Get Ready for History: The Salt Lake Temple Open House is Coming!
It’s official—Salt Lake City is about to experience something truly monumental. After more than 130 years of being closed to the public, the beautifully restored Salt Lake Temple is throwing open its doors next year, and it’s going to be massive.
Mark Your Calendars
The grand reopening celebration kicks off April 5, 2027 and runs through October 1, 2027—that’s six full months of public access before the Temple returns to member-only hours. This is genuinely historic. Think about it: your great-great-grandparents might have been able to tour this building, but you’re getting a chance that hasn’t come around in over a century.
Expect the Crowds (We’re Talking MILLIONS)
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints isn’t mincing words here. They’re projecting between 3 to 5 million visitors will flow through Temple Square during those six months. That breaks down to roughly 20,000 to 29,000 people per day—essentially the equivalent of filling an entire general conference session every single day for half a year.
To put that in perspective, when Salt Lake City hosted the 2002 Olympics, about 70,000 people per day visited the city over just 17 days. This open house will be even larger and stretched across six months. Buckle up!
What You’ll Actually See
Here’s the exciting part: the Temple itself didn’t just get a quick paint job. It closed on January 1, 2020, for serious seismic upgrades and extensive renovations. Everything will be completely finished by the end of this year, which means you’ll be stepping into a beautifully restored historical treasure.
The Tour Experience:
- Tours begin at the Church’s Conference Center, just north of Temple Square
- You’ll travel underground into the Temple itself
- Expect to spend 60 to 80 minutes inside the building
- The entire experience—including access to Temple Square, new statues, and other church buildings—could easily take several hours
The Church is calling special missionaries to serve as docents, so you’ll have knowledgeable guides walking you through every room.
How to Book Your Spot
In late August or early September, the Church will launch an app specifically for booking tour times. (Pro tip: download it ASAP when it launches—slots will likely fill quickly!)
Getting There Without the Headache
The Church and Salt Lake City have teamed up to make logistics as smooth as possible:
Public Transportation:
- Free TRAX, FrontRunner, and bus access for ticket holders
- Church employees get complimentary UTA passes for the entire six months to help reduce downtown traffic
Parking:
- A new lighted, secure park-and-ride lot at South Temple and Redwood Road
- Regular shuttle service directly to Temple Square
Early Access:
- Local businesses and residents get to tour in March 2027—before the general public arrives
Why This Matters
This isn’t just another tourist attraction. The Salt Lake Temple is an iconic part of Salt Lake City’s identity, and getting to see the inside after such a long closure is genuinely special. Whether you’re a member of the faith or simply interested in history and architecture, this is an unmissable moment.
Start planning now, book your tickets when that app launches, and get ready to be part of one of Salt Lake City’s biggest events in recent memory. This is the kind of thing your grandkids will ask you about!
Have you already marked April 5, 2027 on your calendar? Share in the comments what you’re most excited to see inside the Temple!