The Salt Lake Temple is Opening Its Doors—And It’s Going to Be Epic

After more than 130 years of keeping its doors closed to the public, the Salt Lake Temple is finally ready for its grand reveal. And folks, this is going to be massive.

What’s Happening?

Starting April 5, 2027, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is throwing open the doors of its most iconic building for an unprecedented six-month public open house. This historic moment will run through October 1, 2027, giving everyone in the world a chance to experience the Salt Lake Temple before it closes permanently to non-members.

That’s right—once October rolls around, only church members with active temple recommends will be allowed inside.

Just How Big Is This?

Picture this: The church is expecting between 3 to 5 million visitors over those six months. We’re talking about roughly 20,000 to 29,000 people per day—that’s like hosting one of the church’s general conferences every single day for half a year.

To put that in perspective, the 2002 Winter Olympics brought 70,000 visitors a day to Salt Lake City, but that was only for 17 days. This open house is going to absolutely dwarf that.

“We’re planning for a larger number rather than a smaller number so that we don’t get overwhelmed,” church officials said. Smart thinking.

The Temple’s Big Comeback

The Salt Lake Temple closed its doors on January 1, 2020, for a much-needed makeover. The building received seismic upgrades and extensive renovations to bring this 19th-century architectural marvel into the modern era. All the work wraps up by the end of 2026, making the Temple ready for its public debut.

How to Get Your Tickets

Want in on this once-in-a-lifetime experience? The church will launch a mobile app in late August or early September 2026 where you can book your tour time. No more guessing—you’ll schedule your visit just like any other major attraction.

Getting There (Without the Headache)

The church has partnered with UTA to make transportation a breeze. If you’ve got a ticket, you can use TRAX, FrontRunner, and buses to head downtown for free. There’s also a new park-and-ride lot at South Temple and Redwood Road with shuttle service running straight to Temple Square.

Plus, church employees will receive free UTA passes for the entire six-month period to help keep downtown traffic from turning into a complete nightmare.

What You’ll Actually See

Here’s the tour breakdown: You’ll start at the Church’s Conference Center just north of Temple Square, then venture underground into the Temple itself. The actual Temple tour takes 60 to 80 minutes, but plan on spending several hours once you factor in exploring Temple Square and the surrounding church buildings.

The Temple Square experience includes access to beautiful new statues and other buildings—so it’s not just the Temple. It’s a whole experience.

The church is bringing in special missionaries to serve as docents throughout the six-month period, so you’ll have knowledgeable guides showing you around.

VIP Preview

Want to skip the crowds? Local businesses and residents get a special sneak peek in March 2027, right before the general public arrives.

What’s Coming Along the Way

While you’re waiting for the big reveal, the church is keeping things interesting on Temple Square. Easter displays are already set up for visitors, and the spring and fall general conferences (April and October) will happen during the open house period—so there’s plenty to do in Salt Lake City while you’re here.

Mark Your Calendars

This is shaping up to be one of the most significant religious and cultural events in Salt Lake City’s history. Whether you’re a member of the church, a history buff, or just curious about what all the fuss is about, the Salt Lake Temple open house is an unmissable moment.

April 5 – October 1, 2027. Get those tickets when they drop, because 5 million other people will be trying to do the same thing.