temple lights 2022
The Mesa Arizona Temple Christmas lights display in 2017. After a multiyear renovation to the temple, the lights are back for the 2022 Christmas season. Photo by Clint Adair, courtesy of Church News. All rights reserved.
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By Christine Rappleye Church News
Christmas lights are back on the grounds on the Mesa Arizona Temple and the Washington D.C. Temple, as both temples have been rededicated after multiyear renovations. There will be limited lights on Temple Square in Salt Lake City due to renovation and construction.
Here’s a list of the Church’s temple visitors’ centers and historic sites that are hosting events this holiday season. Please send information about any additional light displays at temple visitors’ centers or historic sites to churchnews@deseretnews.com.
Temple Square in Salt Lake City
Lights on Temple Square in downtown Salt Lake City will remain on from 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. and from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. daily through January 1. There is no longer a formal lighting ceremony.
There will be an animated Nativity at the Salt Lake Tabernacle, “Christmas Around the World” display at the Family History Library, international Nativities at the Assembly Hall, multiple musical events, stories and crafts at the Church History Museum, daily concerts with local choirs at various buildings, and showings of “Savior of the World.”
Mesa Arizona Temple
After a five-year hiatus due to the temple renovation, the Christmas lights on the Mesa Arizona Temple grounds are on through December 31, nightly from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. The nearby visitors’ center will have a display with 150 Nativities from around the world. The temple is at 101 S. Lesueur, Mesa, Arizona.
See mesatemple.org for information.
Mexico City Mexico Temple
The ceremonial lighting of Christmas lights on the Mexico City Mexico Temple grounds was on November 27. It was also streamed on YouTube and Facebook and is still available for viewing.
Temple Hill in Oakland, California
The Days of Christmas is open through December 31 each evening from dusk to 9 p.m. on the Oakland California Temple grounds, 4770 Lincoln Avenue, 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.
Washington D.C. Temple
The Festival of Lights will open December 1 and be on from dusk to to 9 p.m. each evening until January 2. There will be free performances almost each evening at the visitors’ center. The Giving Machines will also be at the visitors’ center.
See dctemple.org for information and list of events.
Joseph Smith Birthplace in Vermont
The light display at the Joseph Smith Birthplace, 357 LDS Lane, South Royalton, Vermont, will begin at 7 p.m. on Nov. 25. The lights will be one from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. and the visitors’ center will be open until 8 p.m.
On November 26-27, December 3-4, December 10-11 and December 17-18, the nearby South Royalton Chapel at 113 LDS Lane, South Royalton, will be open with Nativity displays, music, hot cider and cookies.
Historic Nauvoo, Illinois
In Nauvoo, Illinois, the Old Community Christmas Walk will be December 9, at 6 p.m. It includes wagon rides, Christmas stories, a live Nativity, music and refreshments. See nauvoohistoricsites.org for information.
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