Wintertime means family time, which gives an excuse to try new traditions and old favorites alike, and it offers families time to come together and celebrate life. Children look forward most of all to the arrival of one particular guest – jolly old Santa Claus!
Salt Lake City and its surroundings offer many events going on throughout December that will add plenty of cheer. Kid City Guide has picked out some awesome things happening in or near Salt Lake City during the 2022 winter holidays! Take a peek below for more details on these festive happenings – you’re sure to find something fun coming up soon!
Luminaria is an enchanting walk through Ashton Gardens that will transport families to another world with all of the sights, smells, sounds, and tastes of the holidays.Â
A one-way path guides you past a light and music show on 6,500 programmable luminaries, and songs and shows will be even better with the iconic 120-foot tree (already on top of a 40-foot hill!) incorporated into the show.
Location:
Thanksgiving Point
DATES:
November 17 – December 31 | Monday – Saturday, Closed Sundays, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. | 5 PM – 9 PM. Last entrance 9:30 PM
Families can enjoy the Christmas Light display in The Orchard and around University Place throughout the Holiday Season!
The display includes a 30′ tall walk-through tree, 75′ of archways, the trees, pergolas, and the UP logo all covered in over 100,000 lights. This is one display you will not want to miss this season.
Location:
University Place
DATES:
November 14 – December 31, 5 PM – 11 PM
During this magical holiday tradition, you will drive through millions of lights perfectly synchronized to holiday music you’ll hear right through your radio.
Drive by giant candy canes, snowmen, arched pathways, and more.
Location:
Bastian Agricultural Center – South Jordan, UT
DATES:
November 18- December 31
This year, families will explore World of Illumination’s Arctic Adventure, where they will meet Sunny, a 32-foot-tall snowman, and all of his tundra-bound friends.
Visitors will be delighted by their favorite holiday music and whimsical winter characters. Nostalgic and memorable, the world’s largest animated drive-through light show is a storybook adventure for kids of all ages.
Location:
Utah State Fairpark
DATES:
November 18- January 1
During ZooLights, families will enjoy hot cocoa from the Beastro and gaze at the festive light displays, kaleidoscopic light tunnel, and life-size animal lanterns made especially for ZooLights.
Location:
Utah’s Hogle Zoo
DATES:
5:30-9 PM | December 2, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 26, 28, 29, 30 | Closed: December 24, 25, 31, and January 1 | Silent Night Sensory Night: December 27
This holiday season, families will get to enjoy a stroll and experience Tracy Aviary’s natural nighttime beauty, enhanced with thousands of twinkling lights, including a giant Christmas Light Maze and a selfie-worthy lighted tunnel.
Location:
Tracy Aviary
DATES:
November 25- January 1
Gather the whole family to kick off the holiday season with over one million lights, live entertainment, ice sculptures, and a firework show!
Location:
Shops at Riverwoods
DATES:
November 18, 6 PM- 9 PM
Santa will be sitting in his big chair in the Holiday Village at Center Court by JC Penney and wants to hear wishlists and take photos with the kids and the whole family!
Location:
The Shops in South Town
DATES:
November 19 – December 24.
During Elf Displays & Elf Scavenger Hunt, families will get to see Santa’s helpers at work, at school, testing toys, sorting letters addressed to Mr. Claus, and maintaining those all-important Naughty and Nice lists.
For added festivity, turn your enchanted elf tour into a game by printing the Elf Scavenger Hunt form.
Location:
Gardner Village Utah
DATES:
November 19 Thru December 31
This 90-minute round trip to the North Pole includes hot cocoa and Mrs. Claus’ famous chocolate chip cookies.
You’ll sing along to new and traditional Christmas favorites on the way and be entertained by the hosts, elves cocoa chefs, and special guests.
Santa will join the fun on the North Pole for the return trip and greet each child and present them with a special gift.
Location:
Heber Valley Historic Railroad
DATES:
Dates and Departure Times: 5 PM and 7:30 PM. November 21-December 23
Share your Christmas wish list with Santa and go home with a memorable family photo at his Woodland Chalet.
Visits are always complimentary and each child to visit Santa will receive a special treat.
Location:
University Place
DATES:
November 25: 10 AM – 9 PM | November 26: 11 AM – 9 PM | November 28 – December 10: 11 AM – 8 PM | December 12 – 17: 10 AM – 8 PM | December 19 – 23: 10 AM – 9 PM | December 24: 10 AM – 5 PM
Pick up your Snowman Scavenger Hunt checklist starting November 25th at Concierge Services located in Building J.
Use your best searching skills and return to Concierge Services with your complete checklist for a special prize provided by Rhodes Physical Therapy during the month of December!
Location:
Station Park – Farmington, UT
DATES:
November 25- December 31
This holiday season, treat your family to a magical morning in a charming setting as the Mill Plaza at Gardner Village presents Breakfast with Santa.
Children will enjoy a visit with St. Nick, a yummy buffet breakfast, music, an activity, plus a special surprise visitor all on the Mill Plaza!
Location:
Gardner Village Utah
DATES:
November 26, December 2, 3, 9, 10, 16, 17, 19, and 20, 2022 with 9 AM and 11 AM seatings.
The family tradition of The Polar Express Event is back!
This year it’s a holiday pajama party! Everyone is encouraged to wear their most festive fuzzy pants and slippers.
Location:
Peery’s Egyptian Theater
DATES:
November 26, 10:30 AM
Welcome back to the magic of Breakfast with Santa at Thanksgiving Point!
Enjoy a delicious breakfast, visit Santa’s reindeer, and then take a family picture with Jolly Old Saint Nick himself!
Location:
Thanksgiving Point
DATES:
December 3, 10, 17
Families are welcome to kick off the holiday season with Draper City’s annual Tree Lighting Ceremony.
If you arrive early, you’ll get to see Santa and special guests light the holiday lights just after 6 PM. Bundle up and share in the Holiday Cheer!
Location:
Draper City Park
DATES:
November 28, 6 PM- 8 PM
On select Tuesdays in November and December leading up to Christmas, Santa will be joined by a few of his friends at Santa’s Village!
Santa’s friends include princesses, cartoon characters, superheroes, and even some from the dark side!
Location:
University Place
DATES:
Tuesdays, November 29, December 6, 13, and 20, 2022. 5 -7 PM
Come read a book and sing carols with Mrs. Claus. Enjoy some delicious treats, and make a holiday craft to take home.
Location:
University Place
DATES:
November 30, December 1, December 2 | 10 AM
Don’t miss out on this spectacular winter event in South Jordan!
Light the Night is one of the year’s biggest and most popular events. Enjoy the lights, the sites, the sounds, and the smell of warm cookies and hot chocolate.
Location:
1600 West Towne Center Drive City Hall
DATES:
December 2, 6 PM- 8 PM
The Dickens’ Festival is a craft show, and a unique and unusual entertainment and shopping experience!
You will find Olde English shops, hundreds of period costumes, fortune tellers, orphans, royalty, and Father Christmas all combine to offer visitors a Christmas experience like no other!
Location:
Dixie Convention Center
DATES:
November 30 – December 3 | Wednesday- Saturday, 10 AM – 9 PM
The 2022 Holiday Electric Light Parade is the opening for Ogden’s holiday!
The parade is full of elaborate floats, sensational themes, and fantastic performers.
Location:
Ogden City
DATES:
November 26, 6 PM
Peery’s Egyptian Theater’s Classic Film Series presents A Christmas Story!
In the 1940s, a young boy named Ralphie attempts to convince his parents, his teacher, and Santa that a Red Ryder BB gun really is the perfect Christmas gift.
Location:
Peery’s Egyptian Theater
DATES:
Dec 21 | 7 PM – 9 PM
Ring in the holiday season at J. Lynn Crane Park with the annual Night of Lights! More details to come soon!
Location:
City Hall & J. Lynn Crane Park
DATES:
November 28, 6 PM
Christmas Village will once again light up downtown Ogden beginning November 26, 2022, through January 1, 2023, and is free for all visitors!
Location:
Christmas Village
DATES:
November 26, 2022, through January 1, 2023.
During December, get ready to take an unpredictable trip around town utilizing your knowledge of Herriman!
Location:
Herriman City, Utah
DATES:
December 5th, 7th, 9th, 13th, 15th, & 19th
Children with sensory sensitivity have the opportunity to spend one-on-one time with Quiet Santa.
This is located in a special location for sensory-sensitive children.
This is a complimentary visit with Santa and participants will take their own photos.
Location:
University Place
DATES:
December 5 – 9 | 8 -11 AM
The Candy Cane Hunt is a fun, free event for children 6 years of age and younger.
Thousands of candy canes are scattered throughout the park. Children gather on the East side of the park near the clock tower and are released after the countdown at 4:00 P.M. sharp. A limited number of specially marked candy canes are hidden and can be redeemed for a holiday prize. Shortly after the start of the hunt, Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive on a firetruck to greet the children and sit for photos in the gazebo!
Location:
Draper City Park
DATES:
November 28, 6 PM- 8 PM
