January 2, 2026 - Yeti Claw, Citizen Races, Card Expo

What’s Up Provo! Happy New Year and happy Science Fiction Day! 👽🚀🤖

Considering the holiday and how rainy and cold it has been, seems like a great time for a Star Wars movie marathon, or Planet of the Apes or Dr. Who or The Twilight Zone. Also, feels like a good time for a fun fact we just learned: The main character in the famous "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet” Twilight Zone episode is played by William Shatner!

Anyway, if you’re looking for something more than a movie marathon this weekend, we got you covered. Let’s get into it!

In Partnership with
JUMP

JUMP in Bluffdale, Utah, is a hyper-realistic virtual reality (VR) wingsuit simulator that lets you experience BASE jumping and “proximity flying” safely.

First, you don a real wingsuit, then you get your custom VR headset and you get hooked up to their suspension system.

Next, you step off a virtual ledge (if you’re brave enough). Their tech provides super realistic sensations of falling, flight, and parachute landing. You are the one in control through the very real feeling landscapes.

The experience includes a skydive and BASE jumps, and you even get a personalized video of your flight at the end!

👉 Check it out (and get a discount too!) 👈

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🍩 Vegas’s Pinkbox Doughnuts coming to Utah Valley
Pinkbox Doughnuts, originally from Las Vegas, is rolling into northern Utah with two location opening up. (Sandy and American Fork.) The AF location will be at 610 W. Main and will be opening up on Jan. 17th, (taking over the old Zaxby’s location near the Main Street I‑15 exit). Should be a fun grand‑opening celebration, and if you guy then try the Fat Elvis, the Cookie Monster, or the John Lemon.

🌟 Year of Giving in Utah Valley
Utah Valley neighbors stepped up in big and small ways throughout 2025. Hundreds showed up with shovels after a Provo mudslide, towns rallied for families after tragedy, and kids like 13‑year‑old Kensley raised funds for epilepsy research. Eagle Mountain even created a motivational mile of 1,500 signs to lift spirits across the valley. (click the blue header link to see more 2025’s good deeds.)

🎿 Wasatch Citizens Series Ski Races
Since 1979, this five-race Nordic series from The Utah Nordic Alliance has brought two classic and three skate (free) races to venues near us. It’s a low-pressure atmosphere and racers of all abilities (from beginners to experts) will be there. And there’s even a potluck lunch!
Soldier Hollow Nordic Center | Jan. 3 | 10am-12pm

🎬 The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim
This if the first of the Middle-earth and the Movies series happening all January at the Orem Library. They will be showing them in chronological order, so first in the series is War of the Rohirrim (today) which is set over 100 years before the hobbit story.
Orem Library | Jan. 2 | 6pm-8:30pm

🎨 Art Stroll
Explore the newest exhibitions this new year! (The link will take you to the compass gallery event page, but as many of you know the art stroll locations can be found throughout downtown Provo.)
Downtown Provo | Jan. 2 | 6pm-9pm

🌊 Springville City Wibit Inflatable Obstacle Course
Climb, slide, and sprint across a giant Wibit water obstacle course. (If you don’t know about Wibit, it’s a brand that makes large, inflatable floating playgrounds and obstacle courses.)
Springville City | Jan. 2–3 | 1pm-7pm

🏒 Yeti Claw Classic- 3v3 Adult Hockey Tournament
The fast-paced adult 3v3 tournament for the Yeti Claw Trophy starts today!
Peaks Ice Arena | Jan. 2-4 | 8am-12pm

🥞 Pancakes & Pro Tips
Fuel up with free pancakes, sausage, coffee, and OJ while a Master Technician shares troubleshooting and maintenance tips, performance and tech upgrades, and riding-style service recommendations.
Summit Harley Davidson | Jan. 3 | 10am

🎨 Visiting Artist Demonstration
Free, interactive demo with Utah artist Kim Daw where aspiring artists and art lovers can watch her process up close, learn about her nature-inspired techniques, and catch the kickoff to her show (Jan 3–Feb 6).
Sundance | Jan. 3 | 12:30pm-4:30pm

❄️ Fantasy Winter Ball
A late-night, fantasy-themed winter ball at the library. “Costumes highly encouraged.”
Springville Library | Jan. 3 | 1:30am-3am

🃏 Trading Card Expo
Free admission with tons of local vendors, trade stations, rip stations (where you can open newly purchased card packs), giveaways, and plenty of buy/sell/trade action for collectors and hobbyists.
Lindon Community Center | Jan. 3 | 10am-6pm

🏀 BYU men’s basketball vs. Kansas State (away)
The preseason is over and in the Big 12, Arizona and Iowa State are the favorites to win the conference, with BYU definitely in the mix as well. Of course, all that hype means nothing, got to actually win the games. Go cougs!
Bramlage Coliseum @ Kansas State (aka the “Octagon of Doom”) | Jan 3 | 11:30am MST

Next week sneak peek

🏛️ Oath of Office Ceremony
Watch the swearing-in of incoming mayor and council members-elect—Karen McCandless, Quinn Mecham, Crystal Muhlestein, and LaNae Millett—with a post-ceremony reception and light refreshments. All are welcome!
Library Hall | Jan. 5 | 6pm

👑 Three Kings Day | Día de los Reyes Magos
Elevate Utah is putting on a family-friendly cultural celebration (with performances, treats, and gifts) at the Provo Library. If you can, bring some toys to donate.
Provo Library - Ballroom | Jan. 5 | 5:30pm-6:30pm

⛸️ Winter 2026 Learn to Skate
First session of classes in 2026 start this week!
Peaks Ice Arena | Jan. 6 | times vary

🍔 Family Night at Freddy’s
Every first Tuesday of the month there are games, giveaways, and you can get one free kids’ meal with every adult combo. But this is the first Tuesday of the year, so hopefully it will be extra special.
Freddy’s Frozen Custard & Steakburgers in Provo | Jan. 6 | 5pm-8pm

🏀 BYU men’s basketball vs. Arizona State (home)
Marriot Center | Jan 7 | 7pm MST

(today) Friday - 44° | 🌧️ | 62%

Saturday - 50° | ☁️ | 7%

Sunday - 48° | 🌧️ | 79%

Monday - 44° | 🌧️ | 74%

Tuesday - 43° | 🌧️ | 37%

Wednesday - 42° | 🌧️ | 31%

Thursday - 35° | 🌨️ | 67%

(next) Friday - 31° | ⛅️ | 24%

If you want predictions for the weather this January, the experts are projecting milder temperatures and more precipitation than normal. Mostly rain in valleys and slushy mountain snow. Here’s the full report 👉 January Outlook

@ Java Junkie
Friday – Open Mic Night
Saturday – Open Mic Night
Sunday – Open Mic Night

@ The Rise
Saturday – Mommicked, Miles Jeppson, Dogpaw

(Velour is closed this week.)

Thanks for reading, and thanks for being a part of What’s Up Provo in 2026. Hopefully we can help you make it a great year! 😉

-Nicole, Josh, & Carlie

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