Jacob Nielson, Daily Herald

The opening of the first LEGO store in Utah Valley is fast approaching.

University Place in Orem announced its 2025 summer event schedule Wednesday, headlined by the opening of the LEGO store May 9.

“Definitely a lot of excitement leading up to this,” University Place marketing director Cindy Nguyen said. “We’ve had so many people from young to old reach out to ask, ‘When’s the opening date?’ We’ve been waiting for this addition.”

LEGO will hold a weekend celebration to kick off the opening that involves a “mystery mural LEGO brick building activity,” University Place said. The store will also have “Pick & Build Wall and a “Build a Mini Tower” activities year-around.

Nguyen believes the store’s addition will increase the number of activities occurring at the mall.

Jacob Nielson, Daily Herald

“We feel like they’re going to have lots of their own events and will maybe partner up with us and what we’re doing, but also they’ll be able to take advantage of The Orchard and have some of their own LEGO events out there,” she said.

A number of free events are scheduled to take place this summer at The Orchard, University Place’s outdoor gathering space on the north side of the mall.

Five events are new in 2025, beginning May 10 with the Orem Asian Festival. Hosted alongside the Utah Chinese Association and the Utah Chinese History Museum, the event will offer live performances, food and activities.

“We host, and we also organize several different cultural festivals throughout the year, but the Orem Asian Festival will be new this year, and it’s something that we’ve been trying to find organizations to work with,” Nguyen said.

Additional new events include Country Dancing in The Orchard, held June 20, July 18 and Aug. 1 from 7-9 p.m. It will involve a free 30-minute lesson and open dance floor time.

Courtesy Woodbury Corporation

A bingo night will be held from 6-7 p.m. June 23, and “Shakespeare in The Orchard” will occur July 7, with the production of “The Comedy of Errors” at 5:30 p.m. and “Romeo and Juliet” at 7 p.m.

“(Shakespeare night) is performance focused. There won’t be any other activities,” Nguyen said. “So we really want everyone to sit down, bring their chairs or blankets with the family.”

The overall goal of the summer-long events, Nguyen said, is to provide opportunities for families and community members to gather.

“In Utah County, we have lots of families here, young families, families with children, and we just want to be able to have these fun, free events. A safe space for people to come,” she said. “And we’ve had such success. We just try to have a variety of activities that the entire family can come and enjoy.”

University Place’s summer event schedule goes as followed:

• Star War Celebration, May 3, 6-8 p.m.
• Orem Asian Festival, May 10, 1-7 p.m.
• Utah Valley STEM Fest, May 29, 5-8 p.m.
• Oremfest: Orchard’s Jam, June 4, 5-9:30 p.m.
• Freedom’s Melody: A Celebration of American Composers, June 9, 7 p.m.
• Outdoor Movie Night, July 13, 8:30 p.m.
• Country Dancing in The Orchard, June 20, 7-9 p.m.
• American Folk Ensemble, June 21, 5-8 p.m.
• Bingo Night, June 23, 6-7 p.m.
• Outdoor Movie Night, June 27, 8:30 p.m
• African Heritage Festival, June 28, 2-8 p.m.
• Shakespeare in The Orchard, July 7, 5 p.m.
• Outdoor Movie Night, July 11, 8:30 p.m.
• European Cultural Festival, July 12, 6-9 p.m.
• Country Dancing in The Orchard, July 18, 7-9 p.m.
• Happiest Night on Earth, July 21, 6-8 p.m.
• Pioneer Day Celebration, Fireworks and Market, July 24, 5-9:45 p.m.
• Outdoor Movie Night, July 25, 8:30 p.m.
• World Folkfest Community Dance, July 29, 6-9 p.m.
• Country Dancing in The Orchard, Aug. 1, 7-9 p.m.
• Outdoor Movie Night, Aug. 8, 8:30 p.m.
• Back to School Luau, Aug. 11, 7-9 p.m.
• Bolivian Festival, Aug. 23, 4-9 p.m.