Orem, UT — University Place announced today its 2024 calendar of holiday celebrations and events through the end of the year. All events are hosted in The Orchard, the shopping centers outdoor gathering space, or inside the shopping centers, and are free to the public unless specifically noted. This season events include: OCTOBER Pumpkins in The Orchard Tuesday October 1 – Thursday 31 10:00 am – 9:00 pm For the past five years nearly 750 carved pumpkins have lined the walkways of The Orchard. Every year there are 6 unique Utah pumpkins hidden throughout the jack-o-lanterns, see if you can find them all! Straw Bale Slide Friday October 11 – Saturday October 26 10:00 am – 9:00 pm The straw bale slide is back and will be set up in the Orchard during shopping hours for two weeks in October. Designed for toddler aged kids, bring the little ones during the day for a fun, free outdoor activity. Scary Movie Night Friday October 11  6:30 pm This year’s family-friendly scary movie is “Casper”! Bring your blankets and warm clothes along with all your loved ones for the outdoor show in The Orchard. There will be free popcorn (while supplies last) and warm apple cider for sale.  The movie begins around 7:15 pm. Orem City Truck-Or-Treat Saturday October 19 10:00 – 11:00 am Quiet Hour 11:00 – 2:00 pm Main EventOne of the most loved events the entire year, get up close to a variety of city owned trucks and vehicles during Orem City Truck-or-Treat. Vehicles include police cars, an ambulance, a firetruck, a garbage truck, and new this year the National Guard will also showcase some of their vehicles. Be sure to visit the Orem City booth and ask for a trick or a treat after! Night of Fright Friday October 25 6 – 8 pm Revised this year to add even more entertainment and activities, come and meet your favorite villains and spooky characters up close! There will be 10 characters you can get your photo with who will be handing out candy, along with stage entertainment including a magic show, balloon artists, reptile show and more! Warm apple cider will be available for sale. NOVEMBER/DECEMBER Orchard Lighting Event Monday November 11 6 pm Officially ringing in the holiday season, join us for our annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony in The Orchard. One of our most festive, and most popular events of the year, there will be live music, treats and giveaways (while supplies last), color changing shapes, and a life-sized Lite Brite to play with. The lights will be turned on at the beginning of the event, along with a firework show. The lights will be on nightly from November 11 through January 4.  7th Annual University Place Gingerbread Competition Monday November 25 – December 2 10 am – 9 pm Our most delicious, competitive event of the year, the University Place Gingerbread Competition, brings out the top bakers and decorators in the area! Registration opens October 4 at www.universityplaceorem.com/event, and the first-place prize is $1,500! The edible gingerbread creations will be on display inside the shopping center down the hallway of One Loved Babe and Tradehome Shoes the week of November 25. Light The World Giving Machines Tuesday November 26-January 1 10 am – 9 pm University Place is honored to once again be the Utah County host of The Light the World Giving Machines this holiday season.  Choose to support local and national charities by purchasing a needed item such as toiletries, school supplies, even farm animals through a vending machine. The Light the World Giving Machines will be in City Court in the shopping center by the Dillard’s entrance, and open during regular shopping center hours. Santa’s Grand Arrival Friday November 29 9:30 – 10:30 am A decades long tradition, be the first to welcome Santa as he arrives at University Place on a *helicopter! There will be live entertainment and treats (while supplies last) as we wait for Saint Nick to arrive. Santa is scheduled to land around 10 am in the parking lot in front of Tucanos Brazilian Grill & Cheesecake Factory.  *Weather permitting Quiet Santa Monday December 2–6 8 – 11 am A visit to see Santa during a busy shopping day can be overwhelming for some kids, that’s why University Place offers Quiet Santa.  This is a time for kids with sensory sensitivity to meet Santa one on one at their comfort level before the shopping center opens to the public. It’s estimated one out of 5 kids in Utah experiencing sensory sensitivity, and our Quite Santa hours ensure those kids get a special holiday experience. Details on appointments to be released on our website closer to the event, and we partner with Utah Valley University’s Autism Center for this event. Santa & Friend’s Tuesday December 3, 10, 17 5:00 – 7:00 pm During this event it’s not just Santa Claus your kids can meet, but superheroes, princesses, cartoon characters and more! Even some villains from the dark side will be there! Be sure to bring your Christmas list, and cameras for free photos with the characters. Christmas Carolers Wednesday December 4, 11, 18 6:00 – 8:00 pm Adding to the festive atmosphere of the shopping center, Christmas carolers will be roaming the hallways singing your favorite holiday carols on select Wednesdays during December. Live Nativity Monday December 9 6 – 8 pm Some and celebrate the true meaning of Christmas during University Place’s live nativity. Students from Mountain View High School will re-enact what the first days could have been like in a stable after Jesus’ birth. Live animals include a camel, donkeys, sheep and more, and treats will be handed out while supplies last. Storytime with Mrs. Claus Wednesday December 11, 12, 13 10 am For three days Mrs. Claus takes time out of her busy schedule to visit University Place and read holiday stories to the kids! During this special event Mrs. Claus will read the kids a book, lead caroling and crafts, and treats will be provided. You must register for this free event as space is limited at www.universityplaceorem.com/events. Lite Brite Nite Monday December 16 6 -8 pm Lite Brite Nite includes our giant Lite Brite game and the Christmas Lights that are programmed to glow to the music of a live DJ. Bundle up, and head to The Orchard to enjoy our festive Christmas lights, and giant color changing shapes, along with face painting, train rides, balloon artist, and even a visit from the Grinch!  Treats will be provided while supplies last. All events are subject to change and weather. For more details and a full schedule of events, visit https://www.universityplaceorem.com/events/. About University Place Opening in the early 1970’s in Orem, Utah, University Place (formerly University Mall) is a 120-acre development in the midst of a $500 million revitalization. In addition to first class retail offerings, University Place is now home to upscale residential, Class-A office and high-quality green space. University Place was first developed and is still owned and operated by Woodbury Corporation, a 100-year-old, 4th generation family-run business, and one of the oldest and most respected full-service real estate development and management companies in the Intermountain West. For more information about University Place and updates on the project, visit https://www.universityplaceorem.com/. For more information about Woodbury Corporation, visit https://www.woodburycorp.com/. Press Contact:Amanda ButterfieldWoodbury Corporation [email protected] The post Holiday events announced at University Place appeared first on Utah Business.