With finals around the corner, LSU held its final celebration before the end of the semester to let students and staff know the holiday season has come to Baton Rouge.
On Tuesday, LSU had its annual Holiday on Campus event to welcome the holidays to campus. Students, faculty, staff and their children attended to celebrate the winter season. Outside of the Student Union, there were swaths of people joining in on activities and waiting for the tree lighting.
A red 16-wheeler Coca-Cola truck with a jolly Santa Clause painted on the side was waiting for guests alongside the Coca-Cola Polar Bear who greeted everyone and took photos all night. Tower Drive was filled with a crowd waiting in line for hot chocolate and coffee from C.C.’s.
In Free Speech Alley, there were activities like ornament making and gingerbread house decorating. Students crowded around the tables, talking, laughing and making designs to take home with them.
Around 7 p.m., students began to congregate around the large magnolia tree outside the Union. The tree was covered in different colored ornaments and lights waiting to be lit.
Homecoming King and Queen Brian Gage and Camille Cronin led the lighting ceremony. They spoke of the importance of the holidays and the LSU community celebrating them together. Gage talked about the magnolia tree which was planted in 2014 and why it is the university’s Christmas tree.
After the speeches, Gage and Cronin led the countdown to the lighting. Together, a crowd of starry-eyed students counted down in anticipation of the Christmas lights to come.
Suddenly, the magnolia tree was alive. But it wasn’t just the tree; the entire area was illuminated. Hanging from the other trees were stars of light blinking and shining over the students as they stared in awe.

Couples wore matching pajamas and sweaters, and children were all dressed up. As students spread out, many discovered the Snow Zone, a boxed-off area with a platform of snow for students to play in.
The line for the Snow Zone stretched from Tower Drive to the Union. Students in the Zone were having the time of their lives. As snowballs flew, some students were creating snowmen and others were taking photos and throwing snow in the sky.
There was not just a holiday outside, but a holiday inside as well. Santa and Mrs. Claus were in the Union talking to children and students. There was a magician and artists drawing caricatures. There were also tables full of activities for kids and students to complete.
The LGBTQ+ Faculty and Staff Caucus had a table for beaded ornament making and Tiger Miracle had paw ornament painting. Anaya Dozier, a junior majoring in political communication, worked the National Residence Hall Honorary’s table, where they held a recognition event to take the time to appreciate the important people in life.
“It felt very good to see staff come out with their children and on campus outside of work,” Dozier said, “and then it felt good to also allow their children to come and write letters to Santa, write letters to those who they recognize and appreciate in their lives as well.”
She said many of the kids wrote to Santa or one of their parents. She said some even decided to write letters to their teachers.
“The smiles made it all worth it …” Dozier said. “We are in the holiday season and it’s important to recognize those who have been there for us throughout the year.”