See Christmas Lights at These Temple Visitors’ Centers in 2023

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By Christine Rappleye, Church News

From New Zealand to Washington, D.C., several temples and visitors’ centers of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have a tradition of Christmas lights to celebrate the birth of the Savior.

Here’s an alphabetical list of the Church’s temple visitors’ centers that are hosting events this holiday season.

Hamilton New Zealand Temple

The Temple View Christmas Lights on the grounds of the Hamilton New Zealand Temple are on Saturday, December 16, to Sunday, December 31, through 9 a.m. There will be performances December 16 to December 24. The temple is at 509 Tuhikaramea Road, Temple View, Hamilton.

See facebook.com/nztemplechristmaslights for information, including nearby available parking.

Joseph Smith Birthplace in Vermont

More than 200,000 Christmas lights are on the grounds and trees at the Joseph Smith Birthplace, 357 LDS Lane, South Royalton, Vermont. The light display is on November 24 to January 1 from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., and the visitors’ center will be open until 8 p.m.

Nativity displays, Christmas music and light refreshments are available at the South Royalton meetinghouse, 175 LDS Lane, from 5:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends through December 23.

Los Angeles California Temple

The lights on the grounds of the Los Angeles California Temple and Visitors’ Center were turned on November 24 at dusk. They will be on through December 31 starting at dusk. The temple is at 10777 Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, California.

See facebook.com/LATempleVC for information on events and templetours.org/los-angeles-temple to schedule a virtual tour of the visitors’ center.

Manila Philippines Temple

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With umbrellas due to the rainy weather, many gathered for the 2023 Manila Philippines Temple Lighting Ceremony on November 23. Local Church leaders, friends from various faiths, and local and national officials were part of the gathering, shared The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints — Philippines Facebook page.

Philippines Newsroom Manila Temple Lights Up to Usher In 2023 Christmas Season

The lights on the Manila Philippines Temple will be on Tuesday to Saturday, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., throughout the Christmas season. The temple is at 13 Temple Drive, Corner White Plains Ave., Greenmeadows Subdivision, Quezon City, 1110 Metro Manila, Philippines.

Mesa Arizona Temple

The lights on the Mesa Arizona Temple grounds turned on November 24, and will be on 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. through December 31. The nearby visitors’ center at 454 E. Main will have an international Nativity display. The temple is at 101 S. Lesueur, Mesa, Arizona.

See mesatemple.org for information.

Church News Christmas Lights, Biblical Displays Portray Nativity at Mesa Arizona Temple

 

Mexico City Mexico Temple

The nearly 250,000 lights on the grounds of the Mexico City Mexico Temple were turned on November 26 by a group of four youth at the invitation of Elder Sean Douglas, General Authority Seventy and Second Counselor in the Mexico Area Presidency.

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Elder Douglas spoke at a Christmas devotional broadcast around the country prior to the lighting ceremony. 

“My humble prayer and invitation is that every one of us can leave here tonight completely committed to light the world. We do it for the Savior and for the Father. We do it one act at a time, one day at a time,” Elder Douglas said. “… Together we will make the darkness flee before the light of the Savior. Jesus Christ is the source of infinite light.”

The lights on the Mexico City Mexico Temple will be on evenings until early January. The temple is at Av. 510 90, Pueblo de San Juan de Aragón, Gustavo A. Madero, 07950 Ciudad de México, CDMX, Mexico.

Temple Hill in Oakland, California

Days of Christmas 2023 began November 24, when the lights around the Oakland California Temple were turned on. The lights are on from dusk to 9 p.m. through December 31.

The Oakland California Temple is at 4770 Lincoln Ave., Oakland, California. See templehill.org/christmas for a schedule of the performances at the visitors’ center. Free guided tours of the lights are available, too.

Temple Square in Salt Lake City

Newsroom Temple Square to Offer Many Christmas Experiences for 2023 Season

The lights on Temple Square in Salt Lake City turned on November 24, and will remain on from 3:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. and from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. daily through January 1, 2024. There isn’t a formal lighting ceremony.

There are also daily concerts, both in the evening and livestreamed midday concerts. See the daily concert series schedule. Also, international Nativities can be seen in the “Christmas Around the World” display in the FamilySearch Library and “Christmas With the Saints” in the Church History Museum. This year, Light the World Giving Machines in downtown Salt Lake City are at the City Creek Center.

The Temple Square and Salt Lake Temple renovation projects are ongoing, and the Beehive House, Lion House and Joseph Smith Memorial Building are closed for renovation.

Washington D.C. Temple

The Festival of Lights opened November 30 and will be on from 4:45 p.m. to 9 p.m. each evening until January 1, 2024. The displays include more than 400,000 lights, Nativity creches displays and Christmas tree decorations. There will be free performances almost each evening at the visitors’ center. The Washington D.C. Temple is at 900 Stoneybrook Drive, Kensington Maryland.

See dctemple.org and dctemplevisitorscenter.org for information and list of events.

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