About 1,200 children from Dayton Public Schools will come to campus for the 62nd Christmas on Campus, an evening George Bailey himself might call a holiday miracle.
This year’s celebration, with the theme “It’s a Wonderful Christmas on Campus: Every Time a Bell Rings, a Flyer Gets Its Wings,” offers a winter wonderland of Santa, a live Nativity, model train displays, treats and more. The elementary school students will be paired with a UD undergraduate to explore the event together.
“Christmas on Campus captures the best of UD — community, joy and showing up for one another,” said co-chairs Gianna Carcelli and Catie Dusenberry. “We love seeing campus light up, not just with decorations, but with thousands of people coming together to make the night magical for our students and our Dayton families. It’s a reminder that every act of kindness helps someone ‘get their wings.’”
The event is free and open to the public from 5 to 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5, with the annual tree lighting ceremony at 5:45 p.m. in Humanities Plaza. A Mass at the Chapel of the Immaculate Conception will follow at 9:30 p.m.