The Salt Lake Temple will open its doors to the public for the first time in more than 130 years, starting April 5, 2027.

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints President Dallin H. Oaks made the announcement during his closing remarks at the 196th Semiannual General Conference on Sunday, Oct. 4, telling attendees the temple would welcome visitors for six months for the first time since 1893. The open house will run daily through Oct. 1, 2027, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., according to the Deseret News.

The 382,207-square-foot building is the largest temple in the faith. It was last open to the public before its original 1893 dedication. After the 2027 open house and rededication, it will close to the public again.

The church anticipates roughly 5 million visitors during the six-month window, according to Church News. Demand has already been intense. The first round of reservations, which opened Sept. 1, drew 1 million bookings in less than 24 hours, Local News 8 reported.

An additional batch of tickets was released at 6 p.m. MDT on Oct. 1. Future reservations will be posted on TempleSquare.org and the Temple Square app.

Admission is free. Tours last about one hour. All ages are welcome, and strollers are permitted. Walk-up reservations will be available on a first-come, first-served basis for visitors who cannot secure a ticket in advance.

The temple has been closed since 2019 for a major renovation that includes a seismic retrofit built to withstand a magnitude 7.3 earthquake. The celebration's theme, "Rejoice in Christ," was announced Sept. 1 by Dieter F. Uchtdorf, acting president of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

Then-Church President Russell M. Nelson first announced the open house dates on Feb. 14, 2025, according to the church's official newsroom. That date fell exactly 172 years after the temple's groundbreaking ceremony.

Oaks also introduced a six-part video series called "Dedicate," featuring seven young adults from seven countries touring the renovated temple. The series premiered on the church's YouTube channel after the Oct. 4 conference session.

What to know

  • When: April 5 through Oct. 1, 2027, daily, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
  • Cost: Free; reservations recommended
  • Tickets: TempleSquare.org or the Temple Square app
  • Tour length: About one hour
  • Walk-ups: Limited same-day reservations available first-come, first-served

Upcoming community events

  • Thanksgiving Point Scarecrow Festival and 5K: Running through October at Thanksgiving Point in Lehi.
  • Utah County general election: Nov. 3, with 15-plus races and two amendments on the ballot.
  • UTA public comment period: Open through Oct. 26 on Lehi-area transit budget proposals.