Whether you’ve finished your finals early or just need a study break, here’s a list of December holiday activities accessible by train in Salt Lake County and beyond.
It’s like a choose-your-own Polar Express experience, without an erratic train conductor.
All transit provided by the Utah Transit Authority, UTA, (except UTA on Demand) is free for University of Utah students, faculty and staff with their U cards.
Downtown Salt Lake
Though the city’s downtown is not far from the U, this part of the city is especially busy during December. Skip the parking headache and take the TRAX Red Line to the Courthouse Station. From there, you can walk to the Grand America to see their holiday windows or take the Blue or Green line to City Creek Center or Gallivan Plaza for lights, shopping and ice skating.
Gardner Village
From Nov. 22 to Dec. 31, West Jordan’s Historic Gardner Village turns into a scene from a Hallmark movie. Located about 40 minutes away from the U via the Red Line, here you’ll find a variety of shops and restaurants built around the historic Gardner Mill.
Spend an afternoon strolling through the shops, or select a seasonal activity like a Grinch-themed escape room or holiday painting at the Art Cottage. Wear your ugliest holiday sweater to get free hot chocolate at the Chocolate Covered Wagon.
Draper City Park and Historic Theatre
Draper City Park and Historic Theatre are located at the south end of the TRAX Blue Line.
On Dec. 1 at 6 p.m., Draper City will hold its annual Tree Lighting Ceremony. The free event will include pony rides, hot chocolate, marshmallow roasting and more. Throughout December, the park will be lit from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. and then 5 a.m. to 8 a.m.
The Draper Historic Theatre is about a 10-minute walk from the Trax station. This year, they’ll be putting on “Elf: The Musical” from Nov. 28 to Dec. 20.
Ogden Christmas Village
If you want to feel like you’re visiting a town event in the Gilmore Girls’ Stars Hollow, the Ogden Christmas Village is for you. Each year, businesses and other community organizations create winter holiday displays inside wooden houses that line the walkways of Ogden Park. This free event begins on Nov. 29 and runs through Jan. 1. Lights are turned on daily at 5 p.m. They are turned off at 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and at midnight on Friday and Saturday. Lights are on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year’s.
To access Ogden Park from Salt Lake County, take the northbound train to the Ogden Frontrunner Station. The park is about three-quarters of a mile away from the station and can be reached by foot or by bus. Make sure to check when the last train of the day leaves.
Find more ideas of places to visit via TRAX and Frontrunner here.