Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year, or so they say. If the glistening lights adorning the city haven’t put you in the mood, the Christmas spirit on campus can make even the iciest of Ebenezer’s sing the Jingle Bell Rock. The Grafton Street lights have been turned on, there’s a Christmas tree in the Arts block, and the Late Late Toy Show was last Friday. But what is Trinity doing to celebrate Christmas?
Dublin is covered in a healthy dose of fir trees and white lights, though our campus looks pretty much the same as usual. Not for long, however, as the traditional tree lighting ceremony with the Provost will finally light up the campus like the rest of the city, taking place this Monday December 4. The ceremony will include Christmas carols and songs from the Trinity College Singers, and will be followed by mulled wine and mince pies.
The annual Chapel Carol Service will take place this year on Monday 11 December. Year after year this events proves extremely popular and seats fill up fast, with queues often forming at the entrance to the Chapel an hour before the event begins. Traditional carols are sung by the Chapel Choir, with members of the audience encouraged to join in aswell.
On a musical note, wander down towards St Stephen’s Green on December 8 to find one of the jewels in the campus crown, The Trinitones. They will the perform their festive show, How the ‘Tones Stole Christmas, in Dublin Unitarian Church, where you can wrap yourself in the warm, childlike feeling that always comes from good Christmas music.
All proceeds from this event go to the Mansion House Fuel Fund, so for the sake of the incredible €5 student rate you can enjoy some world renowned entertainment as you bask in the warm Christmassy spirit of giving.
If you’d rather a club than a carol, you won’t be stuck for a Christmas night out because the annual Hist Ball is back and better than ever. The oldest student society in the world is due to let their hair down for Christmas on Wednesday December 13 and if you’re looking to celebrate in a big way, they have truly pulled out all the stops.
Held in the beautiful Clontarf Castle with a mulled wine reception and a three-course meal, this is one of the pricier events at €42 euro but you get a lot for your money. Tickets went on sale Wednesday November 29, however they haven’t sold out yet so you still have a chance to grab yours!
For a similar, slightly cheaper take on the Christmas ball experience, look to the Snowball hosted by DU Snowsports. Another black-tie event that with a mulled wine reception and a three-course meal for the slightly better value of €35 euro in the Hilton Hotel. If fine dining and fancy clothes are your style, mark December 16 in your calendar and prepare to dance the night away.
If eco-friendly events are more your style, pay a visit to the Global Room this holiday season. S2S and EnviroSoc are having a Christmas themed crafting session at 6pm on December 11, complete with hot chocolate and pizza – what more could you want? Environmentally-friendly with the addition of free food means that this is shaping up to be one highly tempting event to attend, it’s even free of charge, so grab your recyclables and head on down.
