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discover salt lake summer 2027

Experience the Salt Lake Temple Celebration 2027

The iconic Salt Lake Temple is opening its doors for a rare public open house from April to October 2027, inviting visitors from around the world to step inside one of Utah’s most celebrated landmarks. Whether you're planning a family trip, a faith-based tour, or a first-time adventure to the heart of Salt Lake, this is your opportunity to experience Temple Square and discover everything Salt Lake City has to offer.

Visit Salt Lake is here to help you make the most of your stay with recommendations on nearby hotels and walkable downtown dining to can’t-miss attractions, mountain views, and easy transportation options throughout the Salt Lake City and County area.

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Temple Lights at Temple Square
What is the

Salt Lake Temple Celebration?

After over 6 years of renovation and major updates, the Salt Lake Temple Square Celebration is an opportunity to tour the Salt Lake Temple and experience Salt Lake like never before. From April to October 1, 2027 the Salt Lake Temple will be open to the public before it is dedicated. 

The renovation, which will wrap up at the end of 2026, was necessary to add seismic and structural reinforcement, as well as to enhance accessibility for members with limited mobility. The updates that were made are a fascinating seismic design and complicated process to strengthen the base structure while isolating it from the surrounding ground that will make it resistant to movement during earthquakes. The Temple will only be open for tours from April 5 to October 1, 2027 before it closes for the dedication. After it is dedicated, only members will be able to enter the Temple, though many of the attractions on Temple Square will still be open to the public. 

When (and How) to Visit

Several million people are expected to visit during the Salt Lake Temple Celebreation, so planning when you visit will be important. While the Celebration is free, you have to have timed tickets for the Salt Lake Temple Open House Tour. Tickets will be available through several ticket releases starting on September 1, 2026 - sign up below to be notified for ticket releases. If you have a choice on when to visit here's some considerations:

Cherry Blossoms at the Utah State Capitol

Spring (April & May)

Crisp mornings and evenings, snow in the mountains, and balmy days in the springtime make it a great time to visit. If you want to add a ski day or catch the cherry blossoms at the Utah State Capitol then April is the time to come since the blossoms are in full force in early April and spring skiing usually continues through the month.

summer skyline 2025

Summer (June - August)

The summer months see an abundance of festivals, concerts, and other events around Salt Lake. Adding on hiking and other outdoor mountain recreation works best in the summer after winter snow clears from the trails.

Guardsman pass in the fall

Fall (Late August & September)

The leaves start to change mid-August as early mornings and late nights cool off. If you want cooler temperatures and brilliant fall foliage hikes, time your visit in late September. Salt Lake's iconic fall festival, Snowbird's Oktoberfest, starts in mid-August and runs through the weekends into October.
 

Temple Square

What to Expect

For over 40-years, quartz monzonite stone transported by wagon and then rail from Little Cottonwood Canyon was turned into the Salt Lake Temple. With walls that are nine feet thick at the base, the original temple and the new seismic updates reflect remarkable engineering and a commitment to craftsmanship that sets the tone for all of Temple Square. During the celebration, your tour will take you inside to discover that legacy of careful care and precision in the different special purpose rooms within the temple.
 

The Conference Center

 

Outside, Temple Square's original one block is now 5 connected blocks where history, architecture, engineering feats, and culture come together. The Conference Center, on the north, has one of the largest theater-style auditoriums in the world. The Museum of Church History & Art and FamilySearch on the west, offer stories of the past and insight into your own family history. The Temple block has the Tabernacle with it's amazing acoustics, the Assembly Hall where concerts and performances happen, and Visitors Centers that explore the history and beliefs of the church. A reflecting pool, sculpture garden, and other gardens lead to the east where the historic Lion House and Beehive House are located on the same block with Church administration buildings. Most of these locations will be open for tours and performances during the celebration.

 

While You're Here

Salt Lake is more than the 5 blocks of Temple Square. Our valley and the mountains that surround it offer an abundant playground that offers year-round recreation, learning, and fun. 

Explore all accommodations

  

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How to Get here and Get Around

Salt Lake City International Airport

From Far Away

Salt Lake's accessibility by air is exceptional. Salt Lake City International Airport is one of the West's major hubs, served by 13 airlines and their affiliates offering over 700 daily non-stop flights to/from 90+ destinations. It is also closer to the city it serves than nearly any other airport—only ten minutes from downtown. If your plan includes an epic road-trip, perhaps to take in one of the amazing nearby National Parks & Monuments, Salt Lake is easy to access with 2 major interstates, I-15 and I-80, intersecting here.
 

TRAX is a convenient way to get around Salt Lake

Once You are Here

Getting around Salt Lake once you arrive is also easy. Our light-rail system called Trax, operates the Green-line from the airport into downtown where it intersects with the other Trax lines for access across the valley. If you plan on driving, downtown has over 32,000 parking spots. Details on street closures and parking options will be available as we get closer to the celebration.
 

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Get answers to some of Salt Lake City's frequently asked questions below. Check out more FAQs.

Temple Square Celebration

Is the open house free?

Yes, the tour of the Salt Lake Temple during the celebration is free, however tickets are required. You can get free tickets through the Church's app. 

Notify me when tickets are available

Can non-members attend?

Yes. People that are not members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints may attend the Temple Square Celebration and take the tour of the Salt Lake Temple. 

Do I need tickets or reservations?

Yes. Tickets are required for the Salt Lake Temple Tour. All tickets are tied to a specific timed entry. There will be reservations available for the Lion House and Beehive house as well. Other attractions on Temple Square are free but reservations are not required at this time. 

Notify me when tickets are available

How long does a tour take?

Tours of the Salt Lake Temple usually last around 1 hour. Plan for extra time to navigate through lines and additional time for other activities on Temple Square based on your interests. 

Is the tour accessible for people with mobility needs?

Yes. If you have mobility needs, please make sure to let them know on your ticket request and when you arrive. 

Are children welcome? What ages? 

Yes, children are welcome.  All ages are welcome to attend the Temple Square Celebration. Since you know the needs and attention spans for your family, plan accordingly for the 45-minute to 1-hour tour.

Can I bring a stroller or will I need to carry my child? 

Strollers are welcomed in the Temple and on Temple Square but are not provided. We have limited wheelchairs available in a few locations around Temple Square. Small children do not need to be carried – they can ride in strollers.

What are the hours for the tours?

Salt Lake Temple Celebration tours will run every day.

  • Monday - Saturday 9 am to 9 pm
  • Sunday Noon to 9 pm
  • The last tour departs at 8 pm

What should I wear?

While there is no specific dress code, we encourage visitors to dress respectfully in comfortable clothing. Since the tour is a walking tour we also recommend comfortable walking shoes. 

What else is there to do?

Temple Square has 5 city blocks of options:

  • Visitors Centers
  • The Conference Center - with additional exhibits and a rooftop garden
  • The Tabernacle
  • Sculpture Garden
  • Reflecting Pool
  • Beehive House
  • Lion House
  • Joseph Smith Memorial Building

Additionally, there are many nearby options in Salt Lake to explore:

  • Clark Planetarium
  • Discovery Gateway Children's Museum
  • City Creek Center
  • The Gateway Shopping District
  • The Delta Center Arena
  • Abravanel Hall
Explore all the things to do in Salt Lake

Where do I park?

Parking information for the specific dates of the celebration has not been released. Downtown Salt Lake has over 30,000 parking spaces and more parking options are being arranged. We encourage those who can to use our light-rail system, TRAX.

Learn more about TRAX

What restaurants are nearby for before or after the tour? 

Salt Lake has a vibrant downtown filled with restaurant options from high-end cuisine to fast food establishments. We hope you will try one of the many local restaurants located in downtown.

Search downtown Salt Lake restaurants

When is the best time to come to Salt Lake for a tour? 

That depends on you. While tours for the Temple will be the same through the entire 6 months, Salt Lake has some other great celebrations through that time frame that could add to your trip. Annual events range from Days of '47 on July 24 that celebrate when the pioneers entered the Salt Lake Valley, to Snowbird's Oktoberfest from mid-August into October, and cultural festivals all summer long. 

If you want to include mountain adventures, come in early April to add skiing, May or June add lower elevation hiking If you want to get to the tops of our mountain peaks, July-September are your best bet, with September adding in some extra color as the leaves at the higher elevations change. 

View Salt Lake's Annual Events

Are there any other free attractions on Temple Square?

Yes. In addition to the tour of the Temple, there are many other free attractions on Temple Square including:

  • The FamilySearch Center where you can learn about your ancestors
  • The Church Museum of History and Art 
  • Visitors Centers
  • A Sculpture Garden
  • The Conference Center
  • Historic Beehive House and Lion House

When was the last time the temple was open? 

The temple was originally dedicated in 1893 and there was a short open-house at that time. Since the original dedication it has not been open for public tours until now. After it is re-dedicated following the celebration the Temple will be closed to the public. However, most of Temple Square is open to the public and will remain open to the public. 

Why is the temple having an open house? 

The Salt Lake Temple Celebration is offering tours of the Salt Lake Temple following a long tradition of The Church that includes open-house tours before their temples are dedicated. Temples built across the world have open house tours to welcome the public, foster goodwill with their neighbors, and educate other on why temples are important to the faith.

 

Need More Information?

If you need more information or want to know the latest about the Temple Square Celebration, please share your information below or check back to this page from time to time. We will be updating this page as information becomes available and sending periodic updates out via email. 

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