Join Seton Hall University for the 15th Annual Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony

You are invited to the 15th Annual Seton Hall University Christmas Tree Lighting with all activities taking place outdoors on the University Green on the South Orange Campus, 400 South Orange Ave., South Orange, NJ. Visitors can also explore Seton Hall’s beautifully decorated campus and enjoy the holiday ambiance that makes this event one of the most anticipated of the year. So grab your blue Santa hats and celebrate the renowned Tree Lighting Ceremony at 6 p.m., Tuesday, December 3, 2024. This free celebration promises an evening filled with holiday cheer, featuring live performances, seasonal treats and a chance to join in the spirit of giving. Known for its festive cheer, Seton Hall continues the tradition of bringing holiday cheer to the community with its Christmas program, which has consistently been recognized as No.1 for Christmas—and ranked the best college in America for “Holiday Events” by Best College Reviews and has the “Most Cheerful Christmas Traditions” by Academic Influence.

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 Monsignor Joseph R. Reilly, University President, as the main celebrant, assisted by Father Nicholas Sertich, Father Colin Kay, Father John Dennehy, and Father Nicholas Figurelli, immediately followed by the Nativity Blessing at the Crèche. Setonians, friends, family and members of the community will then gather in a sea of Seton Hall blue at 6 p.m. on the University Green for the traditional Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony that includes hot cocoa and candy canes, Santa hats 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 Kai Hansen, senior and president of the SGA, who will invite 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.

Participants 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. Helping to spread the holiday joy are Grounds Director Jeffrey J. Truskowski and his team spend 15 days to decorate the impressive 75-foot-tall Norway Spruce for Christmas. 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 live performances from talented campus groups, including the Seton Hall University Theatre Council, Seton Hall Sapphires and Seton Hall Pep Band, among others.