Utah Holiday Highlights: Food Giveaways, Nordic Dining, and Gingerbread Magic

Utah’s holiday season is filled with surprises, from heartwarming traditions to extraordinary experiences you won’t want to miss. Whether it’s a festive food giveaway, a one-of-a-kind dining adventure, or a breathtaking seasonal display, there’s something magical waiting to be discovered

Ted Scheffler

December 21, 2024

Christmas Food Giveaway at Rowland Hall

On Monday, December 23rd from 10 am to 1 pm, Rowland Hall-Saint Marks Middle School (843 S. Lincoln Street) will team up with Crossroads Urban Center for their annual Christmas Food Giveaway. The organizers say, “If you need help with food this season, come and receive a turkey and sides for your holiday meal. Walk-up options are available or drive north on Lincoln St. and a volunteer will load a turkey and sides into your trunk. First come, first served until supplies are exhausted.” For more information call (801) 364-7765 or email erika@crossroadsurbancenter.org.

Viking Yurt Open for 2024-25 Season

One of Utah’s most unique and enjoyable dining experiences is at Park City’s award-winning Viking Yurt, which has embarked on the 2024-2025 winter season. Guests are encouraged to book their reservations now for their own unforgettable Nordic, fine dining mountain experience. Featuring an exclusive 6-course gourmet dinner for up to 40 guests each night, bookended by an enchanting sleigh ride under the stars, the Viking Yurt couples traditional European cuisine with the magic of the mountains every night throughout the winter season.

Reservations for this season are available until Saturday, April 5, 2025 and the sleigh departs nightly at 5:45 from Park City Mountain Resort’s Legacy Lodge.

Click here to read my Utah Bites review of the Viking Yurt.

Stein Eriksen’s Gingerbread Houses

Now in its 23rd year, every holiday season Executive Pastry Chef Jeremy Garcia and his team design at Stein Eriksen Lodge in Deer Valley, bake, create and decorate a spectacular gingerbread display. Stop in the Main Lodge to witness this year’s gravity-defying hot air balloon-themed gingerbread display. The impressive scene sits near the 32-foot-tall Christmas tree in the Mountain Lobby at Stein’s as part of the Lodge’s expansive holiday décor and will be on display through the New Year.

Former presentations have included movie scenes from Star Wars, Peanuts, Frozen, Harry Potter, and detailed models of an original fire truck, Norwegian Viking ship and the Empire State Building.

Want to create your own gingerbread house? On December 21st and December 28th at 4:30 pm in the Flagstaff room at Stein Eriksen Lodge, guests are invited to create their own gingerbread house with gingerbread, icing, and all the decorations to make the perfect holiday display included. The cost is $50 per child (or adult!). Reservations are required and can be made at the Stein Eriksen Lodge concierge desk.

Feature Image by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash.

events, Food & Drink, Foodie Events, Utah Bites

Ted Scheffler

Originally trained as an anthropologist, Ted Scheffler is a seasoned food, wine, and travel writer based in Utah. He loves cooking, skiing, music, and reading, and spends an inordinate amount of time tending to his ever-growing herd of guitars and amplifiers. Ted is also the author of the Utah Bites newsletter, which is published in partnership with Utah Stories. Before moving to Utah, Ted lived in New York City, and numerous states in the US, as well as in various countries overseas, Spain, Japan, Canada, Brazil, and Mexico. He earned a Master’s Degree in Anthropology from the Graduate Faculty of The New School for Social Research.