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

Hold onto your hats, Salt Lake City—something extraordinary is about to happen. After more than 130 years of being closed to the public, the iconic 25049402931645751 is throwing open its doors for an unprecedented celebration that’s about to transform our city into the epicenter of one of the biggest tourist events in recent memory.

A Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has announced that starting April 5, 2027, the freshly renovated Salt Lake Temple will welcome the general public for tours through October 1, 2027. After that date, the Temple will be reserved exclusively for church members with active temple recommends. So if you’ve been curious about what’s inside that beautiful building in the heart of downtown, mark your calendars—this is your chance.

The numbers alone are mind-boggling. The church is preparing for somewhere between 3 to 5 million visitors over those six months. That’s roughly 20,000 to 29,000 people per day, which is equivalent to hosting an entire session of the church’s biannual general conference every single day for half a year. Talk about ambitious planning!

Seven Years in the Making

The Temple shut its doors on January 1, 2020, for critical seismic upgrades and extensive renovations. Now, after years of careful restoration work, the beloved building is nearly ready for its grand reopening. The church and Salt Lake City are collaborating to ensure this event runs as smoothly as possible—no small feat when you’re expecting crowds that rival major sporting events.

For perspective, the 2002 Winter Olympics brought approximately 70,000 visitors per day to Salt Lake City, but that was only over 17 days and required selling more than 1.5 million tickets. This Temple open house is on a completely different scale: six months of continuous foot traffic through downtown.

What to Expect When You Visit

The Tour Experience

Tours will begin at the Church’s Conference Center, located just north of Temple Square. From there, visitors will take an underground passage to the Temple itself—pretty cool, right? Plan to spend 60 to 80 minutes exploring the building’s interior. But don’t just budget that time and run. Once you’re inside the Temple Square perimeter, you’ll have access to the grounds themselves, featuring new statues and various church buildings. The entire experience could easily consume several hours, so arrive with your comfortable shoes and an open mind.

Getting There (The Logistics)

The church has thought through transportation carefully. Here’s what they’ve arranged:

• Free app booking: Starting in late August or early September 2027, the church will launch a dedicated app where you can reserve your tour time slot.
• Public transit incentives: They’ve partnered with UTA to allow ticket holders free access to TRAX, Frontrunner, and bus service to get downtown.
• Park-and-ride option: Can’t do public transit? The church is leasing property at South Temple and Redwood Road for a secure, lighted park-and-ride facility with regular shuttle service directly to Temple Square.
• Employee transit support: Church employees will receive free UTA passes throughout the six months to help reduce downtown traffic congestion.

Early Bird Access and Special Touches

Here’s a nice touch: the church will invite nearby businesses and residents to tour the Temple in March 2027, giving locals a chance to experience it before the anticipated onslaught of visitors arrives.

The church is also calling special missionaries to serve as docents and tour guides throughout the open house period. These individuals will help visitors navigate the Temple and share its rich history and significance.

Why This Matters

This open house represents something truly special. The Salt Lake Temple is one of the most recognizable religious buildings in America, and the general public hasn’t been able to step inside for over a century. The extensive renovations have modernized the facility while preserving its historical integrity, making this a rare opportunity to see what seven years of careful restoration looks like.

Whether you’re a local who’s always wondered what’s inside, a religious history enthusiast, or simply someone who appreciates beautiful architecture, 2027 is shaping up to be an unforgettable year for Salt Lake City.

Start planning now. You won’t want to miss this.