January , 2026 - SLC Home Show & Skinwalker Ranch

What’s Up Provo! Lots more happening today and tomorrow than we expected! Also, happy No Pants Subway Ride Day.

🎥 Sundance’s Beyond Film Series Returns
The 2026 Sundance Film Festival is bringing back its Beyond Film series Jan. 23–30 — a lineup of (mostly) free talks and events that go beyond movies to explore storytelling, culture and creativity. Some of the names that will be there include Olivia Wilde, Richard Linklater, Billie Jean King, and Salman Rushdie. Also, for the first time there’s a “Story Forum” on storytelling innovation. One panel (“Power of Story”) requires paid tickets, but most events are open to the public. This festival — the last held in Utah — will also pay tribute to Sundance’s 43-year local history.

🏐 New Women’s Volleyball Coach
BYU officially introduced Rob Neilson as the seventh head coach of the women’s volleyball program. It was a heartfelt homecoming for the former BYU standout and national champ. Neilson most recently had a successful head-coaching stint at Utah State.

🎬 BYU Students get 5 Student Emmy Nominations
Brigham Young University students dominated the 45th College Television Awards nominations, earning five nods across three categories — animation, best commercial/PSA/promo, and comedy series. 17 BYU students are represented among the nominees chosen from over 185 entries nationwide. (Winners will be announced at the red-carpet event in Los Angeles on March 28.)

🏠 Salt Lake Home Show
It’s a big one at Mountain America expo center in SLC. Even HGTV’s Jasmine Roth (from Help! I Wrecked My House) will be there! Shop 250+ booths with show deals, check out the interactive demos and DIY workshops, get tips from experts, meet-and-greet the home decor celebrities, and more.
Mountain America Expo Center | Jan. 9-11 | hours vary

🛼 Stranger Things Skate Night
For ages 14+. Skate to 80s hits at this Stranger Things–themed Freestyle Friday.
Classic Skating & Fun Center | Jan. 9 | 9pm-12am

🎿 Community Day at the Solitude Nordic & Snowshoe Center
Sorry we didn’t include this in the last newsletter, because we know you wish you had more advanced warning… anyway it’s free and and a great chance for beginners and enthusiasts to try or improve their nordic skiing and/or try snowshoeing! There are lessons and a complimentary snowshoe tour!
Solitude Nordic & Snowshoe Center | Jan. 9 | 10am-5:30pm

✨ Luminaria
Tomorrow is the last time this season that you will get to enjoy their Merry Mosaic, Enchanted Castle with animated snowmen, their Snow Glow Dance Party, the Fire & Ice show, and more!
Ashton Gardens, Thanksgiving Point | Jan. 10 | various times

🏍️ Performance Workshop
Get hands-on with the latest Screamin’ Eagle engine (plus free sandwiches, chips, cookies, and drinks). Also, it’s week 1 of bike build week. Ask about it when you go.
Summit Harley Davidson® | Jan. 10 | 12pm

🥕 Provo Farmers Market
First week back after the holiday break!
Provo Towne Centre Mall | Jan. 10 | 10am-3pm

👽 Skinwalker Ranch With Ben Woodruff
Join Ben Woodruff, Skinwalker Ranch’s biology consultant, for a presentation sharing six years of insights and findings—$10 per person, ages 4+. (If you don’t know Skinwalker Ranch, it’s a world famous site in Utah known for it’s ghosts, UFOs, dire wolves, energy spheres that block the data on your phone, you name it.)
Hutchings Museum | Jan. 10 | 6pm

🏀 BYU vs UofU
BYU is heavily favored, but all that goes out the door when it’s a rivalry
Rice Eccles Stadium in SLC | Jan 10 | 8pm

Next week sneak peek

📚 Imagication
For ages 2-5. There’s going to be a reading of A Loud Winter’s Nap with special guests and photo ops, games and coloring, and Chick-fil-A treat cards.
University Place (by Dillard’s) | Jan. 12 | 11am-12pm

🗿 MOA Homeschool Tour: Sculpture
Free, hands-on homeschool tour exploring sculpture with a studio art project—Monday for ages 5–10, Wednesday for 10+ (others welcome), one adult chaperone per group, free parking; call (801) 422-1140 for large groups.
Brigham Young University Museum of Art | Second Mon & following Wed monthly | time varies

🧠 Trivia Night
The next event is about a crazy winter sport, so here’s a winter sport trivia question:

Provo Library (Nelson Attic) | Jan. 12 | 7pm-8:15pm

🐴 Skijoring Utah - Annual Horse and Skier/Boarder Event
Watch horses pulling skiers/snowboarders (at up to 40 mph) as they do tricks or race through obstacles.
Wasatch County Events Center | Jan. 16-17 | 10am-5pm

🔥 Burn Bright
Toss old habits in the burn box, and then watch them burn. And eat s’mores.
125 W. Community Center Way | Jan. 16 | 5pm-7pm

🌺 New Years Luau & Island Dinner
SCERA Center for the Arts | Jan. 17 | 4pm & 7pm

Monday | ° | ⛅ | %

Tuesday | ° | ⛅ | %

Wednesday | ° | ⛅ | %

Thursday | ° | ⛅ | %

Friday | ° | ⛅ | %

Saturday | ° | ⛅ | %

Sunday | ° | ⛅ | %

We spotlight local businesses for free!
Email us at [email protected]

Hey! If you have a fun local business let us know—we’ll spotlight you for free!
Email us soon at [email protected]

@ The Velour
Wednesday - Open mic
Thursday -
Friday -

@ The Boardwalk
Friday -

@Java Junkie
Thursday -
Friday - Open mic
Saturday -

@ The Rise
Friday -

Thanks for reading. Send this to someone who would like to learn how to skijor. 😉

-Nicole, Josh, & Carlie

Get your message out to 11,000+ families in Provo/Orem.
Claim your spot in the newsletter