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Festive lights and luminarias decorate the patio in front of the Student Services & Technology Center during Holiday in New Mexico at ���˾þ� Gallup on Dec. 7, 2023.

UNMGallup to host Holiday in New Mexico event Dec. 5

Categories: Students   Faculty   Staff   Community  

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Annual event features traditions such as luminarias, biscochitos and more for community

By Richard Reyes, Friday, November 15, 2024

GALLUP, N.M. — UNMGallup 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 UNMGallup 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.

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 UNMGallup 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.

Some of the participating UNMGallup 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.

���˾þ� 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 UNMGallup 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.

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. UNMGallup’s Gurley Hall is located at 705 Gurley Ave.

For more information about Holiday in New Mexico, please contact UNMGallup 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 UNMGallup on Dec. 7, 2023.