Christmas Street, aka Glen Arbor Street

Christmas Street, aka Glen Arbor Street (1735 S 1500 East), in Salt Lake City is a tradition that began in 1946. Every family on the street helped pay for Christmas lights and a tree. Each family also decorated their own house to make it a Christmas community.

Christmas Street, Salt Lake City. December 2024.

In 1947, the celebration took place on December 21st, also without any outside advertisement, for fear of congestion should word get out beyond the neighborhood. But the event was described by the Deseret News after the event occurred, and after 1947 the street became a Christmas destination to see.

Every house featured colored lights, bright ribbons, and decorated trees. A large Christmas Tree was decorated in at the end of the cul-de-sac. At the 1947, celebration there were 68 children in attendance, who ran through the street telling their neighbors it was time to celebrate. There was popcorn, caroling, a live nativity scene, and Santa who drove up in a sleek blue roadster.

Christmas Street in 1947 and 1971

Roy A. Menlove is credited with starting the tradition. He was the founder of Menlove Construction and built some of the homes on the street. He was a known as the co-founder of Menlove Dodge-Toyota in Bountiful. A neighborhood Christmas committee was established to plan each year.

The Christmas Street tradition continues today. The Deseret News recently had a story about how it nearly died this year but was rescued by donations to repair the vintage neon Christmas Street sign.