2024 Temple Square Christmas Offers Lights, Music and Activities Honoring Jesus Christ

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Visitors to Temple Square in Salt Lake City during the 2024 Christmas season will find even more lights, open areas, and fun activities since the temple renovation began in 2020 — all honoring the Savior’s birth.

New areas open this year include the Main Street Plaza, Church Office Building Plaza, and the area north of the Tabernacle (see map).

And those who aren’t able to visit Temple Square in person can still experience the events that are also available virtually.

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“Everything that we do points to our Savior. That’s why we do what we do,” said Jay Warnick, ground services manager for Church Headquarters Facilities, who said crews began stringing lights in August. “As we celebrate His birth, this is a chance to come rest from some of the cares of the world and find some peace and enjoy being with family, friends and the community.”

The following events and activities sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are available at no cost at various sites on Temple Square, as well as virtually online via live streams and videos on demand. Tickets are required for some in-person events. Find a map and links for parking and other information at the end of this article. Events are listed below by opening date.

Music & The Spoken Word

Each Sunday

The public is invited to join live performances of Music & the Spoken word each Sunday. On December 22, the 30-minute performance will feature some numbers from The Tabernacle Choir Christmas concert (see entry below) and a special appearance by guest artist Ruthie Ann Miles. No tickets are required. Due to the holidays, no live performances will be on December 29. Instead, specially prepared prerecorded programs will be broadcast and streamed. For streaming and broadcast options, check the Watch and Listen page.

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Savior of the World: His Birth and Resurrection

November 21 through December 28

This production portrays the sacred story of Jesus Christ’s birth, life and resurrection through drama and music that testify of the Son of God, the Savior of the world. Performances at the Conference Center Theater began Thursday, November 21, and will continue through December 28. The matinee on December 7 will be an ASL and descriptive-audio-enhanced performance. Find the schedule, including matinees, and access the link to obtain tickets here.

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Christmas Lights

November 29 through January 1

There is no longer a formal lighting ceremony on Temple Square, but lights will turn on Friday, November 29, and will remain on from 4:30 to 10 p.m. and from 6 to 8 a.m. MST daily through January 1, 2025. Refer to the map of Temple Square below for open areas.

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“It’s a magical time of year when lights are turned on,” said Jay Warnick, Ground Services Group manager, who said his favorite part of the experience is seeing it through the eyes of the little ones who come to visit.

“The lights are magical,” said 8-year-old Andy Enkhtuvshin from Illinois, who was visiting Temple Square with his family on Thursday, November 21, during a test lighting. “This has got to be the greatest. I want to build a house on the square so every night I can see it.”

“We hope people enjoy the peace of the season and just the joy of being with family and friends and the community,” said Warnick.

‘Come and Behold Him’ Temple Square Christmas Concert

November 29 (live stream)

Both the “Come and Behold Him” (sold-out) concert and new, free Christmas album feature 11 fresh arrangements of holiday classics by film score composer Jonathan Keith. Beginning Friday, November 29, download the album and watch the live stream of the Christmas concert at 7 p.m. MST. Hear guest artists such as soloists Kevin Odekirk, Madilyn Paige, Tanner James, Sonja Poulter, and the Giddins family, with musical support from the Salt Lake Choral Artists and a professional orchestra led by Dr. Brady Allred.

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‘Light the World’ Giving Machines

Ongoing through January 1

“Light the World” Giving Machines allow participants to share light with others by purchasing and donating humanitarian services and items such as food, shelter, clothing, healthcare, education, job and career training, livestock and more.

“Just as angels declared words of great joy at His birth, we too in our own small way, gift by gift, can be angels in the lives of others as we extend the love of Jesus Christ to people near and far, and as we proclaim a witness of the Savior of the world,” said Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles at the 2024 launch event in the Conference Center on Temple Square on Thursday, November 13, 2024.

This year, Giving Machines will be in more than 100 cities in 13 countries on five continents — including the first time in Africa and Asia. Find exact locations here. In Salt Lake City, Giving Machines will be located at the Church History Museum on Temple Square and at the City Creek Center Plaza (by the food court) at 50 South Main Street. Those who are unable to visit a physical machine can still participate at GivingMachine.org. Learn more about Light the World.

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Christmas at the Church History Museum

November 29 through December 31

“Here at the Church History Museum, you can come and build different crafts, you can come and listen to beautiful musical performances and donate to others at our Giving Machines,” said Natalie Bodine, events coordinator at the Church History Museum. “We hope that you will experience the love and peace and hope of our Savior Jesus Christ by coming to the museum this season.”

This year for the first time the Church History Museum will host a Light the World Giving Machine in the museum lobby. Alongside the functional machine where visitors can participate in a memorable giving experience will be a historical display of the original Giving Machine used on Temple Square during the first year of the Light the World initiative in 2017.

As in previous years, the museum will also host a variety of local choir performances in the lower-level auditorium.

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On the upper level, in the museum’s Victorian-era drawing room, visitors can enjoy family-friendly Christmas crafts inspired by cultures around the world and see a variety of international creches from the museum collection on display.

“We want to bring an international celebration to Christmas,” said Bodine. “So, this year, we’re focusing on three different regions of the world with our crafts inspired by those regions.” Crafts include Saint Lucia wreaths from Sweden, Greek Christmas boats, and “parols,” or Christmas stars, from the Philippines.

All activities are free and open to the public during the museum’s regular hours. Reservations or tickets are not required.

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International Nativities

November 29 through December 31

A collection of nativities from around the world will be displayed on the plaza outside of the Church Office Building from November 29 through December 31.

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Temple Square Daily Concerts

November 30 through December 23

Choose from nearly 300 concerts scheduled between Thanksgiving and Christmas at four venues around Temple Square. Daily performances feature choirs sponsored by schools, missionary and community organizations, as well as various string, flute, guitar and bell groups at the Tabernacle, the Conference Center plaza-level lobby, the Church History Museum, and City Creek Center. Daily concerts at 4:30 p.m. MST in the Tabernacle will include a short devotional speaker and will be live-streamed. See the full schedule.

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Christmas Around the World Display

November 30 through December 31

The Christmas Around the World display at the FamilySearch Library showcases Christmas traditions from different countries and includes activities for children. Visit Saturday, November 30 through Tuesday, December 31.

Santa Claus will make a special visit to the FamilySearch Library on December 20 from 1–4 p.m. MST.

First Presidency Christmas Devotional

December 8

The First Presidency’s annual Christmas devotional is on Sunday, December 8, 2024, at 6 p.m. MST. The devotional broadcast originating from the Conference Center will include messages from Church leaders and music performed by The Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square. See ticket availability. Watch the live stream online.

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2023 “Joy! Christmas with The Tabernacle Choir & Orchestra at Temple Square” TV Broadcast

December 17 and December 19

The 2023 “Joy! Christmas with The Tabernacle Choir & Orchestra at Temple Square” starring Broadway’s Michael Maliakel and actor Lesley Nicol premieres Tuesday, December 17, at 8 p.m. Eastern Time (check local listings) on PBS, PBS.org and the PBS App. BYUtv will air the special on Thursday, December 19 at 7 p.m. MST on BYUtv, BYUtv.org and the BYUtv app.

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2024 Christmas With The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square

December 19, 20 and 21

This year the annual (sold-out) Christmas concerts by The Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square feature Tony Award Winning actress Ruthie Ann Miles December 19, 20 and 21 at the Conference Center. A recording of the concert will be available next year. See information about viewing last year’s concert in the entry above.

On December 22, the 30-minute performance of Music & the Spoken Word will feature some numbers from the 2024 Tabernacle Choir Christmas concert and a special appearance by guest artist Ruthie Ann Miles. No tickets are required. For streaming and broadcast options, check the Watch and Listen page.

A Season of Ringing

View on demand

The Bells at Temple Square annual fall (sold-out) concert, “A Season of Ringing,” happened November 22 and 23. It’s available to stream on demand on The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square’s YouTube channel, broadcasts.churchofjesuschrist.org and the Gospel Stream app.

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Related Links

• Temple Square Hours of Operation
• Conference Center Theater Parking
• Assembly Hall and Tabernacle Parking
• What to Expect When Visiting Temple Square
• Download the following map of open locations on Temple Square

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