Posted in Utah Seasonal October 28, 2022 by

It’s Not Christmas In Utah Until You Do These 14 Enchanting Things

Everyone has Christmas traditions – those activities that you just have to do every year, or it doesn’t feel like Christmas. Some of those traditions are uniquely Utah. Check out these enchanting things that Utahns do every year and see how many your family has on its list. How many of these Christmas activities in Utah have you done? Which ones will you do this year? Let us know!

1. Go ice skating at Gallivan Center.
Kathylc63/TripAdvisor
The rink at Gallivan Center opens on November 16th. Skate Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to noon; Friday and Saturday from noon to midnight; Sunday from 10 a.m. to noon., or from noon to 2 p.m. for groups up to 200. You can also get some tasty snacks and warm cocoa at the concessions. Visit Gallivan Center’s website for more information.
239 Main St, Salt Lake City, UT 84111, USA
2. Stroll the streets of London (in St. George and Salt Lake) at the Dickens Christmas Festival.
Dickens Christmas Festival/Facebook
It wouldn't be Christmas without the Dickens Christmas Festival. The St. George festival runs from the end of November through early December and is held at Dixie Convention Center. The Salt Lake festival runs next, typically for two days only, and is held at the Sandy Expo Center. This amazing traditional winter festival in UT is a can't miss.
1835 S Convention Center Dr, St. George, UT 84790, USA
9575 S State St, Sandy, UT 84070, USA
3. Walk through a Christmas Tree forest at the Festival of Trees.
Festival of Trees Utah/Facebook
The Festival of Trees has been a Utah tradition since 1970, and every penny raised goes directly to Primary Children's Hospital. This year's festival starts on November 30th and runs through December 3rd. Wander through the forests of Christmas trees, displays of wreaths, gingerbread houses, homemade crafts and candy from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.. Admission is $8.00 for adults, $5.00 for children ages 2-11, and $7.00 for seniors. It's held at the South Towne Expo Center. When it comes to Christmas activities in Utah, this is one of the best.
9575 S State St, Sandy, UT 84070, USA
4. Eat some delicious funeral potatoes.
Mark Manguerra/flickr
Odds are very good that you'll enjoy this classic Utah dish at a potluck during the holidays. Mmmmm.
5. Be enchanted at Temple Square.
Charles (Chuck) Peterson/flickr
The 35 acres surrounding the Salt Lake Temple turns into a winter wonderland at Christmastime. Bundle up and check out the millions of lights. The lights go on November 24th and stay on until January 1st. Visit from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. or from 6 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. to view these amazing Christmas lights in Utah.
50 North Temple, Salt Lake City, UT 84150, USA
6. Visit Christmas Village in Ogden.
Ogden City
A visit to Christmas Village in Ogden has been a Utah tradition since 1962! The little cottages and Christmas lights are sure to delight kids of all ages.
Ogden, UT, USA
7. Get wild at Zoo Lights.
Hogle Zoo
What's better than Christmas lights? Christmas lights at the zoo! The annual Zoo Lights runs in 2022 from December 2nd through December 31st. Lights go on at 5:30 p.m. Wander through the grounds and see over 200 lighted displays, and pick up some hologram glasses to go through the lighted tunnel. You'll find different family-friendly activities every night. Visit the Zoo Lights website for more information.
2600 Sunnyside Ave S, Salt Lake City, UT 84108, USA
8. See "A Christmas Carol" at Hale Center Theatre in Orem.
Hale Center Theatre Orem/Facebook
The musical runs November 30th through December 27th. Purchase tickets in advance for this Utah holiday tradition on the official website.
Hale Center Theater Orem, 225 400 N, Orem, UT 84057, USA
9. Participate in a $5 gift exchange.
Kari Bluff/flickr
If you have a large extended family (and odds are good that you do), then you might be familiar with the Utah $5 Gift Exchange. Since you can't possibly buy every aunt, cousin, and nephew a gift, you're instructed to bring a gift that costs $5 (or, if your family is a little wealthier ... up to $20), and then you play a long, drawn-out present game.
10. Get your tickets for Ballet West's production of The Nutcracker.
Ballet West/Facebook
Performances start December 2nd and run through the 24th. Purchase tickets on Ballet West's official website.
Ballet West, 50 W 200 S #200, Salt Lake City, UT 84101, USA
11. Visit Utah's Christmas Town.
Utah's Christmas Town/Facebook
Helper is the best Christmas town in UT, with plenty of pretty lights and tons of fun activities. Visit for the Helper Electric Light Parade held on December 2nd and 3rd at 7:00 p.m. The town hosts fireworks after the Saturday parade!
Helper, UT 84526, USA
12. Give or Receive A 'Neighbor Gift.'
Stephen's Gourmet Cocoa/Facebook
If you're lucky, it will involve Stephen's Gourmet Cocoa. Utahns are big on community, and we're also pretty crafty folks, so you'll likely collect a bunch of charming (often edible!) gifts on your porch this season.
13. Sip Some Stephen's Gourmet Cocoa.
Stephen's Gourmet Cocoa/Facebook
We don't usually endorse products, but Stephen's is a Utah company (and their cocoa is soooo good). It just wouldn't be Christmas without several warm, delicious cups of this stuff, and if you've got homemade cookies too, all the better.
14. Grab a burger and go for a Christmas lights hayride in Layton.
Burger Stop/Facebook
Every year, Burger Stop teams with Layton City, Wasatch Rods, and Custom Car Club to bring hayrides through the Christmas Lights at Layton Park. The event raises money for charity (over $100,000 since 1993).
Layton Park, Clearfield, UT 84015, USA

Which Christmas traditions in UT did we miss on this list? Tell us in the comments!

If you’re looking for a fun Christmas activity, visit some of these light displays in Utah around the Beehive State.

Address: 9575 S State St, Sandy, UT 84070, USA
Address: 50 North Temple, Salt Lake City, UT 84150, USA
Address: 239 Main St, Salt Lake City, UT 84111, USA
Address: 2600 Sunnyside Ave S, Salt Lake City, UT 84108, USA
Address: Ogden, UT, USA
Address: Hale Center Theater Orem, 225 400 N, Orem, UT 84057, USA
Address: Ballet West, 50 W 200 S #200, Salt Lake City, UT 84101, USA
Address: 1835 S Convention Center Dr, St. George, UT 84790, USA
Address: 9575 S State St, Sandy, UT 84070, USA
Address: Helper, UT 84526, USA
Address: Layton Park, Clearfield, UT 84015, USA

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The OIYS Visitor Center

Christmas Activities In Utah

November 02, 2022
Tori Jane

What are some super fun Christmas activities in UT?  

Winter in Utah is a pleasant time of year, even if it’s a bit chilly. There are lots of fun things to do in Utah in wintertime, but when Christmas time comes around, it gets even better somehow. Head to Draper Park and visit the stunning Tree of Life, a beautiful old willow tree lit up in thousands of twinkling lights. Go to Lehi and check out the Traverse Outlets for some of the best Christmas shopping in the state, and while you’re there, you might want to time it so you can catch the annual tree lighting ceremony. While in Lehi, be sure to also check out the Luminaria at Ashton Gardens, another must-do Utah Christmas tradition you’ll love adding to your family’s list too.  

What is Christmas in UT like?  

Christmas in Utah is a delight. Despite the chill in the air, there’s still a certain kind of cheer and brilliance just about everywhere you go. Head to some of the amazing Christmas towns in Utah and enjoy the holidays that way; be sure to attend some of the amazing holiday events in UT while you’re there (more on those in a moment). Embark upon a fun, unique winter hike in Utah, and take in the beauty of the snow-covered landscape. Christmas in UT is a very unique time – get outside and be sure to enjoy it (just be safe and bundle up, of course).  

What are some fun, traditional holiday events in UT to attend?  

Every single town in Utah has a plethora of wonderful holiday events to attend, many of which are almost too much fun. Attend the annual Festival of Trees in Sandy while sipping hot cocoa and admiring the lights. Of course, it wouldn’t be Christmas unless you attended the famous German Christmas Market that only stops in once a year known as Christkindlmarkt SLC. Take a fun Christmas train ride in Utah on the North Pole Express, and then check out some of the best drive-thru Christmas lights displays in Utah with the kids. Head to Salt Lake City and get photos with Santa, and then spend a few hours ice skating. Christmas in UT is amazing – come see why!  

Address: 9575 S State St, Sandy, UT 84070, USA
Address: 50 North Temple, Salt Lake City, UT 84150, USA
Address: 239 Main St, Salt Lake City, UT 84111, USA
Address: 2600 Sunnyside Ave S, Salt Lake City, UT 84108, USA
Address: Ogden, UT, USA
Address: Hale Center Theater Orem, 225 400 N, Orem, UT 84057, USA
Address: Ballet West, 50 W 200 S #200, Salt Lake City, UT 84101, USA
Address: 1835 S Convention Center Dr, St. George, UT 84790, USA
Address: 9575 S State St, Sandy, UT 84070, USA
Address: Helper, UT 84526, USA
Address: Layton Park, Clearfield, UT 84015, USA

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.