The traditional festivities are back to celebrate the grand opening of Ogden’s charming 61-year-old Christmas village: Santa Run 5K, Holiday Electric Light Parade, Fireworks…and Santa!

NEWS

The Grand Opening of Ogden’s Christmas Village is Saturday, November 25 at the Municipal Gardens, 353 E 25th Street, at 5:30 p.m. The Christmas Village holiday light display will light up dozens of tiny cottages that will remain open and free to visitors through January 1. Live entertainment and activities continue until December 23.

The festivities kick off at 4:30 p.m. with a Santa Run 5K—hundreds of runners in Santa suits down Washington Boulevard is a sight to see—and then the Holiday Electric Light Parade begins promptly at 5:30 followed with a lighting ceremony and fireworks.

The Mayor of Christmas Village, Dan Hoover, with Swire Coca Cola will be recognized, and parade awards will be given. Santa Claus will make an appearance, accompanied by the Grand Marshal of the Parade Logan Knapp, thanks to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.

Ogden’s Christmas Village is a tradition started over 60 years ago by a father and small business owner in Ogden who wanted to create a magical holiday experience for his small child, Tommy. After winning support from Ogden City, community members helped build the village. The first Christmas Village and Parade opened on November 23, 1962.

The theme for this year’s Christmas Village is “Snow Place Like Ogden.” Visitors can find a theme-related hidden item inside all of the cottages as they explore the displays. Vote for your favorite cottage at christmasvillage.ogdencity.com.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

4:30 p.m. Santa Run 5K Runners, all dressed as Santa Claus, will run up and down Washington Boulevard from 22nd to 28th and finish at 25th Street. 

5:30 p.m. The Holiday Electric Light Parade Begins at 22nd Street and Washington Boulevard running south. Santa Claus arrives at the end. Give a wave to this year’s Grand Marshal, Logan Knapp selected by the Make-A-Wish Foundation. 

6:30 p.m. The Christmas Village lights up followed by fireworks at Ogden Amphitheater. The village remains open daily from 5 p.m. to midnight until January 1.

DAILY PROGRAMMING THROUGH DECEMBER 23

Santa Claus: Santa will greet children in his castle Monday through Friday from 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. and Saturdays from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m., November 25 until December 23.

The Mini Polar Express Train: This favorite attraction at the Christmas Village features a glow-in-the-dark Christmas Tunnel. It runs Monday through Friday, 6–9 p.m., and Saturday 5–9 p.m.

Hot Chocolate Booth: Concessions are open at the village Monday through Friday 6–9 p.m. and Saturday from 5–9 p.m., and from The Corner Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Live Entertainment: Performances can be found on the Ogden Amphitheater stage on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. Look for updates on the performance schedule online or on social media. Facebook & Instagram @OgdenAmphitheater

Santa’s Store: Support Christmas Village at Santa’s Store located at the north entrance to Christmas Village. Commemorative gifts and souvenirs are available for purchase. Proceeds from the sale of Christmas Village toys, stuffed animals, sweatshirts, and posters will help fund new lights and displays for years to come. Official 2023 Christmas Village Sweatshirts are available for purchase.

Find the updated live performance schedules on Facebook and Instagram @OgdenAmphitheater or chritsmasvillage.ogdencity.com. 

More information about Christmas Village can be found on the Ogden City website or by following Ogden’s Christmas Village on Facebook.

Helpful Links: 

https://www.ogdencity.com/452/Christmas-Village

https://ogdencity.com/852/Holiday-Electric-Light-Parade

https://www.facebook.com/ogdenschristmasvillage