The charming holiday tradition lights up downtown Ogden on Saturday with the Santa Run, parade, and fireworks.

By Deann Armes

OGDEN NEWS

The 60th Grand Opening of Ogden’s Christmas Village is Saturday, November 26 at the Municipal Gardens, 353 E 25th Street, at 6:30 p.m., beginning with the annual Santa Run 5K and Holiday Electric Light Parade. A fireworks show in the Ogden Amphitheatre concludes the opening festivities. The Christmas Village holiday light display with dozens of decorated miniature cottages remains free and open to all visitors until January 1.

Ogden’s Christmas Village was started 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. He successfully won the City’s support and community members helped with the construction of the village. The first Christmas Village and Parade opened on November 23, 1962.

CHRISTMAS VILLAGE GRAND OPENING EVENTS LINEUP

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, 8-year-old Jack Fronk, 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. A diamond-shaped ornament is hidden inside each of the cottages for visitors to find. Vote for your favorite cottage at christmasvillage.ogdencity.com. 

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 26 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 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. 

Live Entertainment: Catch performances at the Ogden Amphitheater stage Monday through Saturday and programming at the Christmas Village through December 23.

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 2022 Christmas Village Sweatshirts are also on sale, ranging in price from $20 to $30.

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 

Photos courtesy of Ogden City Arts