Join us for the 21st Annual Lighting of the Green on Tuesday, December 2, 2025 in Allen Arena.
For the last 20 years, Amy Grant has graciously hosted this special event, bringing her music and inviting talented artists to help us usher in the Christmas season. This year Amy has a scheduling conflict. So, we are excited to announce that we have invited one of Amy’s favorite musical friends — Ellie Holcomb, a beloved singer/songwriter and best-selling author who absolutely LOVES Christmas! — to host Lighting of the Green 2025 in her place. Holcomb has been a part of Lighting of the Green in the past and we look forward to welcoming her back along with some special guests to carry on this wonderful tradition this December!
Joining Ellie for this festive evening are:
- Grammy-nominated songwriter Dave Barnes
- Fan favorite and Lipscomb alumni group Daves Highway
- Small Time, also featuring Lipscomb alumni and making their Lighting of the Green debut
- Lipscomb Academy and Lipscomb University choirs
- Sanctuary and the Lipscomb Gospel Choir
Event Schedule
- Merry Marketplace begins at 4 p.m. and is a great place to shop for Christmas gifts while supporting student scholarships.
- Free photos with Santa begin at 4:30 p.m.
- The concert begins at 6 p.m. 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 due to maintenance needs on the green. We will return outside next year! 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
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.-10 p.m. and will drop off near Allen Arena.
About our artists
Ellie Holcomb
For eight years, Ellie Holcomb recorded and toured full-time with her husband’s band, Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors, before stepping off the road when her first child was born. Her solo debut, As Sure As The Sun (2014), landed her a Top 10 hit and a GMA Dove Award for “New Artist of the Year.” Her critically acclaimed sophomore LP, Red Sea Road, followed in 2017. In 2021, she released her third full-length solo project, Canyon, to much acclaim, earning her a second Top 10 radio single with the song, "I Will Carry You.” In September 2025, she will release her new studio album Far Country. Holcomb has also released four children’s books, each with a companion EP of original music written specifically for kids. Her debut book, Who Sang The First Song? (B&H Publishers, 2018), has achieved the Evangelical Christian Publishers Association (ECPA) Bronze Award for selling more than 100,000 copies. The book hit the ECPA juvenile bestseller list and was a finalist for the 2019 Christian Book Award in the children's category. She has also authored two additional children's books: Don't Forget to Remember, her Christmas book, and Sounding Joy, which landed at No. 4 on ECPA's Christian Juvenile Bestsellers list for Christmas 2022, and this year's Spring Sings. She won the GMA Dove Award for "Children's Album of the Year" in 2020 for her Sing: Remembering Songs album, in 2022 for "Recorded Music Packaging" for her album Canyon, as well as in 2023 for "Children's Recorded Song of the Year" for her Christmas song "Sounding Joy." Her first adult book and devotional, Fighting Words: 100 Days of Speaking Truth into the Darkness (2021), has spent many months on the ECPA Bestseller list. Ellie resides in her hometown of Nashville, TN, with her husband, Drew Holcomb, and their three children. For more information, visit: ellieholcomb.com.
Dave Barnes
Dave Barnes is a Grammy nominated songwriter who has released eight studio albums, including two Christmas albums. Although born in South Carolina, singer/songwriter Barnes spent most of his childhood in Mississippi, where he formed an early attachment to hip-hop but was also exposed to classic soul, blues, and R&B by his parents. He later enrolled at Middle Tennessee State University and began writing songs for other artists. Barnes also played solo shows on campus, and by the time he graduated with a degree in recording industry management, he'd decided to pursue his own music career. Barnes moved to Nashville, Tennessee, and gravitated toward the city's acoustic folk scene, though, the desire to make more groove-oriented music convinced him to assemble a full band. He remained independent for two albums -- 2004's Brother, Bring the Sun and 2006's Chasing Mississippi, before moving to Razor & Tie for 2008's Me and You and the World and 2010's What We Want, What We Get. The latter album became a surprise Christian hit, debuting in the Top Five on the Christian charts thanks in part to the single "God Gave Me You." A year later, Blake Shelton recorded "God Gave Me You" on his Red River Blue album and his version topped the country chart, earning Barnes a Grammy nomination in the process. Following the 2011 holiday set Very Merry Christmas, Barnes returned with Stories to Tell in 2012. The singer's second holiday outing, A December to Remember, was released in late 2013, followed a few months later by Golden Days, both of which arrived via Barnes' new label, 50 Year Plan. For his next studio release, 2016's Carry on, San Vicente, Barnes channeled a sunny, '70s-inspired Southern California vibe. A similar laid-back pop approach continued on 2018's Who Knew It Would Be So Hard to Be Myself. He’s since released 2020’s Dreaming In Electric Blue, 2021’s Notes from Paris, and 2022’s Remembering: Greatest Hits Acoustic. His latest release is Featherbrained Wealth Motel. Barnes has had over 100 songs recorded by other artists such as Florida Georgia Line, Tim McGraw, Reba McEntire, Dan + Shay, Carrie Underwood, NEEDTOBREATHE, Billy Currington, and countless more. Of those songs, he has landed two #1's with "God Gave Me You" (Blake Shelton) and “Craving You” (Thomas Rhett and Maren Morris), a #2 with “You” (Dan + Shay), and a #13 with “Like a Lady” (Lady A). Visit www.davebarnes.com for more information.
Daves Highway
Defined by their exceptional harmonies and introspective lyrics, Lipscomb alums Daves Highway is an intertwined, free-spirited breath of fresh air making a difference one song, and three harmonies, at a time. The band name is their lineage derived early on when Zach (guitar), Delaney (bass) and Erika (lead vocals) traveled cross country as youngsters. The clan's shared passion for music, "together is better" philosophy, and unwavering "all or nothing" gumption, forms a tightly-knit bond in mutual trust and genuine friendship. Yet, each brings their own unique, individual talents to the assembly. Dynamic harmonies, honest lyrics and soft-rock, country fusion instrumentals characterize the musical triad–bringing a new organic sound to the contemporary country genre. Their music has earned them comparisons to Little Big Town, Band Perry, The Civil Wars and The Martins. Known for their genuine lyrics, undeniable chemistry and blood harmonies, Daves Highway has captivated audiences since their YouTube breakout in 2009 (amassing more than 20 Million views with the performance of “Jesus Messiah”). The group has recorded and released four studio albums, appeared on the "Bobby Bones Show," played the Ryman Auditorium, shared stages with Darius Rucker, LeAnn Rimes and Eli Young Band; and in 2023, toured with country music hitmaker Jake Owen. The band celebrated the release of its fifth recording project, IF YOU ASKED ME, produced by Geoff Sprung (bassist for award-winning, seven-time ACM and CMA Vocal Group Old Dominion), in late August 2025. The six-song EP spotlights emotionally rich, harmony-laced musical narratives and a unique musical interpretation of Martina McBride’s iconic hit ballad, "Anyway.” Learn more at daveshighway.com.
Small Time
Small Time is the project of songwriters and producers and Lipscomb alums Jac Thompson and S. Grant Parker. The two first connected in music school, collaborating on each other’s work before forming Small Time after a decade of friendship. Jac’s background in songwriting and solo work brings lyrical clarity and strong melodic structure, while Grant’s experience as a multi-instrumentalist and producer adds depth and versatility. Together, they balance each other’s strengths and push their music in new directions. The duo is currently rolling out their debut EP, Tough Party, which was released in late October.
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. The evening will conclude with the lighting of the green.
