Thanksgiving Point
For over 20 years, Thanksgiving Point has been one of the best places in Utah to enjoy the magic of the holidays. Located just 30 minutes south of Salt Lake City in Lehi, Thanksgiving Point’s 55-acre farm is transformed into a twinkling winter wonderland. Glow showcases over 1 million LED lights arranged into stunning displays throughout the Ashton Gardens and along a one-mile walking trail. Your group can wander through light tunnels, around larger-than-life snowflakes, and past dancing tree groves all synchronized to holiday music. Thanksgiving Point recommends allowing 1.5 to 2 hours to leisurely walk through Glow’s illuminated trail. Your group can extend the experience by grabbing hot cocoa, snacks, or dinner at the Thanksgiving Point Cafe, exploring the Museum Store for unique gifts, or even booking add-ons like photos with Santa.
Address: 3003 N Thanksgiving Way, Lehi, UT 84043
Phone: 801-768-2300
Capitol Theatre
What better way for your group to get into the holiday spirit than with a timeless performance of The Nutcracker ballet? Every December, Ballet West puts on stunning productions of this Christmas classic at the historic Capitol Theatre in downtown Salt Lake. Your group can marvel at the talent of over 100 professional dancers as they bring the story of young Clara and her Nutcracker Prince to life. The two-act ballet features iconic numbers like the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Waltz of the Flowers performed alongside Tchaikovsky’s splendid score. Capitol Theatre is located right off the TRAX Green Line, making it easily accessible for groups. Salt Lake City Party Bus Company can provide round-trip transportation before and after the show, allowing your group to relax and avoid the hassle of finding parking downtown.
Address: 50 W 200 S, Salt Lake City, UT 84101
Phone: 801-355-2787
Temple Square
It wouldn’t be the holidays in Salt Lake City without a visit to Temple Square to admire the spectacular Christmas lights. Every year, over 1 million LED lights adorn the trees and grounds surrounding the iconic Salt Lake Temple and Tabernacle. Your group can stroll through the illuminated Gateway to celebrate the season with photos and selfies surrounded by the dazzling lights. The multi-colored tree displays and dynamic projections on the temple’s exterior walls create a cheerful backdrop. On select nights, groups can also enjoy special holiday concerts and performances. Temple Square offers many free holiday events, but some reservation-only tours and activities do have fees. Make sure to plan ahead, as certain holiday offerings like Christmas concerts book up quickly.
Address: 50 N Temple St, Salt Lake City, UT 84150
Phone: 801-240-4872
City Creek Center
For holiday shopping with your group, spend a day browsing the Mountain America Holiday Market inside City Creek Center. From late November through December, over 100 local vendors fill the downtown mall with artisan gifts, decor, treats, and more. Beyond the holiday market, City Creek Center offers stores like Nordstrom, Macy’s, Apple, and Sephora for any other gift ideas on your list. There are also plenty of dining options for grabbing a bite while shopping like The Cheesecake Factory, Texas de Brazil, and Rock Canyon Cafe. City Creek Center is right off the TRAX Green Line in downtown Salt Lake City, making it a breeze to access via public transportation.
Address: 50 S Main St, Salt Lake City, UT 84101
Phone: 801-521-2012
Hogle Zoo
ZooLights at Hogle Zoo is one of the best places in Salt Lake City for groups to feel the holiday magic. From late November through December, the zoo grounds sparkle with over 250 LED-lit animal and nature sculptures. Beyond the twinkling lights displays, ZooLights offers fun activities like cookie decorating, holiday shopping, carousel rides, and photos with Santa. And of course, your group can see the zoo’s furry residents like the playful snow leopards and majestic Rocky Mountain goats. On select evenings, the zoo also features holiday-themed shows.
Address: 2600 E Sunnyside Ave, Salt Lake City, UT 84108
Phone: 801-582-1631
Antelope Island
For a serene natural holiday celebration, take your group on a charter bus trip 25 miles north of Salt Lake City to watch majestic eagles take flight against Utah’s stunning snow-capped mountain backdrop. Antelope Island State Park is a wildlife refuge that is especially known for its abundant population of bald eagles. The state park offers guided eagle tours via horse-drawn wagon rides that take groups into prime eagle viewing areas. Beyond likely eagle sightings, Antelope Island and the Great Salt Lake provide peaceful scenery to reflect on the holidays and the coming new year. Your group can also hike the island’s trails and visit the American bison herd. Make sure to bundle up, as Antelope Island can be quite chilly during the winter months.
Address: 4528 West 1700 South, Syracuse, UT 84075
Phone: 801-773-2941
Cheer on the Utes or Aggies at the University of Utah or Utah State
What better way to celebrate the holidays with your Utah group than cheering on the Utes or Aggies? The University of Utah and Utah State football teams host rivalry games and bowl games during the holiday season. Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City hosts the Utes’ home games, while Utah State plays at Maverik Stadium in Logan. Both college towns offer exciting game day atmosphere with tailgates, marching bands, and more that your group can experience.
Address: 1825 E South Campus Dr, Salt Lake City, UT 84112
Phone: 801-581-8888
Address: 1400 Old Main Hill, Logan, UT 84322
Phone: 435-797-1000
Ice Skate Under the Stars in Salt Lake City
Embrace the winter magic by going ice skating with your group at Salt Lake City’s outdoor rink located in the heart of downtown. The rink at Gallivan Plaza offers prime views of the glittering city skyline as your group swirls and twirls on the ice. Skating sessions last 1.5 hours and include skate rentals. After working up an appetite on the rink, your group can recharge at the numerous restaurants and cafes around Gallivan Plaza and downtown. Hot chocolate or cider will warm you up for the charter bus ride back after your active winter evening.
Address: 138 W Pierpont Ave, Salt Lake City, UT 84101
Phone: 801-355-1755
Rent With Salt Lake City Party Bus Company To Hit Every Attraction
The holiday season really is the most magical time of year in Salt Lake City. From glowing light displays to festive events and activities, Utah’s capital has endless offerings for groups looking to celebrate. Skip the holiday hassle of traffic and parking and let Salt Lake City Party Bus Company handle getting your group around town efficiently and comfortably. Our modern charter buses and limo buses will transport any size group while keeping the holiday spirit alive. Call us at 385-230-6303 today to start planning your holly jolly group getaway!