SLC.gov

Jan. 29, 2026

On Friday, Feb. 6, 2026, Salt Lake City will officially kick off the first night of The Watch Party, a free, five-week celebration of the world’s largest winter sporting competition, broadcasted at the Civic Center, 450 South 250 East. 

“My hope and my vision is that while we get to celebrate our incredible athletes competing on the global stage, what we’re also doing is reclaiming this space as a winter space,” Mayor Mendenhall said. “My hope is that this becomes part of our community’s Olympic legacy. We don’t want to wait to celebrate. We’re ready to get together now. And our legacy is now. That legacy starts again next Friday, when we show how we celebrate and how we come together as a community.”

Highlights of the Feb. 6 Opening Night celebration:

• 4 p.m. — Entertainment begins
• 5 p.m. — Performance by singer-songwriter Joshua James
• 6 p.m. — Program begins, featuring additional performances, a drone show, and more
• 7–10 p.m. — Primetime broadcast

“In the next couple of weeks, we’re going to watch so many Utahns,” said Ted Ligety, two-time Olympic gold medalist and NBC analyst. “It’s an amazing opportunity to be able to come here, watch these events, watch so many athletes make history, and just be inspired for the next eight years.”

RSVP for Opening Night. To attend, ride TRAX’s Red Line to Library Station, hop on a GREENbike, or park in the underground library parking lot. Families and visitors are welcome. More information can be found at slc.gov/watchparty.