Christmas On Temple Square Will Be Held Virtually This Year

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Things will be a little different this year at Temple Square as it begins to look a lot like Christmas.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints announced the seasonal lights and musical performances at the Salt Lake Temple that are synonymous with the holiday season can be enjoyed from afar in 2020.

Though it will be different than what visitors have experienced in the past, organizers said it will “once again be a beautiful and inspirational experience.”

Public access to Temple Square has already been limited this year due to construction, and renovations of the historic temple in downtown Salt Lake City will continue.

The plaza will be fenced off and gates will be closed this year. The temple lights will be turned on the evening after Thanksgiving, and they will be viewable only from exterior sidewalks and surrounding roads.

The Church encourages everyone walking by to wear masks and practice social distancing.

Christmas performances that are typically held at Temple Square each year will instead be virtual. The season will kick off with a special live virtual tour from sister missionaries who are serving on Temple Square. The broadcast will be live Dec. 1 at 6 p.m. at ChurchofJesusChrist.org and on the Temple Square Facebook page.

‘The Christmas Collection’ concert series, which includes performances submitted from around the world, will be broadcast every night at Temple Square from Dec. 2 -23. The sing-along and serve-along, “Light the World” Social Sing and Serve,” will take place Dec. 14 at 6 p.m.

Both performances will be streamed on the Church’s website and Facebook page.

The First Presidency Christmas Devotional will be broadcast from Temple Square on Dec. 6 at 6 p.m. and will include music from previous Christmas devotionals by The Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square. The devotional will be streamed live on the Church’s website.

For more information, visit ChurchofJesusChrist.org.