Salt Lake City New Year's Eve

Destination 01

Downtown Salt Lake City

7 places

Two nights downtown for the Temple Square lights, classic dinners and midnight fireworks at The Gateway.

• Photo: Hänsel und Gretel · CC BY-SA 3.0

  The Gateway

  Outdoor shopping district by the old Union Pacific depot, home of the free Last Hurrah and midnight fireworks in 2025.

  Tip Take TRAX and get off at Planetarium station to skip the parking lines.

  DoDowntownFree4 hr8 p.m. to 12:30 a.m.

• Temple Square

  Ten-acre square around the Salt Lake Temple, with trees wrapped in holiday lights through December.

  Tip Go after dark on Dec 30 and walk the plaza around the reflecting pool.

  SeeDowntownFree60 minEvening Dec 30
• Photo: Mike Renlund · CC BY 2.0

  Utah State Capitol

  1916 domed capitol on the hill above downtown, with a marble rotunda and a view south over the valley.

  Tip Visit on Dec 30 and check holiday hours; the steps face the downtown lights at dusk.

  SeeCapitol HillFree60 minAfternoon Dec 30

• Red Iguana

  Family-run Mexican restaurant on North Temple since 1985, known for its long list of house moles.

  Tip Ask for the mole sampler before you order.

  EatFairpark$$75 minEarly dinner Dec 31

• Market Street Grill

  Seafood and steak house open since 1980 in the old New York Hotel building on Market Street.

  Tip Book a Dec 30 dinner; it fills with holiday parties on Dec 31.

  EatDowntown$$$1.5 hrDinner Dec 30

• Bar X

  One of the city's oldest bars, open since 1933, with a long wooden bar and classic cocktails.

  Tip Go early on Dec 31 before heading to The Gateway.

  DrinkDowntown$$60 minEarly evening
• Photo: Xnatedawgx · CC BY-SA 4.0

  Kimpton Hotel Monaco

  Hotel in the 1924 Continental Bank Building on Main Street, a short TRAX ride from The Gateway.

  Tip Ask for a high floor facing the Wasatch Mountains.

  StayDowntown$$$Dec 30 – Jan 2

Destination 02

Big Cottonwood Canyon

6 places

A slow Jan 1 up the canyon for skiing, snowshoeing on a frozen lake and a lodge lunch.

• Photo: Wikimedia Commons · CC BY-SA 2.5

  Brighton Resort

  Ski area at the top of the canyon, open since 1936, with night skiing on lit runs most evenings.

  Tip Buy lift tickets online; Jan 1 is one of the busiest days of the season.

  DoBrighton$$$5 hrMorning Jan 1

• Solitude Mountain Resort

  Quieter ski area just below Brighton, with a small village at the base and long tree runs.

  Tip Park early; lots fill by 9 a.m. on holidays.

  DoSolitude$$$5 hrMorning Jan 1
• Photo: Nils Rasmusson nilsynils · CC0

  Silver Lake

  Small frozen lake at the canyon's top, with a flat boardwalk loop and groomed trails from the Nordic center.

  Tip Rent snowshoes at the Solitude Nordic Center by the lake.

  OutdoorsBrighton$1.5 hrMidday Jan 1

• Donut Falls

  Short trail to a waterfall that drops through a hole in the rock, popular for snowshoeing in winter.

  Tip In winter the road to the upper lot is closed, so the walk is longer; bring traction.

  OutdoorsBig Cottonwood CanyonFree2 hrLate morning Jan 1

• Silver Fork Lodge

  Old wooden canyon lodge with a restaurant known for sourdough pancakes and a fire on cold days.

  Tip Go for a late breakfast on Jan 1 and check holiday hours.

  EatBig Cottonwood Canyon$$75 minBrunch Jan 1

• Big Cottonwood Canyon Road

  Winding 15-mile road past granite walls and snowy peaks from the valley to Brighton.

  Tip Pull out at the Storm Mountain picnic area on the way down for the view.

  SeeBig Cottonwood CanyonFree45 minMorning Jan 1