Nov. 24-Jan. 1 - Spanish Fork Festival of Lights, Spanish Oaks Golf Course, 801-798-5000

Nov. 25-Dec. 31 - Christmas lights turned on at Temple Square in Salt Lake City

Nov. 25-Dec. 31 (Except Sundays) - Christmas Lights, Thanksgiving Point, 888-672-6040

Nov. 25 - Holly Days in Vernal, includes parade and lighting of Dinosaur Gardens, 435-789-6932

Nov. 30-Dec. 3 - Festival of Trees, South Towne Expo Center, Sandy

December - Heber Creeper Polar Express, 435-654-5601

Dec. 2 - Festival of Lights Parade, Roosevelt, 435-722-4598

Dec. 2-3 - Helper Christmas Town Festival, including electric light parade, chili dinner, Christmas variety show and fireworks, 800-842-0789

Dec. 2-3 - Roosevelt Enchanted Forest, including decorated trees and gingerbread house show, 435-722-4598

Dec. 3 - Duchesne Festival of Lights Parade, 435-722-4598

Dec. 3 - Ephraim City Christmas Celebration and Light Parade, including street dance, 435-283-4651

Dec. 3 - Mt. Pleasant Christmas Charity Beautiful Home Tour, 435-462-2441

Dec. 9, 10, 16, 17, 19, 20 - Candlelight Christmas, This Is the Place Heritage Park, Salt Lake City, 801-582-1847

Dec. 10 - Pajama Polar Express, Logan, 435-716-9249

Dec. 17-19 - Gingerbread House Contest, Spring City, 435-462-9338

Dec. 31 - Native American Pow Wow, Salt Lake City, 801-539-1905

Dec. 31 - First Night, Salt Lake City, Provo, St. George

Beating the holiday ski crowds

Nathan Rafferty, the president of Ski Utah, had several ideas for locals who want to ski during the holidays but don't want to deal with crowds.

l Ski early: Many out-of-state visitors come to the resorts with their families and are on vacation. They don't usually get on the slopes until 10 or 11 a.m.

l Ski late: Skiers might try night skiing during the holidays.

l Seek smaller resorts: Sundance, Powder Mountain or Beaver Mountain are among the resorts that might not see the big-destination crowds.

l Merry time: "Christmas Day is a fantastic day to ski," said Rafferty. "I have done it on occasion. It is neat to be out in the mountains that day. It can be a winter wonderland on Christmas, especially in the morning. After that, it gets pretty busy during the week."

- Compiled by Tom Wharton