Join us for the 22nd Annual Lighting of the Green on Tuesday, December 1, 2026 in Allen Arena.
Make plans to join us Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2026, for Lipscomb' University's 22nd annual Lighting of the Green! This beloved holiday tradition brings together the Lipscomb family and the greater Nashville community for an evening filled with music, fellowship and Christmas cheer.
We're excited to announce that award-winning singer-songwriter Ellie Holcomb will return as host of this year's celebration! Ellie will once again be joined by special musical guests to help usher in the Christmas season. We'll be sharing more details about this year's special musical guests in the coming weeks!
Event Schedule
- Merry Marketplace begins at 4 p.m. CST and is a great place to shop for Christmas gifts while supporting student scholarships.
- Free photos with Santa begin at 4:30 p.m. CST
- The concert begins at 6 p.m. CST followed by the lighting of the green.
This event is FREE and open to the public, so bring your family and friends to celebrate the start of the Christmas season at Lipscomb! This year, Lighting of the Green will take place inside Allen Arena, bringing all of the festivities under one roof! Seating will be first come, first served. For those unable to attend the event, join us virtually by live streaming the event. Watch the live stream here.
Food and beverages will be available for purchase from Lipscomb Dining Services in the concession stands in Allen Arena and in Lipscomb’s Bennett Campus Center.
Campus Map and Parking Information
Allen Arena is located on the south end of campus, but the largest available parking inventory for that evening will be on the north end of campus. Guests are encouraged to park in the P2 North Parking Garage (3720 Belmont Blvd) or in the nearby north campus surface lots, all of which are an easy walk, less than 10 minutes, to Allen Arena.
Shuttle service will be available from Lipscomb Academy's McCadams Athletic Center Football Field parking lot, located at 1027 Caldwell Lane (which is also a short walk from campus). Shuttles will run from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m. and will drop off near Allen Arena. Accessible parking will be available on the gold level of the Allen Arena parking garage.
About our artists
Ellie Holcomb
Ellie Holcomb is known for songs that hold hard things and hope side by side, often drawing straight from scripture, and for writing music that families share across generations. After eight years touring with her husband’s band, Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors, she launched a solo career that earned her the GMA Dove Award for New Artist of the Year and has since brought her multiple Dove Awards. A mom of three, she has also become a favorite voice in family homes through her bestselling children’s books and music, including Sounding Joy, her Christmas book and album, whose title track won the 2023 Dove Award for Children’s Recorded Song of the Year. For more information, visit: ellieholcomb.com.
Merry Marketplace
Merry Marketplace, a collection of holiday vendors who donate a portion of their proceeds to benefit Associated Women for Lipscomb scholarships to Lipscomb, is also a traditional feature of Lighting of the Green festivities. The Marketplace will take place in the North Lobby of Allen Arena on the Gold Level Concourse beginning at 4 p.m. If you are a vendor interested in participating in Merry Marketplace, please contact the Alumni Office at alumni [at] lipscomb.edu (alumni[at]lipscomb[dot]edu) to secure your vendor booth.
Pictures with Santa
Free pictures with Santa begin at 4:30 p.m.
