Utah Free or Cheap Events for Thanksgiving Weekend

Check out all the fun this extra long Thanksgiving weekend, this is such a BIG list – we have broken events out by days, starting with today:

Free Tracy Aviary, Free Hogle Zoo, Free Discovery Gateway
Free University Mall Santa Arrival Party & Station Park
Free Christmas Concerts at South Towne Mall
Free Electric Parades at Park City & Ogden
Discounts for Snow Tubing, Ice Castles, Sleigh Rides, Hollywood Connection and more!

Check out our Calendar of Events for even more events. You can also find our favorites listed under C4U Picks, many of which are also listed below.

Click here for to see the entire list of Events>>>

Be sure to check out our list of Christmas Light Displays for all kinds of fun displays – many start this weekend! Go here for our list>>>

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Trees of Diversity – November 21 – December 31 at the Utah Cultural Celebration Center (1355 W 3100 S). The Trees of Diversity exhibit showcases not only decorated trees, but also gingerbread houses, wreaths, nativities and other holiday scenes. Bring the family on November 21 for the official opening reception and enjoy more than 25 trees decorated by different ethnic arts groups from throughout the valley. Refreshments and music will also be provided. This is a free event.

Elves at Gardener Village – November 22 – December 24. Try your luck with our fun, family-friendly scavenger hunt. Be sure to check your list twice and get all the correct locations for Santa’s little helpers. This a wonderful activity for families, children and youth groups. Print your elf hunt form beginning November 22, 2013.

Wednesday:

Discovery Gateway Children’s Museum is offering a FREE admission for every 2 non-perishable food items donated to the Utah Food Bank at Discovery Gateway on Wednesday, November 27. All annual family memberships will also be $10 off during this event.

Tracy Aviary is offering Wild Wednesdays with Free Admission every Wednesday in November through March. Note that there is a $1 conservation fee per person, sponsored in part by Salt Lake County Zoo, Arts & Parks.

Hogle Zoo offers Free Admission the following days, sponsored in part by Salt Lake County Zoo, Arts & Parks: Wednesday, November 27

Frozen “Snow Day” Party! – November 27th, Megaplex Theaters at Legacy Crossing in Centerville from 10 am – 4 pm.

Frozen Movie Premier Party – November 27 at Cinemark Farmington at Station Park at 1:30 pm.

3rd Annual Turkey Pardoning – Wednesday, November 27 at 11 am at Thanksgiving Point. Come watch a lucky Utah-raised turkey get pardoned from this year’s Thanksgiving dinner table by Gov. Gary Herbert. This is a Free event.

Friday:

University Mall Santa's Arrival – Friday, November 29 at 9:30 am (University Parkway and State St, Orem). Santa and Mrs. Claus will touch down in KSL's Chopper 5 helicopter at 10 am, the Utah Army National Guard will escort Santa to the mall. Fans will enjoy live entertainment and free hot cocoa and treats.

Light Up The Night at Station Park (Farmington) – Friday November 29 at 6 pm. Come light up the night with Santa Claus and David Osmond at Station Park. He’ll light the 40’ Station Park Christmas Tree, we’ll sing carols, and enjoy games and hot chocolate! The Utah Figure Skater Club has a surprise winder vignette to share with all our guests.

South Towne Center's Christmas Concerts – begin Friday, November 29 at 12 noon. This concert includes musical performances by Kurt Bestor & One Voice Children's Choir.

Vernal Holly Days Festival – November 29. All activities and events are free and includes Polar Express children's train, pedal cars, pony rides, camel rides, bubble mania, ice sculptures, fireworks and more.

Skating with Santa – Friday, November 29 at 4 pm at the Gallivan Center. Join Make A Wish and Santa for skating at the Gallivan Center rink. Take photos with Santa, drop off a gift at the toy drive, enjoy highlight performances by Snow White Christmas and One Voice Choir and a Wish Kid flips on the plaza's lights.

Cabela's Black Friday Campout – To celebrate the start of the holiday shopping season on Black Friday, Cabela's in Lehi will present the first 600 shoppers in line with free gifts. Early Black Friday shoppers will enjoy a Duck Dynasty marathon, campfires, refreshments, games, Mrs. Clause, Mossy Oaks Pro Staff members and more. Doors open Nov. 29, 2013, at 5 a.m.

Robert Redford Film Series at Sundance – Friday, November 29 at 8 pm. You’ll enjoy classic Robert Redford films in his private screening room and it’s FREE! Tonight’s (11/29) the movie is Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid. Show time is at 8 pm. All Screenings are complimentary to the public and Sundance Resort lodging guests. No reservations or tickets are required.

Kaysville Nativity Celebration – November 29 & 30 at Kaysville Tabernacle. There will be several musical performances, hundreds of nativity and creche displays, a live nativity on stage, and a children's station. This is a free event.

Weber County Winter Holiday Festival – November 29 & 30 at Golden Spike Event Center. At the Festival your family will be transported to a Winter Wonderland of Multi-cultural Holiday displays featuring Nutcrackers, Snowmen, and Nativity Scenes from around the world. While at the Festival your family will enjoy a variety of local musical ensembles, solo artists, a Children's Corner, a life size nativity, and Holiday Treats. Admission is Free.

Saturday:

Park City Electric Parade – Saturday, November 30 at 6 pm down Main Street. The parade is free and open to the public with a carnival of glittering cars, trucks, trolleys, bicycles and more.

Ogden's Electric Parade and Opening Ceremony – Saturday, November 30 with an Electric Light Parade from Washington Blvd from 22nd St to 26 st. The parade is full of elaborate floats, sensational themes, and fantastic performers. There will also be a spectacular fireworks show.

MOA Family Workshops (Provo) – Saturdays in October at BYU Museum of Art – Monika Bravo: Landscape of Belief. On any one Saturday of their choice families can take a guided tour of a current exhibition and create a fun, hands-on art project, free of charge.

Discovery Gateway is offering $5 admission on Sundays during November from 12-6 pm, be sure to bring coupon.

Get a coupon for places such as Utah Hogle Zoo, Red Butte Garden, This Is the Place Heritage Park, Utah Museum of Fine Arts and more.

Go here for even more Hogle Zoo coupons.

Winter Market (Salt Lake) Open's Saturday, November 9 every other Saturday through April 26 at Rio Grande Depot (300 S Rio Grande St).

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Ice Castles – Pay $12 ($20 value) for admission for TWO or pay $24 for FOUR. Located in Midway, view beautiful, hand-crafted ice castles as you walk through a cavern of archways, towers, and tunnels all built from solid ice.

Santa Sleigh Ride – Pay $15 ($35 value) for a Santa Sleigh Ride for one at the Homestead Resort in Midway.

Get a ride to see Santa, plus a photo of your group with Santa. Ride lasts about 15-20 min and is private. Rides start November 30 and run to December 21. Book now, reservations are limited!

Soldier Hollow Tubing – Pay $25 for Two hours of snow tubing for TWO. Three options available for up to SIX.

Solitude Mountain Resort – Cottonwood: $69 for All-Day Skiing for Two at Solitude Mountain Resort ($148 Value). Note this is for select dates only.

Brian Head Resort: $64 for All-Day Skiing for Two at Brian Head Resort ($108 value).

Utah Snowkite Center (South Jordan & Park City) – Pay $37 ($75 value) for an into clinic to snowkiting.

Ticket Package to George Lopez – Pay $65 for one lower bowl ticket – also includes a $10 concession voucher. Show is for Saturday, December 14.

The New Loveland Living Planet Aquarium (Draper) – Pay $9.95 ($19.95 value) for one general admission. The new locations is scheduled to open December 2013, vouchers are valid through 4/1/2014.

A Snow White Christmas: $32 for an adult ticket or $23 for a child’s ticket to this fairy tale retelling event at The Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center. Choose from select dates in December. Each child receives a wand or sword.

Gourmand Food Tour of Park City Pay $90 for two tickets for a 2.5-hour food tour of Park City where you visit to some of the city’s favorite restaurants, meet the chefs behind the cuisines, and even learn a few culinary secrets.

Park City Ghost Tours – Pay $19 ($40 value) for a 70 min. ghost tour for TWO

Hollywood Connection – Pay $9 ($25 value) for unlimited rides, mini golf, skating and tokens.

Morning Star Balloons (Park City) – Pay $139 for a 1-hour hot air balloon ride and champagne toast for one or pay $239 for Two.

AMF Ritz Classic Bowling (Salt Lake) – Pay $17 ($28 value) for TWO hours of bowling and shoe rental for TWO or pay $30 for FOUR.

Get Air Hang Time (Orem) – Pay $11 for a 3-hour jump pass.

SkyWalker Haven (Layton) – Pay $20 for $40 worth of Trampolining.

Get Air Sportsplex (Kaysville) – Pay $10 for 1-hour jumping for TWO

Utah Olympic Oval in Kearns – There are two available options:

Pay $30 for open-skate admission for 10 with 10 skate rentals (a $65 value)
Pay $16 for open-skate admission for 5 with 5 skate rentals (a $32.50 value)

This doesn’t expire until April 30, 2014 so there is plenty of time to use it. This would be excellent for birthday parties, family time or just letting the kids have some fun during winter off track. Note that all 5 or 10 admissions must be used on one visit.

Utah Olympic Oval in Kearns – $7 for TWO Skating admissions and rental – $6 for kids or seniors.

Gallivan Plaza Ice Skating – Pay $8 ($16 value) for ice skating for TWO

Skydive Canyonlands – Pay $150 ($225 value) for one tandem skydive jump or pay $299 for TWO. View Canyonlands National Park, Merrimac and Monitor rock formations and more.

Teton Whitewater (Jackson, Wyoming) – Pay $28 ($60 value) for a river rafting trip for One or option for Four.

Momentum Indoor Climbing (Sandy) – Pay $15 ($22 value) for a rock-climbing day for one or $25 for two. Includes equipment and shoes.

Hansen Mountaineering (Orem) Pay $12 for indoor rock climbing & gear rental for TWO

Living Social offer The Pass of all Passes Deal where for $15 you get the 12-month Utah Pass of All Passes and it includes a $15 for food or arcade, or season tube rental. That’s like getting it free after the Tube Rental or Food Court voucher.

Remember, this years pass includes admission to up to FIVE free Grizzlies Games! Go here for the dates of the games included.

There are several other Pass of all Passes deal options. Go here for the list of current available offers for The Pass of all Passes>>

Cowabunga Bay Season Pass – Pay $64 ($128 value) for unlimited park admission for the rest of 2013 and all of the 2014 season.

Salt Lake Connect Pass – Pay $48 ($63 value) City pass grants admission at 13 area attractions, including Utah's Hogle Zoo, the Leonardo, Discovery Gateway, and zipline at Olympic Park. Choose from 3 options.

Scales and Tails (West Valley) Pay $29 ($76 value) for a 3-month family membership.

Utah Museum of Contemporary Art Membership – Pay $24 ($50 value) for a dual/family annual membership or $19 ($40 value) for an individual annual membership.

Toad's Fun Zone – Pay $12 ($25 value) for one all-day pass

Flowrider (Ogden) – Pay $50 ($89 value) iFly, Flowrider and iRick.

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Weekend Get-a-ways:

Luxury Condos in Park City – Pay $149 (reg. $318) for a 2-night stay in a standard studio condo at Silver King Hotel or at Shadow Ridge Resort. Also, includes a $20 credit on Liftopia toward chairlift passes and ski or snowboard rentals.

Haxton Manor Bed & Breakfast (Salt Lake) – Pay $99 (reg. $200) for a 1-night stay for two. Can combine up to 2 nights. All rooms have Jacuzzi tubs and includes a complimentary hot breakfast.

The Cabins at Bear River Lodge (Summit County) – Pay $199 (reg. $458) for 2-night stay for up to four. There is also an option for a snowmobile rental for an extra $100.

The Yarrow (Park City) – $59/night in a Deluxe room with a $10 dining credit.

Sandstone Skyscrapers in Zion National Park – Pay $170 for 2-nights in a Classic Suite that includes a fully equipped kitchen. Click “escapes” at the top left, then click “rocky mountain” under destinations to find this deal quickly.

Historic Desert Lodge (Monument Valley) – Pay $54/night (reg. $89) includes private balconies with breathtaking views of the mountain landscape.

Bear Lake Condo – Pay $99 (reg. $198) for a 2-night stay for up to four people in a 1-bedroom condo or up to six in a 2-bedroom condo ($129). Also, includes 10% discount at Cooper's Restaurant & Beaver Mountain All-day Ski Passes. Click “escapes” at the top left, then click “rocky mountain” under destinations to find this deal quickly.

Sunflower Hill Luxury Inn – Moab. Pay $99 ($205 value) for a night stay in any Deluxe or Classic room. A hot, gourmet breakfast is served each morning.

Blue Sky Adventures (Wanship) – Pay $89 ($199 value) for a 1-night over stay in an Antelope yurt (Sun-Thurs). Includes a wood-burning stove, propane grill, and bun beds for up to six.

Upscale DoubleTree Resort & Spa by Hilton in Brian Head for just $59/night (reg. $134). This also includes a $25 resort credit valid toward dining, spa treatments or any other resort purchases. Dates are available into February. Enjoy spacious rooms and a waterfall pool. There is also a shuttle that stops directly in front of the hotel and stops at the ski area and downtown.

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Movie Reminders:

There’s a weekly Cinemark concession coupon on their Facebook page.

Join Megaplex's Newsletter Club and receive a FREE medium popcorn, or you can upgrade to a large for $1.

Fandango is offering Visa Signature holders Buy one ticket, get one free.

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Michael’s – On Saturday, 11/30, look for various crafts and activities.

Babies R Us – Babies 1st Christmas Event December 7 from 9-10am. Get a $10 gift card just for joining the fun! Meet other parents with babies born in 2013. Enjoy holiday festivities, giveaways and prizes. Create a holiday craft with your little one. Note this week’s event is for babies born October – December 2013. Upcoming Saturdays will include other months.

Spot the Elf Game – November 20 – December 20, children who spot the elf win a prize from their holiday treasure chest.

Lowes Build & Grow offers a Free Kids workshop, – Saturday, December 14 at 10 am where kids can make a Train Engine. Pre-registration is required and spots fill up quickly.

Home Depot Kids Workshop – Scheduled for Saturday, November 30 from 9-12pm where kids can make a Small Toolbox. Pre-registration is required.

Home Depot – On Saturday, there is a Free DIY workshop at 10:15-11:30 am. Register online here.

Lakeshore Learning stores offer a free craft every Saturday from 11am-3pm. This Saturday kids can make a Falling Leaves Mobil. Lakeshore Learning is in The Oakwood Village Shopping Center 5480 S. 900 East.

Get a FREE 30 day trial to Netflix. Test out all of their features, including videos on demand, which now includes Disney Movies. NO further obligation is required. You can cancel anytime.

Get a 2 week free trial of HULU Plus. Normally HULU offers just one week, with this trial you'll have a good chance to test it out. Hulu Plus members, get access to 1,000?s of commercial free movies and TV episodes. Watch as many as you like, there is no limit. After your trial period the cost is $7.99 per month. There is no further obligation, you can cancel anytime.

Redbox is currently offering a FREE month of Redbox Instant (Beta version). You can sign up for an invitation to try out their Redbox Instant. You'll get 4 One-day DVD rentals and unlimited movie streaming during the trial period. You can cancel anytime during the 1 month trial to avoid charges. After the trial period, it's $8.00 per month.

If you are new to Redbox, it’s super simple to create a quick account and grab a movie. Plus, new subscribers can use code DVDNIGHT to get a free rental. Create you account at Redbox.com.