The holidays are the time of year when families and friends gather and spend time together. Here’s a list of holiday activities to check out for your family home evenings or family visits!

$ – relatively cheap <$10 a person

$$- average <$25 a person

 

Shop at Hogsmeade in the Wizarding World (FREE)

Visit the magical Hogsmeade and find wizard themed gifts at the Shops at South Town! If you or a friend are as obsessed with Harry Potter as we are, then you have to visit Hogsmeade! This shopping experience will be open until January 21st. See the list of merchandise available here.

See the lights at Temple Square (FREE)

The Temple Square lights normally go up right around Thanksgiving and are down by the end of the year. Most weekends are packed, so consider going on a weeknight for smaller crowds.

Listen to the First Presidency Christmas Devotional (FREE, must acquire tickets)

The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints holds a Christmas Devotional every year during the first weekend of December, and The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square sings seasonal hymns. Feel the spirit of the season as gospel messages are shared about Jesus Christ. The devotional will be held on December 2nd. Find broadcast information here.

Donate to Primary Children’s Hospital by visiting The Festival of Trees ($)

Check out all the trees decorated with all kinds of toys, games, and lights. When you visit the Festival of Trees all money spent is donated to Primary Children’s Hospital. The festival runs from Nov 28-Dec 1st. Ticket info can be found on their website.

Check out Zoo Lights at Hogle Zoo ($)

Each year the Hogle Zoo in Salt Lake City creates a wonderland not only for guests but for the animals as well! Over 200 displays of lit up animals are found throughout the zoo as well as a hologram tunnel you can walk through. The lights this year run from Nov 30-Dec 31st. Check out more information here.

See Alpine’s Living Nativity ($$)

The nativity performance runs during the first week of December. This year the LeBaron family, as well as Malea Lunt, Yahosh Bonner, Oba Bonner, and Aaliyah Rose, will be performing! All money used to buy tickets will go towards Toys For Tots. Find tickets here!

Visit Luminaria Garden at Thanksgiving Point ($$)

Luminaria is featured in Ashton Gardens and has thousands of lights and scenes, including a separate garden featuring the life of Jesus Christ. It’s a mile walk around the garden with fire pits for smores and other sweets throughout. Check out the details here!

Walk through Ice Castles at The Homestead ($$)

The Homestead Resort houses the ice castles each year in Midway, UT. Make sure to visit the castles when the Frozen sisters are greeting visitors! They are dependant on weather conditions, so check out their website to find ticket information as well as when they plan to open the ice castles.