University Place Announces 2020 Holiday Events
• Both new and traditional events have been adjusted to follow safety guidelines regarding COVID-19
OREM, Utah (October 06, 2020) – University Place, a mixed-use development, today released it’s 2020 schedule of family-friendly holiday events for the community.
Holiday festivities began October 1 with a pumpkin arch in The Orchard, University Place’s outdoor community gathering space, continuing through the end of December with both new and traditional events. Each event was planned following the current guidelines from the local health department regarding the current pandemic.
Note, some annual events have been cancelled this year due to COVID. Please refer to the below schedule of events, and this webpage for more information https://www.universityplaceorem.com/events/:
Mural
Thursday, October 1 – Friday October 9
Only the second large mural in the city of Orem, come and watch as artist Joseph Toney creates a custom piece of art on the north exterior wall of the Al’s Sporting Goods building. The artwork includes very large osprey and trout, and an abstract view of the Timpanogos ridgeline. This commissioned piece of art is sponsored by the outdoor companies Vortex Optics and Yeti.
Pumpkin Arch
Thursday, October 1 – Saturday, October 31
New this year, throughout the entire month of October enjoy a pumpkin arch display. Over 750 foam pumpkins, all unique and carved by hand, will be lit every evening in October during shopping center hours at The Orchard. See if you can find the six special pumpkins hidden in the arch.
Pet Costume Contest – Virtual
Tuesday, October 6 – Tuesday, October 13
This year’s Pet Costume Contest will be held virtually on University Places Facebook page. First place wins a $250 University Place gift card. Winners will be announced on Wednesday, October 14 on Facebook.
Pumpkin Week
Monday, October 12 – Saturday, October 17
All week the Straw Bale Maze will be open during shopping center hours in The Orchard.
Monday 12: Pumpkin Putt with 97.1 ZHT, 5:00-7:00 p.m. Come and see if you can get a hole-in-one and win a prize. You could win a $200 gift card to University Place.
Tuesday 13: Pumpkin Bingo, 6:00 p.m. This event is being moved from the food court, outside to The Orchard. 97.1 ZHT is the host, and winners will receive prizes. Registration is required and numbers are limited.
Wednesday 14: Pumpkin Carving, 6:00-8:00 p.m. The best of show in the carving contest wins a $150 prize. Must bring your own pumpkin. For more details and to register visit www.universityplaceorem.com/events.
Thursday 15: Haunted Orchard, 6:00 p.m. Come enjoy an evening of live and spooky entertainment in The Orchard. Stage shows will include a magic show, Scales & Tails, spooky storytelling and fire dancers.
Friday 16: Scary Movie Night, 6:30 p.m. Bring your own chairs and blankets and watch “Hocus Pocus” outside in The Orchard. Popcorn provided, while supplies last.
Storybook Villains Haunted Walkthrough
Thursday, October 15, 22, 29
5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
New at University Place, bring the kids to walk through classic storybooks and meet their favorite villains. Located inside the shopping center, just across from the Kids Play Place, kids will get a treat at the end. (Recommended for kids 12 years old and younger.)
Due to COVID-19 and safety concerns, there will be no trick-or-treating on October 31 at the shopping center this year.
NOVEMBER
“Wholiday” Lighting in The Orchard
Monday, November 16
6:00 p.m.
Bundle up and join us in the Orchard for a “The Grinch Who Stole Christmas” themed holiday lighting. Special guests The Grinch and the Who’s from Whoville will be performing and helping turn on the lights. Treats will be served while supplies last.
Lite Brite Nite
Thursday, November 19, December 3, 10, 17
6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Lite Brite Night has become a favorite holiday tradition at University Place. Running on select Thursdays beginning in November through December, come and enjoy the giant, interactive, color changing shapes inspired by the classic childhood game Lite Bright. Treats will be served while supplies last.
Santa’s Grand Arrival
Friday, November 27
9:30 a.m.
A long-standing tradition at University Place, come and welcome Santa Clause as he makes an unforgettable entrance in the parking lot in front of Tucano’s Brazilian Grill. There will be live entertainment and refreshments served while we wait for the big guy to land in his helicopter. (Subject to change due to weather.)
Please visit https://www.universityplaceorem.com/events/ for times Santa will be available at the shopping center. Due to COVID-19, Santa visits will be altered this year to accommodate social distancing. Children will not get to be near Santa, but will be able to talk to him six feet away while wearing a mask, and then get photos taken in front of a green screen offering a variety of holiday scenes.
Giving Tree
Friday, November 27 – Saturday, December 12
10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
The ornaments on this year’s tree will be provided by the United Way Sub for Santa, and will benefit people in the community who need extra help during this holiday season. Simply check out an ornament and bring back unwrapped gifts by December 12 to ensure delivery before Christmas.
University Place Gingerbread Competition
Monday, November 30 – Friday, December 5
10:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Every year the entries for this competition get bigger and better! This year the gingerbread houses will be judged by a panel, with the first-place winner taking home $1000 in prizes! There will be prizes for second and third places winners, and new this year shoppers will get to vote on a People’s Choice Award. The gingerbread houses will be on display inside the shopping center during shopping center hours. To register a gingerbread house, please visit https://www.universityplaceorem.com/events/.
Christmas Carolers
Wednesday, December 2, 9, 16, 23
4:00 – 7:00 p.m.
For the first time ever, Christmas carolers dressed in traditional festive attire will roam the halls of the University Place shopping center spreading holiday cheer through music of the season.
Live Nativity
Friday, December 4
6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Returning for the fifth year in The Orchard, come and enjoy the beauty of University Place’s annual live nativity. There will be music, live animals including a camel, and refreshments while supplies last.
Santa’s & Friend’s Sing-a-Long and Storytime
Monday December 14, 15, 16
6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Bring the family to sing along with Santa and his friends, and listen while Santa read’s classic holiday favorite stories. Refreshments will be served while supplies last. Tickets are required, and can be found at https://www.universityplaceorem.com/events/ closer to the event date.
Due to COVID-19 and safety concerns, there will be no “Quiet Santa” at the shopping center this year.
Events are subject to change due to COVID-19 and current guidelines from the local health department and Centers for Disease Control. Masks and appropriate social distancing are required at events, and hand sanitizing stations will be available to participants. For more details, registration information and to see the full 2020 holiday schedule, visit: https://www.universityplaceorem.com/events/.
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 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 http://www.universityplaceorem.com/. For more information about Woodbury Corporation, visit http://www.woodburycorp.com/.
Press Contact:
Amanda Butterfield
801-440-9837