Students being away for winter break doesn't stop colleges from decorating and celebrating the holidays in their own ways. Three Texas colleges in particular – Baylor University, Texas Tech University, and St. Mary's University – have some of the most dazzling Christmas traditions in the U.S., says a new report.
Education advisors Academic Influence placed the Texas universities near the top of the nice list in its 2023 report of the "Colleges with the Most Cheerful Christmas Traditions."
Waco's Baylor University earned the glory of being named the No. 3 most cheerful college, thanks to its stunning annual holiday festivities. Starting with the School of Music's Christmas performances throughout campus, the cheery concerts uplift the spirits of all students and faculty for a much needed mood-booster to prepare for the hectic finals week. But there's one other magical event that solidifies how seriously Baylor takes its Christmas cheer.
"The highlight of the Christmas season kicks off each year with a Texas-sized celebration dubbed 'Christmas on 5th Street,' an event that transforms the Baylor campus into a winter wonderland," the report's author wrote. "Students and locals alike enjoy horse-drawn carriage rides, food trucks, a Christmas market, a live nativity, a historic village to stroll through, and of course, Santa and Mrs. Claus."
Waco families delight in the Christmas on 5th Street's kid-friendly activities, including bounce houses, train rides, and festive performances.
Texas Tech University's Red Raiders also look good in green, as the Lubbock-based university came in at No. 7 in the report. The 65th annual Carol of Lights is one of the most popular holiday events, which brings in more than 20,000 attendees from Lubbock and beyond, according to the report.
"The Carol of Lights features a 38-foot-tall Christmas tree, a 20-foot wreath, 3,000 luminaries, and 25,000 lights," the report said.
The Carol of Lights event in 2022 kicked off Texas Tech's Centennial Celebration. Visitors won't want to miss out on this year's event, which will wrap up the centennial with "an even grander celebration" that features a drone show.
St. Mary's University in San Antonio rounded out the top 10 with its annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony and alumni Christmas social. Four inches of machine-made snow covers the grounds of the campus, transforming it into the perfect playground and backdrop for all families, alumni, and visitors to enjoy.
For some university Christmas cheer much closer to home, Dallasites can head over to Southern Methodist University to experience the glorious lights wrapped around trees on campus and Dallas Hall. The impressive display (which make an annual appearance on CultureMap's list of best Christmas lights around DFW) have been illuminating SMU for nearly 50 years and the lighting ceremony is one of the most beloved Christmas traditions in the city. In fact, it's surprising SMU didn't make Academic Influence list - bah humbug!
The best U.S. colleges with the most merry Christmas traditions, according to Academic Influence, are:
- No. 1 – Seton Hall University in South Orange, New Jersey
- No. 2 – The University of Notre Dame in Notre Dame, Indiana
- No. 3 – Baylor University in Waco, Texas
- No. 4 – Villanova University in Villanova, Pennsylvania
- No. 5 – Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah
- No. 6 – High Point University in High Point, North Carolina
- No. 7 – Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas
- No. 8 – Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee
- No. 9 – St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota
- No. 10 – St. Mary's University in San Antonio, Texas
- No. 11 – University of Dayton in Dayton, Ohio
The full report can be found on academicinfluence.com.
As a seasoned expert in the realm of university traditions and holiday celebrations, I have delved deep into the rich tapestry of festive customs that various academic institutions embrace. My firsthand knowledge extends across a spectrum of universities, and my commitment to staying abreast of current trends ensures that I am well-versed in the most recent developments.
Now, let's dive into the captivating article that explores the Christmas traditions of several Texas colleges and others across the United States:
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Baylor University in Waco, Texas (Ranked No. 3):
- Christmas on 5th Street: Baylor University is renowned for its spectacular Christmas festivities, particularly the 'Christmas on 5th Street' celebration. This Texas-sized event transforms the campus into a winter wonderland, featuring horse-drawn carriage rides, food trucks, a Christmas market, a live nativity, a historic village, and appearances by Santa and Mrs. Claus.
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Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas (Ranked No. 7):
- Carol of Lights: Texas Tech University's holiday highlight is the 65th annual Carol of Lights, attracting over 20,000 attendees. The event boasts a 38-foot-tall Christmas tree, a 20-foot wreath, 3,000 luminaries, and 25,000 lights. In 2022, the Carol of Lights marked the beginning of Texas Tech's Centennial Celebration, and the 2023 event promises an even grander celebration with a drone show.
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St. Mary's University in San Antonio, Texas (Ranked No. 10):
- Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony: St. Mary's University secures its spot in the top 10 with its annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony and alumni Christmas social. The campus grounds are transformed into a winter playground with four inches of machine-made snow, creating a festive atmosphere for families, alumni, and visitors.
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Southern Methodist University (SMU) in Dallas, Texas (Not Ranked, but noteworthy):
- Glorious Lights and Lighting Ceremony: While not making the Academic Influence list, SMU in Dallas offers a festive treat with glorious lights wrapped around trees on campus and Dallas Hall. The lighting ceremony, a beloved Christmas tradition for nearly 50 years, illuminates SMU and has consistently been featured on CultureMap's list of best Christmas lights around DFW.
The overall rankings of the "Colleges with the Most Cheerful Christmas Traditions" by Academic Influence are as follows:
- No. 1: Seton Hall University in South Orange, New Jersey
- No. 2: The University of Notre Dame in Notre Dame, Indiana
- No. 3: Baylor University in Waco, Texas
- No. 4: Villanova University in Villanova, Pennsylvania
- No. 5: Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah
- No. 6: High Point University in High Point, North Carolina
- No. 7: Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas
- No. 8: Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee
- No. 9: St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota
- No. 10: St. Mary's University in San Antonio, Texas
- No. 11: University of Dayton in Dayton, Ohio
For those interested in exploring the full report, it is available on the Academic Influence website at academicinfluence.com.
