As a city, we work hard to invest where it matters most: public safety, road improvements, and critical water infrastructure. These are the foundations of a strong and resilient community.
But there’s another area—less obvious, perhaps—that’s delivering surprisingly powerful results: city events.
We have significantly expanded our Communications and Events teams. These events require significant time, planning, and resources but the returns are absolutely worth it. They bring neighbors together, create shared experiences, and build a sense of pride and belonging that strengthens Orem from the inside out.
Over the past four years, we’ve seen tremendous growth in event participation. Just a few examples are:
- The Orem Farmers Market has more than doubled in attendance and is now the largest in the state. Over 120,000 will visit this year.
- Lights On—our holiday kickoff event—has tripled in turnout with over 7,200 attendees last year.
- Oremfest 2025 broke all previous records with 50,000 people in attendance on Saturday alone, and captured the strongest sense of community we’ve seen in years
These events aren’t just about entertainment. They’re about creating spaces where families feel at home, where friendships grow, and where residents feel proud to be part of Orem. It’s really about building community and being Family City USA.
And we’re not slowing down. We have a full slate of upcoming events we hope you’ll join us for:
- National Night Out with the Orem Police Department
- Fire Safety Night with the Orem Fire Department
- Taste of Orem – a brand new festival celebrating music, food, art, and culture
- Harvest Festival at Orem Community Hospital
- Truck or Treat at University Place
- Plus many more events at the new and improved Orem Public Library
These moments matter. When you show up, you’re not just enjoying a night out, you’re helping build a stronger, more connected Orem. I hope to see you at these events and we’ll see you next month.