Temple Square Offering Christmas Experiences for 2023 Season

For the following activities, refer to the Temple Square holiday hours for each location and building closure details. Refer to this map for construction zones and activity locations.

Christmas Lights

There is no longer a formal lighting ceremony on Temple Square, but lights turned on Friday, November 24, and will remain on from 3:30 to 10 p.m. and from 6 to 8 a.m. (MST) daily through January 1, 2024.

Lights On at Temple Square Concerts

Opening the 2023 Christmas season on Temple Square are four concerts from Temple Square Performances in partnership with the Excellence in the Community:

On Friday, November 24, at 6 p.m., enjoy “Christmas Is Here” with vocalists Melinda Kirigan-Voss and Brian Stucki, accompanied by Jared Pierce. At 7:30 p.m., hear Thurl Baily in “The Gift of Christmas.”

On Saturday, November 25, at 6 p.m., Senxao presents “¡Feliz Navidad! featuring Christmas classics in Spanish. At 7:30 p.m., Lark & Spur concludes with “Season of Light.” 

Daily Christmas Concerts by Local Choirs

Temple Square Performances hosts daily performances by school and community choirs, as well as various instrumental groups. The 285 free, non-ticketed, 40-minute performances are open to the public Monday through Sunday from November 25 through December 23 at the:

• City Creek Center, by the Giving Machines (outside)
• Conference Center lobby
• Church History Museum auditorium
• Tabernacle

Download Photo

New this year are mid-day concerts from 12:45 to 1:30 p.m. at the Tabernacle, which will be livestreamed. A brief Christmas message will be shared by representatives from various Church departments at the beginning of each concert.

See the detailed schedule that lists specific times, locations of all performing groups.

Christmas With the Saints

Beginning November 20, the Church History Museum is focusing on traditions from around the world. Different themed activities will be available in the Drawing Room on the second floor of the museum during the following weeks:

• November 20-25: Christmas in North America
• November 27-December 2: Christmas in Central and South America
• December 4-9: Christmas in Asia and the Pacific Islands
• December 11-16: Christmas in Africa and the Mediterranean
• December 18-23: Christmas in Europe
• December 27-30: Christmas in Australia and New Zealand

In addition to various crafts and activities, pick up a recipe card featuring an international recipe to add to your celebrations at home. Enjoy Christmas decorations around the museum and musical performances in the auditorium (see Daily Christmas Concerts by Local Artists above.)

International Nativities

A collection of nativities from around the world will be displayed on the plaza outside of the Church Office Building from November 26 through December 31.

Download Photo

Christmas Around the World Display

This display showcases Christmas foods and traditions from different countries and includes activities for children. Visit November 27 through December 31 at the Family Search Library.

“Light the World” Giving Machines

These service vending machines allow you share light by purchasing and donating humanitarian services and items such as a water, child vaccines, beds, educational supplies and more. Several are located at City Creek Center beginning November 21. Those who are unable to visit a physical machine can still participate at GivingMachine.org. Learn more about Light the World.

Download Photo

First Presidency’s Christmas Devotional

This annual broadcast from the Conference Center features inspirational messages about Jesus Christ from Church leaders. Music is provided by The Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square. View live stream on ChurchofJesusChrist.org or YouTube on Sunday, December 3, or watch on-demand.

Music & The Spoken Word

The public is invited to join live performances of Music & the Spoken word each Sunday. Due to the holidays, there will be no live performances on December 24 and December 31. Specially prepared pre-recorded programs will be broadcast and streamed.

On December 17, the 30-minute performance will feature some numbers from the Christmas concert and a special appearance by guest artists Michael Maliakel and Lesley Nicol. No tickets are required. For streaming and broadcast options, check the Watch and Listen page.

Christmas With The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square

This year the annual Christmas concerts by The Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square features Broadway’s Michael Maliakel and actor Lesley Nicol on December 14, 15 and 16 at the Conference Center in Salt Lake City. Concerts are sold out.

The 2022 “Season of Light: Christmas with The Tabernacle Choir” starring Tony Award-winning Disney and Broadway star Lea Salonga and world-renowned screen and stage actor Sir David Suchet premieres Tuesday, December 12, at 8 p.m. ET (check local listings) on PBS, PBS.org and the PBS App. BYUtv will air the special on Sunday, December 17 at 8 p.m. ET on BYUtv, BYUtv.org and the BYUtv app.

The Bells at Temple Square

The “Visions of the Season” concert by The Bells at Temple Square handbell ensemble, originally scheduled for November 18, was canceled due to the passing and funeral of President M. Russell Ballard. Watch the 2022 concert on-demand on the Choir’s YouTube channel and in “Watch and Listen” section on www.tabchoir.org.

“Savior of the World: His Birth and Resurrection”

This musical production, sold out for 2023 season, features scenes surrounding the birth, life and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Two-hour performances run Tuesdays through Saturdays (including Saturday matinees) from November 24 until December 30 at 7:30 p.m. in the Conference Center Little Theater. Tickets, which were free this year, became available November 1, and quickly sold out. Check with ticket office (801-570-0080 locally or toll-free 1-866-537-8457) as additional tickets may become available.

• View a map of all locations on Temple Square.
• Download map of locations on Temple Square.