November brings the beginning of the holiday season to Utah. From the first tree lightings and holiday markets to live music, Broadway performances, sporting events, and the return of ski season, there is no shortage of ways to enjoy the month.
Whether you're planning a family outing, a night downtown, or a weekend in Park City, here are the events worth adding to your November calendar.
1. Holiday Lights & Tree Lightings
The holiday season arrives early, with communities across the valley and Park City welcoming the season with illuminated displays, festive celebrations, and annual traditions.
Aquarium Lantern Festival
When: November 6 – January 9
Where: Loveland Living Planet Aquarium | Draper
Larger-than-life illuminated sculptures inspired by nature transform the aquarium's outdoor plaza into an evening experience. Expect glowing sea creatures, colorful installations, and interactive displays.
Glass in the Garden
When: November 7 – December 20
Where: Red Butte Garden | Salt Lake City
More than 1,000 handcrafted glass pieces from local artists create a colorful outdoor exhibition. Explore sculptural installations, jewelry, and holiday ornaments while enjoying the garden.
Luminaria
When: November 12 – January 9
Where: Ashton Gardens at Thanksgiving Point | Lehi
One of Utah's signature holiday experiences returns. Explore 50 acres illuminated by approximately 10 million lights, larger-than-life holiday displays, illuminated trees, and interactive experiences.
Lights On! at The Gateway
When: November 14 | 6:30–8:30 p.m.
Where: The Gateway | Salt Lake City
The Gateway welcomes the holiday season with its annual lighting celebration. Expect live entertainment, stilt walkers, balloon artists, refreshments, and a festive atmosphere. The holiday lights switch on at 8:15 p.m.
Holiday Lights at The Ballpark
When: November 20 – January 2
Where: America First Square | South Jordan
The Salt Lake Bees' ballpark transforms into a walk-through holiday light experience featuring a 60-foot Christmas tree synchronized to music, illuminated tunnels, and seasonal activities.
Christmas in the Village
When: November 21 – December 31
Where: Gardner Village | West Jordan
A familiar Utah holiday tradition, Gardner Village returns with decorated storefronts, festive elf displays, and its annual elf scavenger hunt. Admission and parking are free.
Murray City Tree Lighting
When: November 23
Where: Murray City Hall | Murray
Celebrate the season with the lighting of Murray's community Christmas tree, fireworks, Santa, and a holiday market.
ZooLights
When: November 27 – January 3
Where: Utah's Hogle Zoo | Salt Lake City
Hundreds of illuminated displays and a 135-foot tunnel of lights transform the zoo after dark. Enjoy seasonal treats and one of Salt Lake's longstanding holiday traditions.
Junction Commons Tree Lighting
When: November 19 | 4:30–6 p.m.
Where: Junction Commons | Park City
Enjoy photos with Santa, holiday caroling by the Park City Singers, hot cocoa, churros, and seasonal festivities at this community celebration.
Main Street Snowglobe Stroll
When: November 20 – January 3
Where: Historic Main Street | Park City
Seven life-sized snow globes created by local artists line Historic Main Street. Each features a hidden silver snowflake, turning an evening stroll into a holiday scavenger hunt.
Canyons Village Holiday Tree Lighting
When: November 27 | 4–6 p.m.
Where: Canyons Village | Park City
Celebrate the season with live music, hot cocoa, and the illuminated village during Canyons Village's annual holiday tree lighting.
Historic Main Street Holiday Lighting
When: November 28 | 5:30 p.m.
Where: Historic Main Street | Park City
One of Park City's most anticipated holiday traditions returns Thanksgiving weekend. Watch Main Street illuminate with thousands of holiday lights while enjoying local shops, restaurants, and the festive downtown atmosphere.
Draper City Tree Lighting
When: November 30 | 6 p.m.
Where: Draper City Park | Draper
Close out the month with Santa, hot chocolate, cookies, pony rides, and marshmallow roasting at Draper's annual tree lighting.
2. Holiday Markets & Shopping
November is a wonderful time to get ahead of holiday shopping while supporting local makers, farmers, and independent businesses.
Salt Lake Family Christmas Gift Show
When: November 12–14
Where: Mountain America Expo Center | Sandy
Hundreds of vendors gather for this annual holiday shopping event, featuring handmade gifts, specialty foods, holiday decor, and unique finds.
Downtown Winter Farmers Market
When: Saturdays beginning November 14 | 10 a.m.–2 p.m.
Where: 209 E. 500 South | Salt Lake City
The downtown farmers market moves indoors for winter, bringing together local farmers, food producers, and specialty vendors.
Small Business Saturday
When: November 28
Where: Historic Main Street | Park City
Explore Park City's independent boutiques, galleries, and specialty shops while supporting the local businesses that give this mountain town its character. The celebration coincides with the annual holiday lighting.
3. Music & Concerts
From Broadway-inspired performances to orchestral music and holiday concerts, November offers plenty of reasons to plan an evening out.
An Evening with Sutton Foster
When: November 4 | 7:30 p.m.
Where: Eccles Theater | Salt Lake City
The two-time Tony Award-winning Broadway performer brings an evening of music and entertainment to the Eccles.
Outlander in Concert
When: November 5 | 7:30 p.m.
Where: Eccles Theater | Salt Lake City
A live orchestra performs Bear McCreary's score from the popular Outlander television series while scenes from the show play on screen.
Utah Symphony: Stravinsky's Firebird Suite
When: November 13–14 | 7:30 p.m.
Where: Abravanel Hall | Salt Lake City
The Utah Symphony performs Stravinsky's celebrated Firebird Suite, a dramatic orchestral work and one of the composer's most recognizable compositions.
Scott Bradlee's Postmodern Jukebox
When: November 19
Where: Eccles Theater | Salt Lake City
Known for reimagining contemporary pop songs through vintage jazz, swing, and big-band arrangements, Postmodern Jukebox offers a fresh take on familiar music.
Rodgers & Hammerstein Celebration
When: November 20–21 | 7:30 p.m.
Where: Abravanel Hall | Salt Lake City
Enjoy classic musical theater favorites performed by the Utah Symphony and guest vocalists, featuring music from The Sound of Music, Carousel, South Pacific, The King and I, and Oklahoma!
Trans-Siberian Orchestra: The Ghosts of Christmas Eve
When: November 24 | 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Where: Delta Center | Salt Lake City
The group's 30th anniversary holiday tour arrives with its signature combination of rock music, theatrical production, and holiday classics.
GENTRI Christmas
When: November 27–28
Where: Eccles Theater | Salt Lake City
The Utah-based vocal trio returns with its annual Christmas performance, blending traditional holiday favorites with contemporary arrangements.
David Archuleta: The Warm Me Up Holiday Tour
When: November 28
Where: Capitol Theatre | Salt Lake City
David Archuleta brings his holiday tour to the historic Capitol Theatre for an evening of seasonal music.
Messiah Sing-In
When: November 28–29 | 7:30 p.m.
Where: Abravanel Hall | Salt Lake City
The Utah Symphony invites audiences to participate in Handel's Messiah, singing along with the orchestra, chorus, and soloists.
A Celtic Christmas
When: November 27 | 7:30 p.m.
Where: Kingsbury Hall | Salt Lake City
Traditional Irish music, step dancing, and holiday performances come together in this touring Christmas production.
4. Theater, Arts & Culture
For those looking for something beyond the holiday festivities, November brings Broadway productions, ballet, comedy, and opportunities to explore Utah's arts scene.
Ballet West: Rolling With the Stones
When: November 6–14
Where: Janet Quinney Lawson Capitol Theatre | Salt Lake City
Ballet West presents a collection of contemporary works, including Christopher Bruce's Rooster, choreographed to music by The Rolling Stones.
The Outsiders
When: November 10–15
Where: Eccles Theater | Salt Lake City
The touring Broadway production brings S.E. Hinton's classic coming-of-age story to the stage, exploring friendship, loyalty, and growing up.
Chelsea Handler
When: November 13 | 8 p.m.
Where: Kingsbury Hall | Salt Lake City
The comedian brings her High and Mighty tour to Salt Lake City for an evening of stand-up.
Nikki Glaser
When: November 20–21
Where: Eccles Theater | Salt Lake City
The stand-up comedian brings her comedy tour to Salt Lake City for two nights.
A Christmas Carol
When: November 27 – December 26
Where: Hale Centre Theatre | Sandy
Charles Dickens' classic holiday story returns to the stage for the season. A familiar favorite for families and theater enthusiasts.
Utah Festival Ballet: The Nutcracker
When: November 27–28
Where: Mid-Valley Performing Arts Center | Taylorsville
The holiday ballet season begins with this Thanksgiving weekend production of The Nutcracker.
Between the Lines Exhibition
When: November 1 – January 3
Where: Kimball Art Center | Park City
Explore contemporary artwork and the work of regional and visiting artists at one of Park City's central arts destinations.
Park City Gallery Stroll
When: November 27
Where: Historic Main Street | Park City
Participating galleries open their doors for visitors to explore current exhibitions and connect with the local arts community.
5. Sports & Outdoor Recreation
November signals the return of winter in the mountains and brings plenty of opportunities to get outside or cheer on a local team.
Park City Mountain Opening Day
When: November 20, conditions permitting
Where: Park City Mountain Resort
The 2026–27 ski season is scheduled to begin November 20. Opening day marks the return of one of Park City's defining winter activities.
Alta & Solitude Opening Days
When: November 20, conditions permitting
Where: Alta Ski Area and Solitude Mountain Resort
Both resorts currently list November 20 as their anticipated opening date. Actual operations and terrain availability will depend on snowfall and conditions.
Utah Football vs. West Virginia
When: November 27 | 7 p.m.
Where: Rice-Eccles Stadium | Salt Lake City
The Utes close out their regular season at home against West Virginia the day after Thanksgiving.
Utah Jazz vs. Denver Nuggets
When: November 27 | 7:30 p.m.
Where: Delta Center | Salt Lake City
A Friday night matchup brings the Denver Nuggets to Salt Lake City for a Western Conference showdown.
Utah Human Race Thanksgiving 5K & 10K
When: November 26 | 8 a.m.
Where: Sandy Promenade | Sandy
Start Thanksgiving morning with a community race supporting the Utah Food Bank. Choose between the 5K and 10K and make giving back part of the holiday tradition.
6. Family-Friendly & Special Events
Looking for something the whole family can enjoy? These seasonal experiences offer a reason to get out, explore, and make a few November memories.
Thanksgiving Weekend at the Lights
When: Throughout November, with holiday displays opening on various dates
Where: Multiple locations throughout the Salt Lake Valley
From Luminaria to ZooLights and the aquarium's Lantern Festival, November is a great time to begin exploring Utah's seasonal light displays. Check individual event schedules for ticket availability and operating hours.
Gardner Village Elf Scavenger Hunt
When: November 21 – December 31
Where: Gardner Village | West Jordan
Bring the family to search for the village's hidden elves while exploring decorated storefronts and enjoying the holiday atmosphere.
Park City Snowglobe Stroll
When: November 20 – January 3
Where: Historic Main Street | Park City
Make an evening out of finding all seven life-sized snow globes and their hidden silver snowflakes.
Make the Most of November
November is a reminder that some of the best parts of living in Utah happen outside the home. From the energy of downtown Salt Lake City to the charm of Park City's Main Street and the return of winter in the mountains, the season offers plenty of reasons to explore.
Whether you're planning a family outing, supporting a local business, or finding a new favorite neighborhood tradition, we hope this guide helps you make the most of the month.
For more local guides, neighborhood highlights, and a closer look at life throughout Utah, explore the Modern & Main blog or connect with one of our seasoned agents.
Event dates, times, ticket availability, and details are subject to change. Confirm information with event organizers before attending.
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