I often get asked what to do with family that comes into town over Thanksgiving Break! Well, Utah is definitely full of family fun! This is a list of holiday activities that are open over Thanksgiving week in Utah. We hope this list helps you find something fun to do and keeps everyone entertained.
Events Already Up & Running
Here are the holiday events that are up and running before Thanksgiving week that you can plan to enjoy with your visitors or family over Thanksgiving Break.
Christmas in Color (South Jordan & American Fork)
A holiday light drive thru! TWO locations! Located at the Bastian Agricultural Center AND American Fork this year!! Nov. 20-Jan 2. Use our code “ADVENTURE20” to save 20% off tickets.
Lightwalk at Tracy Aviary (SLC)
Experience beautiful light displays and enjoy a few of the birds at the aviary at the same time. Santa visits, and more. Nov. 20- Dec. 31 from 5:30- 9 pm.
Grand America Holiday Windows (SLC)
Creative holiday window displays and a giant gingerbread house. And it’s free to visit at certain times. Make sure to use the link above for details about when a reservation is needed and a donation, too.
Nov. 1 – Jan 3.
Layton Lights in the Park (Layton)
This light display is super fun because you can drive through and walk through. We love the huge animals made of lights. And it’s free!
November 23– Dec. 31, 2026 from 5:00-11pm.
Aquarium Lantern Festival (Draper)
Gorgeous animal lanterns that glow PLUS admission into the aquarium. Two for one adventure.
November 6. 2026 – January 9, 2026 from 5:30-10 pm.
Holiday Lights at the BallPark (South Jordan)
New holiday activity with lights on the ball field and tons of family activities. Code “natalie3” saves you $3 off per ticket.
November 20, 2026 – January 2, 2027 from 5-10 pm.
Gardner Village Elves (West Jordan)
Come see what the elves are doing this holiday season at the historic Gardner Village. Free to visit!
November 21, 2026 – December 31, 2026
Lights at Riverwoods (Provo)
The Shops at Riverwoods goes all out for the holiday lights and decor. This is a fun place to wander around, visit Santa, and shop.
November 19, 2026 – January 2, 2027
Luminaria (Thanksgiving Point in Lehi)
Luminaria is one of the best holiday activities in Utah, but tickets sell out quickly for Thanksgiving. If you can snag some, this is a magical way to kick off the holiday season.
Nov. 12, 2026 – Jan. 9, 20267
Traverse Outlets Christmas (Lehi)
The Outlets at Traverse Mountain decorate with adorable grand gingerbread houses, a GIANT tree, and cute moving reindeer. Free to visit and a scavenger hunt for kids.
Nov. 22 – Dec. 31, 2026
Holiday Lights at the Orchard
The Orchard is on the north side of University Place Mall in Orem. There is a fountain that dances to the music, light tunnels, and more. For one week over Thanksgiving, go inside to see the creative gingerbread houses.
Nov. 23 – 30 for the Gingerbread Display. The lights are on from Nov. 16 – Jan. 2.
Park City Snow Globe Stroll
Walk Park City’s main street and find the snow globe’s on display. Enjoy the lights and fun, too!
Nov. 20 – Jan 3, 2027.
Gordo’s Winter Wonderland (Spanish Fork)
This cute little farm has lots of activities for kids including sledding, a reindeer ride through lights, a Nativity video, and more.
Nov. 23 – Dec. 26 on Mondays-Saturdays
Cache Valley Straw Maze
They take the straw maze from fall and turn it into a holiday light winter wonderland. Open on the weekends and a few days over Christmas break.
Nov 20, 2026 – Jan 2, 2027
One Day Events
Here are the one day events such as tree lightings happening over Thanksgiving week!
- Christmas Parade & Tree Lighting (Logan): November 28 at 5:20 pm FREE. Click here for other events happening this day in downtown Logan.
- Santa’s Arrival at Station Park (Farmington): November 24, 2026. 6-8 pm FREE
- Layton City Lighting: (Layton): November 23 at 6:00 pm. Lights on at 7:00 pm. FREE
- Ogden Electric Light Parade: November 28 @ 5:30. Lights on and fireworks at 6:30 pm. FREE
- Tooele Santa Parade & Tree Lighting (Tooele): November 28. Christmas Market from 1-5 pm. Parade at 2:00 pm, and Tree Lighting at 5:30 pm. All happening at Veterans Park in Tooele.
- Tree Lighting at the Canyons (Park City): November 27 at 4:00-6:00 PM. Fireworks, tree lighting, and Santa. FREE
- Midway Tree Lighting Celebration: November 28 @ 6:00-8:30 pm FREE
- Christmas in the County Light Parade (Nephi): November 28 at 6:30 PM. FREE
- Holly Days Festival (Vernal): Nov. 27. A day full of fun, FREE activities throughout the Vernal area including a light parade and fireworks.
- Delta Light Parade: November 28 at 6:00 PM FREE
- Manti Light Parade (Manti): November 27 at 6:00 PM. FREE
- Santa Comes to Town (Richfield): November 27 at 10 am-2 pm
- Kanab Christmas Tree Lighting & Parade: November 28 at 6:00 PM. FREE
- Holiday Lighting Ceremony (Cedar City): November 28 from 10 am-9 pm. 6:00 pm is the lighting, see link for other events. FREE
- Brianhead Christmas in the Park: November 25 at 5-6 pm.Tree Lighting with cookies, hot chocolate, and Santa.
- Parowan Christmas: November 27: Parade in the morning, Tree lighting at night. More info on link. FREE
This isn’t a holiday activity, but the last Wednesday of November is a Wild Wedneday at Hogle Zoo, so ticket are only $10 (when purchased online). Such a great deal and the zoo is so fun in the cooler months. More information here: Hogle Zoo Wild Wednesdays.
Events Opening Over Thanksgiving
These are the events that are opening on Thanksgiving weekend and are open more than just one evening, so you can visit whenever you’d like that weekend.
⭐️ Cocoa for a Cause (Richmond): November 27 – Dec 31. Huge Christmas Light display for free, but the cocoa shack raises money for different charitable causes.
⭐️ Ogden Christmas Village (Ogden): November 28 – Jan 1. The best free Christmas activity. An entire block covered in fun Christmas homes and lights.
⭐️ Temple Square Lights (SLC): November 27-Jan. 1 from 3:30-10 pm and 6:00-8:00 am. Limited Lights due to construction.
⭐️ Zoo Lights (SLC): Select Nights between November 25-January 3. Check Hogle Zoo for all available dates.
⭐️ Millcreek Magic Ice Show (Millcreek): Ice skating, Ice Dancing and Fire performances. Nov 27-29 at 5:30 and 7:00 pm. Tickets required.
⭐️ Wonderland Christmas Park (West Jordan): New Holiday event at the Crazy Corn Maze. Walk through a fun light display and lots of games. Code “adventure” saves you 10% off tickets.
⭐️ SLC Bus Christmas Lights Tours (SLC): Ride a double deck bus through town to enjoy the Christmas lights. There are also some fun stops along the way. Nov 28 – Dec. 31
⭐️ Salem Pond Town Christmas Lights (Salem): November 28 is lights on. 5:30 pm – 11 pm.
⭐️ Spanish Fork Lights (Spanish Fork): November 28-Jan. 1. Advanced tickets required now.
⭐️ Night in Bethlehem (Pleasant Grove): November 27 – 30, 2026. Reserve tickets ahead of time. They are asking for a small donation of $2-5 per ticket.
⭐️ Palisade Lights Drive-thru (Palisade State Park): New this year. A Christmas light drive thru. Nov. 27 – Dec 31, 2026.
⭐️ Christmas on the Farm (Cedar City): November 27 at 11-4. Tickets required.
⭐️ Christmas in the Canyon (St. George): Nov. 27 – Dec. 23 at 6-9 PM. Lights, train rides, live Nativities, and Santa. Free to visit just the lights. Other activities cost.
⭐️ Red Hills Desert Garden Lights (St. George): Nov. 25-Dec. 31 at 5-10 pm.
⭐️ Winter at the Farm Zion (Hurricane): Nov 28 – Dec 31, 2025. Walk through Nativity, lights, and fun activities.
If you need other activities, these lists might help. They are not holiday ideas, but great places for family fun in Utah.
