Salt Lake City Holiday Guide: Flanker Christmas Pop-Up, Nutcracker Tea at Bambara, and Grand America’s Festive Lineup

Salt Lake City’s holiday season brings three standout experiences: Flanker’s festive Christmas Parlor pop-up, Bambara’s Nutcracker Afternoon Tea, and The Grand America’s vintage celebrations and annual Holiday Window Stroll.

Ted Scheffler

December 12, 2025

Flanker Christmas Pop-Up Returns

Returning to Salt Lake City for its fourth year, Flanker Kitchen + Sporting Club is transforming its hidden speakeasy, The Hidden Boot Saloon, into A Christmas Parlor, a nostalgic, Western-inspired holiday pop-up celebrating the most wonderful time of the year. The limited-time experience brings a festive twist to Flanker’s sports-forward programming, featuring:

Over-the-top décor inspired by classic holiday nostalgia and cozy parlor style.

Seasonal cocktails crafted with playful, spirited flair by Carver Road Hospitality’s award-winning beverage leader Francesco Lafranconi, inspired by holiday classics like ‘The Grinch,’ ‘Home Alone,’ ‘National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation,’ and ‘Die Hard.’ Expect warm, cozy flavors of pumpkin, ginger, and spiced apple and pear, served with whimsical garnishes and festive glassware.

Curated by Carver Road Hospitality’s acclaimed, award-winning Corporate Executive Chef Chef Daniel Ontiveros, guests can look forward to small plates and sweet bites designed for sharing and celebrating featuring jumbo holiday wings, spicy pigs in a blanket, Santa’s cookies and eggnog milkshakes.

Photo-worthy moments throughout, from twinkling lights to a Western holiday tree and themed bar displays.

A Christmas Parlor holiday pop-up at Flanker opens nightly at 6 PM and continues through January 5, 2026.

Photos courtesy of Carver Road Hospitality

Nutcracker Tea at Bambara

The culinary team at Bambara restaurant invite holiday guests to “Gather the family for a touch of festive magic before (or after) The Nutcracker this holiday season and our Nutcracker Afternoon Tea.

“Indulge in a decadent spread of finger sandwiches, house-made pastries, and seasonal sweets inspired by the beloved ballet. Just steps from the theatre, it’s the perfect way to turn a matinee into a cherished tradition.”

Bambara’s Nutcracker Afternoon Tea is available Saturdays and Sundays, December 6-21, from 10 AM to 4 PM.

Christmas Cheer at The Grand America

The Grand America invites guests this holiday season to “Step into a world of timeless elegance and holiday cheer, where vintage charm meets festive celebrations.”

“The Annual Gibson Vintage Classic Christmas is back in the Gibson Lounge! Step into a timeless holiday wonderland filled with vintage charm and festive cheer. Savor our specialty food and cocktail menu as you soak in the nostalgic atmosphere and celebrate the magic of the season.”

In addition, folks can “Follow Tux the Penguin and his feathered and furry friends as they discover the many joyful sounds of the holiday season” with the annual Grand America Holiday Window Stroll.

“Scan the QR code and prove you’ve found Tux in each window display by answering all 14 quiz questions correctly—each guest who finds Tux in every window will be entered into a drawing for a one-night stay at The Grand America Hotel.”

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.

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