It’s the most wonderful time of the year — in a year that has not been quite so wonderful. Still, there are plenty of ways to celebrate the holiday season in Utah despite the pandemic.
With the COVID-19 pandemic still ongoing, many Utah events will look different this year. With restrictions in place in Salt Lake County and other parts of the state, traditional events like Ballet West’s “Nutcracker” and the Festival of Trees will be virtual instead of happening live.
Some events, like the annual Christmas concert from the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square, have been canceled; and other events will still be taking place in person, but with social distancing and mask-wearing enforced.
Despite the many changes, it’s still possible to celebrate. Here are some of the ways that you can celebrate the holidays in Utah this year, with both in person and virtual events.
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Note: This list is not all-inclusive, and events are subject to change. Please send information on additional events to features@deseretnews.com.
Music & Dance
- Dec. 4-5 — “A Kurt Bestor Christmas: Coming Together.” Concerts at 3 and 7:30 p.m. at the Center for the Arts at Kayenta in Ivins, Washington County.
- Dec. 4-5 — Light Up Christmas Concert. Concerts at 7:30 p.m. at the Covey Center in Provo.
- Dec. 5 — GENTRI with Mat and Savanna Shaw, Jay Warren and Nick Johnson. Concerts at 2 and 8 p.m. at the Maverik Center in West Valley.
- Dec. 5 — David Archuleta. Livestream Christmas concert at 7 p.m.
- Dec. 5 — Excellence in the Community: Dan Waldis: “A Little Jazz with Your Mistletoe.” Livestreamed concert at 8 p.m. from the Gallivan Center in Salt Lake City.
- Dec. 7 — Christmas Card Concert. Online concert at 7:30 p.m., hosted by the Orem Library.
- Dec. 11 — “A Deseret Book Christmas” with Nathan Pacheco and the Bonner Family. Online concert and event at 7 p.m.
- Dec. 11-14 — Eclipse 6. Concerts at 7 p.m., as well as 1:30 p.m. on Dec. 14, at The Grand Theatre in Salt Lake City.
- Dec. 11-21 — “The Nutcracker.” Performed by the Utah Metropolitan Ballet at the Covey Center in Provo.
- Dec. 13-14 — “Messiah.” Concerts at 7:30 p.m., performed by the Orchestra of Southern Utah at the Heritage Center in Cedar City.
- Dec. 14 — “Light the World: Social Sing and Serve.” Online concert at 6 p.m., hosted by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
- Dec. 16 — Holiday Concert. Concert at 6 p.m., hosted by Pioneer Theatre Company.
- Dec. 16 — Excellence in the Community: Jazz Vespers Quartet. Livestreamed concert at 8 p.m. from the Gallivan Center in Salt Lake City.
- Dec. 17 — “Christmas from Home.” Online concert at 7:30 p.m. by the American Festival Chorus and Orchestra, featuring the USU Women’s Choir and the Westminster Bell Choir.
- Dec. 17-Jan. 5, 2021 — “It’s a Wonderful Life.” Online performance by Odyssey Dance Theatre available on demand.
- Dec. 18 — Excellence in the Community: Lark & Spur. Livestreamed concert at 8 p.m. from the Gallivan Center in Salt Lake City.
- Dec. 18 — Ginger Bess. Concerts at 4 and 7:30 p.m. at the Brigham City Fine Arts Center.
- Dec. 18 — Timpanogos Symphony Orchestra. Online concert at 7:30 p.m.
- Through Dec. 18 — We Need A Lot of Christmas: Concert of Celebration From the Silver Screen and Stage. Concerts at CenterPoint Legacy Theatre in Centerville.
- Dec. 19 — Bar J Wranglers. Concerts at 1:30 and 7:30 p.m. at the Ellen Eccles Theatre in Logan.
- Dec. 19 — Luz de Las Naciones. Online performance hosted by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
- Dec. 21-22 — Caleb Chapman’s Crescent Super Band: Crescent Christmas. Concerts at 7 p.m. at SCERA Center for the Arts in Orem.
- Through Dec. 22 — The Rat Pack is Back! Christmas Concert. Concerts at Tuacahn Amphitheatre in Ivins, Washington County.
- Dec. 22-Jan. 10, 2021 — “A Merry Little Christmas” with Tony DeSare and the Utah Symphony. Online concert available on demand.
- Dec. 23 — “Nochebuena: Christmas Eve in Mexico.” Performances at 2 and 7 p.m. at Peery’s Egyptian Theater in Ogden.
- Dec. 23 — David Archuleta. Concert at 7:30 p.m. at the Maverik Center in West Valley.
- Through Dec. 23 — “The Christmas Collection” Concert Series. Online concerts at 6 p.m., hosted by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
- Dec. 24-25 and 31 — “The Nutcracker.” Performances by Ballet West broadcast at 5:30 p.m. on KSL-TV.
- Dec. 24 — Holiday Concert. Concert at 7 p.m., hosted by Pioneer Theatre Company.
- Through Dec. 26 — Virtual “Messiah” Sing-In. Online concert from the Utah Symphony available on demand.
Theater
- “A Christmas Carol.” Runs Dec. 4-21 at Draper Historic Theatre.
- “JingleJacks.” Runs Dec. 4-19 at Heritage Theatre in Perry, Box Elder County.
- “A Christmas Carol.” Online reading runs Dec. 5-23 by Pioneer Theatre Company.
- “A Christmas Carol: Youth Edition.” Runs through Dec. 5 at Hale Center Theater Orem.
- “It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play.” Runs Dec. 11-22 at CenterPoint Legacy Theatre in Centerville.
- “Star of Wonder.” Runs through Dec. 12 at Harman Theatre in West Valley.
- “A Christmas Carol.” Runs through Dec. 19 at CenterPoint Legacy Theatre in Centerville.
- “A Christmas Story.” Runs through Dec. 19 at SCERA Center for the Arts in Orem.
- “A Christmas Carol.” Runs through Dec. 21 at the Covey Center in Provo.
- “A Christmas Carol.” Runs through Dec. 23 at Hale Center Theater Orem.
- “Nutcracker: Men in Tights.” Runs through Jan. 2, 2021 at Desert Star in Murray.
Getting out
- Dec. 4 — Festival of Trees live broadcast with Alex Boye. Online event at 7 p.m.
- Dec. 4-Jan. 3, 2021 — ZooLights. Holiday light displays and events at the Hogle Zoo in Salt Lake City.
- Dec. 4-Jan. 4, 2021 — Craft Lake City Holiday Market. Online market available on demand.
- Dec. 5 — Gift Day. Event at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. for children ages 5-12 at the Brigham City Fine Arts Center.
- Dec. 5 — Zoom with Santa. Online event hosted by the Festival of Trees.
- Through Dec. 5 — Dickens Christmas Festival. Event runs 10 a.m.-9 p.m. at Dixie Convention Center in St. George.
- Through Dec. 5 — Ogden Nature Center Holiday Open House. Event runs 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Ogden Nature Center.
- Through Dec. 5 — Festival of Trees. Online events including silent auction and holiday shops.
- Dec. 7-8 — Santa is Coming to Zoom! Online events at 6, 6:30 and 7 p.m. hosted by the Orem Library.
- Through Dec. 10 — Gingerbread Competition Exhibition. On display at the Bountiful Davis Art Center.
- Dec. 10-12 — Christmas Maker’s Market. Market at SCERA Center for the Arts in Orem.
- Dec. 10-Jan. 2, 2021 — Drive-in Holiday Laser Spectacular. Event at the Maverik Center in West Valley.
- Dec. 12 — Breakfast with Santa: Santa’s Workshop. Events at 9 and 10 a.m. at Discovery Gateway Children’s Museum in Salt Lake City.
- Dec. 12 — Kids Holiday Workshop. Event at 10 a.m. for children ages 5-12 at the Bountiful Davis Art Center.
- Through Dec. 17 — Virtual Hanukkah Market. Online market hosted by IJ and Jeanné Wagner Jewish Community Center.
- Through Dec. 19 — Utah Arts Festival Virtual Holiday Gallery Show. Online art market available on demand.
- Through Dec. 19 — Zootah Zoo Lights. Holiday light displays and events at Zootah at Willow Park in Logan.
- Through Dec. 23 — North Pole Express. Holiday-themed train ride at Heber Valley Railroad in Heber City.
- Through Dec. 23 — Christmas in the Canyon. Event at Tuacahn Amphitheatre in Ivins, Washington County.
- Through Dec. 30 — Festival of the Seas. Holiday light displays and events at Loveland Living Planet Aquarium.
- Through Dec. 30 — Fantasy at the Bay Christmas Lights. Event at Willard Bay State Park in Willard, Box Elder County.
- Through Dec. 31 — Holiday Window Displays. Event at Simmons Pioneer Memorial Theatre in Salt Lake City.
- Through Jan. 2, 2021 — Luminaria. Holiday lights and decorations at Thanksgiving Point’s Ashton Gardens in Lehi.
- Through Jan. 2, 2021 — Lumaze: A Fairy Tale Christmas Festival. Holiday lights and events at the Utah State Fairpark in Salt Lake City.
- Through Jan 4, 2021 — Craft Lake City Holiday Market. Online market available on demand.