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When making a list of colleges to visit, your future school’s campus culture is an important factor to consider when deciding on the best fit for you. If you love the idea of joining in on holiday festivities or even performing in them, be sure to add these colleges to your list and take part in their spirited celebrations this holiday season. If a career in performing arts peaks your interest, check out the music and dance scholarships that are available.
The 63rd annual Carol of Lights show outshines all other light displays during the holidays in Lubbock, Texas. With more than 25,000 lights illuminating18 buildings and numerous walkways around campus, this tradition includes a lighting ceremony. More than 20,000 students, faculty, and visitors attend this awe-inspiring event throughout the entire month of December.
The Yule Log Ceremony is a tradition that dates back to the pagan festival of Yule celebrating the Winter Solstice. Beginning in the 1930s, the College of William & Mary introduced the idea of lighting two giant yule logs on campus during the holiday season. The tradition embodies the idea of students “burning away worries” as they toss sprigs of holly onto the logs during the campus celebration. Students from a wide range of religious backgrounds come to participate in their seasonal traditions, as past seasons have featured holidays like Hanukkah, Kwanza, Eid al-Adha, and Deepavali.
The Christmas Festival Concert is performed by Whitworth’s talented Men’s and Women’s student choirs, as well as organists and instrumentalists. The concert highlights a great mix of holiday songs and traditional carols, as well as student readings, narrations, and a candlelit sing-a-long classic to close out the evening.
Harvard’s The Christmas Revels celebrates the winter solstice with a new spin on traditional holiday songs each year. The show celebrates its 51st anniversary with this year’s theme being a mash-up of the Renaissance meets modern-day songs performed by a 21st century pub band. If you are not able to attend the event in-person (or wish to see it again) there are virtual event passes available into January.
A schoolwide tradition for 30 years, the Art Institute of Chicago jump starts the holiday spirit by decorating its iconic lion statue with festive wreaths and ribbons. In years past, the dancers from The Joffrey Ballet and a mariachi-style band have made appearances at this event. Once the lion has been decorated, visitors of all ages are invited to the Art Institute’s museum for an arts and crafts session.
Festivities abound on campus as students ring in the holiday cheer during the two-week long holiday events spree at Seton Hall University. The days are filled with activities like Christmas karaoke, toy drives, Cabaret theater performances, ornament decorating, multicultural dinner parties, and a Christmas Market.