Holidays at TCU: Traditions, Community and Connection

At TCU, every season brings something to celebrate. From long-standing campus traditions to moments of reflection, gratitude, and community, Horned Frogs know how to make the most of every holiday on the calendar.  

Whether students enjoy a holiday meal together, watch a show-stopping performance, or attend our annual Christmas Tree Lighting, traditions like these are what make TCU feel like home. Each celebration adds to the spirit that defines our university. Here are just a few of the ways we celebrate the holidays across campus. 

The Crew: Grateful Gobble 

Before heading home for Thanksgiving break, The Crew hosts Grateful Gobble, an early Thanksgiving celebration. The Crew is a student organization that plans exciting events throughout the week to keep up the Horned Frog community and spirit. Students enjoy beloved Texas Roadhouse rolls, pies and turkey-themed games, creating a warm and fun start to the holiday season. 

TheEnd Holiday Hangout 

TheEnd, TCU’s student-run on-campus event planning organization, kicks off the holiday season with a festive Holiday Hangout in our Campus Commons. From real reindeer to food trucks, students gather to celebrate and enjoy an evening of holiday cheer. 

ISO Friendsgiving

TCU’s International Services Office (ISO) teamed up with TCU Student Success team to host a Friendsgiving lunch for international students. This event fosters cultural exchange and creates a sense of belonging for students far from home during the holiday season. 

“We want to create a space where students could learn, celebrate and feel part of the TCU community,” Joshua Kai, director of International Services explains. 

Students representing 76 countries gathered for traditional Thanksgiving food, games, and prizes, leaving with hearts full of gratitude and connection. 

Horned Frog Holiday Market 

Students also enjoy free admission with their TCU ID to the annual Horned Frog Holiday Market, a festive shopping event featuring nearly 50 alumni-owned, local, small businesses. The first 50 students to swipe in usually receive a fun holiday surprise, adding excitement to a day filled with unique gifts and community spirit. 

Find the Frog 

A Horned Frog ornament was hidden in one of the three ORGament trees decorated by some of TCU’s 400 plus student organizations. Students who found the ornament could claim a special prize. This festive scavenger hunt added a playful twist to the holiday season on campus. 

Winter Village

The Winter Village celebration invites the TCU community to experience winter holiday traditions from around the world. Hosted by the Department of Modern Language Studies and the their Language Clubs, the event featured cultural activities, crafts, food tastings, and a hot chocolate cart.  

Students explore traditions from Chinese, French, Italian and German cultures while enjoying a festive atmosphere at Frog Fountain, offering a vibrant celebration of diversity, community and global connection on campus. 

TCU Christmas Festival: GLORIA! 

Hosted by the School of Music, the TCU community enjoyed a beautiful musical performance by the TCU Concert Chorale, Frog Corps, Vox Resonare, the TCU Symphony Orchestra, and pre-concert music by the TCU Harp Ensemble. 

TCU Christmas Tree Lighting 

TCU’s annual Christmas Tree Lighting brings the entire TCU community together for one of the most beloved and highly attended traditions on campus.  

Students, families, alumni, faculty , and Fort Worth neighbors fill the Campus Commons to watch the 50-foot Christmas tree come to life in a dazzling display of lights. The celebration features performances, festive refreshments, appearances by Super Frog Santa and a firework show that lights up the night sky.  

With thousands gathered shoulder to shoulder, the event marks the official start of the holiday season at TCU and showcases why this tradition remains an iconic part of the Horned Frog experience. 

Cocoa and Crafts with CARE 

TCU’s CARE (Campus Advocacy, Resources and Education) team invited students to take a study break and relax with a hot cocoa bar and holiday crafts.

TCU Intercultural Center Events 

The TCU Intercultural Center continued its commitment to supporting every Horned Frog by creating a welcoming space for students of all backgrounds during one of the busiest times of the year. In the days leading up to finals, the center hosts Waffle Wednesday, Ramen and Recharge Thursday, and Cookies and Cocoa Friday, giving students a chance to pause, refuel, and reconnect.  

These events reflect the Intercultural Center’s mission to foster belonging, celebrate diversity, and ensure that every student feels seen and supported – whether they are navigating cultural transitions, celebrating holidays away from home, or simply needing a warm meal and a place to relax during “Dead Days”, the two days before finals week where TCU students lock-in to their studies. 

Carols by Candlelight 

Hosted by Religious & Spiritual Life, Carols by Candlelight brought the TCU community together under the glow of candlelight for an evening of music and fellowship. Guests enjoyed classic carols and Christmas hymns performed by Calling in Action, Here Comes Treble, The Horned Tones, License to Trill, and the Word of Truth Gospel Choir. The night ended with cocoa, cookies, and a festive atmosphere that captured the spirit of the season at TCU. 

TCU Hillel Bagel Brunch 

TCU Hillel hosts a Bagel Brunch and Chanukah gift pickup, offering students a warm and welcoming study break during finals week. Students stop by for fresh bagels, coffee, and a small Chanukah gift, creating a cozy moment of community and support at one of the busiest times of the semester. 

Late-Night Breakfast 

Each year during finals week, Student Activities hosts students for a free late-night breakfast, offering a much-needed break from studying. Bookworms slip out of the library for a warm meal, caffeine, music from a live DJ, festive treats, small gifts, and fun surprises that make the night feel special. This simple tradition remains a favorite among Horned Frogs. 

As the semester winds down and campus begins to quiet, these celebrations remind us of what makes TCU such a special place. The holidays bring out the best of the Horned Frog spirit, from moments of gratitude and community to traditions that generations of students have cherished. Whether it is sharing a meal, learning about global cultures, or standing together as the Christmas tree lights up the night sky, each event reflects the heart of our university. No matter how students celebrate, the holidays at TCU create memories that last long after the season ends.