Photo Courtesy of deervalley.com
We’re hard-pressed to come up with better ways to celebrate the holidays than spending them on the ski slopes, especially if Santa Claus decides to deliver a powder day (or three!). But Park City’s Christmas spirit extends well beyond our beloved ski resorts, and includes a litany of musical performances, shopping opportunities, family-friendly adventures and, of course, plenty of chances to get some face time with ole Saint Nick.
MUSIC & MERRIMENT
Whether you’re looking for an evening at the theater, a sing along to Christmas classics, or simply a festive backdrop to your apres-ski experience, Park City is alive with music all season long. Mountain Town Music is back with a lineup of FREE shows at Park City Mountain, while the historic Egyptian Theatre has a trio of can’t-miss performances in December. And don’t forget to check Main Street’s live-music hotspots including The Cabin, The Spur Bar & Grill and O.P. Rockwell for everything from local singer-songwriters and rock-and-roll bands, to trending DJs and dueling pianos.
Dec. 17: The Changing Lanes Holiday Carolers, 1-4 p.m.; Nathan Spenser Revue (Canyons Village), 3:30-5:30 p.m.
Dec. 18: The Changing Lanes Holiday Carolers, 1-4 p.m.
Dec. 19: The Changing Lanes Holiday Carolers, 1-4 p.m.
Dec. 23: The Changing Lanes Holiday Carolers, 1-4 p.m.; The Fab Folk (Canyons Village), 3:30-5:30 p.m.
Dec. 24: The Changing Lanes Holiday Carolers, 1-4 p.m.
Dec. 24: Ryan Walsh — A Very Ryno Christmas, 4-6 p.m.
Dec. 31: The Cover Dogs (Canyons Village), 5:30-7 p.m.
Dec. 18: Flamingo, 5:30-7 p.m. — SANTA COMES DOWN THE TOWN LIFT!
Dec. 9-12: The Letterman Christmas Show
Dec. 17019: Park City’s Holiday Spectacular and Community Sing-Along
Dec. 22-25: Kurt Bestor
SHOP LOCAL
Borrowed from the European tradition of outdoor holiday markets — most notably like the long-standing Christkindlesmarkt in Nuremburg, Germany — Park City has created several ways for its many creative locals to bring their wares to you just in time for the holidays. The perennial summer favorite, the Park Silly Sunday Market, is hosting TWO Silly Holiday Bazaar events this December, while the Arts Council of Park City and Summit County is hosting a pop-up holiday exhibit and shop, BRAND PC, through Dec. 24 at the Outlets Park City.
The first bazaar is this weekend, Dec. 3-5, at The Shops at South Town (Sandy, Utah), while the 11th annual Park City event will take place Dec. 10-12 at the DoubleTree Park City Yarrow (1800 Park Ave.; check website for hours). Parking and entry are free at both, and organizers expect more than 80 vendors to participate. Additionally, Santa will be on site for free photos during the Park City bazaar.
This year’s BRAND PC has a new home at Kimball Junction, with the Outlets as the host sponsor and also donating the space for the shop, located in the upper section of the complex between Banana Republic and PacSun. The pop-up will showcase more than 50 artists, entrepreneurs and creatives, and also provide the opportunity to glimpse behind the scenes of local makers and artists as they tell their stories and build connections with consumers.
There’s still time to RSVP for the BRAND PC Launch Party on Friday, Dec. 3. Join the Arts Council and BRAND PC vendors from 6-9 p.m. to celebrate the new pop-up location and enjoy music, cash bar, light bites and opportunities to shop local and support local makers this holiday season.
MORE CHANCES TO SEE SANTA!
Really, can you ever get enough of seeing jolly ole Saint Nicholas? We don’t think so either! So grab the whole family and enjoy one of these local, annual traditions and that bring to life the magic of the holiday season. Whether you’re looking for a flash of that red suit on the mountain or maybe at the end of a timeless train ride through the picturesque Heber Valley, we’ve got an adventure for you.
At Deer Valley Resort, Santa Claus will visit guests on Friday, Dec. 24, in the Snow Park Lodge area from 9-11 a.m. and in the Silver Lake Lodge area from noon to 1:30 p.m. Guests and their children are invited to bring a camera and capture the moment! Plan to circle back to Deer Valley on Friday, Dec. 30, from 5:30-7:30 p.m. for an unforgettable evening featuring the breathtaking Torchlight Parade. The parade will be held at approximately 6 p.m. (dusk) on Big Stick ski run on Bald Eagle Mountain, behind Snow Park Lodge. Enjoy complimentary hot chocolate, cider and cookies on the Snow Park Plaza, and Athletic Brewing also will be on site with samples of their non-alcoholic beer throughout the event.
Now through Dec. 23, climb aboard the Heber Valley Railroad’s North Pole Express for a 90-minute round trip to this magical destination. The ride includes hot cocoa, Mrs. Claus’ famous chocolate-chip cookies and a group sing-along to new and traditional Christmas favorites while your hosts, elves and cocoa chefs provide additional entertainment. Once you reach the North Pole, Santa will join guests for the return trip with plenty of time to greet each child and present them with a special gift. New this year is beautiful 801 First Class Car — a restored 1930 coach that features 11 tables and can hold up to 44 passengers.
