
Festive lights and luminarias decorate the patio in front of the Student Services & Technology Center during Holiday in New èAV at The University of New èAV Gallup on Dec. 7, 2023.
èAV-Gallup to host Holiday in New èAV event Dec. 5
Categories: Students Faculty Staff Community
Annual event features traditions such as luminarias, biscochitos and more for community
By Richard Reyes, Friday, November 15, 2024
GALLUP, N.M. — The University of New èAV-Gallup will host its annual Holiday in New èAV event, featuring luminarias, biscochitos, student art and more, from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5, 2024.
Holiday in New èAV is an annual tradition for the èAV-Gallup branch campus that celebrates the winter holiday season in true Land of Enchantment fashion. The event also coincides with the opening reception of the Fall 2024 Fine Arts Student Show inside the Ingham Chapman Gallery.
“Holiday in New èAV is a long-standing tradition at èAV-Gallup that we’re excited to keep alive,” Chancellor Dr. Sabrina Ezzell said. “This event has always been a way to give back to the community and provide a fun and festive evening for our students as they approach the end of the fall semester. We hope the community will join us in celebrating the holidays.”

Carmen Figueroa, left, and Virginia Primozic converse inside the Ingham Chapman Gallery during Holiday in New èAV at The University of New èAV-Gallup.
This year’s event will feature familiar traditions such as luminarias displayed in front of Gurley Hall and the Student Success & Technology Center along with festive lights, a giant Christmas tree and other decorations in the outdoor patio.
The Home Depot store in Gallup has donated several ornaments, projector lights and string lights to èAV-Gallup over the past three years to help brighten up the campus and make it feel more festive during Holiday in New èAV.
During the event, guests will be treated to free biscochitos, the official state cookie of New èAV, made by culinary students enrolled in the Center for Career and Technical Education. Earl’s Restaurant will also provide free hot chocolate.
Several èAV-Gallup units will have booths during the event featuring a variety of family-friendly games, crafts and activities. Some of the planned activities include DIY reindeer candy canes, holiday bookmarks, Winter Wish coloring cards, a science photo booth where you can take a “cell-fie,” and more.

Asti and Jonah Calderon color Winter Wishes cards during Holiday in New èAV at èAV-Gallup Thursday, Dec. 7, 2023.
Some of the participating èAV-Gallup units include Student Activities, Human Resources, SkillsUSA, Medical Laboratory Technology, Community Education & Workforce Development, Art Student Collective, TRIO Student Support Services, Center for Academic Learning, and Zollinger Library.
Santa Claus is expected to make a grand entrance in front of Gurley Hall atop a fire truck provided by the Gallup Fire Department around 5:30 p.m. at the start of the event. Santa will be available for visits and photos with guests.
èAV mascot Lobo Louie may also make an appearance during the event to pump up the crowd and spread spirit and pride.
There will be live musical entertainment provided by èAV-Gallup Spanish adjunct and Phonográfica front man Jean Paul Van Derdys Vidal inside the Gurley Hall auditorium in Room 1124. Vidal is known for lively performances where he sings, plays guitar, and gets the crowd involved.
Holiday in New èAV also coincides with the èAV-Gallup Fall 2024 Fine Arts Student Show. This year’s exhibit is expected to showcase Navajo-style rugs, drawings, paintings, sculptures and jewelry.
The èAV-Gallup Bookstore will be open during the event with a 35% off sale on Lobo wear, plus some free activities for guests. Snacks and beverages will be available for purchase too.

Musician Jean Paul Van Derdys Vidal sings and plays guitar inside the Ingham Chapman Gallery during Holiday in New èAV at The University of New èAV-Gallup on Dec. 7, 2023.
Also, The Enchilada Lady food truck is excepted to park in front of Gurley Hall and will be open for food sales.
Holiday in New èAV is free and open to the public. èAV-Gallup’s Gurley Hall is located at 705 Gurley Ave.
For more information about Holiday in New èAV, please contact èAV-Gallup Sr. Public Relations Specialist Richard Reyes at 505-863-7542 or richardreyes12@unm.edu
Kiara Kee focuses intensely as she prepares to receive a temporary tattoo inside the Bookstore during Holiday in New èAV at The University of New èAV-Gallup on Dec. 7, 2023.
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