The holiday season is one of the most popular times to visit St. George, Utah, and it’s a favorite time of year for the locals!
There are many activities to do in this area during the Christmas season, including holiday shows and festivals, shopping for gifts at local boutiques, having an encounter with Santa Claus himself (or the Grinch!), watching live nativity scenes around town complete with real camels and donkeys, plus so much more.
The holiday season is fast approaching, meaning it’s that time again to start planning out your fun things to do for Christmas in St. George! Here’s a list of just a few of the things you can do in the 2021 holiday season.
Dicken’s Christmas Festival
Celebrate the holidays’ Victorian style at a craft show displayed in Olde English style with hundreds of period costumes, fortune tellers, royalty, and Father Christmas.
This unusual and unique entertainment and shopping experience takes place December 1st-4th from 10 a.m. – 9 p.m. Adult tickets are $10, seniors 65 and older pay $9, kids 4-12 are $8, and little ones three and under are free.
The Dickens Christmas Festival is a non-profit organization that compassionately helps community members during times of need.
Red Hills Desert Gardens Winter Wonderland
On November 26th, Red Hills Desert Gardens changes into an enchanting winter wonderland with thousands of colorful lights and festive displays. Visit the gardens nightly until 10 p.m. through January 2nd, 2022.
The Red Hills Desert Gardens are a staple in the St. George community and have been since they opened in 1974. Owner and operator Joseph Harker, a landscape designer with a background at Disney World, created the garden as an escape from life’s stresses.
Light the Holidays
Celebrate safely by participating in the first annual drive-thru light show hosted at the Red Cliffs Mall. Enjoy Christmas music as you drive through Santa’s workshop and dozens of displays featuring thousands of lights. Begin the tour behind the mall by Dillard’s from 5:30 p.m. 0 10 p.m.
The St. George Gingerbread House Parade
Head over to St. George Town Square for a quintessential hometown event starting on November 29th, 2021, with a tree-lighting ceremony. Then, enjoy a game of collecting stamps from local businesses that parade their crafted custom and creative gingerbread houses.
St. George Town Square is known for being a great public park that hosts fun events year-round. They have partnered with the St. George Area Chamber of Commerce to bring the Gingerbread House Parade to life, and they are excited for people to come to enjoy it.
Carousel Christmas at Town Square
This event features live entertainment, crafts with kids, and an opportunity to visit Old St. Nick. The Carousel Christmas at Town Square has been taking place annually for over ten years and features a free event with family-friendly activities.
The Carousel Christmas at Town Square aims to bring the community together by hosting a variety of holiday activities.
The Santa Dash
In conjunction with other holiday events at Town Square on November 29th, participate in the Santa Dash, a fun race where residents and guests wear Santa costumes to race through the park freshly lit with an abundance of sparkling holiday lights. The race starts and finishes at the Christmas tree in the middle of the park. The race begins at 7:15 p.m. and ends at midnight.
North Pole Express at Thunder Junction
Thunder Junction in St. George is an all-abilities play park filled with kid-friendly rides. It closes the park to the public for a special event, the North Pole Express at Thunder Junction. For $7 per ticket, you can tour the park filled with lights, be surprised by special guests and live entertainment, or ride the train with Santa.
2021 Holiday Social at Tonaquint
You may see Santa all over St. George during the holiday season, but at the Tonaquint Nature Center, you can have a meet and greet with the Grinch! Enjoy family-friendly games, holiday crafts, and treats. The event is taking place on December 4th, 2021, from 11 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
The Tonaquint Nature Center is known for its thriving community programs. They’re excited to partner with different organizations to host an event that will encourage people of all ages to come out and enjoy the season.
Due West Christmas Concert
Due West is a country music trio that has been performing together since 2004. This year, they’re spending part of their Christmas season performing Christmas music. Join Due West at the Cox Performing Arts Center at Dixie University on December 18th.
Irish Christmas in America
Celebrate the holidays in Irish style with the Irish Christmas in America, presented by the Celebrity Art Series at Cox Performing Arts Center. On December 21st, 2021, from 7:30 p.m. – midnight, enjoy Irish song and dance infused with history and humor in this family-friendly experience set against photographic images as the backdrop. The Cox Performing Arts Center is located at 225 S. 700 East, St. George, UT 84770.
Christmas in the Canyon
Hosted at the Tuacahn Center for the Arts, enjoy a nativity show, train rides, a visit with Santa, and a live nativity show, all adorned in 250,000 twinkling lights. There’s free admission, but the events may have individual prices. Visit Christmas in the Canyon with the family and friends from November 26th-December 23rd from 6–9 p.m.
The Village at Stucki Farms
The annual Christmas Village at Stucki Farms is chock full of things to do for the holidays, including cookies with Mrs. Claus, pictures with Santa Claus, a train ride, ice skating, Santa’s Workshop, a tree lot, food, shopping, and more. This year’s event is scheduled to run from November 24th – December 23rd.
Christmas on Harmony
For several years running, one house in the Bloomington Hills community has earned a reputation as being one of the most well-known residential Christmas displays in St. George.
The family spends six weeks before the holiday decking out their abode with more than 175,000 lights and counting. The displays include Santa’s workshop, the North Pole, and a nativity scene. This holiday season, make sure to visit what’s now known as, “The Wow House” in St. George.
A Christmas Story: The Musical
During the 2021 holiday season, the Tuacahn Amphitheatre presents A Christmas Story: The Musical. Based on the classic film, this live event is infused with joy, singing, dancing, and a healthy dose of holiday magic.
Paint Night: Shining Christmas
Join in on the holiday festivities at The Fish Rock Grille at The Ledges for a paint and sip event featuring festive artwork called Shining Christmas.
Pet Pictures with Santa and Pet Adoptions from P.A.W.S.
Take your furry canine or feline family member to the P.A.W.S. Adoption Center for a fun picture with Santa.
If you haven’t yet got a pet for your household to love, especially if you’re interested in getting one for Christmas, then adopt one while you’re there and have a pic made with Santa before you leave.
A Merry Movie Christmas Charity
The Film and Media Alliance of Southern Utah has sponsored an annual charity/fundraiser event that helps a local organization doing good in the community raise money toward their charitable mission.
Don’t miss this holiday edition of the Guerilla Short Film Showcase from 12-1 p.m., followed by opening remarks at 1 p.m. At 4 p.m., sport your ugly Christmas sweater for a contest at the Sponsored meal.
Kurt Bestor Christmas: return to the Magic
Presented by Kayenta Arts Foundation, the Emmy-award-winning and Grammy-nominated Kurt Bestor will launch the Christmas Season at The Center for the Arts at Kayenta on December 2nd, 3rd, and 4th., starting at 7 p.m.
Enjoy the return of the artist who stopped touring due to Covid and can’t wait to get back to the stage this holiday season with a Christmas special.
2021 Run Run Reindeer 5K Family Fun Run
Join the 10th Annual Run Run Reindeer 5k Family Fun Run, set to festive holiday music on the course, and fun selfie stations. Each participant gets a medal and a fun run tee shirt, and the first 500 registrants get a foam reindeer.
There are prizes for the first three females and the first three males that finish first, although the race is not timed. And satisfy that appetite with donuts from Lins, Muffins from Smiths, and hot chocolate. There are also prizes for the most festive outfits, as well as an ugly sweater award.
2021 Christmas Fireside: “Sing We Noel”
For 28 years, the Southern Utah Heritage Choir, a 200-member choir, has been entertaining people with strong vocals and harmonies.
They have won Utah’s Best of State 2020 award and will be bringing their inspirational and uplifting music fireside this Christmas.
Redneck Tenors Christmas Spectacular
The Kayenta Arts Foundation presents the Redneck Tenors Christmas Spectacular, consisting of Broadway and Opera stars ready to celebrate the holidays at the Center for the Arts at Kayenta.
The group was a finalist on America’s Got Talent and has been performing together since 2006.
Conclusion
There’s an exciting variety of festive things to do in St. George for Christmas this year, including tree-lightings, parades, festivals, train rides, visits with Santa, holiday races, Christmases celebrated in Victorian and Irish fashion, holiday concerts, and residential winter wonderlands.
The people of St. George, Utah, know how to celebrate the holidays with cherished old traditions and modern new additions. Spend part of your 2021 holiday season taking full advantage of everything St. George has to offer its citizens and guests.
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