Seasonal & Holidays

Seton Hall To Hold 2016 Christmas Event In South Orange

The event will include Seton Hall's 60-foot Norway Spruce Christmas tree with 43,000 lights, Christmas carols and live music.

SOUTH ORANGE, NJ — Seton Hall University in South Orange will host its 2016 “Christmas at the Hall” event on Tuesday, Dec. 6.

The public is welcome to the event, which will include:

  • Seton Hall’s 60-foot Norway Spruce Christmas tree with 43,000 lights
  • Christmas carol sing alongs
  • Musical performances from The Seton Notes, The Seminary Choir as well as the Seton Hall University Chorus
  • Pictures with the Seton Hall Pirate
  • Free hot chocolate and “other special holiday treats”

According to a university news release, there will be 5 p.m. Mass at the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception, a 5:30 p.m. Blessing of the Crèche, and a 5:45 p.m. Annual Christmas Tree Blessing and Lighting Ceremony on the University Green.

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"We invite the surrounding community to come together and celebrate this yearly tradition of lighting our Christmas tree with the Seton Hall community,” said Assistant Dean of Students Winston Roberts.

22 ACTS OF KINDNESS

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The Seton Hall community will continue the tradition of performing “12 Acts of Christmas Kindness,” a movement that began in 2013 by then student Hillary Sadlon.

According to a university news release, Sadlon performed 22 random acts of kindness to celebrate her 22nd birthday, and inspired the movement to begin. The hashtag, #SHUKindness is being used to spread the word this holiday season.

To begin the extent of thoughtfulness, D.O.V.E will be giving out scarfs to everyone who brings an unwrapped toy. The toys will be going to schools such as Don Bosco Prep in Ramsey New Jersey, Northstar Acadamy Charter school in Newark and the Genoa school district in Wayne County, West Virginia.

A laser pen will also be given out to those who bring canned food to the event, which will go towards St. John’s Soup Kitchen in Newark, organizers said.

Christmas at the Hall activities continue throughout the month with the annual winter holiday concert featuring the University Chorus, Chamber Choir, Orchestra, and Concert Band on December 13, 2016.

The concert will take place at the South Orange Performing Arts Center and is free for the public, but seating is limited so reservations should be made in advance at: https://sopacnow.secure.force.... or by calling the box office at (973) 313-2787.

For more information Christmas at the Hall events, visit www.shu.edu/Christmas/

Seton Hall University is located at 400 South Orange Avenue, South Orange.

Photo: Seton Hall University

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