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The big November 2026 events in Utah County are Luminaria at Thanksgiving Point, the Orchard and Riverwoods lighting nights, Frozen at The Ruth and Thanksgiving turkey trots. Luminaria opens in Lehi on November 12. The Orchard in Orem lights up on November 16 and Riverwoods in Provo on November 19. Lindon holds its turkey trot Saturday, November 21. Thanksgiving is Thursday, November 26, with races in Lehi, Springville, Orem and Eagle Mountain that morning, and the Spanish Fork Festival of Lights opens that night. Saratoga Springs lights its tree on November 30.
Dated events first, then the November traditions that come back every year. Each one links to its source.
Ashton Gardens is strung with about 10 million lights across 50 acres. Entry is by timed ticket in 15-minute slots, so pick your night and slot before you drive over. It also runs on Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, November 26.
Hands-on experiments themed on flight, super strength, force fields and energy. Kids build and launch rockets and test materials against forces, and anyone can come dressed as a superhero.
University Place switches on more than 100,000 lights at The Orchard, then sets off fireworks. The same evening has a giant Lite Brite, photos with special guests, a Christmas market run by Sunset Farmers Markets, and free hot chocolate while it lasts. Parking is free.
A five-day Christmas boutique at the Lindon Community Center on Main Street, put on by Holy Cow Boutique the week before Thanksgiving.
The Shops at Riverwoods turns on more than 1.5 million lights across the shopping center. The night has live entertainment, life-size photo setups and fireworks to finish.
A timed 5K and a family fun run that start and end at Lindon City Park. Costumes and turkey hats are encouraged. Registration runs through RaceEntry, linked from the city's event page.
The stage musical of Frozen runs through the holidays at The Ruth in Pleasant Grove. The theater's content note lists mild peril, flashing lights, haze and loud sound effects, which matters if you are bringing small children.
A city-run walk or run of about 3 miles with no timing and no prizes. Strollers, scooters, bikes and leashed dogs are all allowed, and giveaways and refreshments follow while supplies last.
Runner's Corner and the Orem Fitness Center have sponsored this Thanksgiving race since 1982. There is a timed 4-mile run, an untimed 2-mile walk or run, and kids races by age group on the Mountain View track.
A 10K and 5K plus an untimed 1K fun run at Ray Arthur Wing Park. All profits go to Utah Valley Refugees.
A half marathon, 10K, 5K and a half-mile kids run for ages 1 to 12 in Lehi. Registration is on RunSignup.
A drive-through light display at Canyon View Park in Spanish Fork. Reserve a half-hour window at sfcitytix.com before you go, because the gate sells no tickets. Reservations open November 12.
A Christmas Carol opens the Monday after Thanksgiving and runs to the day after Christmas, in the Lindsay Legacy Theater at The Ruth.
Saratoga Springs lights its Christmas tree at City Hall on the Monday after Thanksgiving. The city moved the event to a new location this year, and Santa visits indoors.
Dates get added and changed all month. The free newsletter sends the confirmed ones before each weekend.
BYU women's soccer hosts Arizona State at South Field. Kickoff is at 7 PM.
The BYU Museum of Art exhibition Homeward to the Prairie I Come closes November 21, and admission to the museum is free. On Thursday, November 12 at 7 PM, poets read work written in response to the show at the museum's Poetry Jam.
SCERA's Theatre for Young Audiences stages the picture book about a mouse whose one cookie turns into a long list of requests. Public shows are Monday and Friday evenings, and the run ends November 6.
The Ruth's stage version of the Jane Austen novel plays in the Lindsay Legacy Theater through November 14. Doors open 30 minutes before each show.
BYU's student ballet company dances a new version of the Robin Hood story. There are evening shows Thursday through Saturday and one Saturday matinee.
Ranchera singer Aida Cuevas brings her 50th anniversary tour to UVU with a mariachi band, singing songs like El Pastor and Quizas Manana.
BYU men's basketball plays Omaha at the Marriott Center, the first home game on the 2026 schedule. Tipoff is at 7 PM.
BYU students perform Meredith Willson's The Music Man as a concert staging with a live orchestra on stage, including Seventy-Six Trombones and Till There Was You. Evening shows run November 6 and 7, 11 through 14, and 18 through 21.
SCERA hosts a free morning program honoring veterans, with a parade of service flags by American Legion Post 72, music from the Rise Up Children's Choir, and a keynote speaker. Afterward the Orem Heritage Museum gives free tours, including a room of military displays.
The Saltaires, a Salt Lake men's barbershop chorus, sing Americana songs in four-part harmony with their sister chorus Mosaic and local quartets. The concert marks Veterans Day and the America 250 anniversary.
BYU men's basketball hosts Queens at the Marriott Center, the second home game of the regular season.
Handmade quilts hang in the Show Barn and get auctioned to raise money for Intermountain Health's women's heart program. Viewing runs 9:30 AM to 8:30 PM Tuesday and Wednesday and until noon Thursday.
The BYU Wind Symphony plays a Veterans Day tribute concert with Broadway singer and Tony nominee Laura Osnes as the guest soloist.
Two actors tell the C.S. Lewis story of Narnia using a stack of suitcases in this new 60 minute version. It is written for families, and Saturday adds two afternoon shows.
SCERA's yearly show tune revue features singers performing songs from Disney movies and stage musicals. Part of the ticket money goes to the Jerry Elison drama scholarship.
BYU men's basketball plays Montana State at the Marriott Center.
A full Nutcracker set to Tchaikovsky's score with choreography by Jennie Creer-King, one of the first Nutcracker runs of the season in Utah County. Shows are Thursday and Friday at 7 PM and Saturday at 2 PM and 5 PM.
BYU hosts Baylor at LaVell Edwards Stadium in a Big 12 game. Kickoff time had not been announced when this was posted.
An afternoon Big 12 volleyball match at Smith Fieldhouse, the same day BYU football hosts Baylor.
University Place switches on more than 100,000 lights in The Orchard, then sets off fireworks. There is a giant Lite Brite, photos with special guests and a new Christmas market from Sunset Farmers Markets, and the parking garages are free.
BYU's last home game before the Maui Invitational, against Northern Colorado at the Marriott Center.
BYU volleyball plays Arizona in one of its last home matches of the regular season. First serve is at 6:30 PM.
BYU volleyball hosts Cincinnati in a Saturday afternoon match at Smith Fieldhouse.
The Provo Farmers Market moves indoors to Provo Towne Centre at 1200 Towne Centre Blvd for the winter, starting Saturday, November 21. It runs Saturdays from 10 AM to 3 PM through December 19, then picks up again in January.
The fall farm turns into a Christmas farm with a Rudolph trolley ride, a tubing hill, a petting zoo with deer, lights and fire pits. It is open weekdays 4 to 8 PM and Saturdays noon to 8 PM, closed Sundays and Thanksgiving.
Utah Valley hosts BYU in a Utah County women's basketball matchup at the UCCU Center. The two schools list different tipoff times, so check the UVU schedule before you go.
A 3.1 mile city run that is not timed and has no prizes, so walkers, strollers, bikes, scooters and leashed dogs are all welcome. Get there before 8 AM to join the lineup.
Orem's Thanksgiving morning run has a timed 4 mile race, a 2 mile walk and kids' races. Frozen turkeys sit along the course, and if you carry one to the finish line you take it home.
BYU closes its home volleyball schedule against No. 13 TCU the day after Thanksgiving. First serve is at 6:30 PM.
A one mile run or walk through Payson that ends at the Peteetneet Museum with hot chocolate, a doughnut and carols while the Christmas lights get turned on. The first 100 entrants get a Santa hat, and you can skip the run and just come for the lighting.
The 47th annual Thanksgiving weekend craft show fills the indoor tennis court building at the fairgrounds, 445 South Main, with handmade gifts.
BYU ends its regular season at home against Cincinnati on Thanksgiving weekend. Kickoff time had not been announced when this was posted.
Payson's fourth annual Christmas shopping day on Main Street, with local shops, carolers, food trucks and Santa.
Utah Valley men's basketball hosts San Jose State at the UCCU Center on Thanksgiving weekend. Tipoff is at 2 PM.
BYU turns on its campus Christmas tree in Brigham Square, the plaza by the Wilkinson Student Center. The event runs from 6 to 8 PM.
LynnDee Mueller sings the Carpenters' Christmas songs, including Merry Christmas Darling and The Christmas Waltz, in the Covey's main hall.
Pleasant Grove's tree lighting night, with live performances downtown before the city's Christmas tree comes on.
Food trucks, fire pits and caroling start at 5 PM, then Santa arrives and the park lights come on at 6 PM after a show by Mapleton elementary kids. Hot cocoa, s'mores and photos with Santa are free.
Santa lights the tree at 6:30 PM at the event's new spot, City Hall at 319 S. Saratoga Road, and fireworks follow. Inside there are kids' crafts, music and Santa visits, plus tickets for the Christmas Train.
Dates, times and prices come from each organizer and change. Confirm with the source before you go.
