The Horned Frogs in the Campus Commons celebrated the annual tree lighting ceremony, reindeer and all.

The holidays arrived in the Commons last night when students, faculty, staff and alumni gathered together to kick off the season.

Student Activities and Marketing Coordinator Brad Thompson said this year the tree lighting offered a younger and fresher atmosphere.

The event featured local band “The Poo Live Crew,” playing Christmas classics and other popular songs.

“We wanted to create an atmosphere where people can hang out, take pictures drink their hot chocolate and coffee even after the lighting is over," Thompson said. "We are trying to create memories for people.” 

Those who joined in the celebration were able to participate in holiday festivities including cookie making, snowball fights by frog fountain, Santa and his reindeer and more.

“Some kids that I babysit for come and get to write letters to Santa and put it in a big purple mailbox," junior engineering major Dana Fitzmorris said. "You can come decorate cookies, and then watch the tree get lit, and they have a SuperFrog dressed as Santa,” 

The holiday event has been a tradition at the university for decades, and was originally held in front of Sadler Hall.

The event was moved in 2009 to the Commons because of space restrictions. Last night for the second time the ceremony was ushered in with a crowd favorite, the fireworks show.

“We wanted to do something fun and end the ceremony in a big way, so we decided to do the fireworks,” Thompson said.

The Commons held roughly 4,500 people at this year's holiday celebration.

“I just think its really great that this is the only event besides football and parties that everyone at TCU comes together at the same time to really enjoy the holidays and take a break from finals and studying and all that not-so-fun stuff,” senior finance major Lauren Blassberg said.