Christmas Tree Lighting and Christmas Market

Be our guest and join us in celebrating the joy and wonder of the season at Biola's 43rd Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony and Christmas Market on Friday, Dec. 4, 2026!

This worshipful evening will mark the beginning of the Christmas season at Biola and prepare our hearts to celebrate the birth of King Jesus. Drawing from Psalm 98, we will reflect on the beauty and significance of joining all the earth in jubilant singing as we rejoice in the salvation of our God. The program will feature special music, a reading of the biblical Christmas story and an inspiring message from Biola President Dr. Barry Corey. With hearts full of hope, we will close the evening with the lighting of the Christmas tree and our traditional Southern California “snow.”

We invite you to come early to stroll through the festive atmosphere on campus, enjoy treats and a cup of hot cocoa and browse through the Christmas Market showcasing alumni-owned businesses offering unique artisan crafts, home goods, holiday ornaments, jewelry and one-of-a-kind handcrafted gifts to represent the entrepreneurial spirit of our community.

This year, we invite you to drop off your Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes at any of our candle stations.

The Christmas Market opens at 4 p.m. along Sutherland Way.

The Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony starts at 7 p.m. on Metzger Lawn.

Biola alumni who would like to participate in the Christmas Market as vendors are invited to fill out this interest form.

American Sign Language (ASL) interpretation will be provided during the program.

FAQs

Will the event be live-streamed?

Yes! Visit the Biola YouTube Channel to find the link that will be posted a few days before the event. Live captions will be available at https://www.biola.edu/captions.

Where do I park?

Parking is FREE for this event. The designated parking for guests is Parking Structure S (#22 on the Biola Campus Interactive Map). The structure is located between the track and baseball fields.

How early can I find a seat on the lawn?

Seating will open at 6 p.m. As you enter Metzger Lawn through the designated entrances near the Library, you will receive a commemorative Biola Christmas Tree Lighting button and a candle to light at a designated time during the ceremony.

Will there be ADA seating?

Yes, please let an usher know if you need ADA seating; they will be happy to assist you.

What should I bring?

Plan to check the local weather so you can be comfortable as you await the Southern California snow!

How long is the Christmas Tree Lighting program?

The program lasts about an hour.

If I bought tickets for the Alumni Dinner at Café Biola, when and where would I check in?

Check-in will start at 5 p.m. at the entrance of Café Biola, where we’ll be ready to welcome you! The registration table will close at 6:45 p.m.

What if I didn’t purchase dinner tickets ahead of time?

No worries! You can still join friends and family for dinner at Café Biola by purchasing tickets at the regular dinner price or visiting other on-campus dining locations.

Will there be other treats available to purchase?

Yes! Bon Appétit will have a concessions booth between the Library and the Bell Tower, where you can grab hot beverages, baked goods or a cup of soup!

Will the Biola Campus Store be open?

Yes! You can shop for the latest Biola gear and save 15% off your entire purchase*. The Campus Store will be open from 8:30 a.m. - 7 p.m. Biola Campus Store

*Some exclusions may apply.

Will there be a toy drive?

Yes! We will be collecting Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes. Drop off your box at any of the candle stations.

, our Student Missionary Union will be collecting Operation Christmas Child Shoeboxes. The boxes will be collected at their booth in front of the Biola Library.