Limestone University To Celebrate Holiday Season During “All Saints Christmas” On Saturday, Dec. 9

A holiday tradition at Limestone University has a new name.

The rebranded “All Saints Christmas” event will take place on Saturday, Dec. 9, during the same evening as the much-anticipated return of the luminaries to the campus and surrounding area.

Complete details on the event will be announced soon. Visitors will enjoy visits from Santa Claus, Limestone’s mascot “Bernie,” and the University’s real-life Saint Bernard. In addition to the luminaries on display, there will be an official tree lighting ceremony, Limestone student musical performances, Christmas movies at the Granberry Amphitheater, holiday treats and beverages, and much more.

The first 200 children to visit with Santa at the entrance into Winnie Davis Hall will receive a gift from jolly old Saint Nicholas and Limestone.

“We’re making some changes to return Limestone’s Christmas event back to its roots, while also adding some new traditions we know our visitors are going to love,” said Limestone Acting President Jeremy Whitaker. “With that, we felt it was time to revitalize the event with a new name that better connects it with our University and our local community. We are thrilled to welcome all of our Saints and all of our neighbors to celebrate the Christmas season with us. The final touches are being put on our ‘All Saints Christmas’ schedule, and we are excited to reveal more about it very soon. The return of the luminaries and the decorations we have planned for the campus should get everyone in the Christmas spirit.”

The luminaries, weather permitting, will be placed on the front campus and other areas near the University. Inclement weather and the coronavirus pandemic forced the cancellation of the luminaries the past three years. “We’re hopeful that Mother Nature will cooperate this year so that everyone can enjoy the beauty that the luminaries bring to our campus and the surrounding community,” Whitaker said.

The tradition of the local luminaries dates back to 1984 when the late Les Gregory, a former Limestone staff member and graduate, arranged for 200 luminaries to be lit in honor of retired professor Lucy G. Wheeler. Since its inception, the luminaries at Limestone have grown to over 10,000 candles and the Christmas event has flourished into one of the most anticipated nights of the year at the University.