When there are so many ways in Utah to experience holiday cheer, winter wonder and goodwill toward all, why should we settle for just 12 days of Christmas? Salt Lake Magazine has curated a calendar of our favorite ways to take in the sights and sounds of the holidays, embrace the generosity and spirit of the season, as well as enjoy the best Utah winters have to offer.
November
25, Monday
Take a cooking class before Thanksgiving Day
At Station Park, Harmons Chef Jake Driffill is offering a “three-Day Thanksgiving Workshop Throw Down” to help you plan and meal-prep. At City Creek, Chef Tara Walker will help you get a head start on Thanksgiving baking. At Traverse Mountain, Chef Freyka Nunez Del Prado will help you learn how to artfully design grazing boards.
Nov. 25| Various Locations harmonsgrocery.com
26, Tuesday
See Three Ghosts
Dicken’s take gets a new life with dazzling staging, and cherished Christmas carols, including “Joy to the World” and “Silent Night.”
Nov. 22 – Dec. 21 | Tuacahn Ampitheatre, Ivins. tuacahn.org
27, Wednesday
Volunteer to provide for those in need
This is the last day before Thanksgiving to participate in the Thanksgiving Drives and Food Box Giveaway. this is a several-week activity, in which the Salt Lake City Mission asks the public to volunteer and gather the much-needed food and supplies to host our holiday events that provide thousands of meals to the hungry and homeless. The mission also hosts an event to provide needy families with holiday boxes.
Oct. 1-Thanksgiving Day Salt Lake Mission SLC saltlakemission.org
28, Thanksgiving Day
29, Friday
Recognize Native American Heritage day by donating to a good cause
Donations help support community programs and services of the Urban Indian Center of Salt Lake, which supports tribal members in the Greater Salt Lake and Wasatch-front area.
Urban Indian Center of Salt Lake, SLC uicsl.org
30, Saturday
Run with the Santas
The Ogden Santa Run 5K is the first and largest of the Utah Santa Runs. This race runs just before the Ogden Holiday Light Parade and down Washington Blvd. All participants get a Sant Suit to run in and use the Milk and Cookie Aid stations supported by elves who dress as volunteers. Music is played over the entire course of the race.
Nov. 30 Downtown Ogden ogdencity.org
December
1, Sunday
Sing along to your favorite carols
Let the holiday music begin with this cherished tradition. Composed by Handel in 1741, the oratorio Messiah draws inspiration from both the Old and New testaments. Sing along with this famous composition.
Nov. 30-Dec1 Abravanel Hall, SLC utahsymphony.org
2, Monday
Float the Provo River beneath twinkling Christmas lights
Enjoy festive decorations and lights that twinkle above the river with Christmas music playing softly in the background. Santa may make a surprise visit.
NOv. 2-23 CLAS Ropes Course, Provo clasropes.com/christmas-cruise
3, Tuesday
Support the Utah Food Bank on Giving Tuesday
You can help food-insecure Utah families by volunteering with or donating to the Utah Food Bank, which distributes millions of free meals. Donating on Giving Tuesday often means that your gift will be matched in kind Utah Food Bank partners.
Utah food Bank-SLC utahfoodbank.org
4, Wednesday
Immerse yourself in German holiday traditions
Part food festival and part unique holiday shopping experience, ChristKindlmarkt SLC is inspired by traditional German Christmas markets. Enjoy traditional German food and holiday entertainment.
Dec. 4-7 This Is The Place, SLC chriskindlmarkt-slc.com
5, Thursday
Celebrate Christmas the Celtic way
Christmas with the Celts combines ancient Irish Christmas Carols and Irish dance with contemporary songs but with with Irish instrumentation…kind of like Irish ‘bardcore.
Dec. 5-8 Egyptian Theatre, Park City parkcityshows.com
6, Friday
Get inspired by the Holiday Tree Show
Explore the Holiday Tree Show’s dozens of beautifully decorated trees, menorahs and other symbols of the holidays. Each tree is donated, designed and decorated by local businesses, designers, community groups. Hosted by Habitat for Humanity of Summit and Wasatch Counties, the event benefits housing affordability efforts.
7, Saturday
Turn on the lights with Salt Lake City
The city will illuminate the Pioneer Park with thousands of holiday lights. When the night gets chilly, step inside a heated event tent to enjoy live music, a treats form food trucks and seasonal drinks from local cider house. Those 21 and older can enjoy a selection of ciders and beers.
Dec. 7-8 Pioneer Park, SLC slc.gov
8, Sunday
Find a on-of-a-kind handmade gifts
The Holiday Open House and Art Fair features 19 local artists vending their hand-made art including jewelry, pottery fiber art and more, in beautiful Red Butte Gardens.
Dec. 7-8 Red Butte Garden, SLC redbuttegarden.org
9, Monday
Don’t shoot your eye out!
Pause your daytime marathons of A Christmas Story movie to catch the musical based on the classic holiday film. Set in the 1940’s, the musical follows 9-year-old Ralphie Parker and his quest for the Holy Grail of Christmas Gifts – an Official Red Ryder carbine-action 200-shot Range Model air rifle.
Dec. 6-12 Scera Center for the Arts , Orem scera.org
10, Tuesday
Revisit a black and white holiday gem
Peery’s Egyptian Theater is screening favorite black and white films.Before holiday movies centered around slapstick adventures, leading men learned lessons from visiting ghosts and angels. (1946), George Bailey (Jimmy Stewart) finds out what his town would have looked like if it hadn’t been for all his good deeds. We, the audience, remember the true antagonist to the spirit of the holidays:greed and capitalism.
Dec. 10, 7-8:30 p..m. Egyptian Theater, Ogden ogdenpet.com
11, Wednesday
Experience the new Utah holiday music tradition
The local super group The Lower Lights brings their energetic spirit to classic Christmas tunes, as well as new holiday favorites.
Dec. 11, 13-14 Kingsbury Hall, SLC thelowerlights.com
12, Thursday
Go Wild
Zoolights returns for its 18th year in December 2024! While the animals slumber, immerse yourself in a wonderland of brilliant light displays featuring animal and holiday scenes throughout the zoo. Explore a holiday walk-through event filled with your favorite animals in a nature-focused lighting experience. ZooLights runs through December.
Nov. 29-Jan. 5 (dates vary) Hogle Zoo, SLC hoglezoo.org
13, Friday
Laugh all the way
In God is a Scottish Drag Queen Christmas Special, Comedian Mike Delamont imagines God, dressed in a floral power suit, coming down to skewer everything from fruit cake and Boxing Day to Tiny Tim and EggNog, in a heartwarming and hilarious holiday special.
Dec. 13, 7 p.m. Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center, SLC mikedelamont.com
14, Saturday
Shop local markets
Visit the Winter Market at The Gateway Market to find local goodies. Nearby, find a thoughtful gift at Under the Umbrella Bookstore, like the perfect book or colorful crafts for unique centerpieces.
Dec. 14 Under the Umbrella Bookstore, SLC undertheumbrellabookstore.com
Nov. 11-April 20 The Gateway, SLC slcfarmersmarket.org
15, Sunday
Celebrate Christmas in the Cathedral
Celebrate Christmas at the Cathedral of Madeleine with a spectacular holiday performance, which combines the powerful sound of the brass section of the Utah Symphony accompanied by the Eccles Memorial Organ and the wonderful architecture of the Cathedral.
Dec. 16, 8 p.m.The Cathedral of the Madeleine, SLC ecclesorganfestival.weebly.com
16, Monday
Visit the North Pole
The Ogden Christmas Village illuminates historic downtown with NorthPole-inspired cottages, lights, entertainers and fireworks at the Ogden Amphitheatre. The Christmas Village is free to attend.
Nov. 29-Jan 1, 5-10 p.m. christmasvillage.ogdencity.org
17, Tuesday
Discover the long-running holiday music tradition
For more than 35years, the Mannheim Steamroller Christmas classics has brought music to the holidays with the distinctive “Mannheim” Sounds.
Dec. 16-17 Live At The Eccles Theater, SLC live-at-the-eccles.com
18, Wednesday
Indulge in Christmas nostalgia
At Candlelight Christmas, you’ll feel like you’ve taken a step back in time. Visit with Father Christmas, enjoy the live Nativity in the quiet of the Village, and feel the glow of a warm fire Heritage Village Carolers sing.
Dec. 10-23 This Is The Place, SLC thisistheplace.org
19, Thursday
Serve a meal at the Road Home
Help the Road Home provide lifesaving shelter and services by donating or serving a meal. Individuals and small community groups are invited to help with meal prep and service. volunteers are needed 7 days a week for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
Pamela Atkinson Resource Center & Gail Miller Resource Center, SLC theroadhome.org
20, Friday
Learn why we all love Muppets
Bring lawn chairs, and pillows, and get cozy for The Muppets Christmas Carol. The community center will provide treats for all.Dec. 20, 7 p.m. Lindon Community Center lindon.gov
21, Saturday
Find out about the Winter Solstice
Before Christmas, there were festivals like Yule, which marked the shortest days of year: the winter solstice. Celebrate Solstice with the Natural History Museum by creating sun catchers and intricate paper snowflakes and exploring the magic of polymers by making “InstaSnow.”
Dec. 21 Natural History Museum of Utah, SLC nhmu.utah.edu
22, Sunday
See downtown on display
Strap on skates and sip hot cocoa at the at Gallivan Center Ice Rink. Before you leave downtown, visit the Grand America to view the holiday window gingerbread displays.
Ice Rink – Gallivan Center, Holiday Window Stroll,, The Grand America, SLC grandamerica.com
23, Monday
Make the pilgrimage
A Kurt Bestor Christmas has, for 28 years, become a holiday tradition for thousands of Utahns. For many it is the “must-see”show of the Christmas season. You can’t escape it. Might as well lean in.
Dec. 23-25 Egyptian Theatre, Park City parkcityshows.com
24, Tuesday
Ski Christmas Eve
Snowbasin Resort’s annual Christmas Eve celebration includes a skiing Santa, a torchlight parade and a fireworks show.Head inside Earl’s Lodge for Christmas Eve dinner and photos with Santa.
Dec. 24 Snowbasin Resort, Huntsville snowbasin.com
25, Christmas Day | Fist Day of Hanukkah
26, Thursday
Ride the Polar Express
This 90-minute round trip journey includes hot cocoa and cookies. Sing along to Christmas favorites the along the way. At the ‘North Pole,’ Santa comes aboard.
Nov. 20-Dec. 26 Heber Valley hebertrain.com
27, Friday
Catch a hockey match
Break out of your holiday stupor by showing up to root the longtime home team, the Utah Grizzlies against the team from Rapid City.
Dec. 27, 7 p.m. Maverik Center, West Valley City utahgrizzlies.com
28, Saturday
See Ballet West’s Nutcracker
Last year more than 42,000 attended the hottest ticket in town. The first and longest-running in America, Ballet West’s annual production is a legacy that brings families and friends back year after year.
Dec. 6-28 Ballet West, Capitol Theatre, SLC balletwest.org
29, Sunday
Take a winter art gallery stroll
Sometimes the best gifts come in small packages. This day is your last chance to check out Urban Arts Gallery’s tiniest show yet. With size restrictions of 12 inches and under, “Bite-Sized” showcases the miniature side of creation just in time for the holiday season. Come explore the vast universe of artistic expression that can exist in limited space.
Dec. 3-29 Urban Arts Gallery, SLC urbanartsgallery.org
30, Thursday
Explore Heber Valley’s winter wonderland
Soldier Hollow Nordic Center is home to a 1,200-foot-long snow-tubing hill. On the same day, you can explore the nearby Ice Castles- an architectural marvel and the work of dozens of artists, featuring ice caverns, slides tunnels. and sculptures, weighing more than 25 million pounds.
Solder Hollow Nordic Center and Utah Ice Castles, Midway utaholympiclegacy.org icecastles.com
31, Friday
Countdown to the New year
Say “good riddance” to 2024. The ball drop at the Mountain American Expo Center is the largest midnight celebration in Utah with a balloon drop and a laser show.
Dec. 31 Mountain America Expo, Sandy thepartytix.com
See more stories like this and all of our culture and community coverage. And while you’re here, why not subscribe and get six annual issues of Salt Lake magazine’s curated guide to the best of life in Utah?
