things to do in utah in december 2021
International finals, national championships, regional events and homegrown extravaganzas all take place in Ogden, Utah. The counties are listed generally from north to south in Utah. Kite skiing (snow kiting) is attracting freestyle adventure seekers to Utah. In the winter months, Utah's five national parks and their surrounding country are full of solitude and with an adventurous spirit to shrug off mild doses of moody weather you can count on having red rock country all to yourself. The real Up house was built in 2011 by Bangerter Homes with permission from Disney. A staple of the holiday season in Utah, join the Utah Symphony as they performHandel's Messiah. Thousands of people each day enjoy Utah's famous backcountry the areas outside of ski area boundaries. Zoo Lights: SLC Dec. 3-23, 26-31 from 5:30-9:30 pm. Christmas Town Utah(Helper): No dates yet. The Natural History Museum of Utah is a grand museum found within the University of Utahs research park. No matter how you like to get outside, Utah Valley has From train rides and quilt shops to fairy gardens and A weird uncle and a blunt grandmother are a given. This year there will be displays and limited lights (due to construction). Gingerbread House Contest Display (Brigham City): Dec. 2-Jan 3. Recommended Hotel Nearby: Home2 Suites by Hilton Salt Lake City-East, 300 Wakara WaySalt Lake City, UT 84108(801) 585-0556. All Rights Reserved. If youre planning a family trip this year, consider Midways Ice Castles a must-see. Hedgehog Electric Christmas Light Display Map: this map of St. George Christmas Lights isnt out yet, but we will update this link once it is readythe link currently goes to the 2020 list. Snowmobiling is one of the most popular winter sports in Northern Utah, thanks to an abundance of snow, trails, and easy access. Discover deals on the best attractions, breweries, and locations in Salt Lake! Recommended Hotel Nearby: Hoodoo Moab, Curio Collection By Hilton, US Highway 160 & US Highway 163Monument Valley, UT 84536(928) 871-6647. Written October 2, 2021. Recommended Hotel Nearby: Ledgestone Hotel Vernal. Winter visitors to Zion National Park will find plenty to do, including hiking, photography and gazing up at the wonders of the night sky. Dinosaurs and Native Americans from millions to thousands of years ago once occupied this cave, leaving behind a trail of fossils, footprints, pottery, art, and more, all displayed at the natural history museum inside. All Rights Reserved. For most travelers, Southern Utah winters prevent comfortable camping, and occasional snowfall can make outdoor adventure a little more challenging. Cost: $9.95-$14.95 per person. Best of all, you wont need to worry about checking your snowshoeing gear at the airport (although it would be much easier now). Now you are ready for total snowball war. Kaylin Richardson, Olympic athlete, and a friend share their favorite Park City experiences to encourage you to add the city's culture-enriched valley, scenery, food, art and access to all-season adventure to your bucket list. Recommended Hotel Nearby: Little America Hotel Salt Lake City, 311 West 8500 SouthSpanish Fork, UT 84660(801) 787-1510. (Salty and sweet? Santas Arrival at Station Park(Farmington): November 26 @ 9-11 AM. Spending some time on the ice rink might bring that magical vibe of the holiday season. Fat tire biking has become the latest rage among cycling enthusiasts and newbies. Camping & Backpacking, Climbing & Canyoneering, Cycling, Fishing, Glamping, Hiking, Mountain Biking, Non-ski Winter Activities, Scenic Drives/Road Trips, Stargazing. Recommended Hotel Nearby: Best Western PLUS Bryce Canyon Grand Hotel, 210 E 400 SSalt Lake City, UT 84111(801) 524-8200. The museum is home to 5,000 desert plants, a replica slot canyon, a stream with native and endangered fish, and prehistoric dinosaur tracks from 200 million years ago. Boutiques within the grounds create breathtaking displays for the holidays season and there's the not-to-be-missed Grand Gingerbread House that can stretch upwards of 15 feet. The ski lift may be closer, but the Provo River, one of the best fisheries in Utah and the country, is mere minutes down the road from Sundance Mountain Resort. Young Living Family Farm Country Christmas (Mona): Wagon Rides and Light Display. Festival of Trees(Virtual): No dates, but virtual again this year. Take a cruise on the Provo River and Santa rows up in a row boat. One can of food per person donation encouraged. Say hi to the toucans, then stare at the mesmerizing sharks. Tubing is the answer. Recommended for Things to Do in December because: The City Creek Center is a gorgeous large mall wtih all the top stores such as Michael Kors and Tiffany and Co. Jennifer's expert tip:. Just make sure you do it before Dec. 24 since hes pretty busy that day. Catch a virtual workshop, join a book club or check out an audiobook. For an extraordinary adventure, plan winter hikes in Utahs Zion National Park. Actually, deals are everywhere, with free events taking place throughout Utah. Bonus: you can ride the carousel and sometimes see a few animals. Needless to say kids love it! Recommended Hotel Nearby: Best Western Plus Wendover Inn. Tremonton Lights (Tremeonton) Nov. 24-Jan 1 from 5:30-11:30 pm every night at the Tremonton City Office. It takes up part of Arizona and southern Utah. Bryce Canyon - 5.7 days / 15.3 inches. Free cookies and hot cocoa. North Pole Express at Thunder Junction (St. George): Every Friday, Saturday, and Monday for the first 3 weekends in December from 6-8 PM. Admission Free after 5:00 PM for the light display. Aside from having The Greatest Snow on Earth, what sets Utah apart from other skiing locations is the easy access. In fact, its the only warm water scuba destination in the continental United States. Since the dawn of time, families have been balling up snow and throwing it at each other. Copyright Family Destinations Guide 2023. Southern Utah is home to two high-elevation ski areas that contain generous helpings of what we call (with authority) The Greatest Snow on Earth. Where: Snow banks, backyards, fields, parks. Park City Mountain Resort is the largest ski resort in the US! When winter blasts its arctic forcefield, the Utah ice castles a frozen fairytale of ice and snow emerge on an acre of land at Soldier Hollow Nordic Center in Midway. Experience more peace, quiet and solitude. Browse through Lovelands educational exhibits and experience one-of-a-kind animal encounters with sharks, stingrays, and penguins! Eagle Point is a Utah favorite location. Recommended Hotel Nearby: Cathedral Valley Inn, 375 Red Hills ParkwaySt. Recommended Hotel Nearby: Marriotts MountainSide, Related: Best Ski Resorts in Utah for Families. If you're into thrills, and wondering what to do in Park City, Utah, try the Utah Olympic Park bobsled ride aptly called "The Comet" - one of the longest slides in the world, with over 3,000 feet of fast and furious gliding and sliding. At its end, this leads to the Narrows area, which involves a more strenuous and adventurous . The Midway Ice Castles are sculpted entirely from ice and span several acres of space, enough to pack in tunnels, ice slides, and magical spaces that kids and adults alike are sure to love. Where : Salt Lake City. Utahsstateandnational parkswill be thawed out before you know it! Average temperature in Southern Utah (St. George): highs 63 / lows 40 degrees F. The average December snowfall in the Southern part of Utah: Moab (Arches/Canyonlands) - 2 days / 3.5 inches. This fundraising event for Primary Childrens Hospital is an excellent way to kick off the holiday season with doors open to the public for three days of oohing and ahhing while shopping for small gifts. 1661 East Murray-Holladay Road (4800 South), Where: Various locations in Salt Lake City. Pro tip: At the Main Library in downtown Salt Lake City you can take a ride in the glass elevator to the roof, observe the dormant beehive, then walk down the swooping steps to the courtyard. Star of Wonder opens this week at the West Valley Performing Arts Center. Cocoa and cookies provided. Copyright 2023 Deseret News Publishing Company. The Red Butte Garden is a beautiful and picturesque destination located in the foothills of the Wasatch Range in Salt Lake City. How's that for a Utah family winter activity? Give yourself at least five days to combine the thrills of Southern Utah skiing and boarding with exploring the wintertime wonders to be found in Utahs red rock country. With a little extra planning, good layers, and the right equipment, however, you can enjoy Utah's national parks in the solitude of winter. Benson Grist Mill Lighting and Live Nativity: Nov. 29 from 6-8 pm. Private Utah High Country Rafting Adventure from Provo. FREE, Cross E Ranch Christmas at the RanchNovember 26-Dec. 23. However, as more dogs joined the pack Team G Sled Dogs was born. Performances are held throughout the month of December, with special matinee performances every weekend at discounted prices. Encompassing almost 36,000 acres, the monumental splendor of Bryce Canyon National Park has long been recognized by man for thousands of years. In a really good way. It's quaint and cute just like Midway. If you cant make it to Christkindlmarkt, head for the Holiday Market at Rio Grande where local vendors offer up their wares. Sunsets and sunrises further enhance the colors of this surreal spectacle, so come early or stay for the night. FREE. U.S. Olympic Team Trials Speed Skating December 17-19, 2021, 11 am-9 pm Utah Olympic Oval, Kearns. Nativity in the Glen(SLC): Dec. 3 from 6-9 PM. Holiday Choices Are Abundant in Salt Lake City, 10 Best's Top Freebies in Salt Lake City: Highly Recommended, Regardless of Budget Size, 10 Best's Top Choices for Salt Lake's Mormon - and Minority - Historic Sites, Salt Lake City's Best Kid-friendly Attractions: Just as Fun for Adults as for the Wee Ones, History, religion, and bizarre landscapes: sightseeing as diverse as it is interesting, Salt Lake City's top activities, in any season, Photo courtesy of The Grand America Hotel, Photo courtesy of Park City Mountain Resort, Your California Privacy Rights / Privacy Policy. Channel your inner figure skater as you race and twirl around the rink. North Pole Festival: Rio Tinto Stadium. Family Destinations Guide is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. A Pioneer Christmas: Provo Pioneer Village on Dec. 17, 18, and 20 from 5-8 pm. Cant decide where to go in Utah with your other half? FREE, Twas the Lights Before Christmas: Riverton Nov. 30-Dec. 31 FREE. More than 6,000 lights illuminate a milelong walk through the Ashton Gardens at Thanksgiving Point. Santas Grand Arrival at University Place: November 26 @ 9:30 am (Santa arrives via helicopter), Salem Pond Christmas Lighting(Salem): November 26 @ 6-9 PM. Capitol Reef - 1.8 days / 2.2 inches. Utah may be hardcore landlocked, but you can still watch antarctic penguins swim and play. Night in Bethlehem(Pleasant Grove): November 26-29 and December 2-4 reserveFREEtickets ahead of time. George, UT 84770(435) 673-3617. Explore the solar system, black holes, alien landscapes, and distant galaxies through interactive and mind-churning exhibits and activities at the planetarium. For most travelers, Southern Utah winters prevent comfortable camping, and occasional snowfall can make outdoor adventure a little more challenging. Theres a vegetarian buffet afterwards, a brief session of kirtan in the temple room, a visit to the gift store, and a tour around the grounds. Park City is one of the most popular destinations for cross country skiers, although Nordic centers can be found all over Northern Utah. FREE. Whether youre looking for a break, vacation or quest for fun this winter, Utah is the place, as always, for adventure whatever you plan to do or wherever the trail takes you along the way. Natural History Museum of Utah. AndShesDopeToo is a worldwide adventure community of women run by Jennifer and Taylor Killian from Ogden, Utah. We look for fun, easy adventures throughout the state of Utah and beyond. Town Hall (435) 425-3600 Fax (435) 425-3603 P.O. Ready to experience snowshoeing in Utah? A lot of the fun things to do in Utah are in Moab, such as off-roading, hiking, and even whitewater rafting. Rileys Family Christmas(Genola): Monday, Friday, & Saturday starting November 29 from 5:30-8:30. You sample collect hot chocolate and cookies on the tour as you embrace the true magic of the holiday season. FREE, Spanish Fork Winter Lights Parade: November 27 @ 7:00 PM FREE, Luminaria: Thanksgiving Point in Lehi. With funding from NASA, the Mars Society has been preparing for the hypothetical future when human civilization will have to expand to Earths next-door neighbor. Recommended Hotel Nearby: Best Western Plus Abbey Inn, Related: Fun Things to Do inUtahwith Kids, Highway 63 Park Road #1Bryce Canyon City, UT 84764(435) 834-5322. Built in 2011, this modern museum has a collection of exotic butterflies, minerals and indigenous masterpieces. Passes to ski and snowboard resorts are expensive, but dont give up yet, powder pauper. Landscaping and gardening workshops are also offered here, so if you dont know what to do in Utah this weekend, consider signing up. Of Utah's 15 resorts, 10 are within an hour of the Salt Lake City International Airport. Deals likeAltaSki After 3,Brightonnight skiing, Ski Utahs heavily discounted passes for 5th and 6th graders, and the fact that most resorts let young kids ski for free can make skiing affordable again. When you get the chance to visit during the spring, you can witness over 500,000 vibrant flowers bloom in various colors all at the same time! Experiencing the peace of canyon country in the winter is an attraction of its own. Whether you're a local, new in town or just cruising through we've got loads of great tips and events. Forever Mighty. Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park is home to tons of great stuff to do in Utah, such as sandboarding, ATV riding, camping, hiking, star gazing, wildlife watching, horseback riding, and more. More than 200 lighted animal and holiday-themed displays illuminate the holiday season. Find your sense of adventure and awe in the vast yet intricate swaths of desert from Arches National Park to Monument Valley. There are thousands of books to explore, fireplaces on all four floors, an art gallery, a coffee shop, a spiral grand staircase, and three glass elevators. Find the best ice skating rinks in Utah and plan the perfect skate night with your friends and family. Southern Utah comes alive in winter with unexpected experiences for those who are well-prepared and solitude for those who want to expand their view. Come enjoy More Mountain Time, whether it is on a ski slope, a snowshoeing trail or in an alpine spa destination. How about you take that fascination to the next level by going where dinosaurs once roamed? Whether youre in northern or southern Utah, as long as there is snow there is very likely an outfitter that can rent the gear you need; or better yet, guide you to their favorite spots. BIG IRON TOUR CO. - Veteran & Locally Owned Off-Road Tour Company. Hiking, Non-ski Winter Activities, Scenic Drives/Road Trips, Ski and Snowboard, Stargazing. you got this. Red Hills Desert Garden is a cute introduction to Utahs grand, out-of-this-world terrain. Lightwalk at Liberty Park: SLC Dec. 3-18 from 5-10 pm. As you visit, be prepared to keep these special places Forever Mighty. Check out this snowshoe excursion then plan yours today for fun and adventure. You and your family can head over to check out the lights. I think theres live music as well. Stay up to date by subscribing to one of our Newsletters. Recommended Hotel Nearby: Best Western Plus Greenwell Inn, 12500 Sand Dune RoadKanab, UT 84741(435) 648-2800. Theyve gone digital too. Walk around downtown and vote on your favorite gingerbread creations. Located on the border between Colorado and Utah, where Green and Yampa Rivers meet, the Dinosaur National Monument is an outstanding area of over 800 paleontological sites. Walk through time on a switchbacking boardwalk through the fossil record at the Natural History Museum of Utah. Tour around the 19th-century temple and surrounding architectural wonders as you take a trip back in time to the historical events and the religion that shaped the city. Macys Candy Windows(SLC): No dates yetFREE, Gardner Village Elves(West Jordan): Nov. 20- Dec. 31FREE. Throughout the season, nights and shaded areas are quite chilly, while exploring in the sunshine can be delightful. Join ski cat driver Kevin Irons on a day's adventures to Lightning Ridge at Powder Mountain, complete with pizza bribery, remote access and lots of powder. Plan a winter Southeastern Utah trip. This insider's guide video highlights their unparalleled access to both the outdoors and the city's "fun counterculture vibe" at the foot of the mighty Wasatch Mountains. Looking for things to do in Utah? What if you and/or the kids are caught somewhere between feeling confident on the slopes and too energetic to go snowshoeing? The Salt Lake City Public Library is one of the most stunning works of modernist architecture, designed by internationally acclaimed architect Moshe Safdie. Take a contemplative walk around the grounds and catch the hourly docent-led tours inside the Utah State Capitol. Arts & Museums Backpacking Camping Cycling Dinosaurs Festivals & Events Filmed in Utah Fishing Food & Nightlife Hiking History Mountain Biking OHV & Off-Road Rafting Road Trips Rock Climbing Skiing Slot Canyons Snowboarding Snowmobiling Snowshoeing Stargazing Tribal Cultures Urban Experiences ExploreToggle Menu Close Menu Forever Mighty Itineraries You can spend a day or a whole week here exploring the myriad trails, each offering their own sights, sounds and adventures. Use the search tool below to see what holiday events you can enjoy during your next winter visit and create new traditions for your family this year. Reservations are available every 30 minutes from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. You can purchase tickets there but also in advance to make sure your spot is reserved. Utah heli skiing and snowboarding are perfect for those who want to ride some of the best backcountry in the world. 10. Saltwater is highly corrosive, and soft mud lies beneath the layer of salt crust. The Salt Lake Tabernacle will have a unique Peace on Earth Christmas Nativity. In warmer months, outdoor adventurers will have a blast exploring the natural beauties through horseback riding or hiking. With a little extra planning, good layers, and the right equipment, however, you can enjoy Utah's national parks in the solitude of winter. Want to avoid the Utah national park crowds? Not only does it guarantee a great time for skiers; it also offers non-skiers and snowboarders lots of chances to frolic in the snow. Beginning the day after Thanksgiving, Christmas comes to Temple Square with turning on the lights. It is a fundraising event for the Primary Childrens Hospital, too. Among the many venues that host free events are The Gallivan Center, Pioneer Park, and Temple Square. You can head over to Gardner Village to grab some breakfast with Santa Claus himself. These special walking tours include hot chocolate and cookies for saleas guests and visitors to the hotel observe these displays. Recommended Hotel Nearby: Quality Inn Payson I-15, 13218 S Herriman Rose BoulevardHerriman, UT 84096. See red rock hoodoos coated with a dusting of snow against a stunning scenic backdrop on an unforgettable winter visit to Bryce Canyon National Park. Loveland Living Planet Aquarium brings together the critters from South America, Utah, the Antarctic, Asia, and all of the earths oceans. Experience Exciting Events Every Day of the Year! With its jaw-dropping architectural and interior design, the Salt Lake City Public Library offers amazing finds in every twist and turn. In Utah, a Pueblo name that means people of the mountains, well show you how to take a break from whatever work, weather, the world or just about anything else throws at you. Experience snowshoeing the greatest snow on Earth. Icicle artisans spend the winter building the castles through magic and science. The top-rated Utah Shakespeare Festival has been offering widely acclaimed Shakespearean and contemporary theater shows to locals and tourists in Utah since 1961. Winter rewards hikers with stunning sights of stalactites and snow covered mountains. For a more unforgettable experience, book a tour with a Navajo guide! Book ariver tripor reserve that popularcampsiteyour family loves. The Utah State Capitol sits atop Salt Lake Citys Capitol Hill, which overlooks the capitals downtown area. Cedar City - 5.5 days / 13.2 inches. Moqui Caves temperatures never go beyond 65 degrees, and theres a nice outdoor cafe that serves refreshing snacks and cold drinks. Head to Utah County and check out the beautiful Bridal Veil Falls in its icy glory. Previously a prehistoric lake that once covered a large area of Utah millions of years ago, the Great Salt Lake is the largest saltwater lake in the Western Hemisphere.