Christmas Exhibit
Joy to the World!
Nov. 25, 2024 – Jan. 17, 2025
University of Dayton Roesch Library Building
Family-friendly, free and open to the public
Celebrate the harmony of Christmas with songs and Nativity sets. Music, Nativities and artwork illustrate the story of Jesus’ birth. Now in its 30th year, this exhibit features the Marian Library’s renowned collections accompanied by beloved Christmas music from around the world.
The scene will be set with musicians heralding the good news of Christ’s birth throughout the world. Expect to see horns, drums, flutes, accordions and unique instruments such as the rondador, a set of chorded cane panpipes.
Relive memories of school Christmas pageants and learn about Los Posadas, a religious procession celebrated in Mexico and parts of the United States.
Familiar songs of the Christmas season, such as “The Little Drummer Boy,” take on new meaning when paired with Nativity sets. An audio guide will be available to allow you to listen while you look.
Bring along your family and friends to sing along to some Christmas favorites while surrounded by Nativities and artwork! Caitlin Cipolla-McCulloch will lead a joyful sing-along of Christmas carols in the Stuart and Mimi Rose Gallery. Afterwards, visit the rest of the exhibit to experience the connection of Christmas music to the Nativity scene.
Plan Your Visit
The week of Christmas
Open on Monday, Dec. 23 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Closed Dec. 24 – Jan. 1
Weekdays
To see all areas of the exhibit, visit between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday from Nov. 25, 2024 through Jan. 17, 2025 when the Marian Library is open to the public.
Closed Nov. 28-29, Dec. 6, Dec. 24 – Jan. 1
Weekends
- Noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 7 and Sunday, Dec. 8
- Noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 14 and Sunday, Dec. 15
Please check the Marian Library calendar before visiting.
This exhibit is a self-guided experience spanning two floors of the Roesch Library building. It is family-friendly and appropriate for all ages. Enjoy browsing each space at your leisure.
- Take time out to create ornaments and color in the craft area.
- Grab a Seek-and-Find activity and search for details among the Nativities on display.
- An audio guide will be available to help navigate and enhance parts of the exhibit.
- Large-print versions of the exhibit labels are available at the first-floor Hello Desk and the seventh-floor Marian Library Welcome Desk.
plan ahead
- Familiarize yourself with accessibility assistance in Roesch Library.
- To make use of the audio guide which highlights a selection of Nativities in each space, bring a fully-charged smartphone. Consider bringing compatible earphones as well.
- Bringing young children? In addition to an ornament craft and Seek-and-Find activity (that people of all ages will enjoy), you will find books, coloring sheets, a magnet board Nativity scene and more in the reading room on the seventh floor.
- In general, it should take around an hour to see the full exhibit. Plan to arrive at least an hour before closing time. Please see the Exhibit Hours tab for more information.
It is helpful for our staff to know when large groups plan to visit. Please email marianlibrary@udayton.edu or call 937-229-4214 to inform the staff of your chosen date and time. Our staff will be able to provide important information such as bus drop off locations, parking and tips for navigating the exhibit with groups.
Directions
- Driving Directions to the University of Dayton
- Address for GPS: 300 College Park, Dayton, Ohio 45469
Parking at Roesch Library
If you are visiting on a weekday, a parking pass is required. For a free parking pass, drive through the main campus entrance on Stewart Street just east of Brown Street and follow the signs to visitor parking. Stop at the visitor center, and an attendant will issue a parking pass. The closest entrance to P Lot is the ground floor (Learning Teaching Center) entrance. B Lot is closest to the main entrance of Roesch Library.
See University of Dayton Public Safety Visitor and Event Parking for more information regarding car and bus parking.
