This December, the Moab Office of Tourism is introducing a holiday tradition that stands apart from the season’s usual spectacle. Instead of towering evergreens or glittering city displays, Moab’s celebration centers on a single wild pinyon pine—an ancient tree whose presence speaks softly to those willing to pause and listen.
In the Sand Flats Recreation Area, a roughly 200-year-old Utah pinyon will be illuminated with solar-powered lights from early December through early January. Its glow is faint by design, a gesture meant to honor the stillness of the high desert and the clarity of Moab’s famed night skies. Visitors are invited not to marvel at wattage, but to experience a quieter kind of wonder—one found in stars, open horizons, and a landscape that asks for care.
“This is a new way to celebrate the season, but it’s more than just that,” said Andrea Brand, director of the Sand Flats Recreation Area. Many visitors, she noted, don’t realize that even modest-looking juniper and pinyon trees can be centuries old. The festive tree, she said, is intended to draw attention to the age, resilience, and understated beauty of Moab’s native growth, while reminding visitors of their role in protecting it.
Unlike the carefully staged trees that arrive in big cities by truck, Moab’s festive tree has never moved; it has simply remained, rooted in place for generations. The lighting is powered entirely by a Goal Zero solar setup—equipment provided to ensure the project leaves virtually no trace.
The details of the installation reflect Moab’s emphasis on stewardship:
Festive Tree
Location: Sand Flats Recreation Area, Moab, Utah
Tree: Wild Utah pinyon pine, approximately 200 years old
Lighting Dates: December 2025–early January 2026
Lighting Hours: 5–8 p.m. daily, subject to change
Power Source: Solar-powered; Dark Sky compliant
Visitors are asked to remain on designated trails and rock surfaces to protect the fragile desert soil. The city also urges restraint: no decorations, no additions, and no items left behind.
Moab will also expand its more traditional holiday offerings this year. New lights will debut at Lions Park, where the annual bridge lighting ceremony is scheduled for Thursday, December 4. The event begins at 6 p.m., illuminating the Colorado River corridor. Families hoping for photos with Santa are encouraged to arrive by 5:30 p.m., when hot chocolate and cookies will be served. Santa will greet visitors immediately following the lighting.
On Friday, December 5, Swanny City Park will host its own tree-lighting ceremony at 5 p.m., complete with carolers and a second visit from Santa.
In a season often defined by spectacle, Moab’s newest tradition offers something quieter, cooler and enlightening.