Despite ongoing construction, Temple Square in Salt Lake City is offering a variety of activities for visitors during the 2022 Christmas season.
The Church is also offering a few events that can be enjoyed virtually by Latter-day Saints and their friends worldwide.
A list of the following activities was compiled on ChurchofJesusChrist.org. Refer to the Temple Square holiday hours page for hours of operation for each location and building closure details.
Things to do at Temple Square during Christmas 2022
1. Christmas lights
Lights on Temple Square turned on Nov. 25 and remain on from 4:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. and from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. daily through Jan. 1. There was not a formal lighting ceremony this year.
2. ‘Peace on Earth’ animated Nativity
See an animated Nativity projected on the ceiling of the Salt Lake Tabernacle. This 4-minute presentation uses shadow graphics, narration and music to tell the story of the birth of Jesus Christ in a child-friendly way that adults will enjoy as well.
Available nightly Nov. 25 through Dec. 31 from 6 to 9 p.m. Repeats every 10 minutes, alternating between English and Spanish. Download a PDF and audio to try this Nativity at home.
3. Christmas Around the World display
At the Family History Library, see a display of Christmas foods and traditions from various countries. Open Nov. 29 through Dec. 31.
4. International Nativities
A collection of nativities from around the world are on display at the Assembly Hall from Nov. 26 through Dec. 31.
5. Church History Museum activities
At the Church History Museum, piano music will be provided throughout the day, and small instrument groups will perform Saturday afternoons from 1-4 p.m. Guests may take a photo in front of a Christmas-decorated drawing room from the early 1900s and enjoy sing-alongs, Christmas stories, crafts and card writing. See schedule posted in the lobby.
6. ‘The Christ Child’ film
This 18-minute depiction of the Nativity story recounts in vivid detail the sacred events found in the Bible about Jesus’s birth. Showings are every 30 minutes in the lower level of the Church History Museum auditorium as well as in the Conference Center media alcoves.
7. ‘Savior of the World: His Birth and Resurrection’
Watch a musical production featuring scenes surrounding the birth, life and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Two-hour performances run Tuesdays through Saturdays from Nov. 25 until Dec. 30 (except Dec. 13-17) at 7:30 p.m. in the Conference Center Little Theater. Saturday matinees are on Dec. 3 and Dec. 10 at 2 p.m. There will be no evening performance on Dec. 24 and the matinee performance that day begins at noon.
Tickets are required. Shows are sold out. Check with the ticket office (801-570-0080 locally, or toll-free 1-866-537-8457) as additional tickets may become available.
8. Daily Christmas concerts by local choirs
Temple Square Performances hosts daily school and community choirs, as well as various string, flute, guitar and bell groups. Free performances are Monday through Sundays from Nov. 26 through Dec. 23 in four locations:
- Assembly Hall
- City Creek Center, by the Giving Machines (outside)
- Conference Center lobby
- Church History Museum
See the detailed schedule that lists specific times, locations and performing groups.
9. ‘Light the World’ Giving Machines
Purchase and donate humanitarian services and items such as a water, child vaccines, beds, educational supplies and more. Several Giving Machines are located at City Creek Center. Those unable to visit a physical machine can participate online at LightTheWorld.org/give.
10. ‘Music & The Spoken Word’
The public is invited to watch live performances of “Music & the Spoken Word” each Sunday at 9:30 a.m. On Dec. 18, the 30-minute performance will feature some numbers from the Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square’s Christmas concert and an appearance by guest artist Lea Salonga. No tickets are required.
No live broadcast will air on Dec. 25 or Jan. 1. For streaming and broadcast options, check the Where to Watch page on the Tabernacle Choir’s website.
Events to watch at home
First Presidency’s Christmas Devotional
The First Presidency’s annual broadcast from the Conference Center featured inspirational messages about the Savior from President Dallin H. Oaks, first counselor in the First Presidency; Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles; Elder José A. Teixeira of the Presidency of the Seventy, and Young Women General President Bonnie H. Cordon. Music was provided by The Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square.
Available to watch on broadcasts.ChurchofJesusChrist.org and YouTube.
‘The Promise of Christmas’ broadcast
This hour-long virtual concert presented by Temple Square Performances celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ through hope-filled messages and new arrangements of favorite Christmas music. Available on demand throughout the Christmas season on broadcasts.ChurchofJesusChrist.org and YouTube.
The Bells at Temple Square
The “Visions of the Season” concert by The Bells at Temple Square handbell ensemble held Nov. 18-19 can be viewed on-demand on the choir’s YouTube channel and in the choir’s website’s “Watch and Listen” section.
Christmas With The Tabernacle Choir at Temple Square
The annual Christmas concert by The Tabernacle Choir and Orchestra at Temple Square featuring guest artist Lea Salonga is Dec. 15-17 in the Conference Center. Tickets are sold out, but the 2021 concert, “O Holy Night: Christmas with The Tabernacle Choir Featuring Megan Hilty and Neal McDonough,” will be broadcast on PBS on Tuesday, Dec. 13, at 8 p.m. EST and on BYUtv on Sunday, Dec. 18, at 8 p.m. EST.
