Holiday Lights & Events with Kids in Salt Lake City (2026): Zoo Lights, Lightwalk, Temple Square & More

Luminaria at Thanksgiving Point

Luminaria at Thanksgiving Point · Ashton Gardens, 3900 N Garden Dr, Lehi, UT 84048.

A walk through Ashton Gardens in Lehi with 10 million lights across 50 acres, larger-than-life toys and ornaments, and the Merry Mosaic.

Dates: 2026-11-12 to 2027-01-09.

Hours: Nov 12, 2026–Jan 9, 2027, Monday–Saturday with time slots every 15 minutes. Closed Sundays, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

Price: Not posted (prices vary by date; choose a date on the ticket page to see the price).

Tips: About 30 miles south of downtown Salt Lake City, in Lehi. Exchangeable tickets are the only ones that can be changed on the day of your visit.

Official source: Thanksgiving Point.

Gallivan Center Ice Rink

Gallivan Center Ice Rink · 239 S Main St, Salt Lake City, UT 84111.

An outdoor ice rink with colorful lights in the downtown Gallivan Center plaza; skate rental is included and no reservation is needed.

Hours: Opens Tue, Nov 17, 2026 (5 PM opening the first week). Regular hours: Sunday 12–10 PM, Monday–Thursday 4–10 PM, Friday–Saturday 12 PM–midnight. Dec 15–30: Sunday–Thursday 12–10 PM. Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve 12–10 PM; Christmas Day 5–10 PM; New Year's Eve 12 PM–12:15 AM. Last public skate Sun, Mar 8, 2027.

Price: Adults $15; children 4–12 $11; children 3 and under $5; seniors and military $14; bring your own skates $10. Skates included.

Tips: No helmets are provided; bring your own. Skates run from toddler size 6 to men's 15, with no half sizes.

Official source: Gallivan Center (Salt Lake City).

Lightwalk at Tracy Aviary

Lightwalk at Tracy Aviary · Tracy Aviary, 589 E 1300 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84105.

An evening walk through Tracy Aviary in Liberty Park lit up with holiday light displays.

Dates: 2026-11-20 to 2027-01-03.

Hours: Nightly Nov 20, 2026–Jan 3, 2027, 5:30–9 PM. Closed Thanksgiving Day (Nov 26) and Christmas Day (Dec 25).

Price: General 13+ $17.95; children 3–12 $13.95.

Tips: Tickets are sold online through the Lightwalk site.

Official source: Tracy Aviary.

Hogle Holidays: A ZooLights Experience

Hogle Holidays: A ZooLights Experience · Utah's Hogle Zoo, 2600 E Sunnyside Ave, Salt Lake City, UT 84108.

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.

Dates: 2026-11-25 to 2027-01-02.

Hours: 5:30–9 PM on Wed, Nov 25; Fri–Sun, Nov 27–29; nightly Dec 3–31; and Sat, Jan 2, 2027. Closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

Price: Adults 13+ $24.95; children 3–12 $19.95; 2 and under free (online store; member tickets $2 less). Carousel $3.50 per ride.

Tips: Plan at least 90 minutes; the zoo says displays glow brighter as the night goes on. Runs snow or shine and tickets aren't refundable for weather, so dress warm. The Eccles Express Train is closed for the season; the Conservation Carousel runs 5:30–8:45 PM.

Official source: Utah's Hogle Zoo.

Christmas Lights at Temple Square

Christmas Lights at Temple Square · Temple Square, Salt Lake City, UT 84150.

Downtown's long-running Christmas lights in the open areas of Temple Square, which is still partly under renovation ahead of the Salt Lake Temple's 2027 reopening.

Dates: 2026-11-27 to 2027-01-01.

Hours: 2026 dates and hours had not been announced as of Nov 11, 2026. In 2025 the lights ran Fri, Nov 28–Jan 1, daily 6–8 AM and 4:30–10 PM, in all open areas; the usual pattern points to Fri, Nov 27, 2026–Jan 1, 2027. Check the Church Newsroom before you go.

Price: Free (2025 announcement).

Tips: There is no formal lighting ceremony; the lights simply come on. Because of the renovation, only open areas are lit.

Official source: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Christkindlmarkt SLC

Christkindlmarkt SLC · This Is The Place Heritage Park, 2601 E Sunnyside Ave, Salt Lake City, UT 84108.

A German-style Christmas market at This Is The Place Heritage Park with vendors, festive parades, traditional German food, music, dancing and holiday activities for all ages.

Dates: 2026-12-02 to 2026-12-05.

Hours: Wed, Dec 2–Sat, Dec 5, 2026, 11 AM–8 PM.

Price: Free entry; no entry tickets required (per the organizer).

Tips: Use the offsite parking and shuttle; onsite parking is limited and must be reserved ahead.

Official source: Christkindlmarkt SLC.

The Nutcracker (Ballet West)

The Nutcracker (Ballet West) · Janet Quinney Lawson Capitol Theatre, 50 W 200 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84101.

Ballet West's Willam Christensen Nutcracker, which the company bills as America's first, at the historic Janet Quinney Lawson Capitol Theatre downtown.

Dates: 2026-12-04 to 2026-12-26.

Hours: Capitol Theatre: Dec 4 (7 PM), Dec 5 (2 & 7 PM), Dec 6 (12 & 5 PM), Dec 10–11 (7 PM), Dec 12 (2 & 7 PM), Dec 13 (12 & 5 PM), Dec 16 (7 PM), Dec 18–19 (2 & 7 PM), Dec 20 (12 & 5 PM), Dec 21 (7 PM), Dec 22–23 (2 & 7 PM), Dec 24 (12 PM) and Dec 26 (2 PM).

Price: Tickets start at $30 (per Ballet West). Every patron needs a ticket.

Tips: Ballet West recommends The Nutcracker for ages 5 and up; no babes in arms. There is no late seating; doors open one hour before. No refunds; exchanges for a fee at least 48 hours ahead.

Official source: Ballet West.

Candlelight Christmas at This Is The Place

Candlelight Christmas at This Is The Place · This Is The Place Heritage Park, 2601 E Sunnyside Ave, Salt Lake City, UT 84108.

An evening in the lantern-lit pioneer village: carolers, Father Christmas, a live nativity, and holiday crafts, firesides and storytelling inside historic homes.

Dates: 2026-12-11 to 2026-12-23.

Hours: Dec 11–23, 2026 (Monday–Saturday), 5–9 PM.

Price: Not posted.

Tips: Much of it is outdoors; dress warmly. Walkways mix pavement and packed earth; most activities work for strollers and wheelchairs, but some cabins have steps.

Official source: This Is The Place Heritage Park.

Outdoor evening checklist

• Warm layers, boots and hand warmers for outdoor evenings.
• Buy timed or dated tickets ahead for Hogle Holidays, Lightwalk, Luminaria and The Nutcracker.
• Use the free shuttle for Christkindlmarkt.
• Check the official page for weather changes.

See the Holiday lights guide.

Sources

• Thanksgiving Point
• Gallivan Center (Salt Lake City)
• Tracy Aviary
• Utah's Hogle Zoo
• The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
• Christkindlmarkt SLC
• Ballet West
• This Is The Place Heritage Park