Thanksgiving is rapidly approaching, and the
Christmas season is just around the corner. There are many
holiday-themed events happening around Utah to celebrate Thanksgiving
and kick off the rest of the winter season.
Following is a roundup of select events that are happening across the
state in the next few weeks.
Nov. 20: Luminaria at Thanksgiving Point
This event starts on Nov. 20 and runs through December. The mile-long
walk features 8,000 programmable lights at Thanksgiving Point, 3900 N.
Garden Drive in Lehi. Luminaria will be open from 5-9 p.m. daily. For
more information about ticket pricing, visit thanksgivingpoint.org.
Nov. 20: Bountiful Main Street Christmas Lighting Ceremony
Bountiful kicks off the holiday season with a Christmas lighting
ceremony along Main Street from 6-8 p.m.
Nov. 20: Layton Christmas Lighting Ceremony
Layton will start the holiday festivities with a program starting at 6
p.m. at the Layton High School Auditorium, featuring performances from
local school choirs. Following the music, the Christmas lights will be
lit at Layton Commons Park.
Nov. 21: Trans Siberian Orchestra at Vivint Arena
Trans-Siberian Orchestra.
The renowned rock-classical crossover act returns to Salt Lake City on
Nov. 21 as part of its winter tour. The group will be performing two
shows featuring Christmas music and other winter tunes in its 2017
touring show “The Ghosts of Christmas Eve.” For more information,
visit www.trans-siberian.com.
Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 23: Feast With The Beasts at Hogle Zoo
Hogle Zoo invites families to visit the zoo “while the turkey is in
the oven” to see the animals on Thanksgiving Day. The event takes
place from 10 a.m to 1 p.m. at the zoo, 2600 E. Sunnyside Ave. Kids
can make crafts and see animals playing with pumpkins and
turkey-shaped piñatas. For more information, visit hoglezoo.org.
Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 23: Thankful 13 Half Marathon
This half marathon, 5K and kids run starts on the Jordan River Parkway
Trail in Lehi on Thanksgiving morning and is a benefit for the Now I
Can Foundation. For more information, visit thankful13.com.
Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 23: Lindon Community Thanksgiving Dinner
Lindon’s annual community dinner will take place Thanksgiving Day at
the Lindon City Community Center, 25 N. Main St., from 11 a.m. to 2
p.m. The event is free, but people can donate food, time or money to
help out. Call 801-785-5043 for more information.
Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 23: Murray GivingThanksGivingHope Run
Now in its 10th year, this event takes place at the Jordan River
Parkway Germania Pavilion, 5243 S. Murray Parkway Ave., at 8 a.m. on
Thanksgiving Day. Runners and walkers can choose from distances of 2K,
5K and 10K. All proceeds from the race will go to Shriners Hospital
for Children, and the goal is to raise $5,000.
Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 23: Pilgrim 5K at Thanksgiving Point
This costume run starts at 8 a.m. Thanksgiving morning at Thanksgiving
Point, 3003 N. Thanksgiving Way in Lehi. Runners are encouraged to
dress in traditional pilgrim gear as they make their way through the
course filled with pilgrim scenery. Visit thanksgivingpoint.org for
more information.
Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 23: Spanish Fork Festival of Lights
Spanish Fork City will illuminate Canyon View Park, 3300 E. Powerhouse
Road, on Thanksgiving night. The lights will stay up through New
Year’s Day. The cost is $8 per car. Visit spanishfork.org for more
information.
Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 23: South Davis Thanksgiving Day race
Runners can choose from 10K, 5K and 1K distances in this annual race,
which starts at 8 a.m. Thanksgiving Day in Bountiful. Visit
southdavisraces.com for more information on how to register for the
race.
Nov. 24: SLC Annual Community Coat Exchange
This event, which has been held the day after Thanksgiving since 2005,
will be at Pioneer Park from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Need a coat? Come get
one. Have a coat? We know someone who can use it! For more
information, visit coatexchange.org.
Nov. 24: Christmas in Color
Boasted as “Utah’s biggest, brightest holiday light show,” Christmas
in Color will open on Friday, Nov. 24 at the Provo Towne Centre Mall
and Salt Lake County Equestrian Park in South Jordan. Christmas in
Color offers a mile-long, drive-through light show that synchronizes
the choreography of 1.5 million LED lights with upbeat holiday music.
For more information, visit the website.
Nov. 24: Santa’s Grand Arrival in Orem
Santa will arrive at University Place Mall in Orem, 575 E. University
Pky., at 9:30 a.m. on the day after Thanksgiving.
Nov. 24: Temple Square Christmas Lighting
Christmas lights at Temple Square in Downtown Salt Lake City will be
unveiled the day after Thanksgiving at 5:30 p.m. and will continue
being illuminated until Jan. 2
Nov. 25: Heber Valley Outdoor Tree Lighting Celebration & Sing-along
The event will be held at the Midway Town Hall Saturday, November 25
at 6 p.m. The Swiss Miss and the High Valley Arts Singers will lead a
Christmas Sing-a-long as they turn on the lights at the Midway Town
Square. Free cookies and cocoa will be provided by Suss Cookie Co. and
Grand Valley Bank. Kids can get their picture taken with Santa & Mrs.
Claus by Twyla Dawn Photography and Lola’s Artisan Street Kitchen will
serving a hot gourmet dinner. For more information, visit
gohebervalley.com.
Nov. 25: Ogden Christmas Village lighting
The annual Christmas Village will begin illuminating the downtown
Ogden area on Nov. 25 and will include a unique setting of cottages
modeled after Santa’s village. It will be on display until Jan. 1.
Check the city website for more details of activities.
Nov. 27: Jewel’s Handmade Holiday Tour
Singer-songwriter Jewel will visit Salt Lake City on her 2017 tour,
along with guests Atz, Atz Lee and Nikos Kilcher. She will perform
Nov. 27 at the Eccles Theater. For more information, visit
live-at-the-eccles.com.
Nov. 27: Draper Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony
Draper city officials will kick off the Christmas season with a tree
lighting ceremony at Draper City Park from 6-8 p.m. on Nov. 27.
Nov. 27: Cottonwood Heights Tree Lighting Ceremony
Cottonwood Heights will kick off the Christmas season with a tree
lighting ceremony, starting at 5 p.m. at City Hall, 2277 E. Bengal
Blvd. This year’s event features a Christmas gift boutique and an
appearance from Santa. Visit cottonwoodheights.utah.gov for more
information.
Nov. 27: Santa Comes to Alpine
Santa arrives in Alpine Nov. 27 at 5 p.m. at the Legacy Park north
pavilion by Alpine City Hall. The Alpine City Christmas lights also
will be turned on at this event.
Nov. 29: Lights On! 2017 at the Gallivan Center
Get festive as the Gallivan Center Plaza lights get turned on for the
2017 holiday season, including a 60-foot-tall Christmas tree. There
will be a DJ, food trucks and ice skating performances. The event
starts at 4 p.m. Nov. 29 and admission is free. Visit
thegallivancenter.com for more information.
Nov. 30-Dec. 2: Christkindlmarkt
Inspired by German Christmas markets, this event starts at 11 a.m.
Nov. 30 at This Is The Place Heritage Park, 2601 E. Sunnyside Ave.
Food, music and vendors await people who want to experience a unique
cultural event. Visit thisistheplace.org for more information.
Dec. 1: Light the Night in South Jordan
South Jordan City kicks off the holiday season with a Christmas tree
lighting ceremony at 6:30 p.m. at South Jordan City Plaza, 1600 Towne
Center Drive. Visit sjc.utah.gov for more information.
