Get Ready for History: The Salt Lake Temple’s Epic Open House is Coming in 2027

If you’ve been dreaming of stepping inside one of Utah’s most iconic buildings, 2027 is your year. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints just announced that the beautifully restored Salt Lake Temple will open its doors to the public for an unprecedented six-month celebration—and it’s shaping up to be absolutely massive.

A Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity

Here’s the thing: it’s been over 130 years since regular folks could actually tour the inside of the Salt Lake Temple. The building closed on January 1, 2020, for comprehensive seismic upgrades and extensive renovations, and now it’s nearly ready to dazzle visitors again. By the end of this year, all the reconstruction work will be finished, and the doors will finally open for what promises to be the largest temple open house in church history.

What to Expect: The Numbers Game

The church is preparing for somewhere between 3 to 5 million visitors during the open house period—that’s roughly 20,000 to 29,000 people per day for six straight months. To put that in perspective, the 2002 Winter Olympics brought about 70,000 visitors daily to Salt Lake City, but that was condensed into just 17 days. This is going to be epic, and the city is ready.

Mark Your Calendars: April 5 – October 1, 2027

The public open house runs from April 5 through October 1, 2027. After October, the Temple will transition to being open exclusively to church members with active temple recommends. So if you want to see it, this is the window.

How to Get Your Tour

Timing Matters: Tickets will go live in late August or early September 2027 through a dedicated church app. This mobile booking system will let you secure your preferred tour time—a smart move to manage the crowds.

Getting There: The church has partnered with UTA to make transportation seamless. You can:

• Take TRAX or FrontRunner directly downtown
• Use the bus system
• Park at a brand-new, lighted secure park-and-ride lot at South Temple and Redwood Road with regular shuttle service to Temple Square

Want to sweeten the deal? Church employees will receive free UTA passes for all six months, which should help ease downtown congestion.

Inside the Temple: What You’ll See

The tour itself is expertly designed. It kicks off at the Conference Center, just north of Temple Square, then travels underground directly into the Temple itself. Your actual tour of the building will take between 60 to 80 minutes—enough time to soak in all the restored details without feeling rushed.

But here’s the best part: once you’re in the perimeter, you’ll have access to the entire Temple Square experience, including the beautiful new statues and other church buildings. Plan for several hours total if you want the full experience.

Special Perks Before the Crowds Arrive

If you know someone who lives or works nearby, there’s a bonus: local business owners and residents get invited for exclusive tours in March 2027, before the general public arrives. It’s a nice touch.

The Mission Behind the Madness

The church is calling special missionaries to serve as docents during the open house period. These trained guides will help make your experience meaningful and informative.

The Bottom Line

Whether you’re a longtime church member, a history buff, an architecture enthusiast, or just curious about one of Salt Lake City’s most recognizable buildings, the 2027 open house is something to look forward to. Plan ahead, download that app when it launches, and secure your spot for what could be the most visited temple open house ever.

It’s going to be quite the show.