Christmas Village in Ogden, now in its fifth decade of operation, is the heart and soul of Christmas in Ogden.
In 1962 Jerry Green took his son Tommy to the “parade” which ended far too quickly – one floatand a few police cars escorting old Saint Nick. That immense disappointment led to what is now thousands of lights, dozens of village homes and a tradition that will charm the socks off eventhe curmudgediest curmudgeon. Jerry passionately brought together the downtown merchants to fund and support the very first Christmas Village in 1962 and Utah Power and Light donated the electricity.
Though the event has grown and changed over the years, there continues to be a Christmas Village Committee that lovingly nurtures this miniature town to life each and every holiday season.
Ogden City coordinates the stringing and hanging of the lights, having added more electrical capacity to handle it all. The village committee recruits new cottage sponsors and helps maintain the existing. The whole thing comes together as the village is lit on the Saturday after Thanksgiving.
The village remains lit and ceremonious through the remainder of the year. Santa’s Castle stands front and center of the Ogden City Amphitheater, where families can partake in Santa photos and the sharing of wish lists. In the Amphitheater, local choirs and dance groups perform Tuesdays through Fridays throughout the month of December
“The darkest part of winter is chased away with the electric light parade,” said local Shawnee Sawyer, who takes her family down each year. “Our family enjoys bundling up and joining our community in welcoming the holiday season. We visit the Christmas Village several times during the season and it provides for a great, free, family outing.”
Residents come down multiple times to visit the village, get photos with Santa, ride the Christmas Village Express and to enjoy the nostalgia of Historic 25th Street. “We love that we can shop here on the street and sneak up to the village without any traffic or hassle. It’s that old small town charm, you just don’t see places anymore,” shared resident Tanita who brings her two daughters each year for Christmas shopping and to walk the village.
Christmas Village is located on the eastern end of Historic 25th Street, which was recently named one of the Best Places in America, and is home to over thirty local, independent retailers. In fact, the street is 100% local and has been for more than a century!
