For the Week of December 15.
This is a weekly digest of events and announcements for undergraduate and graduate students.
Arts and Performances
Exhibitions
Spotlight Exhibit: Social Media Networks in the 19th and 20th Centuries
This bilingual (Spanish and English), student-curated exhibit spotlights four Hispanic women from the late 19th and early 20th centuries who utilized the medium of the album to craft their own profiles and shape their networks of sociability. This exhibit is curated by students enrolled in ROSP 40790, Women’s Culture in 19th-century Latin America.
Mondays through Fridays, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. through December 19, in Rare Books & Special Collections (Room 102), Hesburgh Library
Performances
Apollo’s Fire: “Praetorius Christmas Vespers”
Apollo’s Fire brings its acclaimed “Praetorius Christmas Vespers” to Notre Dame, weaving Michael Praetorius’s 17th-century works into a radiant Vespers service. Antiphonal choirs, period instruments, and beloved carols like “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming” create a joyous, luminous Christmas celebration. $39 adults, $37 faculty/staff, $15 non-ND students/children, and $10 ND students.
Tuesday, Dec. 16; 7:30 to 9 p.m. in the Leighton Concert Hall, DeBartolo Performing Arts Center
Athletics and Sporting Events
Visit the Athletics composite schedule for events this week.
Awards and Competitions
$1,000 Justice Lab Grad Student Award
Graduate students are eligible to apply for a $1,000 Justice Lab award where they will work on a project informed by both the lab’s field of inquiry and their own discipline, ideally one connected to their dissertation or primary research agenda. They will attend the lab weekly, receive faculty support, and produce a research deliverable. The submission deadline is Monday, December 15.
Closures, Limited Hours, and Cancellations
Hesburgh Library Finals Hours
Hesburgh Library began finals hours (open 24/7) and will continue through 11:00 p.m. Friday, December 19. Find all branch and service desk hours at library.nd.edu/hours.
Hesburgh Library Christmas Break Hours
Hesburgh Library will have limited hours during Christmas break. From Saturday, December 20, through Saturday, January 10, Hesburgh Library will be open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., with the exception when it will be closed Wednesday, December 24, through Friday, December 26, and Wednesday, December 31, through Thursday, January 1. Find all branch and service desk hours at https://library.nd.edu/hours.
Deadlines or Registrations
Global Health Case Competition: Register Today
Register now for the annual Notre Dame Global Health Case Competition. This popular event welcomes undergraduate, graduate, and professional students from all colleges and schools. Creatively address critical global health challenges in multidisciplinary teams that represent at least three colleges/schools. Sign up as a team or meet new friends on an assigned team. The registration deadline is noon, Friday, December 19.
NDBridge Application Deadline
NDBridge is a one-credit graded course and an eight-week immersive summer experience where students think hard about injustice, work with communities around the world that face it, and consider their responsibility to the common good while at Notre Dame and beyond. The application deadline is Thursday, January 1.
2026 Social Concerns Summer Fellowship Application
The Social Concerns Summer Fellowship is a one-credit course and an eight-week immersive experience researching a question of justice that relates to your professional goals or personal interests. All travel, housing, and food is covered, plus a $2,500 stipend. Also included is faculty mentorship and 24/7 staff support. Open to all majors and no prerequisites. The application deadline is Thursday, January 8.
Fighting Irish Science Olympiad Invitational
Sign up to volunteer for the 2026 Fighting Irish Science Olympiad Invitational. As a volunteer, you can choose how and when you contribute, from handing out snacks to grading and proctoring exams. There’s plenty to do before and during the event. Students, faculty, and staff of any field of study/major are welcome. Sign up by Saturday, January 17.
Saturday, Jan. 24; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Galleria, Jordan Hall of Science
Deals and Discounts
Deck the Halls with Notre Dame Memories
Bring a piece of Notre Dame into your home—or share the gift of tradition with someone special. For a limited time, all photo orders are 20 percent off. Use code ND20% at checkout.
Faith and Service
South Bend Community Reentry Center Clothing Drive
Residents at the South Bend Community Reentry Center are nearing the end of their incarceration and have requested clothing donations to support their transition. Please consider donating new socks, underwear, and plain shirts. Facilitated by the Institute for Social Concerns.
Mondays through Fridays, through Dec. 19; 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the lobby, Geddes Hall
Jumuiya! Holy Mass in Kiswahili and Social
Join in to celebrate Christ with a Mass and liturgy in Kiswahili. Guidance in both English and Kiswahili will be provided. There will be a social gathering after Mass. The officiant will be Father Dismas Kimboi from Tanzania. For more information or if you would like to volunteer to help, please contact Eva Hoeckner (ehoeckn2@nd.edu).
Thursday, Dec. 18; 6:15 to 8:15 p.m. in Chapel of Christ the Teacher, Visitation Halls
Safety, Parking, and Traffic
Spring Student Parking Permit Sales
Beginning Monday, December 15, students can purchase spring semester Student Parking Permits online. First-year students will be able to buy permits once they return to campus.
Christmas Break Parking Information
As we all begin to make plans for the upcoming Christmas break, please be sure to note the important parking information relative to long-term parking over the break.
Christmas Break Safety Tips
As we prepare for Christmas break, Campus Safety shares with you some winter safety tips and the steps the University will take to keep campus safe during the holidays.
East Gate Hour Restrictions
Please note that the East Gate will have restricted hours and some closures during the Christmas holidays.
Social Gatherings
Hesburgh Libraries Study Breaks
Notre Dame undergraduate and graduate students are invited for a study break and enjoy espresso coffee carts and an NDPD Comfort K9 (2:00 to 3:00 p.m.).
Monday, Dec. 15; 1 to 4 p.m. in the first-floor entrance gallery, Hesburgh Library
Hesburgh Libraries Relaxation Stations
Relax at Hesburgh Libraries’ relaxation stations with puzzles, coloring books, sudoku, games, and more during normal operating hours. Review the dates and locations at the Architecture Library, Hesburgh Library, and Music Library.
Quiz the Seasons: Christmas Trivia Night
Join Student Activities for a festive trivia competition featuring questions inspired by classic holiday traditions, movies, music, and more. Bring your friends, show off what you know, and enjoy a cheerful night of fun before you leave for break. There will be snacks for all and prizes for round winners.
Thursday, Dec. 18; 8 to 10 p.m. in Hagerty Café, Duncan Student Center
Under Wraps: Mystery Christmas Day Trip
Step into the season with a mystery outing hosted by the Student Activities Office. The details will be revealed bit by bit, so make sure to follow the SAO Instagram (@sao_nd) this week for hints about what we’ll be doing and where we’re going. Expect festive activities, South Bend charm, and a memorable afternoon off campus. Transportation provided.
Friday, Dec. 19; 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.; Buses will pick up on Library Circle and run back and forth for the full duration of the event
Snowtime Cinema: Christmas Movie Watch Party
Join Student Activities for a cozy holiday hangout complete with stuff-a-plush, festive snacks, and a classic Christmas movie on the big screen. Come get comfy, get crafty, and get into the spirit.
Saturday, Dec. 20; 1 to 3 p.m. in the second-floor West Lounge, LaFortune Student Center
Tech Tips, Tools, and IT Maintenance
Canvas Tip: Tips for Taking a Test Online
Taking a test using a website, such as Canvas, leaves you susceptible to the possibility of Wi-Fi or browser-related issues. Checking a few details before test week will ensure that the only thing you need to worry about is studying.
Don’t Let Wi-Fi Slow You Down After Break—Update Eduroam Now
Take a moment to complete one quick step before you leave for Christmas break. Run the Eduroam utility to update your login setting. You must enter your full netID@nd.edu credentials—not just your netID as you have in the past.
If you run the utility now, you’ll reconnect instantly when you return. Skip it, and you’ll be forced to update before you can connect to the ND network.