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 7 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 $9-$12.
Christmas in Color(South Jordan & American Fork) Opens November 14 – December 29. Cost is $35 online.
Discount: Use code: THINGSTODO20 to save 20% off online.
Holiday Lights at The Ballpark (South Jordan) – Nov 14-Jan 3 at The Ballpark at America First Square; tickets $15-25
Lightwalk (Salt Lake) – Runs November 21-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 15; drive thru animated lightshow. $39.99 per vehicle $49.99 per vehicle on weekends.
Milk & Cookies with Santa (Salt Lake) – Nov 22 at 9 am at City Creek; Tickets $10 and selling out
Twas the Night Before (Salt Lake) – Dec 4-14 at Eccles Theater; an exhilarating new spin on the beloved Christmas classic as only Cirque du Soleil can imagine!
Discount: Save 25% off with code: CHEER70
Festival of Trees – (Sandy) December 2-6 at Mountain America Expo Center.
Magic Ice Show – (Millcreek) November 28-30 at Millcreek Common. Admission $5
Donuts with Santa (Sandy) – Dec 6 from 8:30-10 am at Shops at South Town. Ages 2 and under free.
Cookies with Canines (Murray) – Dec 13 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
Breakfast with Santa (West Valley) – Dec 13 at 8:30 am at West Valley Fitness Center
FREE:
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) – Nov 19-Dec 31 at Utah Cultural Celebration. Trees on display represent different countries and ethnic backgrounds as well as family traditions.
Nativities from Around the World (West Valley) – Nov 20-Dec 31 at Utah Cultural Celebration Center
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 22; also wear your ugly Christmas Sweater for a free hot chocolate at the Chocolate Covered Wagon.
Santa's Arrival (Riverton) – Nov 21 from 5-7 pm at Mountain View Village; Santa will be escorted by Riverton PD and Unified Fire, interactive games, face painters and more
Lights on! (Salt Lake) – Nov 22 from 6:30-8:30 pm at The Gateway; live music, food, stilt walker, free balloon animals and more.
Milk & Cookies with Santa (Salt Lake) – Nov 22 at 9 am at City Creek; Tickets $10 and selling out
Tree Lighting (West Valley) – Nov 22 from 6-8 pm at Valley Fair Mall. Free hot chocolate, music, santa
Herriaman Holiday Marketplace – Nov 21-22 at Athlos Academy; food trucks, kids activities, 75+ vendors and more
South Jordan Candy Windows – runs Nov 27-Jan 1 with candy creations in the windows of the shops at City Hall.
FM 100 Christmas Concert Series (Sandy) – begin November 28. 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 18
Murray Tree Lighting -Nov 29 at 6 pm at City Hall
Tree Lighting (Taylorsville) Dec 1 at 6:30 pm at Centennial Plaza. Music, hot chocolate and cookies
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)
Santa and the Lights (Bluffdale) – Dec 1 from 5:30-8 pm at City Park. Santa, free hot chocolate & cookies, reindeer games, and more
Tree Lighting (Draper) – Dec 1 from 6-8 pm at Draper City Park.
Tree Lighting (Taylorsville) – Dec 1 from 6:30-8 pm at Centennial Plaza.
Tree Lighting (West Valley) – Dec 1 at 6:30 pm at West Valley City Family Fitness Center.
Light The Heights (Cottonwood Heights) -Dec 1 from 5-7:30 pm at City Hall.
Night of Lights (Herriman) – December 1 at 6 pm at Crane Plaza and City Hall. Food trucks, ice sculptor, drone show and more
Santa's Arrival (Riverton) – Dec 1 at 6:30 pm at Riverton City Park
Christmas Movie Classics (West Jordan) – Dec 1-22 (Mondays) at 7 pm at The Viridian Center. See Christmas movies on their big screen. This is a free event.
Lights On (Salt Lake) – Dec 1-31 at Pioneer Park, stroll the south end of the park with a light up tunnel, festive gift box, glowing trees and more
Nativity in the Glen – Dec 2 from 6-9 pm at 1035 S 1500 E
Heritage Park Chistkindlmarkt (Salt Lake) – Dec 3-6 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 4 from 5-7:30 pm at City Hall. Live music, food trucks, photos with Santa, and more!
Light the Night (South Jordan) – December 5 from 6-8 pm
Enjoy the lights, the sights, sounds, and smell of warm cookies and hot chocolate.
Christmas Around the World (Salt Lake) – Dec 5 at 7:30 pm at All Saints Episcopal Church.
Holiday Concert (West Jordan) – Dec 6 from 6 pm at Viridian Center. Free admission
Saturday with Santa (Taylorsville) – Dec 6 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 6 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 $7.
Red Butte Garden Holiday Open House – Admission is Free for December 6-7
Sounds of the Season Concert (South Jordan) – Dec 6 at 2 & 7 pm at Bingham High School. Free but donations suggested.
Lights Up Main Street (Midvale) – Dec 13 at 5 pm at Main Street.
Luminary (West Valley) – Dec 13 at 5 pm at Memorial Park.
Larry H Miller Christmas Sing Along (Salt Lake) – Dec 16 at 7 pm at Delta Center. Christmas concert and sing-along.
Skate with Santa (Cottonwood Heights) – Dec 20 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:
Christmas in Color(American Fork & South Jordan) Opens November 14 – December 29. Cost is $35 online.
Discount: Use code: THINGSTODO20 to save 20% off online.
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) – Nov 22 – Dec 31;
Deck the Dome (Pleasant Grove) – Nov 28-Dec 31 at Christa McAuliffe Space Center; experience the greatest Christmas hits to laser; $7
Alpine – Live Nativity Dec 1-6. Ticket are $5.
Festival of Lights (Spanish Fork) – Run November 27 – January 1 from 6-10 pm. at Canyon View Park. Cost $10/car, $25/large passenger van, $50/bus.
A Babe is Born (Lehi) – Dec 2-6 at 1174 S 1700 W; Tickets $8-12
Living Bethlehem (American Fork) – Dec 5-13 at Harrington Center; experience the streets of Bethlehem, visit Santa, food, music and more. $5
Skate with Santa (Provo) – Dec 13 from 3-5 pm at Peaks Arena
FREE:
Orchard Lighting (Orem) – November 17 at 6-8 pm at University Place.
Lighting of Riverwoods (Provo) – Friday, November 21 at 6pm at Shops at Riverwoods.
Tree Lighting & Gingerbread Festival (Lehi) – November 22 events run from 2-5 pm at Outlets at Traverse Mountain.
Santa Arrival (Orem) – November 28 at 9:30 am at University Place. Santa to arrive via helicopter.
Salem Pond Town Christmas – Runs November 28- January 1 from 5:30 – 11 pm.
Night in Bethlehem (Pleasant Grove) – Nov 28-Dec 1 at 5:30 pm Bring a can of food per guest. Reserve your tickets
Winter Lights Parade (Spanish Fork) – Nov 29 at 7pm at Main Street
Christmas Festival (Payson) – Nov 29 from 12-7 pm at Main Street; food trucks, Santa, entertainment and more
Christmas Tree Lighting (Saratoga Springs) – Dec 1 at 5 pm at Neptune Park. Santa, crafts for the kids and musical entertainment.
Tree Lighting (Lindon) – Dec 1 at 6 pm
Lights On (Orem) – December 1 at 5 pm at City Center. Music, treats and Santa.
Tree Lighting (Vineyard) – Dec 5 at The Greenline; free sleigh rides, reindeer visites, music and more
Community Creche (Payson) – Dec 5-6 from 5-9 pm
Holiday Festival (Springville) – Dec 5-6 at Civic Center Park; food, holiday vendors, live entertainment, Santa visits and more
Christmas Market (Salem) – Dec 5-6 at Salem Activity Center; one of a kind gifts, music, food trucks
“Santa”quin Holly Days (Santaquin) – December 5-6; carriage rides, Santa's light parade, drone show and more.
Christmas Village (Eagle Mountain) – Dec 6 from 3-7 pm at Cory Wride Memorial Park. Santa, petting zoo, live reindeer, and more.
Provo Lights On (Provo) – Dec 6 from 4-7 pm at Pioneer Park
Santa Parade (Lehi) – Dec 13 at 4 pm at Main Street Plaza. Concludes with a tree lighting ceremony, free hot chocolate and cookies, and visits with Santa.
Tree Lighting (Sundance) – Dec 12 from 5-6:30 pm at Sundance Resort.
Camp Floyd Spirit of the Season (Fairfield) – Dec 13 at 10-4 pm at Camp Floyd State Park
Pioneer Christmas (Provo) – Dec 12-15 at 5-8 pm at Pioneer Village
Silent Santa (Eagle Mountain) – Dec 13 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
The Reindeer Express (Kaysville) – Dec 13 at 10 am at USU Botanical Center; $35/family
Christmas Ice Show (Bountiful) – Dec 13 at 6:30 pm at South Davis Rec Center; Tickets $5
FREE:
Santa's Arrival (Farmington) – Nov 28 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 24 at 6 pm at Layton Commons Park.
Holiday Hayrides (Layton) – Dec 3 at 6 pm at Layton Commons Park.
Festival of Lights (Centerville) – Dec 1 at 6 pm at Smith Park. Santa, refreshments, entertainment and more.
Santa Parade (Syracuse) – Dec 13 from 9-3 pm at various locations; Santa will be coming thru town on a fire trucks!
Cache County
Pay for:
Cache Light Display (Logan) – Dec 1-24 at Cache County Fairgrounds; a drive-thru wonderland
Zootah Zoo Lights (Logan) – Dec 4-6, 11-13, 18-20, 26-27, Jan 1-3
Reindeer Express (Wellsville) – Dec 5 at 4:30 & 6:30 at USU South Farm; $7 or $35/family
Holiday Sleigh Ride (Wellsville) – Dec 6, 13, 20, 22, 23, 24, 27. $10 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 29 from 10-7:30 pm at Center Street; movies, tree lighting, fireworks and more.
Christmas Storybook Festival (Smithfield) – Dec 8 from 5:30-8:30 pm at Smithfield City Library
Weber County
Breakfast with Santa (Ogden) – Dec 13 at 9 am at Union Station; $30 per person
Dinos in the Snow (Ogden) – Dec 12-13 & 19-20 at Eccles Dino Park; Admission $8
FREE:
Christmas Tree Jubilee – November 24-28 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 29. Includes an electric parade, performers and more.
Ogden Nature Center Open House – Nov 29 with holiday shopping, free gift wrapping, bake sale, kids crafts and more. Admission is free.
Tree Lighting (North Ogden) – Dec 6 at 5 pm at Barker Park
Christmas Market (Ogden) – Dec 12-13 at Golden Spike Event Center
Box Elder County
Pay for:
Willard Bay Christmas Lights – December 1-24. $20 per vehicle
FREE:
JC's Cowbowy Christmas Market (Tremonton) – Nov 21-22 at Box Elder County Fairgrounds
Tremonton Lights (Tremonton) – Dec 7 at 4:30 pm at library
Wasatch County
Pay for:
Holiday Lights Wagon Ride to Santa (Midway) – At Wasatch Mountain Golff Course. Prices are $15, kids 2 and younger are free.
Heber Valley North Pole Express – Runs November 20 – 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.
FREE:
Tree Lighting and Shop Local Celebration: (Midway) Nov 29 at 6pm at the Midway Town Square.
Heber City Tree Lighting and Old Fashioned Christmas – Dec 5 at 6 pm at Heber City Tabernacle Historic Square. Free event with music, cookie decorating, and Santa.
Midway Creches – December5-8 at Town Hall,
Live Nativity – Dec 10 at 6 & 7:30 pm at the Wasatch County Event Center.
Summit County
FREE:
Snow Globe Stroll Nov 27-Jan 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
Junction Commons in Park City Tree Lighting – Nov 20 from 5:30 pm at Junction Commons; tree lighting, food trucks, tree lighting and more.
Holiday Tree Lighting & Fireworks (Park City) – Nov 28 from 4-6 pm at Canyons Village at Park City Mountain. There will be live ice sculpting.
Light Celebration (Park City) – Nov 29 at 4 pm at Miner's Park Plaza; music, lighting at 5 pm
Winterfest (Kamas) – Dec 13 from 12-5 pm at Kamas City Event Center; holiday market, food truck, Santa's grotto, tree lighting
Santa at Fieldhouse (Park City) – Dec 13 at 3:30 pm at Basin Rec Fieldhouse; free, but registraion needed
Santa Comes Down Town Lift (Park City) – Dec 20 at 5 pm at Town Lift Plaza; complimentary cookies, holiday tunes, and pictures with Santa.
Tooele County
Live Nativity & Luminary Walk – Dec 13 & 15 from 6-8:30 pm at Clark Historic Farm. Cost $2 or $1 off with food donation.
FREE:
Santa Parade & Tree Lighting (Tooele) – Nov 29 from 2-3 pm
Tree Lighting – Nov 29 from 5:30-6 pm at Veterans Memorial Park
Cookies & Carols – Nov 29 from 3-5 pm at Ritz Theater
Carbon County
FREE:
Tree Lighting (Price) November 14 at 5:30 pm at Peace Garden
Lights On (Helper) November 28 at 6 pm at Main Street
Luminary (Helper) December 3 at 6:30 pm at City Cemetery
Electric Parade (Helper) December 5-6
Christmas Fireworks (Helper) December 6
Juab County
Christmas Festival (Nephi) – Nov 29 from 11-2 pm at Juab Fine Arts Auditorium
Christkindl Market (Mona) – Dec 12-13 at Mt. Nebo Botanical Farm
Tree Lighting (Nephi) – Nov 30 at 6 pm at Courthouse
Tree Fest (Nephi) – Nov 30-Dec 6
Sanpete County
FREE:
Live Nativity (Ft. Green) – TBD
Light Parade (Ephraim) – Dec 5 at 6:30 pm Ephraim Main Street
Candlelight Christmas (Spring City) – Dec 13 4-7 pm at Historic Spring City
Uintah County
FREE:
Holly Days (Vernal) – Friday, November 28 in Downtown Vernal. from 11 am -7:30 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 5
Holiday Craft Fair (Moab) – December 5-6
Light Parade (Moab) – December 6 at Main Street
Kane County
Polar Express (Kanab) – Dec 1-13 at 6 pm at Kanab Center
FREE:
Christmas Light Parade & Festival (Kanab)- Nov 29 starting at 6:30 pm at the Kanab Center.
Iron County
Christmas on the Farm (Cedar City) – Nov 28-29; tickets $7-10
FREE:
Christmas Lighting (Cedar City) – Opening night Nov 29 from 10 am – 9 pm
Christmas in the Country (Parowan) – Nov 28-29 starting at 10 am on Main Street. Santa's parade, town lighting, candle light walking parade and more.
Holiday Tree Jubilee (Cedar City) – November 29, December 1 & 2 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 6 from 11 am – 3 pm
Washington County
Pay for:
Dickens' Christmas Festival – runs St. George December 3-6 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 5, 6, 8, 12 13 15, 19, 20, 22; 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 27-December 31; thousands of lights and displays. Lights are on nightly until 10 p.m.
The St. George Tuacahn November 28-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 1 at dusk at Veterans Park
Light the Night (St. George) – Dec 6 from 5-8 pm at St. George Art Museum; entertainment, children's activities, and more.
Hurricane Christmas Tree Festival – Dec 11-13
Light Parade (Springdale) – Dec 12 at 7 pm on Canyon Springs Road
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
Brighton has Santa Ski free on Christmas day.
I 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!
Thank you !! So many things I wasn’t aware of that I’m excited for !
The Provo Christmas Market will be on Provo Center Street, not at the Rec Center
I 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.
I 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.
Thank you for this amazing list of fun Christmas events in so excited to do attend some of these that I wasn’t aware of ?
You’re welcome. Have a great holiday.
I’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!
So glad it helps. Happy Holidays