OREM, Utah — University Place today announced the 2025 line-up of free summer events and activities held at The Orchard, University Place’s outdoor gathering space. This summer introduces four new events, a new cultural festival and continues to build open annual classics.
University Place is also thrilled to welcome the LEGO® Store to the shopping center opening May 9. Located in the center of the shopping center, the LEGO Store offers immersive experiences for builders of all ages and passions, expert guidance from Brick Specialists, and access to exclusive in-store offerings. Opening weekend festivities at the new 2,615-square-foot store include a mystery mural LEGO brick building activity, free of charge, and a display from a local LEGO Users Group. Year-round store fixtures include the Pick & Build Wall and Build a Mini Tower.
All events are family-centered, and at many you are encouraged to bring a blanket or chair to sit on. This summer’s schedule includes:
- Star Wars Celebration
May 3
6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
Characters from the galaxy far, far away will descend upon The Orchard! Bring the kids to make their own foam lightsaber and take aim at the Death Star. New this year will be a Star Wars kids story time to educate the young Jedi’s about the beloved trilogy. Blue Milk will be for sale by University Place’s Chat Chat Boba, and an exclusive Star Wars Popcorn from University Places Rooster’s Gourmet Popcorn.
- NEW Orem Asian Festival – New Cultural Festival
May 10
1:00 - 7:00 p.m.
University Place is proud to welcome its first event showcasing the Asian culture at the Orem Asian Festival. Working with the Utah Chinese Association, this event will offer Asian paper cutting crafts, live performances, get up close to an authentic dragon costume and enjoy delicious food. Come and learn about the history of the Chinese in Utah from the Utah Chinese History Museum.
- Fitness in The Orchard
May 14 - August 20
8:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Every Wednesday (except June 4), there will be a rotation between free Zumba classes and free High Fitness classes in The Orchard, with different instructors every class. Don’t forget your water bottle and yoga mat, and at every class there will be different giveaways and prizes.
- Orem Chorale Summer Concert
May 16
7:00 p.m.
The Orchard will come alive with music with performances by the Orem’s Adult Choral Group. Come and expect to hear your favorite show tunes and Broadway hits, as the evening is entitled “A bit of Broadway”.
- Utah Valley STEM Fest
May 29
5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
One of our fastest growing events, come and learn from local resources about science, technology, engineering and mathematics. There will be hand-on activities, and demonstrations and representatives from Utah County Academy of Sciences, UVU Applied Engineering & Transportation Technologies, UVU College of Engineering & Technology, UVU College of Science/American Chemical Society, Thanksgiving Point, UTA, UVU Creative Learning Studio, Mad Science and more! The Chick-Fil-A Hot Air Balloon and team will also be there (weather permitting)!
- Oremfest: Orchard’s Jam
June 4
5:00 - 9:30 p.m.
Oremfest is the unofficial start of summer for the city! For the eighth year the festival is returning to University Place with its Orchard’s Jam. Bring a blanket or camping chair and come play games, watch live entertainment including breakdancing, a magic show and drumline group. Come early to shop in the Kids Market where nearly 100 kids display their handmade goods for sale. Finish the night off from 7:40-9:30 pm with a silent disco — a dance party but only those dancing have headphones on and can hear the beat!
- Freedom’s Melody: A Celebration of American Composers
June 9
7:00 p.m.
Freedom’s Melody is returning for its second year as part of America’s Freedom Festival. The free outdoor concert is with the American Fork Symphony. Bring your blankets and chairs and enjoy this concert celebrating America’s rich musical heritage and composers. Featuring music from John Williams, John Philip Sousa, Irving Berlin and more. Save the date as you won’t want to miss this Celebration of American Composers.
- Outdoor Movie Nights
June 13 & 27, July 11& 25, August 8
8:30 p.m.
Join us Friday nights at The Orchard with your blankets and chairs for this summer’s series of outdoor movies. This summer’s lineup includes “The Wizard of Oz”, “The Little Rascals”, “Ratatouille”, “National Treasure”, “Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back”.
The movies will start around 9 p.m. but come as early as 8:30 p.m. to grab your spot. There will also be yard games and face painting.
Items from Kona Ice and Quench It will be for sale, and free popcorn while supplies last.
- Country Dancing in The Orchard – NEW EVENT
June 20, July 18, August 1
7:00 - 9:00 P.M.
Yeeha! Get out your boots and grab a partner for an evening of dancing under the stars! Instructors from Dancing at The Boulevard will give a free thirty-minute lesson, then there rest of the time will be an open dance floor with all your favorite country songs and prize drawings.
- American Folk Ensemble
June 21
5:00 - 8:00 p.m.
One of The Orchards longest running events, in partnership with the Freedom Festival, bring the family for an evening of family friendly entertainment. Mini golf, yard games and face painting begin at 5:00 p.m., and at 7:00 p.m. the dancers will take the stage performing traditional clog dancing and folk style dances.
- Bingo Night – NEW EVENT
June 23
6:00 - 7:00 pm
Years ago, University Place hosted monthly bingo in the food court, we are bringing it back for one night during the summer with some new twists. This time outside in The Orchard, come and try your best to win one of many prizes up for grabs. There will also be a special guest DJ and bingo caller.
- African Heritage Festival
June 28
2:00 - 8:00 p.m.
We welcome shoppers and guests to come and participate in the African Heritage Festival. There will be an African parade around The Orchard where there will be live performances, drumming clinics, food, vendors and more.
- Shakespeare in The Orchard – NEW EVENT
July 7
5:00 p.m.
We are bringing the culture of Shakespeare to The Orchard. First time ever, come and be entertained with two classics performed by Grassroots Shakespeare plays. The Orchard will open at 5:00 p.m. for you to get your spot, with “The Comedy of Errors” beginning at 5:30 p.m., followed by Romeo and Juliet at 7:00 p.m.
- European Cultural Festival
July 12
6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
A tradition at The Orchard, come and cheer on your favorite knight as they re-enact battles from medieval times dressed in full suits of armor. There will also be live European entertainment, food and vendors representing different parts of Europe, and a replica pirate ship for the kids to play on.
- Happiest Night on Earth – NEW EVENT
July 21
6:00 - 8:00 p.m.
For one night and one night only, bring your little children as they are regaled by tales from their favorite princesses and princes. Beloved characters from your favorite child book stories will be there to entertain your kids, and after you will be able to meet and get photos with them.
- Pioneer Day Celebration, Fireworks and Market
July 24
5:00 p.m. - 9:45 p.m.
The Orchard at University Place is the place to be in Utah County for Pioneer Day! Come and celebrate Utah’s heritage with some good old-fashioned fun, including live music, giveaways, a pie eating and stick-pull contest and much more. While you’re here, visit the market of almost 50 local vendors for some fresh produce or handmade crafts, hosted by Sunset Farmers Markets.
The headliner band for the evenings event is “Music City Grove Band”. As the sun goes down, prepare to be dazzled by the largest and some say the best July 24th firework show Utah County! The fireworks will be choreographed to music that you can hear over the speakers, or on the radio (station details TBA). This is the largest event held at University Place, we look forward to seeing you!
- World Folkfest Community Dance
July 29
6:00 - 9:00 p.m.
As part of the World Folkfest, this event includes performing groups from all around the world that are here representing their countries. The dance companies will be parading through the shopping center performing the dances of their people and culture. They will end in The Orchard where you can watch them perform and even learn and perform dances with them.
- Back to School Luau
August 11
7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Join us as we bid farewell to summer and send the kids off to school with a party! We will tour Pacific traditions with delicious Polynesian food, family friendly games and enjoy performances from professional performers including fire dancers!
- Bolivian Festival
August 23
4:00 - 9:00 p.m.
Come and enjoy an exciting parade featuring cultures from central and south America! Cheer the dancers on during the parade throughout the shopping center, and end at The Orchard where there will be a stage for live performances, kids activity area, a variety of authentic foods and more.
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 Butterfield
Woodbury Corporation PR