Limestone University Updates Schedule For "Christmas On Campus" On December 10: Luminaries, Music, Santa, Ice Skating, & More!

A holiday tradition that goes back over three decades, the Limestone Luminaries are set to return to the University on Saturday, Dec. 10, as part of “Christmas On Campus” that will also bring music, ice skating, a visit from Santa Claus, and more to campus.

The fun-filled schedule for “Christmas On Campus” has been updated and some new events have been added since originally announced last month. An alternate schedule has also been developed in case of inclement weather.

This year’s luminaries on December 10, which will be lit between 4:30 p.m. and 5 p.m.., will be placed on the front campus and other areas near the University including portions of College Drive, S. Limestone Street, E. Rutledge Avenue, South Petty Street, Laurel Street, Griffith Street, Hetty Hill Street, Quarry Drive, and O’Neal Street.

A music recital will be held inside Fullerton Auditorium from 4:15 p.m. until 4:45 p.m. New to the event this year, a portable ice-skating rink will open on the front campus at 5 p.m. and run until 9 p.m. There will also be cookies and beverages, inflatable games, and other outside festivities during that same four-hour time period.

From 5 p.m. until 5:45 p.m., a Steel Pan Drum concert will be held outside on the front campus.

Limestone President Dr. Darrell Parker will flip the switch for the official lighting of the Limestone Christmas Tree at 6 p.m., and that will be followed by a Saxophone ensemble performance on the front campus beginning at 6:15 p.m. Christmas music will then be featured until the event concludes at 9 p.m.

Santa Claus will arrive on the front campus at 6:15 p.m. and photos with Santa will then be held inside the Curtis Building’s Formal Parlors until 9 p.m. Those who would like photos with Santa should bring their own cameras or mobile phones with cameras. Limestone will not have a photographer on site.

From 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. Christmas movies will be shown inside the Camp-Swofford Chapel, along with hot chocolate and other goodies.

The public is invited to attend “Christmas On Campus” and all activities are free of charge.

In the event of inclement weather, the luminaries will not be lit and the official tree lighting will not take place. The ice skating will move into inside the Hines & Riggins Center (but no inflatables will be available inside the building). The Streel Pan Drum concert, photos with Santa, and the saxophone performance would also move inside the Hines & Riggins Center.

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 Gregory's inception, the luminaries have grown to over 10,000 candles and the event has grown into one of the most anticipated nights of the year at Limestone.

Organized by the Department of Athletics, hundreds of students will begin preparing the luminaries starting at 10 a.m. on December 10.