HIGH POINT, N.C., Dec. 2, 2015 – High Point University invites neighbors and friends to experience the holiday season together at the fifth annual Community Christmas Celebration. The event will be held on the High Point University campus from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. on Dec. 17 and 18 and will feature complimentary entertainment, hot food, Christmas decorations and fellowship.
Last year, the university welcomed 14,000 people to Community Christmas, which has become a favorite tradition for local families. The event is free and open to all ages.
This year’s festivities will include:
- Life-size Nativity scene and photo station
- “Sounds of the Season” with local choirs, North Carolina Brass Band & Carolers
- Photo & gift for the children who visit Santa
- Falling Snow and a Winter Wonderland
- Christmas decorations
- North Pole Children’s Playland
- Arcade games & entertainment
- Carriage rides with Clydesdale horses
- Holly Jolly Hot Dog Shoppe, hot cocoa and coffee
“We are High Point’s University,” says Dr. Nido Qubein, HPU president. “Each year, we look forward to celebrating this special season with friends from across our great city and the Piedmont Triad.”
Community Christmas also features performances from many talented local musicians and choirs. The following groups that will perform this year include North Carolina Brass Band, High Point Central, Welborn Academy of Science and Technology, High Point Christian Academy, Penn-Griffin School of the Arts, Wesleyan Christian Academy, Shadybrook Elementary, Parkview Elementary, First Presbyterian Church Memorial Handbell Choir, Dickens Carolers and Tri-City Christian Academy.
A full schedule of times and locations for performances will be sent out the week of Community Christmas.
Guests are encouraged to use the complimentary shuttle from Oak Hollow Mall to avoid traffic congestion. While some parking will be available on campus, shuttles from the mall will be the quickest way to enter the event.
By the numbers – HPU’s campus will be decked in:
- 86,000 lights
- 11,200 feet of garland
- 163 wreaths
- 548 banners
- 447 bows
- 34 nutcrackers and soldiers
- 23 nativity scene figures
- 300 poinsettias
- 12 Christmas trees