Temple Square 2025: Christmas Celebrations Centered on the Light of Christ

“In this season of light and goodwill, we rejoice in Jesus Christ and in His eternal plan of happiness. We invite you to seek Him and the blessings of His peace. Merry Christmas!” the First Presidency shared as part of their 2025 Christmas message.

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Temple Square, located in the heart of Salt Lake City and the global headquarters of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is offering Christ-centered displays and free activities this Christmas season.

While renovation continues on the historic Salt Lake Temple, many locations on Temple Square are open to guests.

Below is a schedule of the various events:

Christmas Lights  

• Available at all open areas of Temple Square daily from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. beginning Friday, November 28, 2025, through Thursday, January 1, 2026. 

Church History Museum   

• Giving Machine display in lobby  
  • Available during regular hours:
    • Monday, Friday and Saturday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
    • Tuesday through Thursday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Auditorium-musical performances from community/school groups.   
• “Victorian Christmas” décor in the Drawing Room   
  • Free activities include the Light the World tree and take-home Christmas crafts (luminaries from Mexico and parols from the Philippines). 

“We love sharing the excitement of the Christmas season with you and your family and friends,” said Natalie Bodine, events coordinator at the Church History Museum. “Together, we celebrate the birth of the Savior by creating traditional crafts from around the world, donating to those in need via the Giving Machine, and enjoying beautiful musical performances. There is something for every age and interest to enjoy. All Christmas activities are free and open to the public.” 

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Conference Center   

• Christmas-themed large-form artwork throughout the plaza lobby. 
  • Available during regular hours (through the first week of January):
    • Monday through Saturday: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Tours of the building (not during events or closures).

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Tabernacle Choir Christmas Concert   

• Thursday, December 11 through Saturday, December 13, 2025, at 8 p.m. in the Conference Center  
  • Features Tony and Broadway Award-winning actress Stephanie J. Block and television actor Sebastian Arcelus. 
  • Tickets are complimentary but required for entry. The random selection process is now over, but a standby line in the Tabernacle will open 90 minutes before each concert.   

“Every year, The Tabernacle Choir looks forward to sharing the message of the birth of our Savior and the joy of the Christmas season through music,” said Choir President Michael O. Leavitt. “As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we look to Jesus Christ for peace and solace and hope that everyone will reach out and feel His love for them during this special time of the year.” 

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Music and the Spoken Word   

• Live each Sunday at 9:30 a.m. in the Conference Center.  
  • Broadcast is 30 minutes long. 
  • Free to the public; no ticket required for entry. 
• Special Performance is Sunday, December 14, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. in the Conference Center.
  • Will feature the guest artist and highlight music from the Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square’s Christmas concerts. 

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Giving Machines  

• Kiosks hosted in 126 cities across 21 countries and on six continents. 
  • Locations in Salt Lake City: City Creek Center and the Church History Museum. 

“It’s so fun to think about how what begins as a three-to-five-minute experience in front of one of these machines turned into a lifetime change for a family or even just one young woman,” said Young Women General President Emily Belle Freeman at the Salt Lake City kickoff event on November 12, 2025. “That’s such an amazing and remarkable thing for all of us to be able to participate in.” 

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Savior of the World Performance  

• Thursday, November 20, 2025, through Saturday, December 27, 2025, in the Conference Center Little Theater (excluding Sundays and Mondays). 
  • Matinees begin at 2:00 p.m. and evening performances begin at 7:30 p.m.  
  • Tickets are required for entry. All have been distributed, but a standby line will be available at a marked location inside the Conference Center Plaza level lobby near the west wall portrait gallery.  

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Concerts and Nightly Performances  

• Sunday, November 30, 2025, through Wednesday, December 23, 2025. 
  • Various times and locations throughout Temple Square. 
  • Featuring choirs sponsored by schools, missionary and community organizations, as well as various string, flute, guitar and bell groups.  

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No Christmas displays or events will be offered at the Church History Library or FamilySearch Library, but the buildings will remain open as usual. 

For more information on Temple Square operating hours, click here.