Get Ready to Experience History: The Salt Lake Temple Open House is Coming!
If you’ve been dreaming of stepping inside one of the most iconic religious buildings in America, 2027 is your year. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has announced plans for an extraordinary public open house at the beautifully renovated Salt Lake Temple, and it’s going to be absolutely massive.
A Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity
Here’s the exciting part: it’s been over 130 years since the general public could actually tour the Salt Lake Temple. Let that sink in. The Temple closed on January 1, 2020, for critical seismic upgrades and extensive renovations. Now, after years of meticulous work, the doors are swinging open for what the church estimates could draw between 3 to 5 million visitors.
Yes, you read that right. Millions of people are expected to descend on Salt Lake City for this six-month celebration.
The Dates You Need to Know
Mark your calendars: April 5 through October 1, 2027.
After October 1, 2027, the Temple will close to the general public and return to members-only access (for those with active Temple recommends). So if you’re planning to visit, you’ll want to make it happen during those six months. After that, it’s a different kind of exclusive.
What to Expect During Your Visit
The tour experience is thoughtfully designed to be both manageable and meaningful:
The Route: Your journey starts at the Church’s Conference Center, just north of Temple Square. From there, you’ll travel underground to the Temple itself—pretty cool, right? The actual Temple tour takes 60 to 80 minutes, but don’t plan to leave after that.
The Full Experience: Once you’re inside the Temple Square perimeter, you’ll have access to so much more than just the Temple. You can explore the newly installed statues, visit other church buildings, and soak in the entire atmosphere. Visitors should plan for several hours total.
Special Guides: The church is calling special missionaries to serve as docents throughout the open house period. These dedicated guides will help bring the Temple’s history and significance to life.
How to Get Your Tour Time
The church will launch a dedicated app in late August or early September where you can book your preferred tour time. Think of it like getting concert tickets—you’ll want to be ready when registration opens.
Getting There Made Easy
The city and church have really thought through the logistics (because yes, 20,000 to 29,000 people per day is no joke):
Transportation Options:
- Special arrangements with UTA mean ticket holders can use TRAX, FrontRunner, and buses to get downtown
- A new lighted, secure park-and-ride lot with regular shuttle service at South Temple and Redwood Road
- Church employees will receive free UTA passes for the entire six months to help reduce traffic congestion
The church is basically saying: “We don’t want you stressed about parking. We’ve got this.”
A Preview Before the Rush
Here’s a nice touch: the church will invite nearby businesses and residents to tour the Temple in March 2027, before the general public arrives. It’s a way of saying thank you to the local community that’s been patient during the renovation.
Scale It to the Olympics… and Beyond
To put the expected crowds in perspective, the 2002 Winter Olympics brought approximately 70,000 visitors per day to Salt Lake City—but that was only for 17 days. The Salt Lake Temple open house will run for 180 days with similar daily traffic. Officials are literally planning for a larger number of visitors than they expect to ensure nothing gets overwhelming.
As one official noted, “We’re planning for a larger number rather than a smaller number so that we don’t get overwhelmed.”
Why This Matters
This isn’t just another tourist attraction opening its doors. The Salt Lake Temple is a 140-year-old architectural marvel that has been central to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints since 1893. The renovations have preserved its historic character while making it seismically safe and updating its systems for the future.
The Bottom Line
If you’ve ever wanted to experience one of America’s most significant religious buildings from the inside, or if you’re simply curious about history and architecture, 2027 is calling your name. Whether you’re local to Salt Lake City or planning a trip from across the country, the Salt Lake Temple open house promises to be an unforgettable experience.
Start planning now. Download that app when it launches. And prepare yourself for a six-month celebration that the church is describing as its largest Temple open house ever.
The Salt Lake Temple is ready to share its doors with you.
The Salt Lake Temple Open House runs April 5 – October 1, 2027. Ticket registration will open via app in late August or early September 2027. For more information, visit the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints website.