The Orem area has 2 Christmas events for kids we could confirm for the 2026 season, from 2026 Orchard Lighting Event in Orem on November 16 to Library Hall Presents: Holiday Performance Series in Orem, on December 1. 2 of them are free, and every listing links straight to the host. It is one stop on our guide to Christmas events for kids in Utah, part of our guide for every state.
The short version
- 2 kids’ Christmas events confirmed in Orem for 2026, in Orem
- First: 2026 Orchard Lighting Event, Orem, November 16. Runs latest: Library Hall Presents: Holiday Performance Series, Orem, through December 1
- Free: 2026 Orchard Lighting Event and Library Hall Presents: Holiday Performance Series
- Checked on each host’s own page; each listing links straight to it
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Christmas events for kids in Orem
2 confirmed events for kids in Orem, soonest first.
Holiday lightsFree
2026 Orchard Lighting Event
- When: Monday, November 16, 2026, 6 to 8 pm
- Where: The Orchard at University Place, Orem
- Cost: Free
- Ages: All ages
Details, tips and host
The Orchard at University Place turns on over 100,000 Christmas lights on Monday, November 16, with special guests and a fireworks show to follow. Guests can have photos taken with the special guests afterward.
Kids can play at a giant Lite Brite and color-changing shapes, and there are free festive giveaways and free hot chocolate while supplies last. A new Christmas market by Sunset Farmers Markets is part of the evening, and all parking, including the garages, is free.
Parent tip: Bring warm coats. The event is subject to weather, and updates are posted on the University Place Facebook page.
- Host
- University Place Orem (opens in a new tab)
- Address
- The Orchard at University Place, 575 E University Pkwy, Orem, UT 84097
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Holiday showFree
Library Hall Presents: Holiday Performance Series
- When: Tuesday, December 1, 2026, 1 pm
- Where: Orem Public Library, Library Hall, Orem
- Cost: Free
- Ages: All ages
Details, tips and host
Library Hall at the Orem Public Library presents a series of holiday performances, and the first listed date is Tuesday, December 1, at 1 pm. That afternoon the Utah Baroque Ensemble plays a traditional sing-along concert.
Admission is free and the library invites everyone to bring the family. The event page mentions additional dates, so check it for the full lineup before you go.
Parent tip: Only the December 1 performance details were shown, so confirm other dates on the event page.
- Host
- Orem Public Library (opens in a new tab)
- Address
- Orem Public Library, Library Hall, 58 N State St, Orem, UT 84057
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Look inside the book
Story time with Santa in Orem? Bring Rally home.
Rally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi’s first train ride, hand-painted in real watercolor. It makes a cozy bedtime story after a big day with Santa. Turn a few pages here.
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Every event above was confirmed on the host’s own page, with the date, time, cost and the small things parents ask about (sign-ups, ages, what is included). Looking for a Santa train instead? Those are on our Utah Christmas train rides page.
Orem Christmas events for kids at a glance
- Kids’ Christmas events
- 2 confirmed for 2026
- Cities
- Orem
- Season
- November 16 to December 1, 2026
- Free events
- 2
- Kinds of events
- holiday lights and holiday show
- Last checked
See every event on a December calendar
Plan your December
When each Orem Christmas event for kids happens
The first is 2026 Orchard Lighting Event in Orem on November 16; the last runs to December 1. Each bar spans an event’s dates, not every hour in them, so check the host’s page for times.
- 2026 Orchard Lighting EventOrem · Nov 16
- Library Hall Presents: Holiday Performance SeriesOrem · Dec 1
Looking further afield? Our Utah Christmas events for kids guide lists every confirmed event in the state, and we have city guides for Salt Lake City, Provo, UT, Ogden, UT, Saint George and Logan. The national search sorts every event by distance from your town.
A story for the drive home
A morning with Santa or an evening of holiday stories tends to end the same way: tired kids, a long drive and one more book before bed. Our picture book follows Rally the corgi on his first train ride to see his grand-paw-rents, and every page is painted by hand. If your family is spending December missing someone, it was written for that too. For the car, print our free corgi and train coloring pages.
A bedtime story after seeing SantaRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi’s first ride on a California train, hand-painted in watercolor. $16.99 on Amazon, ages 0 to 8.
Buy on Amazon2026 Christmas events are coming in late November
More Christmas events arrive in late November: unlock the list and we'll email you as soon as we confirm them.
The story of Christmas in Orem
In Orem, the Christmas season begins before Thanksgiving. In mid-November more than 100,000 lights switch on at The Orchard at University Place, with fireworks to mark the moment.
How Orem celebrates
Orem's season starts at The Orchard at University Place, where more than 100,000 Christmas lights are switched on in 2026 with special guests and fireworks. Families can warm up with free hot chocolate, play with a giant Lite Brite and browse a Christmas market. Downtown, the Orem Public Library's Library Hall hosts free holiday performances, from Christmas sing-alongs to choir concerts, while University Place also runs a gingerbread competition and a Quiet Santa visit for children on the autism spectrum.
Christmas last year in Orem
Online records for Orem's 2025 season are sparse, so this section sticks to what could be confirmed. On Friday, December 12, 2025, the Orem Chorale gave a free Christmas concert at 7 p.m. in the Library Hall at 58 North State Street, billed as an evening of beautiful music. The Daily Herald's Utah Valley calendar listed it. Venue calendars are the best place to look for more family events.
Fun facts about Christmas in Orem
The Orchard's lighting event includes a giant Lite Brite, a toy that lets kids build pictures out of glowing pegs, and color-changing shapes. Parking in the garages is free during the event. University Place's gingerbread competition reached its 9th year in 2026, and its Quiet Santa visit was created because a regular Santa meeting can be a sensory overload for some children. The Library Hall series opens December 1 with a sing-along by the Utah Baroque Ensemble.
Traditions today
- Orchard Lighting Event: Over 100,000 lights switch on with special guests and fireworks at The Orchard at University Place.
- Free hot chocolate and Lite Brite: Kids warm up with cocoa and play on a giant Lite Brite while the lights glow.
- Gingerbread Competition: University Place hosts an annual gingerbread contest, now in its 9th year.
- Quiet Santa: A calmer Santa visit for children on the autism spectrum.
- Library Hall holiday concerts: Free seasonal music at the Orem Public Library, including a December 1 sing-along.
A fact for kids
In Orem, the Christmas lights switch on in mid-November, and kids can play on a giant Lite Brite while more than 100,000 lights glow around them.
Questions about Christmas in Orem
What is the Orchard Lighting Event in Orem?
It is the evening when The Orchard at University Place switches on its Christmas lights for the season. The 2026 event is on November 16 from 6 to 8 p.m., with more than 100,000 lights, special guests, fireworks and photos with the guests afterward. Parking, including the garages, is free.
What can kids do at the Orchard Lighting?
Kids can play at a giant Lite Brite and color-changing shapes. The 2026 event also has free hot chocolate sponsored by Tucanos while supplies last, free festive giveaways and a new Christmas market by Sunset Farmers Markets. The page does not list Santa, only unnamed special guests.
Where is The Orchard at University Place?
The Orchard is at University Place, 575 East University Parkway, Orem, Utah 84097. All parking, including the garages, is free during the Orchard Lighting Event. Event updates and weather changes are posted on the University Place Facebook page, so check it before you head out with little ones.
How many lights does the Orchard turn on?
The 2026 Orchard Lighting Event turns on more than 100,000 Christmas lights, followed by fireworks. Free hot chocolate and a giant Lite Brite are part of the evening too. The lights are scheduled for Monday, November 16, at around 6 p.m.
What is the Gingerbread Competition at University Place?
University Place lists a 9th Annual Gingerbread Competition for 2026. Registration opened October 5 and closes November 6 or when spaces fill, so families who want to take part should sign up soon. Check University Place for the current rules and entry details before you start building.
Does Orem have a Quiet Santa?
Yes. University Place has brought in a Quiet Santa for children on the autism spectrum, since a regular Santa visit can be a sensory overload that feels overwhelming for some kids. The page does not give the year or format, so check University Place for this season's schedule.
What is the Library Hall Holiday Performance Series?
It is a series of free holiday performances at the Orem Public Library's Library Hall, 58 North State Street. The first listed date is Tuesday, December 1, 2026, at 1 p.m., with a traditional sing-along concert by the Utah Baroque Ensemble. The page invites families to come along and lists additional dates.
Was there a Christmas concert in Orem in 2025?
Yes. The Orem Chorale Christmas Concert was held on Friday, December 12, 2025, at 7 p.m. in the Orem Library Hall, 58 North State Street. The concert was free and described as an evening of beautiful music. The Daily Herald's Utah Valley calendar listed it.
Is the Orchard Lighting Event affected by weather?
University Place says all of its events are subject to weather conditions. Event updates and weather changes are posted on the University Place Facebook page, so check it on the day before you head out with little ones. The lighting is outdoors, so plan for cold evening air and bring a warm layer for everyone.
What is the Christmas market at the Orchard?
The 2026 Orchard Lighting Event includes a new Christmas market by Sunset Farmers Markets. It adds shopping to the evening of lights and fireworks. The page calls the market new this year, and an entertainment schedule was listed as coming soon, so check back for updates before you go.
Do Orem holiday events charge admission?
The Orchard Lighting Event lists no admission price and offers free hot chocolate, giveaways and parking. The Library Hall holiday performances are free. Our Orem Christmas events guide on this page marks which 2026 events are free, and which ones need tickets or registration.
What is the Fill the Boot booth at the lighting?
The Professional Firefighters of Orem have a booth at the 2026 Orchard Lighting Event for their Fill The Boot initiative. It is a way for families to give back during the lights. Teaching kids to bring a coin or two is an easy way to start a family giving habit.
What is the Orem Chorale?
The Orem Chorale is a local choir that held a free Christmas concert at the Orem Library Hall in December 2025. The concert was billed as an evening of beautiful music. If your children enjoy singing, a seasonal concert like this is a gentle way to introduce live music.
How can I explain Christmas traditions in Orem to my toddler?
Keep it simple and point to something your child can see. Talk about the Orchard's 100,000 lights, the giant Lite Brite or a holiday sing-along, then let them spot the lights, music or Santa for themselves. One favorite tradition told in a few short sentences is plenty for a little one.
Where can I find this year's Christmas events in Orem?
Our Orem Christmas events guide on this page lists the holiday events we confirmed for the 2026 season, with dates, times and prices. Dates and times can change from year to year, so check the host's own page before you leave, especially for outdoor events that depend on weather.
What should kids wear to outdoor holiday events in Orem?
Orem winters are cold, so dress kids in layers with a warm coat, hat, gloves and snow boots, especially for outdoor events at The Orchard. Bring extra socks and a thermos of something warm, and plan for a quick warm-up indoors.
How do I get free hot chocolate at the Orchard Lighting?
The 2026 Orchard Lighting Event lists free hot chocolate sponsored by Tucanos, while supplies last, so arriving early is a good idea. The event also has free festive giveaways and a giant Lite Brite for kids. Check University Place's page for the current details before you go.
How can I make a tree lighting easier with a toddler?
Plan around your child's energy. Arrive early, bring a stroller or wagon, and pack snacks and an extra layer. Fireworks follow the Orchard lighting, so consider ear protection for little ears. If your child gets tired, it is fine to head home early, since even a short visit to see the lights counts.
How can we start our own Christmas tradition inspired by Orem?
Pick one local outing and repeat it every year, like the same parade, light display or tree lighting. Take a photo in the same spot, let your child choose a favorite part and write it down. After a few years you will have a family story that grows along with them.
Where can families hear free holiday music in Orem?
The Orem Public Library's Library Hall, at 58 North State Street, hosts free holiday performances, and the 2026 series opens December 1 with a sing-along by the Utah Baroque Ensemble. In 2025 the Orem Chorale also gave a free Christmas concert there. Check the library's page for additional dates.
Sources
- Events, University Place Orem
- 2026 Orchard Lighting Event, University Place Orem
- Library Hall Presents: Holiday Performance Series, KSL Events
- Utah Valley calendar: things to do Dec. 6, Daily Herald
- ABC4 Utah: Orem mall's Quiet Santa brings holiday joy to kids on the autism spectrum, University Place Orem
Orem Christmas events for kids: questions parents ask
What are the best Christmas events for kids in Orem this year?
We confirmed 2 for the 2026 season, and 2 of them are free. Good places to start: 2026 Orchard Lighting Event (Nov 16) and Library Hall Presents (Dec 1). Every event on this page has the times, the cost and a link to the host.
Are there free Christmas events for kids in Orem?
Yes, every event on this page is free. Some free events still need a reservation, so check the listing before you go.
Are there Christmas train rides for kids in Orem?
Yes, but they have their own guide. Santa trains and holiday train rides are listed in our Orem Christmas train rides guide, so this page sticks to story times, Santa visits and other events off the rails.
How do you confirm these events?
We list an event only after we find this season’s date on the host’s own website or an official city or tourism calendar. We last checked every listing on November 4, 2026. Hosts change details, so always confirm on the host’s page before you go.
Event names belong to their hosts. Rally Takes the Train is a family picture book and is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by any host listed here. Confirm dates, times and prices on each host’s own site before you go.