Events & What’s Happening
One of the largest Independence Day celebrations in the nation, featuring a massive stadium of fire concert, hot air balloon launch, grand parade down University Avenue, and fireworks over Utah Lake
💡The Freedom Festival Balloon Fest at Thanksgiving Point is free and magical at dawn — arrive by 5:30am for inflation; grab parade spots on University Ave the night before with chalk and chairs
Scenic point-to-point road race beginning in Provo Canyon and finishing in downtown Provo, consistently ranked among the most beautiful marathon courses in the US
💡Set up a cheering spot near the finish line on University Avenue — kids love making signs and the festive finish-line atmosphere; a kids' fun run is also typically offered
Summer-long series of musicals, concerts, and family movies at the beloved SCERA Shell amphitheater in Orem (bordering Provo), a Utah Valley institution for outdoor entertainment
💡Bring blankets and low camp chairs; the lawn seating is perfect for families with wiggly kids, and the concession stand has affordable snacks — arrive 30 minutes early for good lawn spots
Utah's signature state holiday parade celebrating the 1847 pioneer arrival, held along University Avenue with floats, marching bands, and pioneer-themed entries
💡Stake out a shaded spot on the east side of University Avenue early in the morning; kids love the candy thrown from floats
Special end-of-summer market event at Provo's Joaquin Park featuring local fall produce, live music, food vendors, and family activities celebrating the harvest season
💡Great opportunity to let kids pick out unusual squash and root vegetables; the live folk and bluegrass music creates a relaxed atmosphere ideal for toddlers and older kids alike
Annual holiday concert performed by the BYU Singers, Orchestra at Temple Square, and other ensembles at the de Jong Concert Hall on BYU campus, featuring sacred and traditional Christmas music
💡Tickets are free but must be reserved in advance and go quickly — check BYU Arts website in October; children under 8 may struggle with the 90-minute runtime
Monthly evening art walk through downtown Provo galleries, studios, and pop-up exhibits along Center Street, with the biggest annual edition held in spring
💡Many galleries offer hands-on art activities for kids during the stroll; the event runs until 9pm but the first two hours are most family-friendly
Weekly story time sessions for children ages 2–6 at the Provo City Library featuring read-alouds, songs, rhymes, and a simple craft activity led by library staff
💡Arrive a few minutes early to get a good spot on the rug; the library also has an excellent children's section for browsing after the session ends
The BYU Museum of Paleontology on campus houses one of the largest collections of Jurassic dinosaur fossils in the world and is free and open to the public on weekdays
💡Kids are wowed by the full dinosaur skeletons visible through the working lab windows — visit mid-morning on a weekday to avoid BYU class groups; no stroller restrictions
Weekly Friday evening public roller skating sessions at Seven Peaks Fun Center in Provo, with skate rentals, arcade games, and a family-friendly environment
💡Friday family skate nights are popular — arrive at opening to rent skates before lines form; smaller rental skates for toddlers are available and skating aids can be borrowed
Weekly Saturday market at Joaquin Park featuring local produce, honey, baked goods, artisan crafts, and prepared food vendors from Utah Valley growers and makers
💡Go before 10am when it is least crowded and vendors are freshest; kids enjoy the baked goods and the open park space to run between shopping stops
Planning Your Visit
Neighborhoods & Areas
Local Tips for Families
- 💡The BYU Museum of Paleontology on campus is free and open Monday through Friday — arrive right at 9am to beat BYU student foot traffic and let kids interact with the fossil prep lab viewing window where real paleontologists work.
- 💡Timpanogos Cave National Monument tickets sell out weeks in advance in July and August; book through recreation.gov as soon as your dates are set. The 3-mile round-trip trail gains 1,100 feet and typically takes 3+ hours — not suitable for kids under 5.
- 💡The Provo River Parkway Trail has a free bike rental station near the Riverwoods Trailhead — bring a credit card and arrive before 10am on summer weekends before the fleet runs low on kids' sizes.
- 💡Bridal Veil Falls in Provo Canyon is most dramatic in May and early June when snowmelt peaks; by August the falls reduce significantly. The parking pullout fills by 8:30am on summer weekends, so aim for a weekday morning visit.
- 💡Sundance Mountain Resort offers a summer aerial tram and family nature hike packages from mid-June through Labor Day — far less crowded and cheaper than the ski season, and the Bearclaw Cabin at the top sells fry bread that kids consistently lose their minds over.
- 💡Saturday morning at the Provo Farmers Market (Centro Cívico Mexicano, 57 N 500 W) runs May through October and has a dedicated kids' activity zone along with tamales and fresh churros that are dramatically better than anything on Center Street.
- 💡Utah Lake algae bloom season peaks in August — follow @UtahDWQ on social media or check the state health portal before heading to the lake beach, as some summers see closures for several weeks.
- 💡The Rooftop Concert Series runs Thursday evenings in July and August on the roof of the parking structure at 100 N University Ave — free admission, all-ages, and the Provo skyline-and-mountain backdrop makes for genuinely memorable family photos at sunset.