Christmas break 2026Salt Lake City · The Crossroads of the West

Christmas break with kids in Salt Lake City, 2026.

What to do with kids in Salt Lake City over Christmas break, from Christmas Eve to New Year’s Day. We read the holiday hours posted by four museums, zoos and play places: none of them opens on Christmas Day. Plus six dated outings on Christmas Eve and the days in between.

The quick answersChecked
Open on Christmas Day?None of the 4 we checked. Plan a park or a lights drive.0 of 4 openAnything on Christmas Eve?1 open with posted hours, 2 dated outings.2 outingsDec 26–30?Luminaria and 3 more.4 runningNew Year’s Day?3 New Year’s Day outings posted.See below

Last checked · 4 places checked · Every listing links to its official page. How we choose

Dec 24 · Dec 25 · Jan 1

What’s open over Christmas in SLC

Holiday hours from each place’s own page, side by side. Many are standing rules (“closed Christmas Day”) that hold year to year, but a quick check that morning is worth it.

PlaceDec 24Dec 25Jan 1Source
Natural History Museum of UtahTheir page says: “NHMU is closed every Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day and closes early at 3 p.m. the day prior to each of these holidays. The Museum is also closed the days of its annual fundraising gala and annual all-staff retreat. Prebook Tickets .”Christmas EveOpenCloses at 3 p.m.Christmas DayClosedNew Year’s DayNot postedHours page ↗ · Oct 21
Red Butte GardenTheir page says: “Closed on Thanksgiving Day and December 24 through January 1.”Christmas EveClosedChristmas DayClosedNew Year’s DayClosedHours page ↗ · Oct 21
Tracy AviaryTheir page says: “Tracy Aviary is open everyday except Thanksgiving and Christmas.”Christmas EveNot postedChristmas DayClosedNew Year’s DayNot postedHours page ↗ · Oct 21
Thanksgiving PointTheir page says: “Closed Sundays, Thanksgiving & Christmas Days”Christmas EveNot postedChristmas DayClosedNew Year’s DayNot postedHours page ↗ · Oct 21

“Not posted” means the place’s own page doesn’t say. Call or check the morning of.

Day by day

The break, one day at a time

Pick a day to see what’s on. Many places close early on Dec 24 and Dec 31, so check each card’s times.

Christmas Eve

Thursday, Dec 24. Many places close early, so check each card’s times.
Nov20to Dec 24

Santa Photos at City Creek Center

City Creek Center · 48 West 100 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84101

When
Nov 20–Dec 24, 2026 (not every day in the first weeks; closed Thanksgiving)
Time
Most days 11 a.m.–7 p.m.; Dec 24 9 a.m.–5 p.m.; hours change by day, full schedule on the booking page
Price
See photo packages on the booking page

Good to know: Walk-ups welcome; booking a 15-minute slot online is encouraged (a few families share each slot). Pet photo nights on 2 evenings (Nov 30, Dec 7).

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
Nov20to Dec 24

Santa Photos at Fashion Place

Fashion Place · 6191 S. State Street, Murray, UT 84107

When
Nov 20–Dec 24, 2026 (closed Thanksgiving)
Time
Most days 11 a.m.–7 p.m.; Dec 24 9 a.m.–6 p.m.; hours change by day, full schedule on the booking page
Price
See photo packages on the booking page

Good to know: Walk-ups welcome; booking a 15-minute slot online is encouraged (a few families share each slot). Pet photo nights on 8 evenings (Nov 23, Nov 24, Nov 30, Dec 1, Dec 7, Dec 8…).

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem

The days in between

Saturday, Dec 26 to Wednesday, Dec 30. Light displays and holiday rinks still running.
Nov12to Jan 9

Luminaria

Thanksgiving Point Ashton Gardens · 3900 N. Garden Drive, Lehi, UT 84048

When
Nov 12, 2026 – Jan 9, 2027; Mon–Sat; closed Sundays, Dec 24, Dec 25
Time
Timed entry every 15 minutes
Price
Varies by date (see tickets); exchangeable tickets offered

Good to know: Private firepits $120; food punch cards. About 30 minutes south of SLC.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
Nov28to Jan 1

Ogden Christmas Village

Ogden Municipal Gardens · 2549 Washington Blvd, Ogden, UT 84401

Free
When
Nov 28, 2026 – Jan 1, 2027
Time
Lights 5–10 p.m. Sun–Thu, 5 p.m.–midnight Fri–Sat
Price
Free

Good to know: Free Santa visits (Mon–Fri 6–9 p.m., Sat 5–9 p.m. through Dec 23) and train rides. Opening night Nov 28 has a light parade, then fireworks and the lights switching on around 6:30 p.m.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem

New Year’s Eve

Thursday, Dec 31. Noon countdowns and early celebrations (the full list is on our Noon Year’s Eve page).

New Year’s Day

Friday, Jan 1.
Nov12to Jan 9

Luminaria

Thanksgiving Point Ashton Gardens · 3900 N. Garden Drive, Lehi, UT 84048

When
Nov 12, 2026 – Jan 9, 2027; Mon–Sat; closed Sundays, Dec 24, Dec 25
Time
Timed entry every 15 minutes
Price
Varies by date (see tickets); exchangeable tickets offered

Good to know: Private firepits $120; food punch cards. About 30 minutes south of SLC.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem
Nov28to Jan 1

Ogden Christmas Village

Ogden Municipal Gardens · 2549 Washington Blvd, Ogden, UT 84401

Free
When
Nov 28, 2026 – Jan 1, 2027
Time
Lights 5–10 p.m. Sun–Thu, 5 p.m.–midnight Fri–Sat
Price
Free

Good to know: Free Santa visits (Mon–Fri 6–9 p.m., Sat 5–9 p.m. through Dec 23) and train rides. Opening night Nov 28 has a light parade, then fireworks and the lights switching on around 6:30 p.m.

Official page ↗Checked Report a problem

Rainy-day backup

Indoor places to try

These don’t post holiday hours yet, so check before you go. More on our indoor play page.

Discovery Gateway Children's Museum

The Gateway

Holiday hours not posted
Official site ↗

Keep planning

More for little kids in SLC

November: things to do in SLCEvery dated listing for the month, by weekDecember: things to do in SLCEvery dated listing for the month, by weekFree things to do in SLCFree days, free events and places that never chargeFree museum days in SLCFree days, Museums on Us and EBT discounts, with who gets inIndoor play in SLCIndoor playgrounds, toddler times, museums and classes, with pricesLibrary storytimes in SLCBaby, toddler and preschool storytimes by day and branchIce skating in SLCHoliday and indoor rinks, skate aids and pricesThanksgiving weekend in SLCParades, turkey trots and what’s open on ThursdayNoon Year’s Eve in SLCKid-friendly countdowns, home by napChristmas parades in SLCParades and tree lightings with dates and start timesThe Nutcracker in SLCBallet and touring shows, sensory-friendly flaggedChristmas markets in SLCChristkindlmarkts and winter wonderlands with hoursBirthday party places in SLCStarting prices, ages and what’s includedThis week in SLCDated outings for ages 0–6, checked every Thursday

Good questions

Christmas break in Salt Lake City: the FAQ

Of the four places we checked, none posts Christmas Day hours as open; Natural History Museum of Utah, Red Butte Garden, Tracy Aviary and Thanksgiving Point are closed. A park or a drive past the lights is the easy plan.

Open with posted hours: Natural History Museum of Utah (Closes at 3 p.m.). On the calendar: Santa Photos at City Creek Center and Santa Photos at Fashion Place.

None of the places that post New Year’s Day hours says it’s open.

On the calendar for Jan 1: Luminaria, Christmas in Color and Ogden Christmas Village. Check each one’s own page before you go, since holiday hours can change.

Luminaria, Christmas in the Village, Christmas in Color and Ogden Christmas Village. Check each one’s calendar for the exact nights; some close on certain days.

Each listing comes from the venue’s or organizer’s own page and links to it. We only list a date, time or price when that page shows it, and anything we can’t confirm stays off. These were last checked Oct 21, 2026, and we recheck them in early December and again the week before Christmas. How we choose and check.

Holiday plans every Thursday.

One short email every Thursday evening with the best things to do with little ones in SLC, through the holidays.

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