The Temple Square Christmas lights and concerts are an annual tradition for many in the surrounding community of Salt Lake City, Utah. The lights are turned on each year the day after the United States Thanksgiving holiday and remain on through New Year’s Day. During these evenings, Temple Square is usually aglow with over one million lights. Due to the ongoing Salt Lake Temple Renovation, refer to the map of Temple Square for open areas
The lights on Temple Square turn on the day after the U.S. Thanksgiving holiday and remain on until January 1.
Lights are on from 3:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. and from 6:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. (MST)
The first lighting ceremony on Temple Square was held in 1965 when nearly 15,000 people gathered to watch former Church President David O. McKay push the button to light 40,000 lights. During the ceremony, President McKay said, “Our minds tonight should be on the babe of Bethlehem, whose coming into the world Christmas morning reminds us all that we each should have in our hearts the love of Christ.” Although there is no longer a formal lighting ceremony on Temple Square, the lights continue each year as a reminder of the birth of the Savior, Jesus Christ.