Christmas lights, activities returning to Temple Square for 2021 season
Nov 5, 2021, 12:46 PM | Updated: 12:52 pm
FILE (Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News)
(Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY — Temple Square will be open to the public this Christmas season with displays, limited lights and other activities.
Officials with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints said the festivities will be modified due to construction and the COVID-19 pandemic, but families are invited to walk around parts of the grounds, beginning Nov. 26.
“Attendees at any events on Temple Square are required to wear masks and be vaccinated if in the eligible age categories,” Church officials said. Currently, Utahns age 5 and older are eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine.
“Virtual opportunities to experience Christmas on Temple Square and celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ are also available during the holidays,” officials added. “Crowd sizes, as well as COVID-19 conditions, will be monitored during the season and adjustments may be made to these announced plans.”
Events at Temple Square
‘Peace on Earth’: A Christmas nativity in the Salt Lake Tabernacle
Families are invited to watch an animated nativity that will be projected on the ceiling of the Salt Lake Tabernacle.
The presentation, titled “Peace on Earth,” uses shadow graphics, narration and musical underscore to tell the Christmas story in a child-friendly way that adults will also enjoy.
Shows begin Friday, Nov. 26, and will continue daily every 15 minutes from 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Presentations, which last approximately four minutes, will alter between English and Spanish.
The images and audio track from the presentation will also be available online.
Christmas lights
Christmas lights on Temple Square will be turned on in the evenings beginning Nov. 26, but officials said they will be limited in number due to the ongoing construction.
‘Light the World’ giving machines
The Church’s popular red giving machines will return to 10 locations across the United States this Christmas season, including one at City Creek Center. Those machines will be available beginning Nov. 24.
The vending machines allow people to donate to dozens of local and global charity organizations. Machines will also be placed at University Place in Orem on Nov. 23.
‘Light the World’ giving machines return for 2021 Christmas season
International nativities
“International nativities will be located near the Assembly Hall. In the Assembly Hall, guests can rest and meditate while listening to Christmas music in the background,” Church officials said.
Conference Center events
The Conference Center will be open from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Viewings of “The Christ Child” will be available in the Conference Center Theater every 30 minutes.
Officials said daily organ recitals are offered daily in the Salt Lake Tabernacle and plans for the Choir at Temple Square are still being finalized.
Additional events
Witnesses of Christ
A 50-minute tribute to Jesus Christ’s birth that will feature thought-provoking messages and new arrangements of favorite carols performed by the Truman Brothers, the Utah State University Chamber Singers, Daniel Beck and many others.
The tribute will be broadcast online on Sunday, Nov. 28 at 6 p.m. MST.
First Presidency Christmas devotional
This year’s First Presidency Christmas devotional will be broadcast online on Dec. 5 at 6 p.m. MST and there will be no public attendance.
Stay up to date with happenings on Temple Square at TempleSquare.org.
