Winter in the Ogden Valley showcases some of the best of Northern Utah, from backcountry trails to downtown eats and events. If youre curious about the extravagance of Hindu festivals, you can also join the temples grand celebrations of Holi and Diwali! Needless to say kids love it! 10. The Cox Performing Arts Center is located at 225 S. 700 East, St. George, UT 84770. Copyright 2023 Utah Office of Tourism. Where : Salt Lake City. Located in close proximity to Deer Valley, Park City Mountain Resort is notably one of the most popular tourist attractions for outdoorsy families vacationing in Utah. A Pioneer Christmas: Provo Pioneer Village on Dec. 17, 18, and 20 from 5-8 pm. Tickets must be purchased in advance at the St. George Leisure Services Office, starting Nov. 22nd, 2021. Experience more peace, quiet and solitude. Recommended Hotel Nearby: Best Western Plus Abbey Inn, Related: Fun Things to Do inUtahwith Kids, Highway 63 Park Road #1Bryce Canyon City, UT 84764(435) 834-5322. Or hikeEnsign PeakTrail on a clear day and get a 100-mile view of Salt Lake Valley. Ice skating is a favorite winter activity among Salt Lakers. Map coming soon of where to visit. Families, on the other hand, have an endless array of cultural institutions to choose from. We use cookies to improve your experience on Utah.com. Breakfast With Santa December 5,12,19, 2021, Multiple Times Zermatt Mountain Resort, Midway They bloom during the spring, by the way! Festival of Trees(Virtual): No dates, but virtual again this year. The performances will happen throughout December. Its surrounding gardens feature native plants, a Vietnam memorial, and a monument for the Mormon Battalion. Get some ideas from our road tripitineraries, bucket lists and family-friendly hikes. All rights reserved. There are several trails to hike, thousands of geological wonders to photograph, sites to camp for the night and watch the stars, areas to ride horses, ranger-led programs to enjoy from spring through fall, and so much more to expect at Arches National Park. A lot of the fun things to do in Utah are in Moab, such as off-roading, hiking, and even whitewater rafting. Or feel the "freedom" at The Gateway and City Creek Center, two local malls also known for providing free, fun events. Zoo Lights: SLC Dec. 3-23, 26-31 from 5:30-9:30 pm. We look for fun, easy adventures throughout the state of Utah and beyond. Browse through Lovelands educational exhibits and experience one-of-a-kind animal encounters with sharks, stingrays, and penguins! See red rock hoodoos coated with a dusting of snow against a stunning scenic backdrop on an unforgettable winter visit to Bryce Canyon National Park. North Pole Festival: Rio Tinto Stadium. This desert is dramatic. The Grand StaircaseEscalante National Monument is the largest national monument in the United States and the most remote in the country. Popular things to do Winter Sports Rentals Half-day Tours Geologic Formations Cultural Tours 4WD Tours Canyons Nature and Wildlife Tours Hiking Tours Scenic Drives Climbing Self-guided Tours National Parks Bus Tours City Tours Bodies of Water Historical Tours Overnight Tours Mountains Sporting Events Transfers & Ground Transport Hiking, Non-ski Winter Activities, Scenic Drives/Road Trips, Ski and Snowboard. The five-acre Red Hills Desert Garden is actually Utahs first-ever desert conservation garden. All Rights Reserved, 11 Utah Christmas events you might want to check out this year, The 2023 Utah Legislature has wrapped. Use that energy to build a snow fort. . Take a cruise on the Provo River and Santa rows up in a row boat. Towering red rocks dusted in snow, often set against bright blue skies, welcome winter visitors to Capitol Reef National Park. Recommended Hotel Nearby: Grand America Hotel, Related: Best Things to Do in Salt Lake City, 1345 Lowell AvenuePark City, UT 84060(435) 649-8111. Provo River Cruise(Provo) Dec. 1-23. Dinosaur National Monument Extreme Sports Events Fishing Golfing Hiking & Backpacking Horseback Riding Hunting Canoe & Kayak Mountain Biking Museums Old West Mormon River Rafting Rock Climbing Shopping Skiing Snowmobiling Spas Stand Up Paddle Boarding Utah Olympic Park Latest Articles & Itineraries Travel Guides and Brochures View Brochures Try these indoor and outdoor winter activities for kids and parents alike. Since hosting the 2002 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, in many ways the Olympic spirit and world-class athletes that seized Utah have never left. 1661 East Murray-Holladay Road (4800 South), Where: Various locations in Salt Lake City. A Sundance ski vacation is the perfect blend of Utah ski bliss and the year's most promising films. 4x4 Half-Day Adventure at Canyonlands National Park. Fire + candy = fun. Landscaping and gardening workshops are also offered here, so if you dont know what to do in Utah this weekend, consider signing up. Finally! Watch current conditions, as unsettled winter weather can bring storms. Christmas on the Farm(Cedar City): November 26-27, Dec. 4, 8, 11, & 15, at 10-4. All Rights Reserved. Christmas at the Orchard: Orem Nov. 16-Jan. 2 from 5-11 PMFREE, Spanish Fork Lights: Spanish Fork November 25-Jan. 1, Salem Pond Lights: SalemNov. 26-Jan. 1 FREE, Shepherd Family Christmas Lights: Spanish Fork. Things to Do in Sandy, Utah: See Tripadvisor's 12,193 traveler reviews and photos of Sandy tourist attractions. The Red Butte Garden is a beautiful and picturesque destination located in the foothills of the Wasatch Range in Salt Lake City. We were there in late December 2021 and it was chilly but not particularly cold during the day. Where: Snow banks, backyards, fields, parks. Boutiques within the grounds create breathtaking displays for the holidays season and there's the not-to-be-missed Grand Gingerbread House that can stretch upwards of 15 feet. Definitely one of the must see tourist spots in Utah that you shouldnt miss! Box 750027 75 East 100 North Torrey, Utah 84775 A new walk-thru light display. North Pole Express at Thunder Junction (St. George): Every Friday, Saturday, and Monday for the first 3 weekends in December from 6-8 PM. Youll get to see firsthand how much the dogs love being on the team and pulling guests on the sleds. Tickets are available atwww.starofwonder.comand the show runs Dec. 4-11. When the Utah sun becomes unbearable, head over to one of Kanabs cool places, literally and figuratively. Take a road trip from Capitol Reef to Bryce Canyon and enjoy the best of Utah landscapes during its quiet season. Hardcore hikers and climbers brave Zion National Park for its challenging terrains, while families come for outdoorsy trips and easy trails. New location this year. Comfort Inn & Suites Tooele-Salt Lake City, Canyons Boutique Hotel A Canyons Collection Property, Best Western PLUS Bryce Canyon Grand Hotel, Comfort Suites St George University Area, Home2 Suites by Hilton Salt Lake City-East, University Guest House & Conference Center, SpringHill Suites by Marriott Salt Lake City Draper, Salt Lake Marriott Downtown at City Creek, 35 Best Places to Visit in August in the USA, 35 Best Places to Visit in July in the USA, 35 Best Places to Visit in June in the USA, 35 Best Places to Visit in May in the USA, Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument Kanab, Salt Lake City Public Library Salt Lake City, Sri Sri Radha Krishna Temple Spanish Fork, Mars Desert Research Station Hanksville, Natural History Museum of Utah Salt Lake City. Temple Square Lights: SLCFREE Limited Lights due to construction. Icicle artisans spend the winter building the castles through magic and science. A Babe is Born (Lehi): Dec. 17-22. The Grand America hosts walking tours for the holiday season that show off new displays in windows for the holiday season. Winter rewards hikers with stunning sights of stalactites and snow covered mountains. Throughout the season, nights and shaded areas are quite chilly, while exploring in the sunshine can be delightful. The real Up house was built in 2011 by Bangerter Homes with permission from Disney. The red-orange desert scenery and iconic buttes of Monument Valley have been featured several times in films, music, video games, commercials, and TV shows. Evermore Park Aurora Winter Festival:Pleasant Grove. For more information, see our Privacy Policy. Want to avoid the Utah national park crowds? So if you miss out this year, feel free to check them out in 2022. Try this: ride the FrontRunner commuter train up to the Utah State Railroad Museum in Ogden. Christmas in Color: Located at the Salt Lake County Equestrian Center in South Jordan. Gingerbread house contest entries on display at the Brigham City Christmas Village. Yes, Temple Square in Salt Lake City is open for the Christmas season. Recommended Hotel Nearby: Best Western Plus Wendover Inn. Visitors are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance. If you cant make it to Christkindlmarkt, head for the Holiday Market at Rio Grande where local vendors offer up their wares. In the winter months, Utah's five national parks and their surrounding country are full of solitude and with an adventurous spirit to shrug off mild doses of moody weather you can count on having red rock country all to yourself. Utah hotels near Lake Powell can be found scattered from north to south, with the southern end being the most active for one of the major activities on Lake Powellhouseboating. 4x4 Safari Excursion in Arches National Park. 10. 4.5 /5 (805 reviews) Lake Powell is part of the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area. Tubing is the answer. Discover Utahs Wellness Retreats. Sounds good!) The water is comfortably warm and shallow enough for toddlers. Then add color with snow paint. But do know that theyre busy during this time, especially if you see them in space suits, so dont go about approaching the station without permission. Star of Wonder opens this week at the West Valley Performing Arts Center. To put it simply, the riding in Utah is epic. Sled for free at the iconic hill at Sugarhouse Park inSalt Lake City. And the fun doesn't stop on Christmas Day. Additional holiday events at Thanksgiving Point abound, so be sure to check for the events that best fit your family and budget. Salt Lake City, UT 84101 Heber Tree Lighting Old Fashion Christmas December 3, 2021, 6-8 pm City Hall, Heber. Sunsets and sunrises further enhance the colors of this surreal spectacle, so come early or stay for the night. Find the best ice skating rinks in Utah and plan the perfect skate night with your friends and family. Recommended Hotel Nearby: Best Western PLUS Bryce Canyon Grand Hotel, 210 E 400 SSalt Lake City, UT 84111(801) 524-8200. Brilliant. Utahsstateandnational parkswill be thawed out before you know it! West Salt Lake Valley Christmas Light Drive: We created this list with 8 awesome stops in the West area of Salt Lake valley. Red Hills Desert Garden is a cute introduction to Utahs grand, out-of-this-world terrain. Park City Electric Light Parade: December 4 @ 4-6:30 pm FREE, Park City Snow Globe Stroll: Park City, November 25-January 5 FREE, WhoLiday Lighting in the Orchard: November 15 @ 6:00-8:00 pm FREE, Lighting of the Riverwoods (Provo): November 19 @ 6:00-9:00 pmFREE. However, you dont have to get too far out of town to get lost down a ski track. Kaylin Richardson, Olympic athlete, and a friend share their favorite Park City experiences to encourage you to add the city's culture-enriched valley, scenery, food, art and access to all-season adventure to your bucket list. Young Living Family Farm Country Christmas (Mona): Wagon Rides and Light Display. We all have been entranced by the existence of dinosaurs at some point of our lives. Characterized by red rocks and natural amphitheaters carved by frost weathering and stream erosion, Bryce Canyon attracts almost three million visitors every year. Natural History Museum of Utah. Just be sure there arent any cops watching. More details on their event post. Today the park is a natural marvel well loved by adventurers who want to witness the grandeur of its dramatic sandstone formations in person. Follow this itinerary for a week-long winter road trip across the snow-covered desert of Southeastern Utah. The Loveland Living Planet Aquarium is home to many creatures both scaly and feathered. It spans over a million acres, dates back to 200 million years in the distant past, and bears an incredible wealth of fossils and artifacts. The Bonneville Salt Flats are among the most interesting things to see in Utah, but the conditions here can be quite extreme, so come prepared. You either drive through Monument Valley and soak up the sights or explore it fully by getting a tour guide from the visitor center. Whether youre in northern or southern Utah, as long as there is snow there is very likely an outfitter that can rent the gear you need; or better yet, guide you to their favorite spots. Pretty simple. Encompassing almost 36,000 acres, the monumental splendor of Bryce Canyon National Park has long been recognized by man for thousands of years. Learn about the cool places to kite ski in Utah, grab your equipment and go! Adventure, Hiking, History and Heritage, Native American, Non-ski Winter Activities, Scenic Drives/Road Trips, Stargazing. The house makes perfect photo ops inside and outside, but make sure you contact the current owners of the house first before you go beyond the white picket fence. The Galliavan Center offers ice skating opportunities, bringing you closer to the wintry season. There are many events and tons of lights in Helper since it is know as Christmas Town Utah. To watch or not to watch that is the question. The sweeping views from the visitor center are already spectacular; youll be blown away when you explore the park up close! Recommended Hotel Nearby: Little America Hotel Salt Lake City, 311 West 8500 SouthSpanish Fork, UT 84660(801) 787-1510. Anna and Elsa fans will appreciate the frozen wonderland all lit up at night in blue and pink. The historic park transforms for the season with costumes, decorations, treats, sweets, and arts and crafts of all kind available for purchase. Definitely among the top places to see in Utah, the Grand StaircaseEscalante National Monument is nothing short of, well, grand. Grand America Holiday Windows: Nov. 1-Dec. 31 M- TH: 4 PM 8 PMand FRI SUN: 10 AM-5PM. Start making summer vacation plans today. In Utah, a Pueblo name that means people of the mountains, well show you how to take a break from whatever work, weather, the world or just about anything else throws at you. Lightwalk at Liberty Park: SLC Dec. 3-18 from 5-10 pm. Christmas Town Utah(Helper): No dates yet. On Dec. 21 and Dec. 22, the Utah Symphony will perform the score to Home Alone, by John Williams. A New Peace on Earth presentation projected on ceiling of Tabernacle. More than 6,000 lights illuminate a milelong walk through the Ashton Gardens at Thanksgiving Point. For a more unforgettable experience, book a tour with a Navajo guide!