Salt Lake City

Things to do in Salt Lake City with kids this weekend

1 thing to do with kids in Salt Lake City this weekend, with times, places, prices and ages. See the full this weekend list or just the free things to do this weekend.

Photo: Bobjgalindo / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 4.0)

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Hogle Holidays: A ZooLights Experience

The zoo's after-hours holiday lights: glowing displays, the Oasis Dance Party, interactive games, photo spots and hot cocoa. Most animal habitats are closed or dark at night.

Updated Nov 11, 2026

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The red-rock entrance sign of Utah's Hogle Zoo with snowy mountains behind it

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How to Plan Thanksgiving Break in Salt Lake City with Kids (2026)

Salt Lake City and Granite schools are off Nov 25–27, 2026. Holiday lights, skating, museums and the aquarium for Thanksgiving week, with dates, prices and official links.

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A grassy garden path at Ashton Gardens, Thanksgiving Point, in Lehi (daytime, not decorated)

EventThu, Nov 12 – Sat, Jan 9

Luminaria at Thanksgiving Point

Babies–17 yrs

Zero dollars

Free this week

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The glass-walled, curving interior of Salt Lake City's Main Library

LibrariesDowntown Salt Lake City

The City Library: Main Library

Babies–17 yrsFree

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The Natural History Museum of Utah's copper-clad Rio Tinto Center building in the foothills

MuseumsEast Bench

Natural History Museum of Utah

Ages 2–17$$

The round, brick Clark Planetarium building at The Gateway in downtown Salt Lake City

MuseumsDowntown Salt Lake City

Clark Planetarium

Ages 3–17

The Gateway building in downtown Salt Lake City that houses Discovery Gateway Children's Museum

MuseumsDowntown Salt Lake City

Discovery Gateway Children's Museum

Ages 1–10$

A child's hand touching a ray in a touch pool at the Loveland Living Planet Aquarium in Draper

MuseumsDraper

Loveland Living Planet Aquarium

Babies–17 yrs$$

The glass-walled, curving interior of Salt Lake City's Main Library

LibrariesDowntown Salt Lake City

The City Library: Main Library

Babies–17 yrsFree

The ornate terra-cotta facade of the Capitol Theatre on 200 South in Salt Lake City

EventFri, Dec 4 – Sat, Dec 26

The Nutcracker (Ballet West)

Ages 5–17$$$

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The red-rock entrance sign of Utah's Hogle Zoo with snowy mountains behind it

Seasonal guidefall

Thanksgiving Break in Salt Lake City with Kids

Salt Lake City School District and Granite School District both have no school Wed–Fri, Nov 25–27, 2026. Holiday lights are already on by then: Lightwalk at Tracy Aviary opens Nov 20, Hogle Holidays opens Nov 25, and Temple Square's lights usually come on the Friday after Thanksgiving. Many places close on Thanksgiving Day, so check before you go.

Colorful Christmas lights near Temple Square at night, with the Salt Lake Temple's spires and construction cranes behind

Seasonal guidewinter

Holiday Lights & Events in Salt Lake City: Zoo Lights, Lightwalk, Temple Square & More

Salt Lake City's season opens Nov 20 with Lightwalk at Tracy Aviary, then Hogle Holidays at the zoo from Nov 25. December brings Christkindlmarkt SLC (Dec 2–5), Ballet West's Nutcracker (Dec 4–26) and Candlelight Christmas at This Is The Place (Dec 11–23). Luminaria runs in Lehi through Jan 9.

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Heads up: school breaks & camps

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Salt Lake City School District

In 14 days

School break

Thanksgiving break

Nov 25–27

Top 5 most viewed

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  1. EventHogle Holidays: A ZooLights ExperienceThe red-rock entrance sign of Utah's Hogle Zoo with snowy mountains behind it
  2. MuseumsNatural History Museum of UtahThe Natural History Museum of Utah's copper-clad Rio Tinto Center building in the foothills
  3. EventCandlelight Christmas at This Is The PlaceA small tourist train at a railroad crossing in This Is The Place Heritage Park
  4. EventChristkindlmarkt SLCA small tourist train at a railroad crossing in This Is The Place Heritage Park
  5. EventChristmas Lights at Temple SquareColorful Christmas lights near Temple Square at night, with the Salt Lake Temple's spires and construction cranes behind

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The round, brick Clark Planetarium building at The Gateway in downtown Salt Lake City06

MuseumsDowntown Salt Lake City

Clark Planetarium

Ages 3–17

The Gateway building in downtown Salt Lake City that houses Discovery Gateway Children's Museum07

MuseumsDowntown Salt Lake City

Discovery Gateway Children's Museum

Ages 1–10$

Skaters on the outdoor ice rink at the Gallivan Center among downtown Salt Lake City buildings08

Indoor playDowntown Salt Lake City

Gallivan Center Ice Rink

Ages 3–17$

Tracy Aviary's rust-colored entrance building with a cut-out bird pattern in Liberty Park09

EventFri, Nov 20 – Sun, Jan 3

Lightwalk at Tracy Aviary

Babies–17 yrs$

A child's hand touching a ray in a touch pool at the Loveland Living Planet Aquarium in Draper10

MuseumsDraper

Loveland Living Planet Aquarium

Babies–17 yrs$$

A grassy garden path at Ashton Gardens, Thanksgiving Point, in Lehi (daytime, not decorated)11

EventThu, Nov 12 – Sat, Jan 9

Luminaria at Thanksgiving Point

Babies–17 yrs

The glass-walled, curving interior of Salt Lake City's Main Library12

LibrariesDowntown Salt Lake City

The City Library: Main Library

Babies–17 yrsFree

The ornate terra-cotta facade of the Capitol Theatre on 200 South in Salt Lake City13

EventFri, Dec 4 – Sat, Dec 26

The Nutcracker (Ballet West)

Ages 5–17$$$

Tracy Aviary's rust-colored entrance building with a cut-out bird pattern in Liberty Park14

Parks & trailsLiberty Park

Tracy Aviary (Liberty Park)

Babies–17 yrs$

The red-rock entrance sign of Utah's Hogle Zoo with snowy mountains behind it15

Parks & trailsEast Bench

Utah's Hogle Zoo

Babies–17 yrs$$

Fresh on the guide

New & updated

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The red-rock entrance sign of Utah's Hogle Zoo with snowy mountains behind it

EventWed, Nov 25 – Sat, Jan 2

Hogle Holidays: A ZooLights Experience

Babies–17 yrs$$

The Natural History Museum of Utah's copper-clad Rio Tinto Center building in the foothills

MuseumsEast Bench

Natural History Museum of Utah

Ages 2–17$$

A small tourist train at a railroad crossing in This Is The Place Heritage Park

EventFri, Dec 11 – Wed, Dec 23

Candlelight Christmas at This Is The Place

Babies–17 yrs

A small tourist train at a railroad crossing in This Is The Place Heritage Park

EventWed, Dec 2 – Sat, Dec 5

Christkindlmarkt SLC

Babies–17 yrsFree

Colorful Christmas lights near Temple Square at night, with the Salt Lake Temple's spires and construction cranes behind

EventFri, Nov 27 – Fri, Jan 1

Christmas Lights at Temple Square

Babies–17 yrsFree

The round, brick Clark Planetarium building at The Gateway in downtown Salt Lake City

MuseumsDowntown Salt Lake City

Clark Planetarium

Ages 3–17

The Gateway building in downtown Salt Lake City that houses Discovery Gateway Children's Museum

MuseumsDowntown Salt Lake City

Discovery Gateway Children's Museum

Ages 1–10$

Skaters on the outdoor ice rink at the Gallivan Center among downtown Salt Lake City buildings

Indoor playDowntown Salt Lake City

Gallivan Center Ice Rink

Ages 3–17$

Tracy Aviary's rust-colored entrance building with a cut-out bird pattern in Liberty Park

EventFri, Nov 20 – Sun, Jan 3

Lightwalk at Tracy Aviary

Babies–17 yrs$

A child's hand touching a ray in a touch pool at the Loveland Living Planet Aquarium in Draper

MuseumsDraper

Loveland Living Planet Aquarium

Babies–17 yrs$$

From the editors

Guides & stories

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The red-rock entrance sign of Utah's Hogle Zoo with snowy mountains behind it

Seasonal guidefall

Thanksgiving Break in Salt Lake City with Kids

Salt Lake City School District and Granite School District both have no school Wed–Fri, Nov 25–27, 2026. Holiday lights are already on by then: Lightwalk at Tracy Aviary opens Nov 20, Hogle Holidays opens Nov 25, and Temple Square's lights usually come on the Friday after Thanksgiving. Many places close on Thanksgiving Day, so check before you go.

Colorful Christmas lights near Temple Square at night, with the Salt Lake Temple's spires and construction cranes behind

Seasonal guidewinter

Holiday Lights & Events in Salt Lake City: Zoo Lights, Lightwalk, Temple Square & More

Salt Lake City's season opens Nov 20 with Lightwalk at Tracy Aviary, then Hogle Holidays at the zoo from Nov 25. December brings Christkindlmarkt SLC (Dec 2–5), Ballet West's Nutcracker (Dec 4–26) and Candlelight Christmas at This Is The Place (Dec 11–23). Luminaria runs in Lehi through Jan 9.

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Skaters on the outdoor ice rink at the Gallivan Center among downtown Salt Lake City buildings

Indoor playDowntown Salt Lake City

Gallivan Center Ice Rink

Ages 3–17$

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What is Zippy Guide: Salt Lake City?

Zippy Guide is the weekend list for Salt Lake City parents: an independent, family-friendly guide for Salt Lake City parents, with things to do in Salt Lake City — story times, museums, parks, farmers markets, classes and open gym times. We gather details from organizers' public websites so you can plan your weekend in minutes.

How do I find things to do with kids in Salt Lake City this weekend?

This weekend (Nov 13–15, 2026) we list 1 event for families. See the full list with times, places, prices and ages on This weekend.

Are there free things to do with kids in Salt Lake City this weekend?

No free events are posted for Nov 13–15, 2026 yet. Check Free this weekend for free anytime spots.

How do I add or claim my event?

Use the form on For businesses to claim your listing or add your event — we'll verify and get back to you.