Grab your Blue Santa Hat for the Annual Christmas at the Hall!

Seton Hall University welcomes the entire community to gather for the 14th annual launch of Christmas at the Hall with its spectacular Tree Lighting Ceremony on Tuesday, November 28 at 6 p.m. on the University Green.

This year, Seton Hall continues the tradition of bringing holiday cheer to the community with its Christmas program, which has consistently been acknowledged as the best of any college in America. Seton Hall has repeatedly been recognized as #1 for Christmas -- and ranked the Best College in America for "Holiday Events" -- by Best College Reviews. In addition, a new ranking this year from BestColleges.com listed Seton Hall as the Top Catholic university in its "7 College Campuses with the Most Holiday Spirit."

In the spirit of joy and in celebration of our faith tradition, the University community will begin the festivities by offering a Christmas at the Hall Mass at 5 p.m. in the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception with Father Nick Sertich, immediately followed by the Nativity Blessing at the Crèche.

Setonians, friends, family and members of the community will then gather at 6 p.m. on the University Green for the traditional Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony that includes hot cocoa and a special prayer to bless the tree and all those in attendance by Father Colin Kay.

A highlight of the evening will feature emcees Winston Roberts, Assistant Vice President of Student Services and Dean of Student Engagement, and Halima Koroma, an active Student Engagement leader and graduating senior, who will invite the attendees to count down to the actual lighting ceremony, as they pull a special switch to electrify the night to the cheers of the crowd.

"It’s nice to have those little core memories from college. It is a good time to stop, reflect and cherish your time on campus and time with your friends. This will be a fun event," said Halima.

Helping to spread the holiday joy are Grounds Director Jeffrey J. Truskowski and his team.

"Every year we decorate the 75-foot-tall Norway Spruce for Christmas. We put on approximately 40,000 lights and it takes about 15 days, it’s gotten more extravagant; you could say we’re competing with Times Square in terms of the number of lights on the tree. We have actually toned it down a little bit since we switched over to LEDs for better pictures and for a better overall aesthetic look. Winston Roberts and Alison Sotolongo Miller and their team decorate the whole Green and with the Halo structure, it’s very impressive to see," said Truskowski.

This year’s ceremony will be both in-person and available through livestream so Pirates from near and far can feel part of this campus tradition. With the assistance of many student volunteers, those on site can enjoy feature live performances from talented campus groups including the Seton Hall University Theatre Council, Lambda Sigma Upsilon Latino Fraternity, Inc., Seton Hall Sapphires, and Seton Hall Pep Band. Students can also take advantage of photo opportunities with the halo structure in the center of the Green and snow machines that will make it feel like a winter wonderland. The Division of Volunteer Efforts (DOVE) is running its annual Love Thy Neighbor: DOVE Toy Drive benefiting several schools and agencies in Newark, the Maplewood South Orange School District and the Don Bosco Youth Center, as well as impoverished children in Appalachia, West Virginia. Donations can be dropped off at a tent during the Tree Lighting Ceremony or at the DOVE office in Boland Hall (9 a.m.-5 p.m. from Monday through Friday. DOVE is also accepting monetary donations to support the toy drive here. All Toy Drive donors will receive a blue Santa hat with the Pirate patch on it as a gift for their contribution. It is also DOVE Mission Night where volunteers will gather in the Campus Ministry Lounge in Boland Hall to prepare snack bags for elementary school children in need of weekend meals.

Families and parents - don’t forget to visit the Family Tent to receive a Seton Hall tree ornament, write holiday cards to your students, receive some holiday treats, and support our Giving Tuesday campaign.

For extra festive fun, check out the Christmas Toolkit, complete with toolkit with digital backgrounds, coloring sheets, lawn signs and more to get in the holiday spirit before the Tree Lighting Ceremony. The Christmas Toolkit also includes the Deck the Hall Spotify Playlist with the community's favorite holiday tunes.

Holiday cheer will also be spread at these events happening throughout November and December:

Graduate Student Wine & Cheese Social
Tuesday, November 28 from 4:30 – 7:30 p.m.
The Office of Graduate Affairs cordially invites all Graduate Students to join them at the Graduate Student Wine & Cheese Social at Christmas at The Hall. Enjoy some light food and beverages, socialize with the graduate student community, and participate in one of the most-known campus events, Christmas at the Hall.

SAB Presents: Holiday Open Mic Night
Wednesday, November 29 from 7 – 10 p.m.
Come sing an original song, a cover, recite poetry or spoken word, play an instrument - the stage is yours!

SAB Presents: Radio City Rockettes Christmas Spectacular
Thursday, November 30 at 8 p.m.
Celebrate the most wonderful time of the year at the Radio City Christmas Spectacular featuring the Rockettes! Join SAB to experience some Christmas Magic at Radio City Music Hall! Tickets are $25 and will go on sale on Wednesday, November 15 at 12 p.m. and 6 p.m. via Eventbrite

The Hospitality of Advent: Daily Advent Meditations
December 3, All Day
Join ICSST this Advent season for its 2023 reflection series, "The Hospitality of Advent," with meditations authored by the ICSST community delivered every day via email from the first Sunday of Advent through Christmas Eve.

Miracles in Ink Holiday Party
December 4, at 7:30 p.m.
Join Mind Over Matter as we write letters and make jewelry for kids in the Children’s Hospital.

IHS Presents: Christmas at the Hall
December 5, at Noon
Please join the Office of Student Engagement and Father Colin in the blessing of the IHS Christmas tree, hot chocolate and cookies, arrival of Santa and Mrs. Claus, Santa hat decorating, and Hanukkah and Kwanzaa activities.

SAB Presents: Winter Wonderland Holiday Village
Tuesday, December 5 from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Join SAB on Tuesday, Dec. 5th to experience a Magical Holiday Village and be transported to a quaint Christmas town! Stop by booths to play holiday games, snap a picture at various selfie stations or take part in a holiday-themed craft. What a way to get in the holiday spirit!

For updates on Christmas at the Hall events, and for more activities and celebrations please continue to visit our website here.

Categories: Campus Life