Get Ready to Step Inside History: The Salt Lake Temple Open House is Coming in 2027

If you’ve ever wondered what’s happening inside that stunning white building in the heart of downtown Salt Lake City, your chance is finally here. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has announced one of the most anticipated events in recent memory: a massive public open house for the newly renovated Salt Lake Temple, and it’s going to be huge.

A Once-in-a-Lifetime Opportunity

Let’s put this in perspective: it’s been over 130 years since regular people could walk through the doors of the Salt Lake Temple. That’s right—more than a century has passed since the general public had access to this iconic building. After the doors reopen on April 5, 2027, you’ll have exactly six months—until October 1, 2027—to experience it before it closes to the public forever (well, unless you’re a church member with an active temple recommend).

The Salt Lake Temple closed its doors on January 1, 2020, for a major makeover. The crew has been working hard on seismic upgrades and extensive renovations to bring this historic beauty into the modern era. By the end of this year, all of that reconstruction will be complete and ready to dazzle visitors.

This Isn’t Just Big—It’s Record-Breaking

The church is expecting somewhere between 3 to 5 million visitors to show up during those six months. That breaks down to roughly 20,000 to 29,000 people per day—which is basically like having the size of one of the church’s biannual general conferences streaming through downtown every single day for half a year.

To give you a comparison: during the 2002 Winter Olympics, Salt Lake City saw about 70,000 visitors a day, but that was packed into just 17 days. This open house will be spread across 180 days, making it an entirely different beast.

“We’re planning for a larger number rather than a smaller number so that we don’t get overwhelmed,” said one church official—a smart approach when you’re potentially hosting millions of curious visitors.

This will be the largest temple open house the church has ever held. Period.

How to Visit (and Actually Get There)

Booking Your Tour

Here’s the practical stuff: In late August or early September, the church will launch a dedicated app where you can book specific times to tour the Temple. No more guessing—you’ll know exactly when to show up.

Getting Around Salt Lake City

The church has partnered with UTA (Utah Transit Authority) to make getting downtown super convenient:

• Free TRAX, FrontRunner, and bus access for ticket holders
• A brand-new park-and-ride lot leased at South Temple and Redwood Road, complete with lighting, security, and regular shuttle service directly to Temple Square
• Free UTA passes for all church employees for the entire six months to help reduce downtown traffic

Translation: You can leave your car at home and let someone else handle the driving.

What to Expect on Tour Day

The tour itself is thoughtfully organized:

• Starting point: The Conference Center just north of Temple Square
• Route: You’ll travel underground from the Conference Center directly into the Temple (very cool, very efficient)
• Temple tour duration: 60 to 80 minutes to see the building itself
• Docents: The church is calling special missionaries to serve as guides throughout the open house period, so you’ll have knowledgeable people answering your questions
• Beyond the Temple: Once you’re inside the perimeter, you’ll have access to all of Temple Square, including brand-new statues and other church buildings

Total experience time: Plan for several hours to really take it all in.

VIP Preview Coming in March

Want to get a head start? The church is planning an exclusive preview in March 2027 for nearby businesses and residents before throwing open the doors to the general public. If you live or work nearby, keep an eye out for that invitation.

The Perfect Time to Visit

It’s worth noting that this coincides with the church’s semi-annual general conference, which takes place in April and October each year. If you’re planning to visit for conference anyway, you’ll have the chance to explore the renovated Temple at the same time—making it a pretty incredible few days in Salt Lake City.

Mark Your Calendars

Whether you’re a church member curious about the renovations, a history enthusiast interested in this 130-year-old building, an architecture buff wanting to see the seismic upgrades, or just someone looking for something fascinating to do in Salt Lake City next year—April 5 through October 1, 2027 is your window.

This isn’t just an open house. It’s a historic moment when millions of people will get to step inside a building that’s been largely closed to the public since the 1890s. Whether you’re planning to book early or wait to see how things shake out, one thing’s for certain: the Salt Lake Temple open house is going to be the event of 2027.

Stay tuned for the app launch later this year, and get ready for an experience you won’t forget.