December in Utah County means Luminaria at Thanksgiving Point, the Spanish Fork Festival of Lights, and Christmas shows at The Ruth in Pleasant Grove and SCERA in Orem. Utah Metropolitan Ballet's Nutcracker plays the Covey Center in Provo December 11 to 21. BYU's Christmas Around the World has not posted 2026 dates yet.
On the calendar
Dated events first, then the December traditions that come back every year. Each one links to its source.
Dated event · Lehi
Luminaria at Thanksgiving Point
Through January 9 (closed Sundays, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day)
Ashton Gardens at Thanksgiving Point
Thanksgiving Point lights up Ashton Gardens at 3900 N. Garden Drive. Entry is by timed slots, with a new slot every fifteen minutes.
December 11 to 21; sensory-friendly show Monday, December 14
Covey Center for the Arts, 425 Center Street
Utah Metropolitan Ballet dances The Nutcracker with a live orchestra at the Covey Center. The December 14 performance is set up for families affected by autism, with sign-up on the ballet's site.
December evenings, closed Sundays; reservations required. The CLAS page lists the nights without a year, so confirm before you book
CLAS Ropes Course, 3606 West Center Street
A 20 to 25 minute boat ride on the Provo River past lights and shore scenes, with a visit from Santa and Christmas music. It runs rain, snow or shine, so dress warm and bring blankets.
Dates get added and changed all month. The free newsletter sends the confirmed ones before each weekend.
More from our events calendar
Family · Spanish Fork
Red Nose Ranch at Gordo's Fun Farm
November 21 through December 26, 4 PM to 8 PM weekdays, noon to 8 PM Saturdays
Gordon Family Farm, 5746 S 3200 W, Spanish Fork · Ticketed
The fall farm turns into a Christmas farm with a Rudolph trolley ride, a tubing hill, a petting zoo with deer, lights and fire pits. It is open weekdays 4 to 8 PM and Saturdays noon to 8 PM, closed Sundays and Thanksgiving.
December 3 through December 5, 7:30 PM, plus a 2 PM Saturday matinee
Black Box Theatre, BYU Arts Building, Provo · $10 to $15
BYU theatre students stage the Robert Harling play set in a Louisiana beauty salon. Three evening shows and one Saturday matinee in the Arts Building black box.
Sundance Mountain Resort in Provo Canyon lists Friday, December 4 as opening day for the 2026-27 ski season, with first chair at 8:45 AM on Jake's Lift.
Where are the big Christmas light displays in Utah County?
The big ones are Luminaria at Ashton Gardens in Lehi, the Spanish Fork Festival of Lights at Canyon View Park, and the 1.5 million lights at The Shops at Riverwoods in Provo. Luminaria uses timed entry, and the Spanish Fork display is a drive-through that needs an advance ticket.
Where can I see the Nutcracker in Utah County?
Utah Metropolitan Ballet dances The Nutcracker at the Covey Center for the Arts in Provo from December 11 to 21, 2026, with a sensory-friendly performance on December 14.
Where is A Christmas Carol playing in Utah County in 2026?
A Christmas Carol runs November 30 to December 26 at The Ruth and Nathan Hale Theater, 401 South Pleasant Grove Boulevard, in Pleasant Grove. The Ruth also stages Disney's Frozen through January 9.
Do I need tickets for the Spanish Fork Festival of Lights?
Yes, the city requires an advance ticket bought online, and the gate sells none. Tickets go on sale November 12, and the display runs from Thanksgiving Day through New Year's Day.
When is Luminaria at Thanksgiving Point, and which days is it closed?
Luminaria runs November 12 to January 9 at Ashton Gardens in Lehi. It is closed Sundays, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, and entry is by timed slot every fifteen minutes.
What Christmas events in Utah County cost nothing to attend?
The Christmas Maker's Market on December 11 and 12 is free to enter, with more than 150 vendors, food trucks, fire pits and Santa around SCERA Center for the Arts in Orem. Orem City and the Orem Farmer's Market sponsor it.
What Christmas shows can I see in Utah County in December?
A Christmas Carol and Disney's Frozen play at The Ruth in Pleasant Grove, and A Christmas Story: The Musical plays at SCERA in Orem from December 4 to 19. Utah Metropolitan Ballet's Nutcracker plays the Covey Center in Provo December 11 to 21. The Ruth's The Christmas Star runs December 7 to 10.
