For the Week of December 8.
This is a weekly digest of events and announcements for undergraduate and graduate students.
Arts and Performances
Exhibitions
Local Lines: A Sketchbook Project
An evening of sketching, community, and inspiration centered around themes found in the exhibition Homecoming: Walter Osborne’s Portraits of Dublin. This month’s session will focus on drawing portraits, and will be led by local artist Laurie Renee Moore. Come ready to share a sketch of your own, created in response to a prompt. Free and open to artists ages 15 and older.
Thursday, Dec. 11; 6 to 7 p.m. in the Raclin Murphy Museum of Art
Winter Wonders
’Tis the season for holiday cheer! Embrace the magic of the season and join in celebrating the winter wonderland with art, music, and community. Create ornaments inspired by artworks from the collection. Enjoy live holiday music from the Music Village Jammers and warm up with cocoa and cookies.
Saturday, Dec. 13; 2 to 4 p.m. in the Raclin Murphy Museum of Art
Films
The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (1964)
Catherine Deneuve shines in Jacques Demy’s beloved musical, the story of a young couple separated when her mechanic lover is sent to war in Algeria. Told entirely through Michel Legrand’s gorgeous songs and awash in kaleidoscopic color, The Umbrellas of Cherbourg remains a timeless cinematic treasure. In English and French with English subtitles. Free, but ticketed event.
Thursday, Dec. 11; 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the Browning Cinema, DeBartolo Performing Arts Center
Deep Red (1975)
Dario Argento’s giallo classic brings holiday chills as a pianist witnesses the murder of a psychic and teams with a reporter to track a killer. With Argento’s vivid style and Goblin’s unforgettable score, Deep Red delivers stylish suspense perfect for a Christmas-season scare. In English and Italian with English subtitles. $7 adults, $6 faculty/staff, $5 seniors (65+), free for students/children.
Thursday, Dec. 11; 9:30 to 11:15 p.m. in the Browning Cinema, DeBartolo Performing Arts Center
Sudan, Remember Us (2024)
Hind Meddeb’s powerful documentary captures young Sudanese activists fighting for democracy through art, poetry, and protest. As they challenge military rule and risk everything for a civilian-led future, Sudan, Remember Us offers an urgent, moving portrait of a generation demanding change. In English and Arabic with English subtitles. Free, but ticketed event.
Friday, Dec. 12; 7 to 8:15 p.m. in the Browning Cinema, DeBartolo Performing Arts Center
The Met Opera Live in HD: Andrea Chénier (Giordano)
Giordano’s sweeping tragedy returns with Piotr Beczała as the idealistic poet caught in the turmoil of the French Revolution. He reunites with Sonya Yoncheva as Maddalena, alongside Igor Golovatenko as Gérard. Daniele Rustioni conducts Nicolas Joël’s gripping, grandly Romantic staging. $23 adults, $16 children/students.
Saturday, Dec. 13; 1 to 4:30 p.m. in the Browning Cinema, DeBartolo Performing Arts Center
Red Island (2023)
Set on a 1970s French military base in Madagascar, Red Island follows young Thomas as he uncovers the hidden lives and tensions surrounding him. Inspired by his comic book hero, he spies, questions, and awakens to the realities of colonialism in Robin Campillo’s vivid, deeply personal coming-of-age drama. In French with English subtitles. Free, but ticketed event.
Saturday, Dec. 13; 7 to 9 p.m. in the Browning Cinema, DeBartolo Performing Arts Center
Performances
Concert: “A Tribute to Motown Christmas”
Celebrate the season by blending holiday classics with the soulful sound of Motown. Hosted by alumnus James Riley ’94, this festive concert delivers powerhouse vocals, nostalgia, and reimagined favorites—perfect for a joyful night with family and friends. $29 adults, $28 faculty/staff, $15 non-ND students/children, and $10 ND students.
Saturday, Dec. 13; 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
Holiday Trivia Night at DPAC
Do you think you know Christmas movies or music the best? Do you know everything about theater? Come put it to the test. There will be refreshments, as well as gift cards and DPAC tickets as a prize to the top team. Come with a team or join solo and we’ll help you form a team. Registration form.
Wednesday, Dec. 10; 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the Philbin Studio Theatre, DeBartolo Performing Arts Center
Deadlines or Registrations
Interested in Developing Your Research Skills?
Apply for the Kellogg Developing Researchers Program at the Kellogg Institute for International Studies. Attend workshops to develop your research skills and become eligible to be a paid research assistant on short term projects for a Kellogg faculty member. Just want to improve your research skills to develop your own research project? This program is right for you. Eligibility: first-year students, sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Students may apply any semester and may renew on a semesterly basis. Students have no commitment from one semester to the next. Read more. The deadline to apply is Monday, December 8.
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
Fair Trade Sale
Get ready for the holidays with beautiful, handcrafted fair trade items benefiting nonprofit organizations in Nepal, Uganda, Kenya, and South Bend.
Wednesday, Dec. 10; 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Forum, Jenkins Nanovic Halls
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.
Educational and Research Opportunities
Student Town Hall on Data, AI, and Computing in Undergraduate Curricula
The Curriculum Task Force of the Data, AI, and Computing (DAC) Strategic Initiative seeks student input on how new courses/programs in DAC might be developed for all undergraduate students at Notre Dame. Visit the linked Google form to learn about the task force’s work and introduce topics for discussion at the town hall meeting. This event is cosponsored by Student Government.
Tuesday, Dec. 9; 4 to 5 p.m. in Room 141, DeBartolo Hall
Hesburgh Libraries and Navari Family Center for Digital Scholarship Workshops:
Click on the link to see more details and to register.
· A Gentle Introduction to the Command Line and Regular Expressions
In this workshop, you’ll learn the basics of navigating your computer using Unix commands, including how to navigate, create, copy, move, delete, and manipulate files and folders using Unix commands. You’ll also edit files using the Nano text editor in the command line and search a text file using regular expressions. No experience is necessary.
Monday, Dec. 8; 2 to 3 p.m. in the Navari Family Center for Digital Scholarship (Room 247), Hesburgh Library
· Notion for Absolute Beginners
Participants will get an overview of the popular productivity and note-taking tool Notion. You will have time to customize a dashboard with your own organizational needs and personal style, setting you up for success in the new semester.
Tuesday, Dec. 9; 3 to 4:30 p.m. in the Navari Family Center for Digital Scholarship (Room 247), Hesburgh Library
· Public Access Publishing Requirements for Federally Funded Research
The federal government is in the process of changing public access requirements for grant-funded research outputs. In this workshop, you’ll get updates on current public access publishing requirements for federal grant awardees and publishing support available.
Wednesday, Dec. 10; 10 to 11 a.m. virtually
· Programming Logic for Non-Programmers
In this gentle introduction to programming logic, you’ll learn concepts that are common across programming languages and then develop a mental model of the logic behind programming and practice interpreting and documenting that logic.
Wednesday, Dec. 10; 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the Navari Family Center for Digital Scholarship (Room 247), Hesburgh Library
Faith and Service
Mass and Smoothies with Father Bob
All students are warmly invited to join University President Father Robert A. Dowd, C.S.C., for Mass, followed by a time of fellowship. Add to your Google calendar.
· Mass for the Feast of the Immaculate Conception
Monday, Dec. 8; 7:30 p.m. in the Basilica of the Sacred Heart
· Smoothies and Cocoa with Fr. Bob
8:30 to 9:30 p.m. in the Rotunda (second floor), Main Building
Underwear and Sock Drive for the Center for the Homeless
Donate new underwear and socks in men’s, women’s, and children’s sizes to the Center for the Homeless. Collection boxes are in the first- and third-floor lobbies of Geddes Hall and the main concourse of Hesburgh Library through Sunday, December 14. Sponsored by the McGrath Institute for Church Life.
ND Vets and Tri-Mil ROTC Toys for Tots Drive
Collection boxes can be found at the Main Building, Hesburgh Library, McKenna Hall, Mason Services Center, Pasquerilla Center, both ECDC locations, Grace Hall, NDPD, Eck Visitors Center, and the Hammes Bookstore locations. The boxes include QR codes for direct donations and the Amazon wish list to make it easier. If you have questions, please email ndvets@nd.edu or call 574-631-6987. Every contribution makes a difference.
Through Saturday, December 13
Wreaths Across America Ceremony
Join the Office of Military & Veterans Affairs as it participates in Wreaths Across America to honor our fallen heroes. All are invited to attend. Volunteer for distribution.
Ceremony: Saturday, Dec. 13; noon to 1 p.m. in Cedar Grove Cemetery
Lectures and Presentations
Book Launch—Al-Jāḥiẓ and Religious Knowledge: A Forgotten Islamic Rationalism
The History of Philosophy Forum is hosting a book launch and reception to celebrate Hussein Ali Abdulsater’s, associate professor and director, Middle Eastern and North African Studies Minor, book featuring a panel with Abdulsater, Stephen Ogden, associate professor of philosophy, and Sean Anthony, professor of history at OSU.
Thursday, Dec. 11; 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. in Room 1030, Jenkins Hall (Reception in the atrium)
Notre Dame Seminars on Sustainability—“From Local Plots to Global Patterns: Science to Support a Sustainable Future for Grasslands”
Elizabeth Borer, a Regents Professor at the University of Minnesota, will discuss how human activities are threatening Earth’s grassland ecosystems on which 1-1.5 billion people directly rely. She will also highlight how understanding the regional impacts of a changing environment on grasslands will contribute to a sustainable future.
Friday, Dec. 12; 11 a.m. to noon in Room 215, DeBartolo Hall
Talk: “What and When Was the Christmas Star? An Astrophysics Perspective”
Join physicist Grant Mathews as he shares the astrophysical details about the well-documented Christmas Star. Was it a comet, a nova, a supernova, or a planetary alignment? And who were the wise men from the East? No tickets; first available seating. Open to the public.
Saturday, Dec. 13; 7 to 8:30 p.m. in the Digital Visualization Theater (Room 100), Jordan Hall of Science
Social Gatherings
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.
Study Break at the Raclin Murphy
University students, kick off reading days with a study break. Join to de-stress through artful activities and art-inspired board games in the atrium. Enjoy bagels, hot chocolate, and other snacks to refuel.
Thursday, Dec. 11; 12:30 to 5 p.m. in the Raclin Murphy Museum of Art
Battle of the Branches
This is a great chance for our community to bond, compete, and blow off some steam right before finals. All students, faculty, and staff are welcome to watch this indoor flag football game (only military-connected faculty, staff, and students can play). Registration required.
Friday, Dec. 12; 3 to 5 p.m. in Loftus Sports Center