With the holidays around the corner and snow drifting down from the sky, the Aquinas community is celebrating the season through a series of cheery events.

Kicking off the Advent season fun is the traditional Christmas tree lighting on Wednesday, November 30. Hosted this year by AQ Student Senate, the ceremonious event is repeated every year and will be held on Holmdene Lawn at 5:30 p.m. accompanied by a capella groups AQ Pella and AQ Fellas.

Along with the tree, the many musical talents of AQ students will also be on display throughout December. Sunday, December 4 at 5 p.m. the music department will lead "A Service of Lessons and Carols" at Saint Thomas the Apostle Church (1449 Wilcox Park Drive, Grand Rapids) to sing in the new snowy season. According to Associate Professor of Music, Barbara McCargar, the Chamber Choir, Valenti Handbell Ensemble and 60 members of the Aquinas Chorus will perform Christmas carols mixed with congregational singing as they continue their on-going tradition under the direction of Larry G. Biser, Stephanie Wiltse and Dr. Mark Webb.

The following Monday, December 5, "Double A'Peal: A Joint Christmas Concert" will take place in Kretschmer Recital Hall at 7:30 p.m. The free event features the combined talents of the Aquinas Valenti Handbell Ensemble and Calvin College Handbell Ensemble. AQ’s newest Christmas tradition, the two groups will share the stage under the instruction of handbell expert Stephanie Wiltse. Each year the Double A'Peal Concert changes location, alternating between the Aquinas and Calvin music departments.

On Thursday, December 8, Campus Dining will be hosting its long running tradition of Christmas Dinner at Wege Cafeteria. "It is another chance for us to celebrate the students by giving them the sense of ‘home,’" said Aquinas Dining Services Manager Andrea Faber. Aquinas staff will also be on hand to serve the dinner and take part in the delicious event.

Sunday, December 11, every part of the Music Department will be showcased during the annual Christmas Concert in the Performing Arts Center (PAC) at 3 p.m. A long running tradition, this free concert was originally held within the Art and Music Center but has since moved to the PAC so that more of AQ's musical talent can perform for the public at this free event. This year the College Band, 60 members of the College Chorus, the Chamber Strings, the Guitar Ensemble, the Jazz Ensemble, Valenti Handbell ensemble, Chamber Choir, the Brass Quintet and student a capella groups AQ Pella and AQ Fellas will serenade or strum to audiences as Santa joins in with a sing-a-long song. A reception will be hosted within the PAC lobby and guests are encouraged to grab a cookie before leaving.