As the holiday season approaches, Temple Square in Salt Lake City invites residents and visitors to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ with Christ-centered displays, festive lights, and free family activities. The 2025 season’s theme—“Centered on the Light of Christ”—reflects a focus on peace, goodwill, and the Savior’s love, as described in this year’s Christmas announcement from the Church Newsroom.
Lights & Decorations
Beginning Friday, November 28, 2025, Temple Square’s open areas will shine with Christmas lights daily from 6 a.m.–8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.–10 p.m., continuing through January 1, 2026, according to the Church Newsroom.
Even though renovation continues on the historic Salt Lake Temple, the Church Newsroom reports that many locations around Temple Square remain open to welcome visitors throughout the season.
The History of the Christmas Lights on Temple Square
Family-Friendly Activities and Events
Museum Celebrations
The Church History Museum will host a full schedule of Christmas activities designed to help families experience the season through service and creativity. A Giving Machine display will be located in the lobby, available during regular museum hours:
- Monday, Friday and Saturday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Tuesday—Thursday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Visitors will also find “Victorian Christmas” décor in the Drawing Room, along with free activities such as a Light the World tree and take-home Christmas crafts. These include luminaries inspired by Mexico and parols from the Philippines, giving families a chance to learn about and participate in Christmas traditions from around the world.
Natalie Bodine, events coordinator at the Church History Museum, said, “We love sharing the excitement of the Christmas season with you and your family and friends. Together, we celebrate the birth of the Savior by creating traditional crafts from around the world, donating to those in need via the Giving Machine, and enjoying beautiful musical performances. There is something for every age and interest to enjoy. All Christmas activities are free and open to the public.”
Conference Center
The Conference Center will also play an important role in Temple Square’s Christmas offerings. The plaza lobby will feature large-form Christmas-themed artwork, giving guests a chance to reflect on the nativity and the life of the Savior as they move through the space.
These displays will be available during regular hours through the first week of January, Monday through Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Tours of the Conference Center will be offered as well, providing visitors with a guided look at this landmark building. Tours will not be available during scheduled events or closures, so guests are encouraged to plan accordingly.
Concerts & Performances
Tabernacle Choir Christmas Concert
The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square will present its annual Christmas concert series in the Conference Center from Friday, December 11, through Saturday, December 13, 2025, with each performance beginning at 8:00 p.m. The concerts will feature Tony and Broadway Award–winning actress Stephanie J. Block and television actor Sebastian Arcelus as guest artists.
Tickets for the concerts are complimentary but required. The random selection process has been completed, and all tickets have been distributed. However, those who still wish to attend may join a standby line, which will open in the Tabernacle 90 minutes before each concert.
Choir President Michael O. Leavitt said, “Every year, The Tabernacle Choir looks forward to sharing the message of the birth of our Savior and the joy of the Christmas season through music. As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we look to Jesus Christ for peace and solace and hope that everyone will reach out and feel His love for them during this special time of the year.”
Music & the Spoken Word
“Music & the Spoken Word: will continue its live broadcasts each Sunday at 9:30 a.m. in the Conference Center. The program lasts 30 minutes, is free to the public, and does not require a ticket to attend.
A special performance is scheduled for Sunday, December 14, 2025, at 9:30 a.m., which will feature a guest artist and highlight music from the Tabernacle Choir’s Christmas concerts, offering another opportunity to feel the spirit of the season through word and song.
Savior of the World Performance
The beloved production Savior of the World will return to the Conference Center Little Theater for the 2025 Christmas season. Performances will run from Thursday, November 20, 2025, through Saturday, December 27, 2025, excluding Sundays and Mondays.
Matinee performances will begin at 2:00 p.m., and evening shows will start at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are required for entry, and all tickets have already been distributed.
For those who were not able to obtain tickets in advance, a standby line will be available at a marked location inside the Conference Center plaza-level lobby near the west wall portrait gallery, giving additional guests a chance to attend as seats become available.
Concerts and Daily Performances Across Temple Square
Beyond the major events, Temple Square will host a broad schedule of concerts and nightly performances from Sunday, November 30, 2025, through Wednesday, December 23, 2025. These events will take place at various times and locations throughout Temple Square.
The Church Newsroom notes that the lineup will include choirs sponsored by schools, missionary groups, and community organizations, as well as ensembles featuring strings, flute, guitar, and bells. Together, these performances help fill the grounds with music that points hearts and minds to Jesus Christ.
A Season of Giving: The “Light the World” Spirit
As part of the global Light the World effort, Giving Machine kiosks will be located at City Creek Center and inside the Church History Museum lobby. Instead of purchasing gifts for themselves, visitors can select items such as food, clothing, medical care, or educational support, which will be donated to people in need.
At the Salt Lake City kickoff event, Young Women General President Emily Belle Freeman reflected on the impact of these machines. She said, “It’s so fun to think about how what begins as a three-to-five-minute experience in front of one of these machines turned into a lifetime change for a family or even just one young woman. That’s such an amazing and remarkable thing for all of us to be able to participate in.”
Here’s Every Light the World Giving Machine Location for 2025!
Visitor Tips & Additional Details
No specific Christmas displays or events will be offered at the Church History Library or the FamilySearch Library, though both buildings will remain open during their normal operating schedules for regular use and research.
Most of the Christmas events on Temple Square are free and open to the public, with the exception of ticketed performances such as the Tabernacle Choir Christmas concerts and Savior of the World. Because the Salt Lake Temple renovation is ongoing and some events affect hours and access, visitors are encouraged to check current operating information before they arrive.
Whether guests come to walk under the lights, enjoy a concert, or participate in the Giving Machines, Temple Square in 2025 offers many ways to feel the Light of Christ and remember the true meaning of Christmas.
Holly Wallace is a writer and storyteller drawn to meaningful questions and overlooked details. Her work explores Latter-day Saint life and culture through faithful inquiry, inviting readers to pause, consider, and engage more deeply with what matters most.
