Provo’s biggest annual events span the full calendar, from America’s Freedom Festival’s Fourth of July fireworks and parade to the Rooftop Concert Series each summer, FilmQuest’s genre film premieres each fall, and a million-light holiday display each winter. Glenwood, located at 1565 N. University Ave, sits about 0.4 miles from BYU campus and just minutes from downtown Provo, where most of these events take place.
Whichever season it is, there’s usually something worth walking downtown for.
Glenwood Guide to Provo’s Annual Events and Festivals
Provo’s event calendar builds around downtown and the area just north of campus, with summer carrying the heaviest lineup and each other season bringing its own signature tradition. Because Glenwood sits close to both BYU and downtown, most of these events are a short walk or quick drive away.
What Happens During America’s Freedom Festival?
America’s Freedom Festival is Provo’s largest annual event, running from late June through the Fourth of July with more than 25 individual events. A few stand out as the ones worth building a summer around:
- Stadium of Fire, held at LaVell Edwards Stadium on July 4th, pairs a concert headliner with a large fireworks display and a military flyover
- The Grand Parade runs down University Avenue on the morning of July 4th and is regularly cited as one of the largest parades in the western United States, with floats, marching bands, and equestrian entries
- Colonial Fest brings a historical village with reenactments, period games, and crafts, usually held in the days leading up to the Fourth
- The Balloon Fest fills the sky with hot air balloons over a multi-day stretch in early July
Between the parade, the fireworks, and the smaller events surrounding them, the Freedom Festival is the one Provo tradition almost everyone plans around each summer.
When Does the Rooftop Concert Series Run?
The Rooftop Concert Series brings free live music to Nu Skin Plaza at 100 W Center St on select Friday evenings from May through September, typically five shows across the season. Each concert starts around 7 p.m. and features a mix of local and regional bands, drawing a crowd that spreads out across downtown’s restaurants and shops before the music starts. It’s a low-key, walkable option for a summer evening that doesn’t require tickets or much planning.
What Is FilmQuest and Where Does It Happen?
FilmQuest is an international genre film festival held every fall in downtown Provo, focused on sci-fi, fantasy, and horror films from filmmakers around the world. The festival typically runs from late October into early November, with screenings, premieres, and appearances by actors and directors at venues including Velour Live Music Gallery on University Avenue. It’s grown into one of the more respected genre festivals in the country, drawing an audience well beyond Provo for films that don’t always get a wide release elsewhere.
How Does Provo Celebrate the Holidays?
Provo’s holiday season centers on a couple of long-running lighting traditions that turn on in late November and run through the new year.
| Event | Location | When |
|---|---|---|
| Lighting of the Riverwoods | The Shops at Riverwoods, 4801 N University Ave | Late November–January |
| Provo Christmas Market | Pioneer Park, 500 W Center St | Early December |
The Lighting of the Riverwoods is the bigger of the two, with roughly 1.5 million lights, live entertainment, and a countdown event on opening night that draws crowds from across the valley. The Christmas Market at Pioneer Park follows shortly after, adding vendor booths and a chance to see Santa to the same downtown park that hosts the summer farmers market.
There’s Always Something on Provo’s Calendar
Between a Fourth of July celebration, a summer concert series, a fall film festival, and a winter light display, Provo’s annual events cover every season without much overlap. Living close to downtown makes it easy to catch most of them without planning far ahead.
Glenwood adds to that convenience with a pool, year-round hot tub, sand volleyball court, and a poolside grille for hosting friends before or after a downtown event, all just minutes from campus. Take a look at the floor plan that fits your group and settle into a spot close to everything Provo has going on.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Fourth of July Grand Parade in Provo?
The Grand Parade runs down University Avenue on the morning of July 4th as part of America’s Freedom Festival, and it’s widely considered one of the largest parades in the western United States.
Is the Rooftop Concert Series free?
Yes. The Rooftop Concert Series at Nu Skin Plaza is free and open to the public, with about five Friday evening shows running from May through September.
What kind of films does FilmQuest show?
FilmQuest specializes in sci-fi, fantasy, and horror genre films, with screenings and filmmaker appearances held at venues around downtown Provo each fall.
When does the Lighting of the Riverwoods happen?
The Lighting of the Riverwoods typically kicks off in late November and runs through the new year, featuring around 1.5 million lights at the Shops at Riverwoods.
What is the biggest annual event in Provo?
America’s Freedom Festival is Provo’s biggest annual event, running from late June through July 4th with more than 25 events, including Stadium of Fire and the Grand Parade.
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