Get Ready to Experience History: The Salt Lake Temple Open House is Coming in 2027
Mark your calendars, folks—something truly special is about to happen in Salt Lake City. After more than 130 years of being closed to the public, the magnificent Salt Lake Temple is finally opening its doors to everyone starting April 5, 2027. And this isn’t just any open house; it’s shaping up to be the biggest celebration of its kind the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has ever organized.
A Moment 130+ Years in the Making
Picture this: a beautifully restored architectural masterpiece that’s been undergoing seismic upgrades and extensive renovations since January 2020. The wait is almost over. When the doors swing open next spring, visitors will step into a Temple that has been thoughtfully preserved and strengthened for generations to come.
The public open house runs from April 5 through October 1, 2027—six full months of opportunity to explore this iconic downtown Salt Lake City destination. After October 2, the Temple returns to being accessible only to church members with active Temple recommends.
Expect Record-Breaking Crowds
Here’s where things get interesting: Church leaders are estimating that 3 to 5 million visitors will make the pilgrimage to Temple Square during this open house period. That translates to roughly 20,000 to 29,000 visitors per day—imagine the equivalent of one session of the church’s biannual general conference happening every single day for six months straight!
To put this in perspective, that’s nearly triple the daily attendance during the 2002 Winter Olympics, which brought an average of 70,000 visitors per day to Salt Lake City over just 17 days. This Temple open house will be the real marathon event.
What You’ll Actually See and Do
The experience is being carefully designed for maximum enjoyment and minimal chaos. Here’s the itinerary:
The Tour Route: Your adventure begins at the Church’s Conference Center just north of Temple Square, then takes you underground directly into the Temple itself. The Temple tour portion will take 60 to 80 minutes as you walk through the beautifully restored rooms and spaces.
Beyond the Temple: Once you’re in the Temple Square perimeter, you’ll have access to the entire area, including stunning new statues and other church buildings. The complete experience could easily span several hours, so plan accordingly.
Special Guides: The church is calling special missionaries to serve as docents during the six-month run, so you’ll have knowledgeable guides to answer questions and share the Temple’s remarkable history.
Getting There: Transportation Made Easy
The city and church have thought this through strategically. Here’s your transportation toolkit:
- Book Your Spot: In late August or early September 2027, an app will launch for reserving your tour time
- Public Transit: The church has partnered with UTA, so ticket holders can ride TRAX, FrontRunner, and buses directly downtown
- Park and Ride: A lighted, secure lot with shuttle service is being set up at South Temple and Redwood Road
- Commuter Support: Church employees will receive free UTA passes for the entire six months to help reduce traffic
Want a Head Start?
Here’s an insider tip: The church is inviting nearby businesses and residents to tour the Temple in March 2027, before the general public opens. If you fall into that category, keep your eyes open for that special invitation.
Why This Matters
This isn’t just about touring an old building. The Salt Lake Temple is a piece of religious and cultural history right in the heart of downtown Salt Lake City. The fact that it’s been closed to public viewing for over a century makes this reopening genuinely unprecedented.
Whether you’re a member of the church, a history enthusiast, or simply curious about Salt Lake City’s most iconic building, this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity you won’t want to miss.
Save the dates: April 5 – October 1, 2027.
The countdown is on.