Celebrate the Season!

The Holiday Lights

Each year, ETSU’s campus becomes a holiday wonderland of lights. Stop by for an evening stroll, or take a relaxing drive through campus to enjoy the lights throughout the season. This map shows the location of the lights on campus. 

ETSU Ice Skating Rink

Lace up your skates and join us for some fun on ice! ETSU’s 70-foot-long synthetic ice rink will be located on the ETSU University Commons, adjacent to the D.P. Culp Student Center. The rink adds to the list of fun holiday activities in Johnson City. More information coming soon.

Holiday Concert

A popular annual tradition that has lasted more than 50 years, ETSU’s annual holiday concert is an event you don’t want to miss! The concert includes performances by the ETSU Chorale, Greyscale, BucsWorth, East Tennessee Belles, the ETSU Orchestra, and the Percussion Ensemble, along with special guests, the Munsey United Methodist handbell choir.

ETSU at Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland

Check out ETSU's display at Shadrack’s Christmas Wonderland. 

ETSU at Bristol Motor Speedway in Lights

Don’t miss ETSU’s beautiful display at the Speedway in Lights!

Bucky's Blend Premium Roasted Coffee

Bucky’s Blend was created with a singular purpose: to improve the quality of life for people in the mornings. Roasted in the shadow of the mountains, this premium blend embodies the energy of ETSU. A cup of this medium dark, ethically sourced coffee awakens the Buccaneer spirit, empowering everyone who wears the blue and gold. Locally roasted by Doe River Roasters in Elizabethton, Tennessee, Bucky’s Blend is available at the ETSU Bookstore.

Limited Edition 2024 Holiday Ornament

In 2022, the tradition of chronicling the history of East Tennessee State University through the creation of artistic holiday ornaments began. This year's edition, the third in the series, continues this ETSU tradition and invites you to celebrate the holidays with a beautiful keepsake that can be passed down for generations.

This year’s hand-painted, limited-edition holiday ornament focuses on the beloved Charles C. Sherrod Library. Ever improving to address the changing needs of visitors, the library celebrated the building’s 25th anniversary in 2024. Styled with Roman arches and red brick, the interior features four floors filled with books, digital spaces, and people dedicated to learning and research.

Available only at:

• About the artist: Penny Lee Livingston

  Penny Lee Livingston has painted thousands of glass ornaments over the past 32 years. After starting a family and working a full time office job, she wanted to reconnect with her creative side so she began taking painting classes from local artists. One class involved painting a snow scene on a glass ornament. Taking pride in this piece, she showed it to her co-workers. As a surprise to Penny, her painting opportunities took off. Before social media and with no advertising, she was getting more orders than she could keep up with. She has painted custom, personalized ornaments every Christmas for clients from the birth of their child to the purchase of that child's first home. She specializes in home and pet portraits along with famous landmarks, one of which was mailed to London.

  The powerful testimonials received throughout the years have been inspiring and motivational for Penny. She becomes so connected and emotional while painting each piece. Only the highest quality frosted glass ornaments, purchased from Christmas by Krebs, is used for each unique, hand-painted keepsake.

  Penny continues to grow as an artist. Although ornament design has been a constant, she has also completed custom commissioned pieces on a multitude of surfaces. Over the decades she has completed a few residential and commercial murals.

  Penny retired after 33 years of employment with Citi. She is now a full-time artist/muralist residing in Elizabethton, Tennessee. In her spare time she loves hiking and biking…anything to do with nature and her grandchildren.

  For more information, contact her at @artofpennylee.

ETSU Holiday Spotify Playlist

Get in the holiday spirit with this playlist featuring artists who all have close ties to the mountains we call home! 

Santa Bucky

Sing along with one of ETSU’s most famous a cappella groups, Greyscale, in this reimaging of a holiday classic.

Joy to the World

You’ll be blown away by the ETSU’s Marching Bucs’ powerful and joyous rendition of Joy to the World.

Jingle Bells

Enjoy this rendition of Jingle Bells, performed by East Tennessee State University’s Bluegrass Band. This past year, ETSU’s Bluegrass, Old-Time, and Roots Music Studies program hosted a concert to celebrate the program’s 40th anniversary. The milestone gathering brought together acclaimed alumni, faculty, students, and the community for a musical reunion and celebration of this distinctive program that was the first of its kind at a four-year university.