Free Holiday Events for Kids in SLC (2008) in Salt Lake City, UT 

Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa are all over till 2009 (below are some of the events that happened in 2008). Check back in November; we'll be updating this page as events are scheduled.

Salt Lake City and the surrounding areas get into the winter holiday spirit in a big way. We've compiled a great list of free and inexpensive Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa kids' events and activities happening throughout the area, so you can enjoy the winter holidays with your family without emptying your wallet.

November 14, 2008: Lace 'em up! The Gallivan Center's outdoor ice skating rink opens for the season, and the public can skate for free on opening night to celebrate the start of the winter season.

November 20-December 31, 2008: Santa's Elves can be seen tinkering throughout Gardner Village. This seasonal offering presents lots of photo ops, so don't forget the camera. Gardner Village also offers tractor-pulled Rides with Mrs. Claus are available on Monday evenings from December 1-22; cost is $2/person.

November 22, 2008-January 7, 2009: The Utah Cultural Celebration Center's annual Trees of Diversity exhibition features an artistic collection of trees, wreaths, and holiday scenes created by community and ethnic groups.

November 25, 2008: Trolley Square hosts its annual Tree Lighting Ceremony. Families are invited to gather on the east side of Trolley Square by the Trolley Tower to watch as a 55-foot tall tree is lit for the holiday season. Entertainment is provided by the East High Madrigal Choir.

November 28, 2008: Santa arrives at Valley Fair Mall, and the mall celebrates with an hour-long parade in the west parking lot. After the parade, kids can join Santa for milk and cookies (while supplies last) at his winter lodge in Center Court.

November 28, 2008: Santa hits the ice and turns some figure eights as the Gallivan Center and the rest of downtown SLC turn on the holiday lights for the season.

November 28, 2008: University Mall welcomes Santa for the holiday season by throwing him a party featuring live entertainment, refreshments, and prize drawings. Santa arrives via KSL's Chopper 5, and his first 100 guests receive a free gift.

November 28, 2008: The Gateway presents its annual Light Up the Night event, featuring a performance by Jon Schmidt, a tree lighting ceremony, and complimentary hot chocolate and cookies.

November 28-29, 2008: The Christmas Gift and Craft Show, Utah County's largest Christmas fair, takes place at the Spanish Fork Fairgrounds; admission is free.

November 28-December 27, 2008: Temple Square is lit every Christmas season with millions of holiday lights, and free concerts take place at the Assembly Hall, the South Visitor's Center, and the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. Watch our calendar for details.

November 29, 2008: Ogden's annual Holiday Parade marches along Washington Boulevard, from 22nd Street to 26th Street. The parade is followed by an opening ceremony for the Christmas Village, and the day's festivities conclude with a fireworks display.

November 29, 2008-January 1, 2009: Ogden's Municipal Park is transformed into a winter wonderland during the city's annual Christmas Village holiday display. Families can walk among quaint themed cottages, listen to live entertainment, and even snag a visit with Santa.

November 29 & December 6, 2008: Kids are invited to visit with Father Christmas and make an advent chain to help count down the days to Christmas at the Sorensen Home Museum in Draper. Photos with Santa are available for a fee.

December 1, 2008: Families can head to Sandy City Hall for the annual Deck the Hall event, featuring the lighting of the Christmas lights, free hot chocolate, visits with Santa, and a miniature old-time village and train display.

December 1, 2008: West Valley holds its annual Christmas Tree Lighting and Walk with Santa in Centennial Park. After the walk, families can head inside the West Valley Fitness Center for entertainment, refreshments, and visits with Santa. December 1, 8, 15 & 22, 2008: Parents can bring their little ones to Thanksgiving Point's Emporium for a visit with the Man in Red and free photos on Santa's lap. December 5, 2008: The Clipper Electric Light Parade takes place on Main Street, from 400 South to 400 North, and ends at the South Davis Recreation Center where post parade festivities are planned, including live music, open gym time, discounted ice skating, and a visit from Santa Claus. December 5, 2008: The City of Herriman hosts its annual Christmas Sing-a-long with Santa at Fort Herriman Middle School.

December 5 & 6, 2008: Macey's grocery stores in Sandy, Providence, and Provo are hosting holiday open houses featuring free samples, giveaways, live entertainment, and activities. Most activities happen between the hours of 10am and 6pm.

December 5 & 6, 2008: Midway's City Hall hosts the annual Swiss Christmas, an old-fashioned town party featuring crafts, vendors, live entertainment, and visits from Father and Mother Christmas.

December 6, 2008: Trolley Square's annual Holiday Open House is a great holiday tradition for families. Kids can join Santa and Mrs. Claus for cookies and milk in the mall's center court, hop in Santa's sleigh (a great opportunity for holiday photos, so bring the camera!), get cider and roasted chestnuts from Santa's little helpers, watch holiday movies on a big screen, and take horse-drawn carriage rides around the block. The best part? Everything is free!

December 6, 2008: Celtic Santa makes his annual stop at the Gypsy Moon Emporium to meet with the kids and share holiday tales. Treats and light refreshments are provided.

December 6, 2008: Young Chefs Academy hosts a Holiday Cook and Care event featuring product giveaways and hands-on culinary activities for kids and their parents. Admission is free, but everyone is invited to bring non-perishable food items for local food banks. Advance registration is required.

December 6, 2008: Santa Claus drops in at Hill Aerospace Museum for photo ops and visits with the kids.

December 6, 2008: The City of Taylorsville holds its annual Tree Lighting Ceremony and Carol Sing-along at the Taylorsville City Council Chambers. Santa plans to stop by the visit with the kids. The city also hosts a Messiah Sing-in following the tree lighting festivities.

December 6, 2008: Engh Gardens hosts a St. Nicholas Tea Party, featuring a storytime, a coloring activity, and a photo opportunity with Saint Nick. Light refreshments are served. Don't forget to dress up for the photos!

December 6, 2008: Lehi's John Hutchings Museum of Natural History offers a Gifts of Nature event featuring free museum admission and hands-on crafts to celebrate the season. This event is part of the Christmas in Lehi Celebration, which also includes a Santa Parade, activities at the Legacy Center, a free marionette production of A Christmas Carol at the Lehi Arts Center, and more.

December 6, 2008: The Hawaiian Civic Club Christmas Party takes place at the Columbus Center. Everyone is welcome to attend this event that features crafts (ti-leaf leis, plumeria flowers, ribbon leis, and Christmas crafts for kids and adults), door prizes, Hawaiian games, and a potluck dinner. Bring a dish to share.

December 6, 2008: Ogden Nature Center's annual Holiday Open House offers nature crafts for kids, holiday shopping opportunities, festive gift wrapping, and holiday treats.

December 6, 2008: There are several opportunities to dine with Santa around town, but none are as inexpensive as the Breakfast with Santa at the Columbus Center in South Salt Lake. Pay just $3/person or $10/family to visit and dine with the Man in Red. Children also receive a small gift, and photos are available at minimal cost. Seating is first come, first served.

December 6 & 7, 2008: Pioneer Craft House hosts a Holiday Show and Sale featuring crafts, activities, puppet shows, and a visit from Santa.

December 6 & 7, 2008: Red Butte Garden hosts a couple of its Garden Gift Days - opportunities for families to get free admission to the garden thanks to the community's support of the Zoo, Arts, and Parks Fund. These particular Garden Gift Days take place during the garden's annual Holiday Open House and Art Fair, an indoor arts festival featuring glasswork, paintings, jewelry, and garden decor created by local artists.

December 6 & 7, 2008: The Salt Lake Children's Choir presents its annual Christmas Concert at the beautiful Cathedral of the Madeleine. Early arrival is highly recommended as seating is first come, first served.

December 6 & 13, 2008: The downtown Main Library offers its popular annual music and mime production of How the Grinch Stole Christmas. Seating is first come, first served.

December 7, 2008: The First Christian Reformed Church presents A Night in Bethlehem, an look at what Bethlehem might have been like on the night of Jesus' birth. The evening features crafts, activities, and food.

December 8, 2008: Kids and families can Swim with Santa at Cottonwood Heights Recreation Center. The afternoon includes a poolside visit with Santa followed by free swimming.

December 8, 2008: Families can head to West Bountiful City Hall for a tree lighting ceremony and a visit with Santa.

December 8, 2008: The Community Arts Center in Farmington hosts a Family Christmas Carol Sing-a-Long. Families can sing some favorite carols and listen to performances by local groups. Santa plans to attend as well! Hot chocolate and doughnuts are provided. Space is limited at this popular event; free tickets must be picked up in advance, and folks are asked to bring a canned food donation in exchange for the tickets.

December 9, 2008: The Taylorsville Symphony Orchestra performs a free Winter Tales holiday concert at Taylorsville High School.

December 10, 2008: Families can visit with Santa at the South Jordan Rec Center's Swim with Santa event. Photos are available for purchase.

December 10, 2008: Free hay rides are being offered at Layton Commons Park. Families just need to bring non-perishable food donations and meet at Phase 1 Pavilion.

December 13, 2008: Kids can eat breakfast with Santa at IKEA. Photos with the the Man in Red are free; the breakfast costs $1.99/person.

December 13, 2008: Broadway Centre Cinemas offers a free screening of A Muppet Christmas Carol as part of the Wassail, Waffles, and Holiday Family Film Series. Families can enjoy complimentary admission plus waffles, wassail, and a visit from Santa at this special screening.

December 18, 2008: Cottonwood Heights Recreation Center offers kids and families an opportunity to Skate with Santa. Kids can put in some gift requests while skating around the rink with the Man in Red. Skating and skate rental are both free during this special holiday offering.

December 19-20, 2008: Real people and live animals recreate a living nativity at Gardner Village, featuring shepherds, wise men, an angel, Joseph, and Mary. A sing-along with the shepherds takes place at 6pm each evening, and the nativity production starts at 6:30pm, lasting approximately 30 minutes. Dress for the weather!

December 20, 2008: Center Street Musical Theatre is closing its doors for good after its current show, A Christmas Carol - The Broadway Musical, completes its run. As a goodbye present to its patrons, tickets to the final show on December 20 are free.

December 21-28, 2008: Snowbird hosts a candle lighting ceremony in the lobby of the Cliff Lodge each evening of Hanukkah.

December 24, 2008: Torch light parades take place on the mountains of the Park City Mountain Resort, Snowbasin, and Snowbird.

December 24-25, 2008: Broadway Centre Cinemas offers two free screenings of It's a Wonderful Life as part of the Wassail, Waffles, and Holiday Family Film Series.

December 25, 2008: Santa hits the slopes at The Canyons and Solitude after a busy night of delivering gifts to boys and girls.

December 27, 2008: The Utah Museum of Fine Arts hosts its annual Kwanzaa Celebration. The event honors African traditions and American customs, and features children's art workshops, music, dance, poetry from around the world, and food. Admission to the museum is free for the day, but folks are asked to bring a can of food for the Utah Food Bank.

December 30, 2008: Kids are invited to take part in a Kids Glow Parade at Solitude Mountain Resort.

December 31, 2008: Snowbird and Solitude invite families to bundle up and enjoy their annual New Year's Eve Torchlight Parades. The parade at Snowbird is followed by a fireworks display.

December 31, 2008: The Canyons Resort hosts a New Year's Eve Celebration featuring live music and fireworks.

Know of more free stuff, events, and activities for kids and families around Salt Lake City during the holiday season? Add a comment below and we'll get right on it!