Much of the popular attraction is still a construction zone, but some areas are open to limited exhibition.
(Francisco Kjolseth | Salt Lake Tribune file photo) Visitors enjoy the sights near Assembly Hall in Temple Square in Salt Lake City in 2019. For 2021, the square will host a limited version of its traditional light show, mostly around the Assembly Hall and Salt Lake Tabernacles – while much of the Temple Square is a construction zone.
Neither construction nor the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic prevented the Christmas lights from going on in Temple Square, Salt Lake City.
Starting Friday evening, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints unveiled a limited edition version of their traditional Christmas lights around their striking Salt Lake Temple – which is in the middle of a four-year seismic modernization and renovation project.
The areas on the west side of Temple Square, around the tabernacle and assembly hall, are open to the public this holiday season. Likewise, the Joseph Smith Memorial Building, the reflecting pool east of the temple, the Relief Society building, the Church Administration Building, and the Beehive House.
International Christmas cribs are on display near the assembly hall on the southwest corner of the square.
A new presentation of the Christmas story “Peace on Earth” is projected on the ceiling of the tabernacle. The four-minute presentation is offered as a child-friendly version of the birth story of Jesus with shadow graphics, narration and background music.
“Peace on Earth” will be shown every 15 minutes during the holiday season – alternating in English and Spanish – from 4:30 am to 10 am every night. The Church is making images and audio of the presentation available through TempleSquare.org so that people can incorporate this version of the birth story into their home celebrations.
Last year, the square was closed to pedestrian traffic during the holidays due to construction and crowding concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some light shows could be seen from the size of the square and in an online presentation.
The Temple Square Lights debut on Friday was part of a busy Black Friday night in downtown Salt Lake City. Shoppers flocked to City Creek Center across the street from Temple Square to shop for gifts and enjoy another tradition – the Macy’s candy windows, unveiled last week.
The Utah Jazz hosted the New Orleans Pelicans at the Vivint Smart Home Arena on Friday night. In addition, the vocal trio Gentri was scheduled to give a Christmas concert at the Eccles Theater, and the Orem-born pop-rock band The Aces was scheduled to give a show at The Depot.
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