Historic Christmas traditions at Bridgewater College included banquets, caroling, concerts, convocations, dances, displays of luminaries on the campus mall, an international gift bazaar, literary society presentations, living nativity scenes, parties, and student skits.
Decorating residence hall public spaces, hallways and doors for Christmas was a popular tradition for students, and is well reflected in the archival photographs. Archival images show students using residence hall decorations to express artistic ability, faith, desire for world peace, and occasionally; a humorous lack of Christmas spirit.
Madrigal dinners staged by the Music and Theatre departments were a favorite annual event, as was performance of Handel’s Messiah by the Glee Clubs and Oratorio Choir.