Christmastime on Campus

Joyful celebrations of our Savior’s birth abound on Liberty’s campus every year as students, faculty, staff, and families gather for their favorite festive traditions.

Just before Thanksgiving Break, the campus comes alive with holiday cheer at the annual Christmas in Lights event, sponsored by Liberty’s Student Activities Department. Dressed in their favorite Christmas attire, students filled the Academic Lawn in anticipation of the lighting of the Christmas tree. They sung along to Christmas classics performed by choral groups and musicians from the School of Music and enjoyed a live nativity with sheep, a donkey, and a camel. Mr. Claus could even be spotted among the crowd.

Student Activities also hosted a fun ’Twas the Night Before Bingo and the popular Christmas Coffeehouse, one of the largest student events of the year. The late-night showcase of Liberty’s top student talent includes music and dancing to classic Christmas songs.

Every night through Christmas, visitors can drive through campus and take in the beautiful light displays as holiday tunes play on speakers.

Music has always played a special role in Liberty’s holiday traditions. The School of Music has captivated audiences for 14 years with its two Christmas on the Boulevard concerts, featuring Christmas carols, festive favorites, and powerful orchestral performances in a dazzling array of classic to contemporary tunes at its Pops and Classic concerts.

An Advent Convocation for students wraps up the semester before exams begin. This year, students enjoyed a morning of music and worship, followed by a message on the pilgrimage of a Christian life and how the Christmas season provides an opportunity for believers to realign themselves with God’s calling. The Liberty Worship Collective performed songs from its new EP, “Wait and See,” which features Advent-inspired hymns.

The Campus Recreation Department also lights up the holidays at the Hydaway Outdoor Center on Liberty Mountain. For three nights, families can find the perfect way to enjoy the season with friends and family at Christmas at Hydaway, a winter wonderland filled with magical light displays, a cozy hot chocolate bar, food trucks, festive music, and plenty of fun photo opportunities.

Students from the School of Communication and the Arts transformed the DeMoss Hall Grand Lobby into a Christmastime forest from Dec. 4-7 as part of “Unity in Lights,” a competition facilitated by LU One encouraging students to use their talents to demonstrate biblical unity through the creative arts. The competition featured 10 Christmas tree art installations created by duos of talented student artists, with the winners splitting a $4,000 scholarship.

Every year, after the semester officially ends, faculty and staff join in a time of fellowship at the annual President’s Christmas Reception at Reber-Thomas Dining Hall.

With each of these events, Liberty University creates a vibrant atmosphere where the true spirit of Christmas is celebrated and the Liberty community can worship and praise God together for the best gift of all, His Son, Jesus Christ.