Merry Christmas! If you're looking for Christmas activities in Utah, you've come to the right place. Lights displays, festivals and events to boost your holiday spirit can be found all over Utah.
Use these activities to fill your holiday calendar. Create your own schedule of holiday activities or use mine. The Tips for Family Trips 2020 Holiday Calendar is now on sale.
Most Utahns celebrate Christmas, but this list is open to all family-friendly religious, cultural, and seasonal celebrations that fit into the “holiday events” category. Most of Utah's counties are represented, and listed alphabetically. Use these links to jump to populous places quickly.
If you need a little Christmas right this very minute, take your pick! Here's my list of 50+ Christmas activities in Utah.
Multiple Locations
Neighborhood Christmas Lights
Drive or walk around just about any neighborhood to enjoy the beautiful decorations at many private homes. If you want to make a special trip to see some of the better Christmas light displays, KSL.com has a map featuring some of the best public and private displays across the state. It is updated regularly with new submissions.
Click here to see the KSL.com map of great holiday displays at private homes.
Christmas in Color
Imagine 1.5 million twinkling lights, perfectly synchronized to a Christmas soundtrack. It's pretty amazing and you can see it at Christmas in Color in South Jordan and Provo. www.christmasincolor.net
Dickens Christmas Festival
The Dickens Christmas Festival is a unique entertainment and shopping experience. Olde English shops, hundreds of period costumes, fortune tellers, orphans, royalty, and the “real” Father Christmas all combine for a Christmas experience like no other! Canceled this year in Salt Lake City but still going on St. George in early December. www.dickenschristmasfestival.com
The Forgotten Carols
Michael McLean's inspiring Christmas musical will be performed on stages throughout Utah this season. In 2019, see it in Logan, Ogden, Heber City, Murray, Orem, Cedar City and St. George. www.forgottencarols.com
Pickleville Playhouse Christmas
Juanito Bandito's Christmas Carol puts a hilarious spin on a holiday classic with Pickleville Playhouse's signature character as the star. The show plays in Logan and Salt Lake City on select dates in December. www.picklevilleplayhouse.com/banditochristmas
Related: Best Utah Ski Deals for Families
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Box Elder County
Willard Bay State Park
Willard Bay State Park once again presents its Fantasy at the Bay Christmas Lights. This lights display is a paid, drive through experience. It's even better with special 3D glasses. You'll have an opportunity to meet Santa and sip cocoa in a unique setting. www.stateparks.utah.gov/parks/willard-bay/events
Carbon County
Christmas Town Festival
Helper has claimed the title of Utah's Christmas Town, and they celebrate each year with a Christmas Festival from mid-November through early December. Enjoy a craft fair, lighting ceremony, electric light parade, chili dinner and breakfast with Santa. www.utahschristmastown.com
Davis County
CenterPoint Legacy Theatre
CenterPoint typically performs two Christmas plays throughout the holiday season in its beautiful, multi-venue Davis Center for the Performing Arts. In 2020, it's A Christmas Carol and It's a Wonderful Life. Covid precautions have been taken! www.centerpointtheatre.org
Layton City Lights in the Park
Layton City presents a free lights display in Layton Commons Park. Drive or walk through an eclectic menagerie that grows each year. Nearby, Burger Stop offers hay rides through the park for a small fee, which is donated to charity. www.burgerstoplayton.com/hayrides
Duchesne County
Enchanted Forest
Beautifully decorated Christmas trees are sponsored by community groups and businesses to be auctioned for charity. This favorite Roosevelt event is happening in November and is free to attend. Santa will be there! www.facebook.com/Duchesne-County-Chamber-of-Commerce-149030785117052
Iron County
Frontier Homestead State Park Museum
Frontier Homestead hosts two Christmas events in December: Christmas at the Homestead and Homestead Holiday Market. The museum will be decorated for the Christmas, with special holiday activities added to its usual hands-on historic exhibits. The Pioneer Market is an opportunity to shop for classic, hand-made crafts and gifts. www.frontierhomestead.org
Millard County
Delta City Light Parade and Celebration
Delta starts the holiday season with a light parade down Main Street. Follow the parade to the Millard County Fair Building for entertainment, refreshments and Santa Claus. www.delta.utah.gov
Salt Lake County
Ballet West's The Nutcracker (status unknown)
Did you know? Ballet West has the oldest and longest running American production of The Nutcracker. And it's magnificent in the historic Capitol Theatre. New sets, costumes and special effects keep this holiday tradition fresh for every generation. www.balletwest.org
Desert Star Theatres
Murray's Desert Star Playhouse is Utah's home of family-friendly comedy. This year's holiday production is A Christmas Carol Part 2 “Scrooged Again.” www.desertstar.biz
Festival of Trees
We love this popular annual event that supports Primary Children's Medical Center. We have even donated trees in the past. See rows and rows of Christmas trees, wreaths, gingerbread houses and more. Enjoy live entertainment and find unique homemade gifts. www.festivaloftreesutah.org
Hale Centre Theatre
Hale will be performing its classic version of A Christmas Carol. Buy tickets early because shows may start selling out by mid-November. This is the hottest theatre ticket in town. www.hct.org
Hogle Zoo
Zoo Lights is back! Winter is a great time to visit the zoo because its cold-loving polar bear, big cats and others are up and about. Stay after dark for one of Utah's top holiday lights displays. www.hoglezoo.org/promo/zoo_lights
This is the Place Heritage Park (Canceled for 2020)
This is the Place hosts two big events during the Christmas season: Christkindlmarkt and Candlelight Christmas. Christkindlmarkt is a shopping and community experience inspired by the famous German Christmas Markets. Candlelight Christmas is an old-fashioned pioneer Christmas, held in the evenings. Meet Father Christmas, see a live Nativity and take a Christmas train around the village. www.thisistheplace.org
Utah Symphony
My extended family attends “Here Comes Santa Claus” at Abravanel Hall every year. It's a Christmas tradition that goes back to when I was a kid. The Utah Symphony offers a variety of holiday themed performances throughout the season, from The Messiah Sing In to Harry Potter. www.utahsymphony.org
Related: Christmas Magic in Salt Lake City
Sanpete County
Manti Light Parade (No update)
Start the season with a festive electric light parade on Manti's Main Street. www.sanpete.com/events
Christmas Main Street Lighting (No update)
Come one, come all to Mt. Pleasant’s annual “Old Fashioned Christmas”. Mr. & Mrs. Santa fly in to see all the children. Entertainment from the elementary school classes. Free Wagon rides around town. Games and prizes for children. Chili and Scones. Free hot chocolate and cookies. www.sanpete.com/events
Christmas Firework Spectacular (No Update)
Snow College hosts an electric light parade, followed by fireworks. Santa Claus visits the Greenwood Student Center. www.sanpete.com/events
Live Nativity (No update)
Enjoy a Live Nativity in Fountain Green this year. It's free to the public and refreshments will be served. Hayrides from a nearby church to the Nativity will be available too. www.sanpete.com/events
Messiah Concert (No update)
This free concert is a Sanpete County tradition. With a combined choir and orchestra of musicians from Snow College and the community, the great masterwork of Handel is performed. It's a great way to celebrate the Christmas season! www.sanpete.com/events
Sevier County
Christmas Tree Lane
This Christmas tradition has become a huge community event sponsored by the Richfield Area Chamber of Commerce. Decorated trees from area businesses and organizations line the lobby and halls of the Sevier Valley Center. Entertainment is presented in the theatre and Santa Claus makes an appearance each year. www.richfieldareachamber.com
Richfield’s Christmas Light Parade
Richfield’s Main Street becomes a display of the holiday spirit during the annual Christmas Light Parade. This holiday tradition has become one of Utah’s premiere events. www.richfieldareachamber.com
Summit County
Egyptian Theatre (Cancelled for 2020)
In mid-December, Park City celebrates its local talent at the annual Holiday Spectacular. The audience will join in with a choir-led sing along. The Egyptian Theatre is also a good place to find holiday concerts and theatre in Park City. Check their events calendar for details. www.egyptiantheatrecompany.org
Park City Electric Parade (Status unknown)
Park City kicks off the holiday season with style with an electric parade and festivities on Thanksgiving weekend. Santa will be there as the city lights Historic Main Street and the city tree. Prizes are awarded for best entries. https://historicparkcityutah.com/events/electric-parade-and-festivities
Park City Torchlight Parade (Status unknown)
This Christmas Eve tradition is as old as Park City Mountain Resort – 55 years and counting! The evening begins with holiday music and holiday cheer at the base of the mountain. The torchlight parade is on the mountain, on skis! www.visitparkcity.com/event/torchlight-parade/21442
Uintah County
Community Holly Days
This Thanksgiving weekend event in downtown Vernal boasts long list of FREE activities for families. Highlights include a Grinch lookalike contest, Gingerbread Houses and a light parade. www.communityhollydays.com
Utah County
Hale Center Theatre
God bless us, everyone! The Orem Hale Center Theatre's musical version of A Christmas Carol is a holiday tradition for many families in Utah County. See it performed by one of the best theatre companies in the state. www.haletheater.org
Luminaria at Thanksgiving Point
The beautiful Ashton Gardens are transformed into a spectacular nighttime light display unlike anything you've ever seen. Walk through the inspiring Light of the World garden, see 5,000 luminaries create changing pictures on the hillside and enjoy family activities. www.thanksgivingpoint.org/events/luminaria
Spanish Fork Festival of Lights
Spanish Fork's fantastic drive-through light display has been delighting families for more than 25 years! Find it at Canyon View Park each night from Thanksgiving through the New Year. www.spanishfork.org
University Place
This Orem Mall has a list of holiday events for families throughout the season, including a Live Nativity, Gingerbread House Competition and a Quiet Santa for sensory-sensitive kids. www.universityplaceorem.com/events
Wasatch County
Heber Valley Railroad
The Heber Valley Railroad's North Pole Express is a fun and unusual tradition that many families love. Enjoy hot cocoa and Mrs. Claus' cookies on this festive trip to the North Pole. Santa visits with every child and has a gift for each one. www.hebervalleyrr.org/specialevents/northpoleexpress
Midway Ice Castles (Status unknown)
Walk through a wondrous ice castle with slides and tunnels and beautiful sculpture. The Midway Ice Castles are a magical place. The Ice Castles are weather dependent, so they may not quite be open by Christmas. They usually open by late December. www.icecastles.com/midway
Santa Sleigh Rides
Ride in a horse-drawn sleigh from Soldier Hollow and through Wasatch State Park to the humble home of Santa Claus himself. What a fun way to meet Santa! www.rockymtnoutfitters.com/Santa-Sleigh-Ride
Zermatt Swiss Christmas (status unknown)
Enjoy a European-style Christmas Market at the beautiful Zermatt Resort in Midway. Admission is free! Find unique Christmas gifts and a festive holiday atmosphere. zermattutahevents.com/swiss-christmas
Related:
Washington County
Jubilee of Trees (virtual!)
This fun November event raises funds for cancer treatment at Dixie Regional Medical Center in St. George. See beautifully decorated trees and attend special events like the Teddy Bear Picnic, which is especially fun for kids. www.intermountainhealthcare.org/locations/dixie-regional-medical-center/giving-volunteering/intermountain-foundation/news-and-events/jubilee-of-trees
St. George Temple Visitors Center
The St. George Temple grounds will be covered in Christmas lights throughout the season and local musical groups will perform Christ-centered music nearly every night of the season. Admission is free. www.facebook.com/StGeorgeVC
Tuacahn's Christmas in the Canyon (Cancelled for 2020)
Related: 5 Ways to Enjoy Tuacahn at Christmas Time
Weber County
Ogden Christmas Village (Some events canceled)
I visited the Ogden Christmas Village when I was young, and now I take my own kids every year. It's bigger and better than ever. Whimsical Christmas scenes fill the windows of small houses in Ogden Municipal Gardens. Lights fill the trees and Santa waits to hear Christmas wishes. www.visitogden.com/events/signature/christmas-village
Terrace Plaza Playhouse (Canceled for 2020)
The Terrace Plaza Playhouse presents its classic Scrooge: A Christmas Carol. It's a heartwarming retelling of a favorite Christmas story that has been a local favorite for more than 25 years. Terrace Plaza Playhouse is theatre in the round, which offers an intimate theatre experience that is good for all ages. www.terraceplayhouse.com
Ziegfeld Theater
The Ziegfeld Theater stays true to its comedy improv roots with an annual re-write of A Fairly Potter Christmas Carol. The popular holiday musical runs the month of December. www.zigarts.com
Conclusion
My family loves spending the holidays in Utah! We never travel for Christmas Break because our extended family is here, and we love relaxing and making memories close to home.
I hope that this list of Christmas activities in Utah helps your family plan a fun and memorable holiday season!
Want me to add a holiday event to this list? Email me at allison@tipsforfamilytrips.com.
Cindy Mello
will there be maps for christmas lights in the various cities available this year?
Allison
I sure hope so! I don’t have that map, but I’ll look for a good one and post the link here. 🙂