Salt Lake City

Monthly roundup

Things to do in Salt Lake City with kids in December 2026

Updated Nov 11, 2026

7 upcoming family events this month.

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Top picks

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

    1. Hogle Holidays: A ZooLights Experience

    When
    Wed, Nov 25 – Sat, Jan 2 · 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.
    Where
    Utah's Hogle Zoo · East Bench
    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.
    Ages
    Babies–17 yrs

    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.

  2. 2. Luminaria at Thanksgiving Point

    When
    Thu, Nov 12 – Sat, Jan 9 · Nov 12, 2026–Jan 9, 2027, Monday–Saturday with time slots every 15 minutes. Closed Sundays, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
    Where
    Thanksgiving Point · Lehi
    Price
    Not posted (prices vary by date; choose a date on the ticket page to see the price).
    Ages
    Babies–17 yrs

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

  3. 3. Lightwalk at Tracy Aviary

    When
    Fri, Nov 20 – Sun, Jan 3 · Nightly Nov 20, 2026–Jan 3, 2027, 5:30–9 PM. Closed Thanksgiving Day (Nov 26) and Christmas Day (Dec 25).
    Where
    Tracy Aviary · Liberty Park
    Price
    General 13+ $17.95; children 3–12 $13.95.
    Ages
    Babies–17 yrs

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

  4. 4. Christmas Lights at Temple Square

    When
    Fri, Nov 27 – Fri, Jan 1 · 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.
    Where
    The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints · Downtown Salt Lake City
    Price
    Free (2025 announcement)
    Ages
    Babies–17 yrs

    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.

  5. 5. Christkindlmarkt SLC

    When
    Wed, Dec 2 – Sat, Dec 5 · Wed, Dec 2–Sat, Dec 5, 2026, 11 AM–8 PM.
    Where
    Christkindlmarkt SLC · East Bench
    Price
    Free entry; no entry tickets required (per the organizer).
    Ages
    Babies–17 yrs

    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.

All events in December 2026

Tuesday, Dec 1

Luminaria at Thanksgiving Point

When
Thu, Nov 12 – Sat, Jan 9 · Nov 12, 2026–Jan 9, 2027, Monday–Saturday with time slots every 15 minutes. Closed Sundays, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Where
Thanksgiving Point · Lehi
Price
Not posted (prices vary by date; choose a date on the ticket page to see the price).
Ages
Babies–17 yrs

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

Lightwalk at Tracy Aviary

When
Fri, Nov 20 – Sun, Jan 3 · Nightly Nov 20, 2026–Jan 3, 2027, 5:30–9 PM. Closed Thanksgiving Day (Nov 26) and Christmas Day (Dec 25).
Where
Tracy Aviary · Liberty Park
Price
General 13+ $17.95; children 3–12 $13.95.
Ages
Babies–17 yrs

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

Hogle Holidays: A ZooLights Experience

When
Wed, Nov 25 – Sat, Jan 2 · 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.
Where
Utah's Hogle Zoo · East Bench
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.
Ages
Babies–17 yrs

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.

Christmas Lights at Temple Square

When
Fri, Nov 27 – Fri, Jan 1 · 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.
Where
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints · Downtown Salt Lake City
Price
Free (2025 announcement)
Ages
Babies–17 yrs

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.

Wednesday, Dec 2

Christkindlmarkt SLC

When
Wed, Dec 2 – Sat, Dec 5 · Wed, Dec 2–Sat, Dec 5, 2026, 11 AM–8 PM.
Where
Christkindlmarkt SLC · East Bench
Price
Free entry; no entry tickets required (per the organizer).
Ages
Babies–17 yrs

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.

Friday, Dec 4

The Nutcracker (Ballet West)

When
Fri, Dec 4 – Sat, Dec 26 · 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).
Where
Ballet West · Downtown Salt Lake City
Price
Tickets start at $30 (per Ballet West). Every patron needs a ticket.
Ages
Ages 5–17

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

Friday, Dec 11

The red-rock entrance sign of Utah's Hogle Zoo with snowy mountains behind itFamily guideHow to Plan Thanksgiving Break in Salt Lake City with Kids (2026)Colorful Christmas lights near Temple Square at night, with the Salt Lake Temple's spires and construction cranes behindFamily guideHoliday Lights & Events with Kids in Salt Lake City (2026): Zoo Lights, Lightwalk, Temple Square & MoreThe Gateway building in downtown Salt Lake City that houses Discovery Gateway Children's MuseumFamily guideIndoor Things to Do with Kids in Salt Lake City This Winter (2026)

FAQ

Questions parents ask

What are the best kids events in Salt Lake City in December 2026?

Our top picks for December 2026: Hogle Holidays: A ZooLights Experience, Luminaria at Thanksgiving Point, Lightwalk at Tracy Aviary, Christmas Lights at Temple Square and Christkindlmarkt SLC.

Which December 2026 events are free?

2 events in December 2026 are free, including Christmas Lights at Temple Square and Christkindlmarkt SLC. For free picks right now, see Free this weekend.

What's happening this weekend?

We list 1 family event for Nov 13–15, 2026. See them on This weekend.

Are there multi-week exhibits I can visit any day?

Yes. These run for more than a week: Luminaria at Thanksgiving Point (through Jan 9, 2027), Lightwalk at Tracy Aviary (through Jan 3, 2027), Hogle Holidays: A ZooLights Experience (through Jan 2, 2027), Christmas Lights at Temple Square (through Jan 1, 2027), The Nutcracker (Ballet West) (through Dec 26, 2026) and 1 more. Check each listing for open days and hours.

How do I know event details are accurate?

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. We're independent and not affiliated with the organizers listed. Times and prices change, so always verify before you go.