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Christmas at Notre Dame

A look back at celebrations through the years

By University of Notre Dame

December 19^th, 2022

Dreaming of a white Christmas...

According to historical data, we have a 50 percent chance of having an inch of snow on the ground on December 25, and when it happens, it's magical. Most recently, we've seen snow in 2017 and 2020!

A snow covered fir tree glows warmly with white Christmas lights in front of a large wooden door of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart with a wreath covered in white lights above it. — Christmas morning snowfall outside the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, 2020

A tree lit with white Christmas lights is covered in snow in front of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart and the Main Building of the University of Notre Dame after a snowfall on Christmas morning. — Main Quad on Christmas morning, 2017

A snow-covered pine tree lit with orange, purple, red, and blue Christmas lights in the foreground. The Golden Dome of the Main Building of the University of Notre Dame shines in the background against a blue-gray sky. — Christmas morning snowfall on Main Quad, 2020

A fresh blanket of fallen snow covers the ground, trees, rooftops and statue of the Sacred Heart of Jesus at the University of Notre Dame. — Christmas morning snowfall on Main Quad, 2020

Decorations on campus

From Christmas light displays to creche tours and Christmas trees, campus gets into the holiday spirit quickly after Thanksgiving so students, faculty and staff can enjoy them in the limited time before finals and winter break.

A wreath surrounds the seal of the University of Notre Dame — Christmas wreath on DeBartolo Performing Arts Center

A Christmas wreath on a glass door. Above the door is the words — Christmas wreath on the door to the College of Arts and Letters Dean's suite

A large nativity scene sits nestled amongst hay, Christmas trees with white lights, and red poinsettias. A statue of the Virgin Mary holding baby Jesus is lit on the wall above it as light shines through stained glass windows on either side. — Creche in Lady Chapel of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, 2021

A Christmas tree decorated with silver ornaments and gold stars. — Christmas tree in the lobby of the Morris Inn

The Golden Dome of the University of Notre Dame reflected in a gold ornament hanging on a snow-covered pine tree lit with blue, green and red Christmas lights. — The Main Building of the University of Notre Dame reflected in a gold ornament

A group of people wearing santa hats and red and green shirts play gold handbells at a table in front of a Christmas tree. — The Notre Dame Handbell Choir plays at the President's Christmas Reception, 2017

A large pine tree lit up in blue Christmas lights outside a brick building. — Christmas Tree outside Hammes Mowbray Hall

Red poinsettias interspersed with green plants surround the altar at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart at the University of Notre Dame. — Christmas decorations in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart, 2021

A green bough of fir wrapped with red ribbon and topped with a red bow lines an arched doorway with — Main door to Eck Hall of Law decorated for Christmas

A Christmas tree decorated with white lights and blue and gold Notre Dame pennants — Christmas tree in a reception area in the Main Building

A life-size nativity scene nestled in the snow next to the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes at the University of Notre Dame — Nativity scene at the Grotto

Boughs of green fir gathered with red ribbon are tied below the lights of the east door of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart. The top of the door and plants around it are covered in snow. — The Basilica of the Sacred Heart in winter

White lights cover the trees and bushes on either side of a wooden door of a brick building. Two trees with white lights can be seen through a window above the door. Another room has colored Christmas lights shining through the window. — North Door of Alumni Hall with Christmas Lights

A snow-covered Christmas tree with white lights sits atop the overhang above the door of St. Edward's Hall. — St. Edward's Hall at Christmas

A stone nativity set displayed outside of Jordan Auditorium in the lobby of the Mendoza College of Business. — Christmas decorations in the Mendoza College of Business

A two-story Christmas tree decorated with large gold, silver, green and red ornaments and white lights sits in the Jordan Hall of Science atrium. Red and white poinsettias surround its base. — Christmas tree in Jordan Hall of Science

A wreath holding four candles, three purple and one pink, hangs from the painted ceiling of the Basilica of the Sacred Heart. Behind it is a painted depiction of the ascension of the Virgin Mary being crowned with flowers by Jesus and God. On either side of them are the authors of the gospels and other apostles. — The Advent wreath in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart

Residence Hall Traditions

Carroll Hall has kicked off the season on campus since 1989 when its signature event, "A Carroll Christmas," debuted. Held on the first Friday of December, the event includes horse-drawn carriages ferrying students to the far side of St. Mary's Lake, a blessing and lighting the giant Christmas tree, and even visits with Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, and Santa's Elves.

Other signature traditions include Howard Hall-iday, a Christmas tree decorating competition, Cavanaugh Hall's Christmas Pageant and candlelit Advent Masses.

A man and a woman sit on Santa's lap as elves and a man dressed as Mrs. Claus smile surrounding them. Lights on thew all behind them spell out Carroll Christmas. — Carroll Hall Christmas tree lighting party, 2017

A horse drawn carriage decorated in Christmas lights is silhouetted against a grey, pink and orange sky at sunset. — A horse drawn carriage decorated in Christmas lights carries passengers to Carroll Hall at sunset

Two women hold up an empty photo frame decorated with ornaments, flowers and a large white and red bow as other women and a man dressed as Santa smile through it. Decorated Christmas trees are on either side of them. — Howard Hall-iday on Fieldhouse Mall, 2016

A crowd gathers around a just-lit 40-foot Christmas tree decorated in strands of white, blue, and multi-colored lights. The brick building behind them has a large C lit in Christmas lights on it. — Carroll Christmas tree lighting, 2017

Children look on as women dressed as Mary, Joseph, and stable animals present a pageant in a chapel. — Cavanaugh Hall Christmas Pageant, 2018

A Christmas tree decorated with brightly colored paper ribbon. — Howard Hall-iday, 2016

A woman with blonde hair hangs an ornament on a pine tree decorated with Christmas lights outside — Howard Hall-iday, 2016

Women dressed as Mary, Joseph, animals, the three kings, soldiers, angels, and shepherds smile for the camera after a Christmas pageant. — Cavanaugh Hall Christmas Pageant, 2018

A soft warm glow from red, green and white candles, and white Christmas lights on two Christmas trees on either side of an altar. A golden bible is displayed on the altar which is decorated with a large wreath. White poinsettias decorate a table with a tabernacle on it below a crucifix. — Candlelight Mass in Alumni Hall chapel, 2013

A man wearing a square-necked altar server surplice lights white candles on a golden candelabra. — Morrissey Manor candlelight Mass, 2015

A priest wearing pink vestments celebrates Mass at an altar in front of a wooden reredos with a wooden crucifix. All is lit by candlelight and two Christmas trees lit with white lights. — Morrissey Manor candlelight Mass, 2015

A gold decorative candle lighter holds a flame to a purple candle in focus in the foreground. A blurry Christmas tree with white lights is in the background. — Alumni Hall Candlelight Mass, 2017

Men wearing gold blazers kneel at prayer infront of an altar lit by many white candles and two Christmas trees with white lights. A priest at the altar holds the Eucharist and a gold chalice up tot he congregation. — Morrissey Manor candlelight Mass, 2015

A man holds a gold decorative candle lighter aloft as he lights a candle in an Advent wreath amongst the full pews in a chapel. — Alumni Hall Candlelight Mass, 2016

Four Christmas trees with white lights and white candles light an altar in a darkened chapel. — Morrissey Manor candlelight Mass, 2015

Holiday Service Projects

Notre Dame Athletics gets into the holiday spirit with a number of events like a Teddy Bear Toss benefitting Toys for Tots at games in early December, and the annual "A Brighter Christmas" event, a partnership between the Fighting Irish and South Bend Community School Corp (SBCSC).

"A Brighter Christmas” pairs groups and individuals within Athletics, including staff, coaches and student-athletes, with SBCSC families that need help during the holidays putting food on the table and presents under the tree.

A man wearing a green leprechaun suit prepares to catch a stuffed dog in a white plastic bag. The basketball court surrounding him has stuffed bears, and animals littered on the ground around him during a teddy bear toss event. — The Notre Dame Leprechaun during the annual Teddy Bear Toss event at a Women’s Basketball game, 2022

A person on ice skates has her arms full of large teddy bears and animals as she leans over to pick up another. — Annual "Teddy Bear Toss" event at Notre Dame Hockey vs. Boston College, 2019

A Snoopy stuffed animal sits in a blue seat in a basketball arena. — When fans weren't permitted to attend games during the 2020 season due to COVID-19, stuffed toys were placed in the seats during the annual "Teddy Bear Toss" game.

Stuffed animals sit in the stands at Purcell Pavilion during the 2020 "Teddy Bear Toss" women's basketball game. Fans couldn't attend due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Shot from above, men and women wearing Santa hats and Christmas gear stand on a carpet printed with the word — ND Athletics hosts "A Brighter Christmas," its annual gift-giving event, 2020

Two men load a box full of presents into the back of a car. They both wear masks due to the coronavirus pandemic. — Members of the Notre Dame Hockey team Notre Dame Hockey team members load gifts into a car during "A Brighter Christmas," Notre Dame Athletics' annual gift-giving event, 2020

A large teddy bear sits amongst presents wrapped in Christmas wrapping paper. — ND Athletics hosts "A Brighter Christmas," its annual gift-giving event, 2020

A man wearing a green leprechaun suit dons a Santa hat with a white beard attached. — The Notre Dame Leprechaun wears a Santa Claus hat and beard during a December men’s basketball game, 2022

The crowd throws teddy bears and stuffed animals onto the Notre Dame basketball court in Purcell Pavilion during halftime of a game. — Fans throw stuffed toys onto the court during halftime of a women's basketball game for the annual "Teddy Bear Toss," 2014

Las Posadas

Each year, students on campus participate in Las Posadas, a Latin American tradition commemorating the journey of Mary and Joseph from Nazareth to Bethlehem in search of a safe refuge where Mary could give birth.

A procession led by two people dressed as Mary and Joseph stops at residence halls designated as "inns." At the final stop, Mary and Joseph are recognized and the group is let in to share a meal and pray together.

A man and a woman dressed as Mary and Joseph are followed by others who appear to be singing as they walk along a sidewalk. — Las Posadas walk from the Grotto to Farley Hall, 2015

Men and women carry candles and songbooks as they walk along a sidewalk. — Las Posadas, 2019

A person holds a candle to illuminate a program with a Gospel passage printed on it. — Las Posadas, 2019

Men and women carry candles and read from programs as they process along a sidewalk — Las Posadas, 2019

A man and woman dressed as Joseph and Mary walk under an archway. They are followed by others carrying candles. — Las Posadas, 2019

Men and women gather on the path in front of a brick building lit with Christmas lights. — Las Posadas, 2015

Footnotes

Photos taken by University of Notre Dame photographers Matt Cashore and Barbara Johnston

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FootNotes

Photos taken by University of Notre Dame photographers Matt Cashore and Barbara Johnston