The North Pole Is Coming to Ogden

Ogden’s Christmas Village Will Open Thanksgiving Weekend

Ogden’s Christmas
Village Will Open Thanksgiving Weekend

By feature writer Darren Nelson for My Local Utah

What:	Ogden’s Christmas Village
When:	Saturday, November 28, 2026 – January 1, 2027
Hours:	Lights on daily at 5 p.m.; off at 10 p.m. Sunday–Thursday and at midnight Friday–Saturday
Where:	Ogden Municipal Gardens, next to the Municipal Building at 2549 Washington Blvd.
Cost:	Free

What:	Ogden’s Christmas Village
When:	Saturday, November 28, 2026 – January 1, 2027
Hours:	Lights on daily at 5 p.m.; off at 10 p.m. Sunday–Thursday and at midnight Friday–Saturday
Where:	Ogden Municipal Gardens, next to the Municipal Building at 2549 Washington Blvd.
Cost:	Free

What:	Ogden’s Christmas Village
When:	Saturday, November 28, 2026 – January 1, 2027
Hours:	Lights on daily at 5 p.m.; off at 10 p.m. Sunday–Thursday and at midnight Friday–Saturday
Where:	Ogden Municipal Gardens, next to the Municipal Building at 2549 Washington Blvd.
Cost:	Free

The holiday season comes to life as streets begin to sparkle with twinkling lights and festive decorations. The warm glow of the season brings cherished memories of family gatherings and time-honored traditions, filling the air with the joy and magic of Christmas.

To take that holiday cheer up to a new level, visit Ogden City’s Christmas Village. Located in the heart of downtown, this cherished holiday tradition comes alive with dazzling lights, festive displays, and the warmth and wonder of Christmas. This is no ordinary light display, but a USA Today Award Winner for Best Light Display in America. Perfect for families, couples, and friends, Christmas Village captures the nostalgia of holidays past while creating opportunities to make new memories that will be treasured for years to come.

A Festival of Lights

Each holiday season, Ogden’s Municipal Gardens come alive with hundreds of thousands of twinkling lights, transforming the grounds surrounding the Municipal Building into a dazzling winter wonderland. Visitors are invited to wander along illuminated pathways, admire festive displays, and explore charming, themed cottages. With sparkling lights at every turn, the gardens create a magical holiday atmosphere that delights visitors of all ages.

Exploring “The Village”

At the heart of the festivities is an actual Christmas Village, made up of a charming collection of beautifully decorated cottages sponsored, each designed by members of the Ogden community. Together, these imaginative displays transform historic downtown into a magical recreation of Santa’s North Pole village. Each uniquely themed cottage captures the wonder and excitement of the season, delighting visitors of all ages and bringing the magic of Christmas to life.

Have a favorite cottage? Make your voice heard! Take a virtual tour of Christmas Village and vote for your favorite display online.

It’s All Free!

One of the best things about Ogden’s Christmas Village is that all this holiday magic is completely free! Admission is free throughout the season, inviting families and visitors to return as often as they wish. From visiting Santa and riding the trains to exploring the enchanting displays, children and adults alike can experience the wonder and joy of Christmas without spending a dime.

Four-legged family members are welcome too. Leashed dogs are welcome, but please clean up after them.

Live Entertainment

Adding even more holiday cheer is live entertainment at the Ogden Amphitheater, located in the heart of the Municipal Gardens. Local performers bring the stage to life with festive performances every Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday evening. Each night features three 30-minute shows beginning at 6:00, 6:45, and 7:30 p.m., offering visitors another wonderful way to celebrate the sounds and spirit of the season.

Keeping the Village Free

Keeping the
Village Free

The generosity of donors helps keep Christmas Village free for everyone to enjoy. Donations also support the creation of new displays and the restoration and enhancement of beloved favorites. Donation spots are available throughout the village if you would like to help. Every contribution helps keep the lights shining, the holiday magic alive, and this cherished Ogden tradition thriving for generations to come.

Santa Claus Is Coming!

What would Christmas Village be without a visit from the jolly ol’ man in red himself? Fortunately, Santa Claus will be spreading holiday cheer from November 28 through December 23, welcoming visitors to his castle Monday through Friday from 6:00 to 9:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m. On opening night, Santa and Mrs. Claus will make their grand arrival in the light parade before heading to Santa’s Castle around 7:00 p.m.

Best of all, visiting Santa is completely free! Bring your camera, capture a memorable photo, and make a little Christmas magic of your own.

Mrs. Claus Too

Little ones can experience the magic of Christmas Village with a special guided tour led by Mrs. Claus herself! Designed for preschool-age children, these delightful tours are offered Tuesday through Friday, beginning at 10:00 a.m., with the final tour concluding at 3:00 p.m. Reservations open in October, so be sure to plan ahead. To schedule a visit, call 801-629-8338 or send an email.

CHRISTMAS VILLAGE RELATED EVENTS:

Breakfast with Santa

Adding more flavor to the holiday season, Breakfast with Santa returns to Ogden Union Station (2501 Wall Ave.) on Saturday, December 12, 2026, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. Families can enjoy a festive breakfast with Santa, Mrs. Claus, and their cheerful elves, along with a morning filled with entertainment from face painters, balloon artists, magicians, and beloved mascots. Every child receives a special gift to take home, and families are encouraged to bring their cameras to capture a memorable moment with Santa himself.

Tickets are $35 per person and go on sale November 1 through Eventbrite. Children 3 and older need a ticket; little ones 2 and under may sit on a parent’s lap and share their breakfast. High chairs and booster seats are not available. Tickets sell out quickly, and the city warns against buying from unverified sellers; call 801-629-8214 to verify a ticket.

DON”T MISS OPENING DAY!

Opening Day Festivities: Saturday, November 28

As Ogden City’s most celebrated event of the year, Christmas Village deserves a spectacular kickoff! Join the festivities on Saturday, November 28, and arrive early to experience all the excitement and holiday magic. With dazzling lights, festive entertainment, and plenty of Christmas cheer, there’s no better way to welcome the season than Opening Day at Ogden’s Christmas Village.

Scheduled Opening Day Events:

Time	Event	Where
4:30 pm	Santa Run	Washington Blvd.
5:30 pm	Holiday Electric Light Parade	Washington Blvd., 22nd to 27th Street
About 6:30 pm	Opening ceremony, fireworks, and the lights turning on	Ogden Amphitheater stage
About 7:00 pm	Santa arrives at his castle	Christmas Village

Scheduled Opening Day Events:

Scheduled Opening
Day Events:

Time	Event	Where
4:30 pm	Santa Run	Washington Blvd.
5:30 pm	Holiday Electric Light Parade	Washington Blvd., 22nd to 27th Street
About 6:30 pm	Opening ceremony, fireworks, and the lights turning on	Ogden Amphitheater stage
About 7:00 pm	Santa arrives at his castle	Christmas Village

The Santa Run

Imagine hundreds of Santas dashing down Washington Boulevard! The annual Utah Santa Run is a sight to behold and a holiday tradition that’s just as much fun for spectators as it is for participants. Whether you’re racing for the finish line or cheering from the sidelines, this festive 5K delivers plenty of Christmas cheer. Registered runners receive a complimentary Santa suit and can refuel at milk-and-cookie aid stations along the route. The Santa Run kicks off Ogden’s Christmas Village festivities at 4:30 p.m., and aspiring Santas can register online. For those watching the fun, keep your cameras ready. A parade of Santas crossing the finish line is a holiday moment you won’t want to miss!

Light Parade and Lighting Ceremony

Once the Santas have crossed the finish line and caught their breath, the holiday excitement continues with the Holiday Electric Light Parade! Beginning promptly at 5:30 p.m., this dazzling procession of illuminated floats and festive displays travels south along Washington Boulevard from 22nd Street to 27th Street. Adding a special touch to the celebration, the parade’s Grand Marshal is selected in partnership with the Make-A-Wish Foundation, bringing an extra measure of joy and meaning to this cherished holiday tradition.

Following the Holiday Electric Light Parade, the festivities continue at approximately 6:30 p.m. as visitors gather at the Ogden Amphitheater in the Municipal Gardens for a special opening ceremony. Then comes the moment everyone has been waiting for! Fireworks illuminate the night sky as Christmas Village bursts to life with hundreds of thousands of twinkling lights, officially welcoming the holiday season to downtown Ogden. With the village aglow, visitors are invited to stroll through the illuminated gardens, explore the festive displays, and experience the magic of Christmas Village.

Final Notes:

The lights come on at 5:00 p.m. every day of the week from November 28, 2026, through January 1, 2027. They switch off at 10:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and at midnight on Fridays and Saturdays. The village stays lit on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day.

Parking is available on the street or in the Municipal Building parking lot (2549 Washington Blvd.), entered from 26th Street. For more downtown options, see Ogden’s parking and public transit information. Questions? Call the Christmas Village office at 801-629-8214.

With time off from work and school, the holidays are the perfect chance to soak in the season. Between the parties and family gatherings, there’s plenty of time to come together and share the joy of Christmas.

Ogden City invites you to make its holiday celebration part of your season this year. Step into the magic of Christmas Village, where vibrant lights, festive cottages, and joyful smiles are sure to fill you with holiday cheer.

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