Holiday light displays are an indispensable part of the season. Here are three of the best in the Salt Lake area.
Temple Square, Downtown and Gallivan Center
Photo by Getty Images
Temple Square and downtown SLC are lit with more than a million lights, going from the Gateway to Temple Square, down Main Street to the Gallivan Center, and along Broadway Boulevard.
Nov. 26-Dec. 31, 2012, dusk-10 p.m.
Tips: The downtown holiday lights are amazing, but so are the crowds. If you can, go on a weeknight when there's no Jazz game. Downtown restaurants will be crowded, so call ahead. Dress warmly. If you have a small group, try taking TRAX downtown, or if you have a larger group, it might be more economical to drive. The Downtown Alliance has a new SLC parking website with parking maps and downloadable apps to help you find parking.
City Creek Center
City Creek Center
City Creek Center will light up for the holidays when Santa arrives Thursday, Nov. 15 at 7 p.m. City Creek Center will feature photos with Santa Nov. 15-Dec. 24, plus storybook window displays, story tellers, and fountain shows choreographed to Christmas music at the top of each hour. Longer fountain and fire shows take place at 7 and 9 p.m.
Starry Starry Nights at the Gateway
Gateway Shopping Center
The Gateway's "Starry Starry Nights Spectacular" will feature more than 600,000 lights choreographed with the music of the Olympic Legacy Fountain. Gateway shoppers can enjoy the center's choreographed light and water show four times nightly at 5, 6, 7 and 8 p.m.
Nov. 17—Jan. 1, 2012
The Gateway Shopping Center
400 W. between 200 S. and South Temple
801-456-2000
The Jingle Trolley
Stockbyte
New this year, visitors to downtown will have the chance to hop on and hop off the Jingle Trolley, a free holiday-themed bus that will circulate between City Creek Center, the Gateway, Temple Square, and the Gallivan Plaza, hitting all the holiday lights and storefront decorations along the way.
Zoolights at Hogle Zoo
Courtesy Hogle Zoo
Hogle Zoo's biggest special event of the year, Zoolights, runs from Dec. 1-31, 2012. Hogle Zoo began Zoolights five years ago with over a million sparkling holiday lights and animated light displays. Zoolights occurs after the zoo's regular hours, so the lights, not the animals, are the main attraction. However, some animals will be on display during Zoolights, and some are more active at night. Dress warmly.
Dec. 1-31, 2012
Sun.-Wed.,5:30-8 p.m. (grounds close at 9)
Thur.-Sat, 5:30-9 p.m. (grounds close at 10)
Closed Christmas Day
Adults $7
Children 3-12 $5
Seniors 65+ $5
Children 2 and under free
Zoo members $1 off
2600 East Sunnyside Ave.
801-582-1631
Holiday Lights at Thanksgiving Point
Courtesy Thanksgiving Point
Stay warm in your car and take a mile-plus journey through one million twinkling lights, giant animated holiday displays and illuminated trees.
Nov. 23-Dec. 31, 2011 except Sundays, 6-10 p.m.
Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve 6-8 p.m.
Closed Christmas Day
Electric Park at Thanksgiving Point
3003 N. Thanksgiving Way in Lehi
Admission
Cars $8 (Members 1/2 off)
Trolley $3 per person, Reserved Trolley $75
Wagon $3 per person, Reserved Wagon $90
Carriage $40
Buses $25
To reserve an entire trolley, wagon, or carriage, call 801-768-2300.
