Festivity, fun and inspiration are everywhere this holiday season, especially at BYU.
Whether you're seeking a family-friendly activity, an enthralling musical experience or a classic Christmas film, there's an event at BYU that's just right for you.
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Fun for All Ages
Pioneer Christmas Stories, free
Date: Monday, Dec. 10
Time: 7–8:30 p.m.
Location: Education in Zion Gallery, Joseph F. Smith Building, BYU
Details: What was Christmas like in pioneer times? How did pioneer celebrations differ from yours today? Caroling, craft activity refreshments.
Christmas at the MOA: Brian Kershisnik Nativity, free
Date: Monday, Dec. 10
Time: 7:15–8:15 p.m.
Location: Museum of Art, BYU
Details: Celebrate the Christmas season (and the end of the semester!) with a special FHE at the MOA. Artist Brian Kershisnik will give a Gallery Talk in front of his piece "Nativity," which hangs in the BYU Museum of Art. After his remarks, Brian Kershisnik will take questions from the audience. The Gallery Talk will be livestreamed on the MOA’s Facebook and Instagram accounts. Refreshments will be served.
BYU Planetarium: Star of the Magi
Date: Monday, Dec. 3 and Monday, Dec. 10
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Eyring Science Center, 4th Floor, BYU
Details: Come to BYU's Royden G. Derrick Planetarium and experience the Christmas Spirit as you learn about the history and current theories behind the mysterious Star of the Magi. Tickets: $2 for children, $4 for adults; cash at the door.
BYU Planetarium: Star of Bethlehem
Date: Friday, Dec. 7
Time: 7 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Location: Eyring Science Center, 4th Floor, BYU
Details: Come to BYU's Royden G. Derrick Planetarium and join the BYU Astronomical Society to learn about the astronomical events consistent with the Christmas star.
Tickets: $2 for children, $3 for adults; cash at the door.
Nativities from Around the World, free
Date: Dec. 1–30
Time: 7:45 a.m.– 6 p.m. (regular BYU Store hours)
Location: BYU Store, 1st floor, BYU
Details: Walk through the BYU Store’s display of more than 300 nativities gathered by a private collector from more than 100 countries. This collection is one of the largest and most unique in the United States. Some of the nativities are so tiny they require a magnifying glad to see, while others are nearly life-size. The exhibit also includes a 1,000+ piece Fontanini Bethlehem scene.
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Music + Concerts
Christmas Around the World
Date: Friday, Nov. 30 and Saturday, Dec. 1
Time: 7:30 p.m.; 2 p.m. Saturday matinee
Location: Marriott Center, BYU
Details: This holiday tradition showcases the rich ethnic diversity of the world through music and dance and features more than 200 dancers, singers, musicians, colorful costumes and captivating choreography.
Tickets: $16-$22, available at byuarts.com
Celebration of Christmas
Date: Friday, Nov. 30 and Saturday, Dec. 1
Time: 7:30 p.m.; 3 p.m. Saturday matinee
Location: de Jong Concert Hall, Harris Fine Arts Center, BYU
Details: The BYU combined choirs and Philharmonic present this annual concert celebrating the sounds of the holiday season. Featuring performances by BYU Singers, Concert Choir, Men’s Chorus, Women’s Chorus and BYU Philharmonic. This concert is sold out but the evening performances will be streamed live online.
Tickets: $12-$17, available at byuarts.com
TubaChristmas, free
Date: Saturday, Dec. 1
Time: 12 p.m.
Location: Madsen Recital Hall, Harris Fine Arts Center, BYU
Details: Musicians that are usually relegated to the back row of the band or orchestra will have their opportunity to shine at the 38th annual Utah TubaChristmas concert. The unusual sound of a choir of tubas, baritone horns and euphoniums will delight audiences with a rich, warm and all-engulfing sound.
BYU Wind Symphony and Symphonic Band
Date: Thursday, Dec. 12
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Location: de Jong Concert Hall, Harris Fine Arts Center, BYU
Details: Enjoy holiday and concert band classics, including the bands’ annual combined performance of Alfred Reed’s “Russian Christmas Music.” This performance will be streamed live online.
Tickets: $7-$11, available at byuarts.com
Adventsingen, free
Date: Sunday, Dec. 9
Time: 7–9 p.m.
Location: de Jong Concert Hall, Harris Fine Arts Center, BYU
Details: Adventsingen is a program of traditional German, Austrian and Swiss Christmas music, paired with German-language scripture readings about the birth of Christ. This year marks the 44th anniversary of the popular event that immerses the audience in beautiful seasonal music and the rich cultural traditions of German-speaking countries.
BYU Scandinavian Christmas Concert, free
Date: Sunday, Dec. 9
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: University Parkway Center, Lower Chapel (35 E University Pkwy, Provo, Utah 84604)
Details: An evening of Scandinavian Christmas songs, cookies and dancing around the Christmas tree.
Christmas Hymn Sing, free
Date: Wednesday, Dec. 12
Time: 6 p.m.
Location: Harold B. Lee Library, Room 4420, BYU
Details: Each month music lovers gather to sing hymns in the library. December’s theme is Christmas.
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Film + Television Showings
It’s A Wonderful Life, free
Date: Friday, Dec. 7
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Harold B. Lee Library Auditorium, 1st Floor, BYU
Details: The library brings back an audience favorite. It’s a Wonderful Life is part of the James Stewart Collection in the L. Tom Perry Special Collections. Directed by Frank Capra and also starring Donna Reed, this film has become an icon of the Christmas season.
Holiday TV Specials on BYUtv
For broadcast schedule and streaming options, go to byutv.org
BYUtv is excited to bring you music and movies that will surely bring the spirit of Christmas into your home this holiday season. So light the fire, sip your hot chocolate, and get cozy with your loved ones – this special holiday programming will make your December a magical one. Catch these shows live or stream later on-demand.
Watch the BYUtv original holiday movie Shoelaces for Christmas: the story of a teenage boy living in his own perfect self-centered world until he receives news that shatters his young existence (Dec. 2, 7 p.m.).
If music is more your jam, tune in for BYUtv’s Christmas Under The Stars concerts, featuring artists like Train (Dec. 9, 6 p.m.) and The Band Perry (Dec. 16, 6 p.m).
And of course, you don’t want to miss the Tabernacle at Temple Square concert featuring Sutton Foster (Dec. 20, 6 p.m).
