short tree lighting ceremony.

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Iron County

FREE:

Christmas Lighting (Cedar City) – Opening night Nov 26, held on Main Street, Cedar City, UT. At 4 pm Food Trucks will open, 4:15 pm pre-show events begin, including a tree decorating contest with the Iron County Care & Share, 5:15 pm the official program begins, & at 6:00 pm Santa arrives & the lights will be turned on.

Christmas in the Country (Parowan) – Nov 25-26 starting at 10 am on Main Street. Santa's parade, town lighting, candle light walking parade and more.

Holiday Tree Jubilee (Cedar City) – November 28-29 at 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm in the Heritage Center Theater (105 N 100 E, Cedar City), $25 Family Donation. See Santa and amazing display of decorated Christmas trees. Enjoy free professional Christmas photos, hot chocolate, and more.

Holidays at Homestead (Cedar City) – December 7-10 from 5:30-8 pm at Frontier Homestead State Park. the cost is $2 per person or $8 per family.

Lights at the Homestead (Cedar City) – December 20-24;  5:30 pm – 8:00 pm at the Frontier Homestead State Park.

Live Nativity (Cedar City) – December 5 & 12 at Nature Hills Farm. Cost $4 online

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Washington County

Pay for:

Dickens' Christmas Festival – runs St. George November 30-December 3 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 2, 3, 5, 9, 10, 12, 16, 17 & 19; 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:

The St. George Tuacahn November 25-December 23; has a Live Nativity includes real live camels, and beautiful costumes. Cost is $4 per person . There is also a Christmas in the Canyon (light display) that is FREE

Washington City Tree Lighting – Nov 28 at dusk at Veterans Park

St. George Kick Off to Christmas – Nov 28 from 6-8 pm at Town Square.

Light the Night – Dec 9 from 5-8 pm at at the St. George Art Museum

Hurricane Tree Lighting – Nov 28 at 6 pm at the community center. Donuts, Santa, live nativity.

Hurricane Christmas Tree Festival – Dec 1-2 at 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