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

Hold onto your seats, because Salt Lake City is about to experience one of the most anticipated events in recent memory. After more than 130 years of being off-limits to the general public, the iconic Salt Lake Temple is throwing open its doors for an extraordinary six-month celebration. And yes, you’re invited.

A Once-in-a-Lifetime Moment

Let’s put this in perspective: this isn’t just another local event. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is expecting between 3 to 5 million visitors to flock to Temple Square between April 5 and October 1, 2027. That’s roughly 20,000 to 29,000 people every single day for half a year.

To give you an idea of the scale, the 2002 Winter Olympics drew about 70,000 visitors daily—but that was compressed into just 17 days. This open house will stretch across six months, making it the largest temple open house the church has ever hosted.

What Happens Next?

After the public celebration wraps up on October 1, 2027, the Temple will return to members-only access. Those with active temple recommends will continue to have access, but the casual visitor won’t be able to step inside again. So if you’re thinking about experiencing this historic moment, now’s the time to mark your calendar.

The Grand Tour Experience

Curious about what the tour actually looks like? Here’s what you can expect:

Getting There: No need to stress about parking in downtown Salt Lake City. The church has partnered with UTA to make transportation seamless. You can hop on TRAX, FrontRunner, or catch a bus directly to Temple Square. Plus, they’re setting up a lighted, secure park-and-ride lot at South Temple and Redwood Road with regular shuttle service. Church employees will even receive free UTA passes for the entire six months to help ease downtown traffic.

The Tour Itself: Your experience begins at the Conference Center, just north of Temple Square. From there, you’ll head underground into the Temple itself. Plan on spending 60 to 80 minutes exploring the interior of the renovated building. But here’s the thing—once you’re inside the perimeter, you’ll have access to the entire Temple Square, including brand-new statues and other church buildings. Factor in time to explore the grounds, and you could easily spend several hours experiencing the whole event.

Expert Guidance: Special missionaries have been called to serve as docents throughout the open house period, ready to answer questions and share insights about the Temple’s history and recent renovations.

How to Get Your Tickets

Mark your calendars for late August or early September 2027—that’s when the church will launch a dedicated app for booking tour times. This system will help manage the massive flow of visitors and ensure everyone gets a chance to experience the Temple during their preferred time slot.

Here’s a pro tip: if you’re a nearby business owner or Salt Lake City resident, the church is inviting you to tour the Temple in March 2027, before the general public arrives. It’s a nice gesture that gives locals first dibs on the experience.

A Renovation Worth the Wait

Remember, this Temple has been closed since January 1, 2020, undergoing comprehensive seismic upgrades and extensive renovations. By the end of this year, all reconstruction will be complete. The result? A beautifully restored historical building that’s ready to welcome millions.

The Bigger Picture

While the open house is the main event, there’s more happening in Salt Lake City next year. The church is also preparing its semi-annual general conference, which takes place in April and October. Plus, they’ve got Easter displays set up for visitors throughout the year.

The city and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have partnered to create a comprehensive plan to handle the crowds. As one official noted, they’re “planning for a larger number rather than a smaller number so that we don’t get overwhelmed.”

Bottom Line

If you’ve ever wanted to see inside one of the most historically significant religious buildings in America, 2027 is your chance. Whether you’re a church member, a history buff, an architecture enthusiast, or simply curious, this six-month celebration promises to be unforgettable.

Start planning now, download that app when it launches, and prepare for one of Salt Lake City’s most remarkable events in decades. This is history in the making—and you don’t want to miss it.