Festive lights and luminarias decorate the patio in front of the Student Services & Technology Center during Holiday in New Mexico at The University of New Mexico Gallup on Dec. 7, 2023.
UNM-Gallup to host Holiday in New Mexico event Dec. 5
Categories: Students Faculty Staff Community
Annual event features traditions such as luminarias, biscochitos and more for community
By Richard Reyes, Friday, November 15, 2024
GALLUP, N.M. — The University of New Mexico-Gallup will host its annual Holiday in New Mexico event, featuring luminarias, biscochitos, student art and more, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024.
Holiday in New Mexico is an annual tradition for the UNM-Gallup branch campus that celebrates the winter holiday season in true Land of Enchantment fashion. The event also coincides with the opening reception of the Fall 2024 Fine Arts Student Show inside the Ingham Chapman Gallery.
“Holiday in New Mexico is a long-standing tradition at UNM-Gallup that we’re excited to keep alive,” Chancellor Dr. Sabrina Ezzell said. “This event has always been a way to give back to the community and provide a fun and festive evening for our students as they approach the end of the fall semester. We hope the community will join us in celebrating the holidays.”
Carmen Figueroa, left, and Virginia Primozic converse inside the Ingham Chapman Gallery during Holiday in New Mexico at The University of New Mexico-Gallup.
This year’s event will feature familiar traditions such as luminarias displayed in front of Gurley Hall and the Student Success & Technology Center along with festive lights, a giant Christmas tree and other decorations in the outdoor patio.
The Home Depot store in Gallup has donated several ornaments, projector lights and string lights to UNM-Gallup over the past three years to help brighten up the campus and make it feel more festive during Holiday in New Mexico.
During the event, guests will be treated to free biscochitos, the official state cookie of New Mexico, made by culinary students enrolled in the Center for Career and Technical Education. Earl’s Restaurant will also provide free hot chocolate.
Several UNM-Gallup units will have booths during the event featuring a variety of family-friendly games, crafts and activities. Some of the planned activities include DIY reindeer candy canes, holiday bookmarks, Winter Wish coloring cards, a science photo booth where you can take a “cell-fie,” and more.
Asti and Jonah Calderon color Winter Wishes cards during Holiday in New Mexico at UNM-Gallup Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023.
Some of the participating UNM-Gallup units include Student Activities, Human Resources, SkillsUSA, Medical Laboratory Technology, Community Education & Workforce Development, Art Student Collective, TRIO Student Support Services, Center for Academic Learning, and Zollinger Library.
Santa Claus is expected to make a grand entrance in front of Gurley Hall atop a fire truck provided by the Gallup Fire Department around 5:30 p.m. at the start of the event. Santa will be available for visits and photos with guests.
UNM mascot Lobo Louie may also make an appearance during the event to pump up the crowd and spread spirit and pride.
There will be live musical entertainment provided by UNM-Gallup Spanish adjunct and Phonográfica front man Jean Paul Van Derdys Vidal inside the Gurley Hall auditorium in Room 1124. Vidal is known for lively performances where he sings, plays guitar, and gets the crowd involved.
Holiday in New Mexico also coincides with the UNM-Gallup Fall 2024 Fine Arts Student Show. This year’s exhibit is expected to showcase Navajo-style rugs, drawings, paintings, sculptures and jewelry.
The UNM-Gallup Bookstore will be open during the event with a 35% off sale on Lobo wear, plus some free activities for guests. Snacks and beverages will be available for purchase too.
Musician Jean Paul Van Derdys Vidal sings and plays guitar inside the Ingham Chapman Gallery during Holiday in New Mexico at The University of New Mexico-Gallup on Dec. 7, 2023.
Also, The Enchilada Lady food truck is excepted to park in front of Gurley Hall and will be open for food sales.
Holiday in New Mexico is free and open to the public. UNM-Gallup’s Gurley Hall is located at 705 Gurley Ave.
For more information about Holiday in New Mexico, please contact UNM-Gallup Sr. Public Relations Specialist Richard Reyes at 505-863-7542 or richardreyes12@unm.edu
Kiara Kee focuses intensely as she prepares to receive a temporary tattoo inside the Bookstore during Holiday in New Mexico at The University of New Mexico-Gallup on Dec. 7, 2023.
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