holiday school spirit

3 surprising Texas schools shine among the cheeriest U.S. colleges at Christmas

Texas universities love their Texas-sized celebrations.

Students being away for winter break doesn't stop colleges from decorating and celebrating the holidays in their own ways. Three Texas colleges in particular – Baylor University, Texas Tech University, and St. Mary's University – have some of the most dazzling Christmas traditions in the U.S., says a new report.

Education advisors Academic Influence placed the Texas universities near the top of the nice list in its 2023 report of the "Colleges with the Most Cheerful Christmas Traditions."

Waco's Baylor University earned the glory of being named the No. 3 most cheerful college, thanks to its stunning annual holiday festivities. Starting with the School of Music's Christmas performances throughout campus, the cheery concerts uplift the spirits of all students and faculty for a much needed mood-booster to prepare for the hectic finals week. But there's one other magical event that solidifies how seriously Baylor takes its Christmas cheer.

"The highlight of the Christmas season kicks off each year with a Texas-sized celebration dubbed 'Christmas on 5th Street,' an event that transforms the Baylor campus into a winter wonderland," the report's author wrote. "Students and locals alike enjoy horse-drawn carriage rides, food trucks, a Christmas market, a live nativity, a historic village to stroll through, and of course, Santa and Mrs. Claus."

Waco families delight in the Christmas on 5th Street's kid-friendly activities, including bounce houses, train rides, and festive performances.

Texas Tech University's Red Raiders also look good in green, as the Lubbock-based university came in at No. 7 in the report. The 65th annual Carol of Lights is one of the most popular holiday events, which brings in more than 20,000 attendees from Lubbock and beyond, according to the report.

"The Carol of Lights features a 38-foot-tall Christmas tree, a 20-foot wreath, 3,000 luminaries, and 25,000 lights," the report said.

The Carol of Lights event in 2022 kicked off Texas Tech's Centennial Celebration. Visitors won't want to miss out on this year's event, which will wrap up the centennial with "an even grander celebration" that features a drone show.

St. Mary's University in San Antonio rounded out the top 10 with its annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony and alumni Christmas social. Four inches of machine-made snow covers the grounds of the campus, transforming it into the perfect playground and backdrop for all families, alumni, and visitors to enjoy.

For some university Christmas cheer much closer to home, Dallasites can head over to Southern Methodist University to experience the glorious lights wrapped around trees on campus and Dallas Hall. The impressive display (which make an annual appearance on CultureMap's list of best Christmas lights around DFW) have been illuminating SMU for nearly 50 years and the lighting ceremony is one of the most beloved Christmas traditions in the city. In fact, it's surprising SMU didn't make Academic Influence list - bah humbug!

The best U.S. colleges with the most merry Christmas traditions, according to Academic Influence, are:

No. 1 – Seton Hall University in South Orange, New Jersey
No. 2 – The University of Notre Dame in Notre Dame, Indiana
No. 3 – Baylor University in Waco, Texas
No. 4 – Villanova University in Villanova, Pennsylvania
No. 5 – Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah
No. 6 – High Point University in High Point, North Carolina
No. 7 – Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas
No. 8 – Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee
No. 9 – St. Olaf College in Northfield, Minnesota
No. 10 – St. Mary's University in San Antonio, Texas
No. 11 – University of Dayton in Dayton, Ohio

The full report can be found on academicinfluence.com.

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Camp Mystic News

Bankrupt Camp Mystic seeks to sell the property as legal troubles grow

Funeral Held For Sisters Killed During The Flooding At Camp Mystic In Hunt, Texas

Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images

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The owners of Camp Mystic have proposed selling off the riverfront property as part of a bankruptcy plan, with hopes that a buyer will preserve the camp's “historic mission” following the death of 27 campers and counselors swept away by a 2025 flood.

The century-old private Christian girls' camp filed a Chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization plan on September 25 that would auction off the 749 acres (3 square kilometers) it owns and other assets.

The sprawling campus, nestled among rolling wooded hills on the banks of the Guadalupe River, had several single-story cabins that housed some of the youngest campers and a recreation hall near the riverfront. A second campus on elevated ground was not flooded.

The Eastland family has owned the camp for decades and initially sought to reopen this summer. But they faced fierce opposition from victims’ families and some state lawmakers, lawsuits, and legislative investigations into what went wrong.

A buyer would likely get a portion of the camp frozen in time. Families of the victims have fought to stop any demolition of damaged cabins and buildings and stop repairs as part of their lawsuits.

The bankruptcy plan said the owners expect a purchaser would be backed by a group of families that support the camp.

“Nothing in the plan requires any buyer to operate the property as a camp,” the filing said, “but the plan states an express preference, in determining the highest or otherwise best bid, for a buyer that will maintain the historic mission of the camp.”

Twenty-five campers and two counselors were killed when the river surged over its banks in the pre-dawn hours of July 4, 2025. Camp owner and director Richard Eastland was also killed. At least 136 people were killed along a several-mile stretch of the river.

Earlier this month, state police investigators sought search warrants for the electronic communications of the camp's owners, saying they could provide evidence of manslaughter, negligent homicide, child abandonment, or other crimes.

No charges have been brought.

A probe by state lawmakers determined the camp’s young and inexperienced counselors were not trained for floods and other emergencies. It said an earlier decision to evacuate could have saved every life. Most of the victims were under age 10, and some were attending camp for the first time.

The camp's bankruptcy proposal would have to be approved by U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Christopher M. Lopez. Officials with Camp Mystic did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment Monday.

All creditors, including the families who have sued Camp Mystic over the deaths, will have a chance to respond to the plan.

“The Eastlands are now attempting to determine the future of the Camp Mystic property, but the victims' families including my clients, will fight to protect their rights and ensure any sale is fair and transparent,” said Tim Ferguson, attorney for the family of 8-year-old Mary Grace Baker, one of the campers who died.

“The Bakers intend to continue fighting for answers, accountability and justice for their daughter,” Ferguson said.

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