The holidays are in full swing here in downtown SLC. From shopping and holiday sightseeing to dining and drinking at our top-notch restaurants and bars, there is no shortage of holiday cheer for all your friends and family! To keep every face merry and bright, we're here to offer a few tips on How to Holiday downtown this season.
Getting Around Downtown
With so much to do downtown, it may seem nearly impossible to see everything on your list (and stay warm while doing it). But never fear – Jingle Bus is here! Jingle Bus is a free, holiday-themed ride circulating between The Gateway, Temple Square, City Creek Center, Gallivan Plaza and Capitol Theatre. Downtown visitors and shoppers will find this free service especially useful for getting to-and-from downtown’s two malls, as well as enjoying the abundant holiday lights and storefront decorations.
Jingle Bus runs from 5 PM–10 PM, 7 days a week (except for Christmas Day) free of charge, courtesy of the SLC Downtown Alliance, City Creek Center, The Gateway and other generous sponsors. Check out a map of Jingle Bus stops here.
Parking Downtown
Did you know downtown has over 55,000 on- and off-street parking spots? That means there are plenty of places to park if you are driving to get to downtown. There are several parking garages throughout the city with the most notable being City Creek Center, The Gateway, and the Regent Street Garage. Remember, on-street parking is free after 8 pm!
City Creek (50 South Main): Just south of Temple Square, this is downtown’s largest and most central parking garage. Entrances to City Creek Center can be accessed from West Temple, South Temple, 100 South and State Street. Parking is free for the first two hours and is $2 for every hour after. If you happen to be dining at City Creek Center, there are a handful of restaurants that can validate. City Creek Center has over 5,000 parking spaces and real-time signs indicating available spots for quick and easy navigation.
Regent Street Garage (55 East 200 South): Just south of City Creek Center, the Regent Street Garage is accessible via both Regent Street, between 100 and 200 South between State and Main Street, or Orpheum Avenue from State Street. The cost of parking is $2 per hour.
The Gateway (400 West 100 South): Hosting a multitude of events this holiday season, you’ll want to be sure to check out The Gateway! Their garage can be accessed from 100 South, 400 West and 200 South. With the first hour free, the cost of parking is $2 per hour thereafter.
*Keep in mind, there are a number of other parking garages and lots available around downtown with varying prices. Most average about $2-4 per hour, and some require proof of payment to be placed face-up, on the dash of your car.
Transit
Want to avoid a parking headache all together? The Salt Lake Valley has a plethora of Park-n-Ride TRAX Stations to help you ditch your car this winter. Check out a map of Park-n-Ride Stations here. Consider hopping on the train with the whole family and taking a leisurely ride into downtown. Don’t forget, UTA has a Free-Fare Zone so you can use TRAX and buses within the downtown area free of charge. See a map of the Free-Fare Zone here. See other UTA Schedules here.
Traditions Downtown
Every year downtown fills with holiday shoppers, art lovers and adventure seekers alike. If you’re looking for that something extra to build upon your downtown holiday traditions, check out a few of our favorite things:
Lights, Candy Art, Murals and the Last Hurrah!
You may be among the throngs that enjoy the dazzling lights and charming creches at Temple Square. After taking in the dazzling light display, hop over to view an assortment of intricate, holiday-themed candy creations at City Creek Center. Local artists have created beautiful candy dioramas in the Macy’s windows on Main Street just below South Temple.
Need more visuals? Take a tour of our favorite downtown murals and street art. You can guide yourself through the city using an Interactive Map found at https://theblocksslc.com/map/ and find the following works:
SLC Pepper by Jann Haworth - 250 S. 400 W.
The many murals at The Gateway - 400 W. 100 S.
Salt Palace Subway by Traci O’Very Covey, Chuck Landvatter, Evan Jed Memmott, Matt Monsoon, Jimmi Toro and Alexis Rose - 40 S. 200 W.
Utah Jazz mural by Trent Call - 100 S. Main Street
Ave Maria by El Mac and Retna and various murals - 160 E. 200 S. (go down the alleyway!)
Murals at Ken Sanders Rare Books - 268 S. 200 E.
Skip the Times Square ball-drop this New Year’s Eve and head down to The Gateway for Last Hurrah! This popular local celebration features live music, cultural performances, food, drinks and more. Last Hurrah is the largest NYE celebration in Utah and is free and open to the public from 8 p.m. - midnight.
Holiday Treasure Hunting
Up your gift-giving game this year and get your friends and family something made by a local artist or craftsperson! Check out these galleries for beautiful and meaningful gifts: Modern West Fine Art, Hope Gallery, Southam Gallery, God Hates Robots, Urban Arts Gallery, Michael Berry Gallery, Art Access and Art At The Main.
Galleries aren’t the only places where you can purchase artwork. You will find retailers across downtown with works from local artists.
Want to give the gift of performance instead? Tickets to a performance from any of our celebrated resident companies are sure to be a hit! Upcoming 2019 performances include:
Repertory Dance Theatre - Emerge, Jan. 4-5 / Voices, Apr. 11-13
Ririe-Woodbury Dance Co. - The Live Creature and Ethereal Things, Feb. 1-2 / Bloom, Apr. 18-20
Pygmalion Productions - Wait, Feb. 21-Mar. 9 / Sweetheart Come, May 2-19
Plan-B Theatre - An Evening With Two Awful Men, Feb. 21-Mar. 3 / ...Of Color, Mar. 28-Apr. 7
Ballet West - Swan Lake, Feb. 8-23 / Choreographic Festival, May 9-11
Utah Opera - Mozart’s The Magic Flute, Mar. 9-17 / Bellini’s Norma, May 4-6
Utah Symphony - Brahms’ Violin Concerto, Feb. 22-23 / Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, May 4-6
