Main content
Celebrate winter holidays across Emory
cream colored candles lit in front of a stained glass window

The Emory community will celebrate holidays in the coming weeks with musical programs, conversations and special religious services. All events are open to the public, and most are free. 

Here are some highlights, but check websites such as the Office of Spiritual and Religious LifeCandler School of Theology, the Oxford College Office of Religious and Spiritual Life and Emory Arts for updates.

 

Bodhi Day Celebration

Thursday, Nov. 30, 6 p.m.

Cannon Chapel Sanctuary 

Cost: Free

Bodhi Day is celebrated in the Mahayana Tradition of Buddhism to commemorate the enlightenment of Shakyamuni Gautama Buddha. Emory Buddhist community and spiritual friends from Atlanta will gather to celebrate this occasion in spiritual reflection, contemplation and gratitude. Vegetarian dinner will follow the spiritual practice. For questions or more information, please contact Buddhist Chaplain Venerable Priya Rakkhit Sraman psraman@emory.edu. RSVP for dinner here


Oxford Chorale Holiday Concert

Friday, Dec. 1, 7 p.m.

Oxford College, Williams Hall Auditorium

Cost: $5; purchase tickets at the door or through the OxTheatre Box Office. 

Enjoy holiday music featuring the Oxford Chorale and the Oxford Chamber Ensemble.


A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols

Friday, Dec. 1, 8 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 2, 4 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 2, 8 p.m.

Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church, Sanctuary

Cost: $20; purchase tickets for all performances.

One of Emory's longest-standing annual traditions, A Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols presents choral music from the Emory Concert Choir and University Chorus and scripture readings by special guests from the Emory community. This service, dating back to 1935, brings beautiful music and spreads a message of peace.


Oxapella Winter Concert

Saturday, Dec. 2, 7 p.m.

Oxford College, Williams Gym

Cost: Free


Advent Catholic Mass

Sunday, Dec. 3, 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 10, 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 17, 9 a.m.

Sunday, Dec. 24, 9 a.m.

Cannon Chapel

Cost: Free

Join these special services during the weeks leading to Christmas Day.


Beloved Community Advent Worship Service

Sunday, Dec. 3

Worship Service, 11 a.m.

Lunch, Noon

Cannon Chapel 

Cost: Free

Join us as we celebrate Advent with worship and lunch. For questions, please contact OSRL Christian Chaplain, The Rev. Maddie Henderson at mhend25@emory.edu.


Christmas Party in the Oxford Student Center

Sunday, Dec. 3, 3 p.m.

Oxford Student Center, Greer Forum

Cost: Free

Oxford’s Christian clubs will host a Christmas party with special food, cookie decorating, ornament making and other festive activities.


Emory Christian Life Christmas Party

Sunday, Dec. 3, 6 p.m.

Emory Interfaith Center

Cost: Free

Join Emory OSRL, Christian Religious Life Affiliates, and Christian Student Organizations for a joint Christmas party at the Emory Interfaith Center. There will be hot chocolate and hot cider, a s’mores bar and ornament decorating. RSVP on The Hub. For questions, please contact religiouslife@emory.edu.


Fusion Fall Semester Showcase “A Winter Spectacle”

Sunday, Dec. 3, 7 p.m.

Oxford College, Williams Hall

Cost: Free


Oxford Dance Company Performance

Monday, Dec. 4, 7:30 p.m.

Oxford College, Williams Hall Auditorium

Cost: Free


Carols in the Chapel

Tuesday, December 5, 11:05 a.m.

Cannon Chapel Sanctuary and online (Facebook, YouTube, Instagram or the Candler livestream)

Cost: Free

Sermons will be available on Vimeo after the services. For more information, contact Khalia J. Williams, associate dean of worship and music at Candler School of Theology.


Volunteer Oxford Holiday Wrapping Party

Wednesday, Dec. 6, 1 p.m.

Oxford Student Center, Greer Forum

Cost: Free

Enjoy a movie, hot chocolate and cookies while wrapping gifts.


Study Break with the Advising Support Center

Wednesday, Dec. 6, 2 p.m.

Oxford College, in front of Seney Hall

Cost: Free

Stop by for some hot cocoa and candy canes.


Study Cozy Fest, presented by Med Club

Wednesday, Dec. 6, 8 p.m.

Oxford College Library, Classroom 201

Cost: Free

Enjoy hot chocolate, cookies and letters.


Finals Coffee Kick-Off

Thursday, Dec. 7, 7:45 a.m.

Oxford Quadrangle

Cost: Free

Grab a donut and a cup of coffee (and maybe even a pep talk) at the start of finals season with Oxford’s ORSL team.


Emory Chanukah Celebration

Thursday, Dec. 7, 5:30 p.m.

Emory Kaldi's, Emory Student Center

Cost: Free

All are welcome for Chanukah celebration sponsored by Emory’s Office of Spiritual and Religious Life in conjunction with Chabad, Hillel and Meor. Chanukah snacks will be provided as well as a festive candle lighting. Come shine light and share joy with the whole Emory community. For questions, please contact religiouslife@emory.edu.


Chanukah Party with Oxford’s Jewish Student Union

Menorah Lighting with Chabad: Thursday, Dec. 7, 6 p.m.

Party: Thursday, Dec. 7, 7 p.m.

Oxford Dining Hall and Dean’s Dining Room

Cost: Free

The Oxford Jewish Student Union will celebrate the start of Chanukah by lighting the Menorah with the campus community on the first night of Chanukah with games, gelt and other fun activities.


Mass on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception

Friday, Dec. 8, 6 p.m.

University Catholic Center

Cost: Free

Join Mass in celebration of the conception of Mary without original sin. This is a holy day of obligation.


Catholic Student Union Christmas Party

Friday, Dec. 8, 7 p.m.

University Catholic Center

Cost: Free

Celebrate the end of classes with fun and games at the CSU Christmas party. Enjoy carols performed by members of the music ministry, get a picture taken with Santa and decorate the Catholic Center for the Christmas season. Dinner will be served.


A Service of Lessons and Carols

Sunday, Dec. 10, 11 a.m.

Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church; Sanctuary

Cost: Free


Santa’s Favorite Chamber Music

Sunday, Dec. 10, 4 p.m.

Michael C. Carlos Museum; Ackerman Hall

Cost: Free with admission to the museum

The Carlos Museum and the Emory Chamber Music Society of Atlanta welcome Old Saint Nick himself to share some of his favorite works of classical music and lead a holiday sing-along with pianists Julie Coucheron and William Ransom.


Christmas Caroling for all ages and Children’s Nativity Pageant

Sunday, Dec. 17, 9:45 a.m. and 10:15 a.m

Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church; Ward Fellowship Hall

Cost: Free


Nativity Petting Zoo

Sunday, Dec. 17, 12 p.m.

Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church; Amphitheater

Cost: Free


In the Bleak Midwinter: A Service of Grief and Hope

Wednesday, Dec. 20, 6 p.m.

Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church; The Little Chapel

Cost: Free


Christmas Eve Services

Sunday, Dec. 24, 11 a.m.

Sunday, Dec. 24, 4 p.m.

Sunday, Dec. 24, 11 p.m.

Glenn Memorial United Methodist Church; Sanctuary

Cost: Free


Christmas Vigil Mass

Sunday, Dec. 24, 4 p.m.

Cannon Chapel

Cost: Free


Recent News