December 5, 2025 - Annual Christmas Market, Fire Knife Dance, Grinch + Pizza

What’s Up Provo! Tons happening this weekend, and also a lot of reasons to celebrate as well.

So…. happy International Ninja Day 🥷, Bathtub Party Day 🛀, Walt Disney Day (happy 112th birthday Walt!) 🎂, and Krampusnacht! 👿

If you are unfamiliar with how to celebrate Krampusnacht, you go out at night dressed like the devil Krampus and chase any kid you see. Then at night or something you put out a bundle of twigs called a ‘ruten’ and you tell the kids Krampus left it for them. Love it.

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🏈 BYU (probably) gets key players back for Big 12 Title Game
The latest injury report ahead of Saturday’s big matchup lists star WR Chase Roberts as “probable” after missing last week’s win over UCF.
Also, running back Sione Moa, should be back, finally, as well as freshman pass‑rusher Nusi Taumoepeau.

❄ Big Storm Headed for Utah Mountains
Get ready for Utah’s first big snow of the season: a “winter storm watch” has been issued for much of northern Utah — especially the mountain zones — with 1 to 3 feet of snow expected between Thursday night and Sunday morning. If you’re headed up the canyons or planning a ski trip, expect heavy snow in the mountains and possibly a light dusting in valley areas (including around Provo).

👉 Peruse all of Bryce’s work, and use code whatsupprovo25 for 25% off!

🎭 The Best Christmas Pageant Ever: The Musical Auditions
See what happens when those Herdmans kids demand parts in the Christmas pageant… First performance is tonight! Adult tickets are $16, kids tickets (ages 3-11) are $12, senior tickets (65+) are $12.
SCERA Center for the Arts | Dec. 5-20 (every Wed, Thu, Fri & Sat) | 7:30pm

🎄 Alternativity- Group Show
A thought-provoking group exhibition reimagining Christmas decor and challenging holiday commercialization…
The Compass Gallery | Dec. 5–28 | 12pm-8pm

🧵 Textiles in ‘The Sense of Beauty’ MOA Tour
Join fashion designer Molly Hartvigsen for a free, 30-minute tour exploring how fabrics are depicted in “The Sense of Beauty.” Free and open to the public.
MOA (Brigham Young University Museum of Art) | Dec. 5 | 2pm-2:30pm

🎬 Classic Film: The Shop Around the Corner, 1940
If you haven’t been to these free classic film screenings you really should go sometime. This time is the 1940 holiday classic about secret pen pals, starring James Stewart and Margaret Sullavan.
BYU Library (1160 HBLL Reynolds Auditorium) | Dec. 5 | 7pm-9:45pm

🎄 Celebration of Christmas
Annual holiday concert with BYU’s combined choirs and Philharmonic. Tickets are $19–$29.
Concert Hall, Music Building, Brigham Young University | Dec. 5 | 7:30pm

🎄 Christmas Vacation (PG-13, 1989)
“Dad, that thing wouldn’t fit in our yard!”
“It’s not going in our yard, Russ. It’s going in our living room.”
Orem Library | Dec. 5 | 6pm-8pm

🎅 5th Annual Springville Holiday Festival & Santa Village
Two-night, outdoor, family-friendly fest with a Santa Village, Santa’s Grand arrival will be tonight (Friday) at 5:45pm, and then there’s a fireworks show right afterward!
Civic Center Park | Dec. 5-6 | Fri 5pm-8pm

🍕 Pizza with the Grinch!
You gotta love Fat Daddy’s. Provo’s funnest pizza place! (funnest > most fun)
Play some holiday games, eat some pizza and treats, and get a picture with the grinch.
Fat Daddy’s Pizzeria (downtown) | Dec. 5 | 6pm-8pm

🛼 Stranger Things Skate Night
Demogorgans (probably), 80s music, and upside down sundaes.
Classic Skating & Fun Center | Dec. 5 | 9pm-1am

🏈 BIG 12 Title Game
The big game is at 10am in Arlington vs mighty Texas Tech! Go cougs!
Click the header link to go to the Big 12’s official webpage for the game, with more info about tickets, the venue, the broadcast, and even the halftime show!
Arlington, TX | Dec 6 | 10am

🔥 Hawaiian Aloha Treasures 808: Fire Knife Dance & Hawaiian Crafts
Your fire knife skills are probably getting rusty, so head to Blickenstaff’s to sharpen them and make Hawaiian crafts!
Blickenstaff’s in Provo | Dec. 5 | 5pm-7pm

🎄 Provo City Annual Christmas Market
Shop festive vendor booths for gifts and crafts, grab seasonal bites from food trucks, enjoy live holiday music and a lighting ceremony, plus a visit from Santa and more at this family-friendly outdoor celebration.
Pioneer Park | Dec. 6 | Lights On @ 5:15pm & Market @ 4pm-7pm

🎄 Orem's Holiday Market
The nights of holiday shopping continue! Musical performances, free hot chocolate, Santa and letters to Santa, Orem Express rides 4-6pm, live reindeer, and more.
Orem City Center Park | Dec. 6, 13, 20 | 4pm-8pm

🎺 Tuba Christmas
Classical Christmas pieces from a classic instrument.
BYU Music Building | Dec. 6 | 12pm

🎄 Creator’s Collective Lindon Holiday Market
Santa Claus plus over 75 local makers (consider them elves). Also Swedish candy! Svenskt godis!
The Lindon Community Center | Dec. 6 | 11am-4pm

📚 Utah Authors Day
Meet local authors Brenda Minor, Janet Sumner Johnson, and Terra Luft for a panel plus book signings. It’s free but you have to register.
Provo Library - Bullock Room #309 | Dec. 6 | 2pm-4pm

Be Salty Pretzels in PG is known for their amazing, soft, warm pretzels, but did you know they also do Take & Bake Kits? You can grab some for an activity (church activity, work activity, family activity), shape 'em, salt 'em, bake 'em, and enjoy 'em right out of the oven.

They have multiple flavors as well, in addition to their classic salty pretzel flavor, including Garlic Parmesan, and Cinnamon Sugar.

And if you want to give an extra special neighbor gift this Christmas, grab one of their gift wrapped Pretzel Wreaths.

🥨 Grab a pretzel or place an order

🏈 Also, don’t forget, warm pretzels make amazing BYU football game snacks!

Next week sneak peek

🐫 2025 Live Nativity
Back for its 8th year, this live nativity features live actors (of course), music, live animals (yes, a camel!), and free refreshments (while they last).
The Orchard at University Place | Dec. 8 | 6pm-8pm

🎄 Film: A Christmas Story (PG, 1983)
Another 80s Christmas classic.
Orem Library | Dec. 8 | 6pm-8pm

🎄 Jenny Oaks Baker in Joy to the World! A Sacred Celebration
A multimedia, all-ages Christmas celebration with Grammy-nominated violinist Jenny Oaks Baker & Family Four, mezzo Angela Brower, baritone Preston Yates, BYU Theatre Ballet, Irish dance, and Payson High Choirs—music by Kurt Bestor, script by Jason F. Wright. Tickets start at $17.85.
Payson High School | Dec. 9 | 7pm-8:30pm

🎷 Jazz Combo Showcase
Hear BYU jazz combos jam through swing, fusion, funk, and Latin, mixing standards with student originals—free admission!
BYU | Dec. 9 | 7:30pm

🐝 Beehive Bazaar Holiday Market
Meet Utah makers and shop handmade gifts, art, jewelry, kid-friendly wooden toys from TraceyToys, keepsakes, and seasonal decor at a brand-new venue.
1595 N Freedom Boulevard Provo | Dec. 9–13 | times vary

🎺 Trombone Choir
Enjoy a free evening of original and arranged music for trombone ensemble.
BYU | Dec. 10 | 5:30pm

🎷 Jazz Ensemble: Christmastime Jazz!
A night of Christmas jazz for just $6 to $12.
Concert Hall, BYU Music Building | Dec. 10 | 7:30pm

🎄 Christmas Classics for Kids: How the Grinch Stole Christmas (NR, 1966)
Enjoy a family-friendly screening of the classic Grinch in the Media Auditorium—part of the Christmas Classics for Kids series and welcoming babies, toddlers, preschoolers, big kids, juniors, and adults.
Media Auditorium, Orem Public Library | Dec. 10 | 11:15am-12:15pm

🎺 Mariachi de Herencia de México: A Mariachi Christmas
Features two-time GRAMMY-nominated Mariachi Herencia de México! Tickets are $15–$55 with senior/military/student/youth discounts available.
UVUA (Noorda Center) | Dec. 12 | 7:30pm

✨ Pioneer Home Christmas
Come meet Santa and Mrs. Clause at the historic Harris Pioneer Home. Bring your camera for pictures
Harris Pioneer Home | Dec. 8, 15, 22 | 6pm-8pm

🎄 Pioneer Christmas at the Village
Step into a festive pioneer-era village with free admission!
Provo Pioneer Village | Dec. 12, 13 & 15 | 5pm-8pm

‘Tis the season for a lot of things, including scams. Here are two we’ve heard about recently that we should all keep an eye out for:

✈️ A First-Class Ticket Fraud
If you get a message, saying that your flight has been cancelled, be wary—even if the message includes your flight number.

The message might urge you to click a link or call a number immediately to “rebook,” but the only people you’ll reach are scammers posing as customer service reps. Their mission? To rush you into handing over credit card details and personal information.

To stay scam-free, verify any flight changes directly through the airline’s official app or website, and avoid clicking links or calling numbers sent in unexpected messages. Use the contact information from your booking confirmation or the airline’s ACTUAL site.

📦 Your (scam) is on its way

Scammers are sending out fake order confirmation emails that look like they came from well-known retailers.

In these emails you might see a warning that your card was charged a big amount and your purchase is already on its way. You might want to freak out, but don’t.

To avoid taking the bait, slow down and question unexpected emails—especially ones about purchases you don’t remember. Don’t click links in suspicious messages; instead, head directly to the retailer’s official website to check your account.

Remember, scammers rely on panic and pressure. So, slow down, double-check, and use verified sources to get your information.

Friends don’t let friends go without WUP

Thanks for reading. Also, the more people you forward this to, the better BYU will play. 😉

-Nicole, Josh, & Carlie

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