- The Light the World Giving Machines at University Place will include six local charities, and two international charities
OREM, Utah (October 21, 2026) – University Place is celebrating the season with a lineup of holiday events for Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas. This October also marks a special milestone: The Orchard’s 10th anniversary. Over the past decade, the outdoor gathering space, designed to bring the community together, has hosted hundreds of free events and become home to several beloved University Place holiday traditions.
University Place will also host the Light the World Giving Machines, the large red vending machines sponsored by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This year’s machines will support six local and two international charities, helping provide clean water, food assistance, educational opportunities, adaptive recreation and family support.
Most holiday events are free and family-friendly unless otherwise noted, with activities both inside the shopping center and outdoors in The Orchard. Here’s what’s coming up:
October
Pumpkins in The Orchard
Daily until 31
10:00 am – 9:00 pm
Take a stroll through The Orchard to admire more than 750 hand-carved pumpkins and other spooky Halloween decorations on display throughout the month. The pumpkins will be lit in the evening and can be viewed during shopping center hours. See if you can spot the six special Utah pumpkins!
Straw Bale Slide
Daily until 27
10:00 am – 9:00 pm
Kids ages two to 15 can enjoy a free ride down the straw bale slide in The Orchard. The slide is available during regular shopping hours throughout October.
Night of Fright and Market
October 24
5:00 – 8:00 pm
Spooky villains from beloved stories and books will roam The Orchard handing out candy. Bring the kids to meet the characters and take photos. Costumes are encouraged! Enjoy yard games and fire dancing shows at 6:00 pm and 7:30 pm.
New this year, Night of Fright will feature a market with local vendors selling homemade crafts and goodies. Halloween treats and drinks will also be available for purchase.
November – December
10th Annual Orchard Lighting Event & Christmas Market
November 16
6:00 – 8:00 pm
The tree lighting celebration was one of The Orchard’s first events 10 years ago and remains one of its longest-running traditions. Join us to officially kick off the Christmas season! New this year is a Christmas Market featuring local vendors, organized by Sunset Farmers Markets. Enjoy live music, treats, giveaways, yard games, giant color-changing shapes, a life-sized Lite Brite and fireworks!
The lights will turn on around 6:00 pm and shine nightly through January 2, 2027.
Annual University Place Gingerbread Competition
November 23 – 30
10:00 am – 9:00 pm
This event gets bigger every year! Registration is now open for the annual University Place Gingerbread Competition. This year, first place will receive $1,500; second place, $750; and third place, $375! All gingerbread houses will be on display throughout the week in the shopping center’s west wing.
Registration is required to enter the contest at www.universityplaceorem.com/events.
Light The World Giving Machines
November 24 – January 1
10:00 am 9:00 pm
The Light the World Giving Machines offer visitors an opportunity to help people locally and around the world by purchasing items and services for donation through participating charities.
This year’s international charities include:
- CARE USA: Fights global poverty and provides emergency relief to communities affected by conflict and disasters, with a focus on women and girls.
- Splash: Helps children in underserved urban communities access safe drinking water, improved sanitation and hygiene education.
Participating local charities include:
- Show Up Utah: Encourages Utahns to serve others and build connections in their communities.
- Meals on Wheels Summit, Utah & Wasatch: Supports nutritious meals, companionship and resources for homebound seniors in Summit, Utah and Wasatch counties.
- Stella H. Oaks Foundation: Provides scholarships for single mothers.
- The Sharing Place: Provides grief support groups for children, teens and their families following the death of a loved one.
- Wasatch Adaptive Sports: Helps people with disabilities improve their physical, mental and social well-being through outdoor recreation.
- Tabitha’s Way: Provides temporary food assistance to individuals and families facing food insecurity in Utah County.
Santa’s Grand Arrival
November 27
9:30 – 10:30 am
University Place’s longest-standing holiday tradition returns as Santa and Mrs. Claus arrive by helicopter. Visitors can enjoy snacks and live entertainment while waiting in the parking lot between Tucanos Brazilian Grill and The Cheesecake Factory.
Santa is scheduled to arrive around 10 a.m. The helicopter arrival is weather permitting.
Christmas Carolers
December 2, 9, 16, 23
6:00 – 8:00 pm
Carolers will bring holiday music to shoppers and diners as they stroll through the shopping center. Many of the professionally trained singers have performed at University Place during the Christmas season for nearly seven years.
10th Annual Quiet Santa
December 7- 11
8:00 – 11:00 am
Quiet Santa offers visits designed for children with sensory sensitivities. Santa is specially trained to interact with these children, and each child receives an extended, one-on-one visit in a low-pressure setting before the shopping center opens to the public.
Appointments are required. Registration opens Nov. 16 at universityplaceorem.com/events.
10th Annual Live Nativity
December 14
6:00 – 8:00 pm
One of University Place’s most treasured and peaceful traditions, the Live Nativity has taken place every year since The Orchard was built. The event features performers and live animals recreating the night Jesus was born.
Presented in partnership with the Mountain View High School drama department, the event features students in the leading roles. This year, free hot cocoa will be available while supplies last.
Storytime with Mrs. Claus
December 16, 17, 18
10:00 am
Bring the little ones to hear Mrs. Claus read holiday stories! Each child will receive a copy of the featured book as a keepsake. The event will also include treats, a craft and, of course, Christmas carols.
Registration is required and will open on our website November 30.
Christmas Carnival & Market
December 18
6:00 – 8:00 pm
New this year, the Christmas carnival and market will feature local vendors from Sunset Farmers Markets, music, photos with the Grinch and other special guests, face painting, balloon artists and an elf scavenger hunt. Visitors can also enjoy color-changing shapes, a life-size Lite Brite, treats and more.
New Year’s Photo Shoot
December 28 – January 3, 2027
A new photo wall decorated with balloons and lights will offer a festive backdrop for pictures with family and friends. Visitors can find it in Center Court near the customer service desk and tag @universityplaceorem in their photos.
New Year’s Eve Day Celebration
December 31
1:00-3:00 pm
New this year, get a head start on the festivities before your evening plans! Stop by the shops for last-minute items, grab lunch and look for free daytime activities throughout the shopping center.
About University Place
Opening in the early 1970s in Orem, Utah, University Place (formerly University Mall) is a 120-acre development in the midst of a $500 million revitalization. In addition to retail offerings, University Place is home to upscale residential, Class-A office space and high-quality green space. University Place was first developed and is still owned and operated by Woodbury Corporation, a 100-year-old, fourth-generation, family-run business and one of the oldest 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 Butterfield
Woodbury Corporation PR
a_butterfield@woodburycorp.com
801-440-9837