If you're a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, chances are you've at least heard about the lights on Temple Square each Christmas season. Surrounding the glowing temple, trees light up in red, green, and orange, and Christmas cheer fills the cold winter air.
However, Temple Square isn't the only Christmas light display worth visiting. Check out these stunning pictures and videos from some of our favorite Church light displays you may not know about.
1. Washington D.C. Temple's Festival of Lights
Similar to the lights on Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah, the Washington D.C. Temple and visitors' center hold an annual Festival of Lights.
With a breathtakingly beautiful temple and a life-sized nativity, the Festival of Lights also includes musical performances and Christmas trees decorated to represent countries around the world.
Visit the Festival of Lights websiteto find out more information.
2. Joseph Smith Birthplace Memorial
While there's no temple in the middle of this Christmas light display, around 150,000 lights decorate the Joseph Smith Birthplace Memorial in South Royalton, Vermont.
However, this time of year is special for another reason. Joseph Smith was born on December 23, 1805, in Sharon, Vermont—a short distance away from the memorial.
3. Mesa Arizona Temple
Image retrieved from mesachristmaslights.com.
For over 30 years, the Mesa Arizona Temple and visitors' center decorate their grounds with colorful lights, a nativity scene, and beautiful gardens.
Since the weather stays a bit warmer in Arizona than in Salt Lake City, Utah, the lights at the Mesa temple also draws crowds for free outdoor concerts and festivities.
Find out more information at mesachristmaslights.com.
4. St. George Utah Temple
Image retrieved from stgeorgeutah.com.
The lights on Temple Square light up every Friday following Thanksgiving, and St. George follows suit. Visitors gather around the St. George Utah Temple grounds to see the lights come on for the Christmas season.
With the Church's #LIGHTtheWORLD Christmas campaign, this year was especially significant. According to St. George News, temple president Randy Wilkinson said, "I pray, as we drive by the temple during this special season of the year and see the beautiful lights, may we be continually reminded that [Christ] is the light of the world."
5. Hamilton New Zealand Temple
Image retrieved from mormonnewsroom.org.nz.
For over 30 years, the Hamilton New Zealand Temple celebrates the Christmas season with their impressive light display. While temple engineers and gardeners string up many of the Christmas lights, volunteers and full-time missionaries also pitch in to help complete the task.
6. Sydney Australia Temple
Image retrieved from mormonnewsroom.org.au.
Also lighting the Southern Hemisphere with Christmas cheer, the Sydney Australia Temple grounds feature over 140,000 lights, a nativity, and art exhibits depicting the life of Christ.
7. Oakland California Temple and Visitors' Center
Image retrieved from deseretnews.com.
If you're familiar with the Christmas lights on Temple Square, you know that strings of lights are wrapped around almost every tree. One kind of tree you will never find in Salt Lake City, however, is the palm tree, which you can see decked out in Christmas lights at the Oakland California Temple.
The Oakland temple and visitors' center also hosts a live nativity, musical events, and performances. Visit templehillevents.com for more information.
8. Historic Kirtland Visitors' Center
Image retrieved from onlyinyourstate.com.
While the Christmas light display is reason enough to visit the Historic Kirtland Visitors' Center, make sure you don't miss the nativity displays. With nearly 1,000 different nativities from around the world, the visitors' center invites everyone to come celebrate the true meaning of Christmas.
Visit kirtlandchristmas.com for additional information.
► You'll also like: Temple Christmas Lights Around the World
Lead image from Elder Gary E. Stevenson's Facebook page.
If you've strung your Christmas lights outside, finish off your Christmas decorations with Greg Olsen's nativity set, available at Deseret Book stores and deseretbook.com.
Also, if you love the festive Christmas season, but don't love the stress of finding the perfect gift, check out Meaningful Gifts for Every Member of the Family, 17 of Our Favorite Stocking Stuffers from Deseret Book, or 8 Gifts Your Home and Visiting Teaching Families Will Love.
