Christmas Light Displays at Latter-day Saint Sites Invite Communities to Celebrate Jesus Christ

Each Christmas season, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints invites individuals and families to feel the peace, joy and hope of Jesus Christ through light displays, nativities and community celebrations held at temples and historic sites around the world. In 2025, locations across the United States and internationally are welcoming neighbors of all faiths to gather and celebrate the birth of the Savior. 

These events, hosted by local Church leaders and supported by thousands of volunteers, offer musical performances, nativity exhibits, illuminated temple grounds, and family-centered activities that highlight Christ as the Light of the World. 

United States 

Washington, DC 

The Washington D.C. Temple opened its 48th annual Festival of Lights on December 2, 2025, where Elder Gérald Caussé joined Mexico’s Ambassador Esteban Moctezuma Barragán in lighting the 500,000 Christmas lights that fill the temple grounds. Ambassador Moctezuma thanked the Church for its shared focus on service, reminding attendees that “when you shine, your family, your community, your city, your country and the world become a better place.” 

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Kirtland, Ohio

In Kirtland, Ohio, the Nativity exhibit opened on November 30, 2025, inviting visitors to experience its inspiring displays from 1 to 7 p.m., culminating in a special 6 p.m. performance by Hark! The Children’s Angel Choir. 

Mesa, Arizona 

Thousands of volunteers from dozens of stakes in the Phoenix, Arizona, metro area have worked since 1970 to make the Christmas lights display around the Mesa Arizona Temple happen each year. Some of the volunteers begin an inventory of the lights starting in the spring, but most volunteers work feverishly during November to transform the temple grounds into a Christmas celebration.

The Mesa Temple and Visitors’ Center welcomes guests to experience a peaceful celebration of the Savior’s birth through vibrant Christmas lights and an inspiring International Nativity Display, featuring hundreds of nativities from around the world. All activities are free, open to the public, and family-friendly, inviting visitors to feel the spirit of Christmas as they explore artistic depictions of the original Nativity story. 

Oakland, California 

Temple Hill invites visitors to experience the spirit of the season through its beautiful Christmas lights display, with illuminated grounds and rooftop garden views that create a memorable celebration of Christmas. The lights turn on at dusk and remain lit until 9 p.m. from November 28 through December 31. 

Salt Lake City, Utah  

Temple Square in Salt Lake City is welcoming guests to Christ-centered displays and free activities throughout the Christmas season, even as renovation on the historic Salt Lake Temple continues. Christmas lights will be available in all open areas daily from 6–8 a.m. and 4:30–10 p.m., beginning November 28, 2025, and continuing through January 1, 2026. 

St. George, Utah

The St. George Utah Temple will open its annual Christmas season on November 28, 2025, as thousands of lights illuminate the temple grounds for the community to enjoy throughout the holidays. Visitors are invited to the St. George Temple Visitors’ Center for nightly music and devotionals from 7 to 7:30 p.m. through December 22, followed by opportunities to walk the decorated grounds and experience the spirit of Christmas.

Laie, Hawaii

The Laie, Hawaii Visitors’ Center will also host free Christmas concerts each evening in December, where community members share musical performances from 7 to 7:30 p.m. These nightly gatherings offer guests a simple and uplifting way to experience the spirit of the season. 

Joseph Smith Birthplace Historic Site 

The Joseph Smith Birthplace Memorial in South Royalton invites guests to enjoy one of Vermont’s most beloved holiday light displays, where the grounds and buildings glow in vibrant red, green, and gold. The Christmas lights shine nightly from dusk until 9 p.m., with the Visitors’ Center open daily from 1 to 8 p.m., except on Christmas and New Year’s Day. 

International 

Manila, Philippines 

The Manila Philippines Temple welcomed leaders, diplomats, and community representatives on November 13, 2025, as The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints held its annual Lighting Ceremony, illuminating the temple grounds in celebration of the light, hope, and love of Jesus Christ. Presided over by Elder Carlos G. Revillo Jr., Philippines Area President, the event brought together the Philippines Area Presidency, Elder Chi Hong (Sam) Wong and Elder William K. Jackson. Elder Jackson led the ceremonial lighting that set the temple grounds aglow. 

Hamilton, New Zealand

In Hamilton, New Zealand, the Temple View Christmas Lights will be on display from December 6–25, 2025, with the lights turning on nightly at 8:30 p.m. Visitors can enjoy choirs performing on December 16 at 8:15 and 9 p.m., and guidance is provided for parking and beginning the walk through the festive lights. 

Mexico City, Mexico

The Mexico City Temple includes more than 250,000 lights around the temple grounds. It took around three months for 28 people to set up the lights.  

São Paulo, Brazil

The Little Village of Bethlehem in São Paulo, Curitiba, and Fortaleza officially opened on December 5, 2025, with a festive countdown, joined by Luiz Felipe Scolari, Edson Celulari, and Otaviano Costa, along with thousands of attendees. The display will be open daily from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. through January 6, 2026, inviting families and friends to celebrate the spirit of Christmas together. 

Whether through a quiet stroll on temple grounds, a musical performance, or a simple nativity display, each event invites visitors to reflect on the Savior’s life and teachings. Together, these Christmas celebrations help communities around the world “light the world” by focusing hearts on Jesus Christ.