With Christmas arriving, winter festivities have officially begun at California Baptist University. One of the most exciting events CBU hosts each holiday season is Yule.
The event, held Dec. 1 at the Riverside Convention Center in downtown Riverside, boasts entertainment and live music alongside dinner. This year’s Yule will host Justin Flom, magician, as the performing act.
Yule, another term for Christmas, is CBU’s famed annual winter formal dinner that dates back to as early as 1955.
“Yule’s long-standing tradition of a formal dinner celebrating the Christmas season is the inspiration behind the event and the name,” said Kristin Holderman, director of Campus Activities in the Office of Community Life.
“Working off of Flom, this year’s Yule will be classy, elegant and dramatic,” said Christina McDonald, senior leadership studies and international business double major and Community Life’s events intern. “We want to work with the entertainment and create an atmosphere that allows students to experience a night they don’t typically have the opportunity to experience.”
Many students expect an elegant night to dress up and attend a formal evening of exciting entertainment. Community Life is committed to meeting the expectation of students.
“My first impression of Yule was how much hard work and time people spent on setting up and preparing,” said Breanna Romero, senior psychology major who attended last year’s Yule. “The presentation of the entire event, the cutouts, dinner menu and table set up was so creative. It was a great first impression.”
Hosting past artists such as Johnnyswim and acrobat performances, Yule boasts an expanding range of entertainment to engage the students. The events are held in various locations, including the Queen Mary, which hosted a murder mystery during a past Yule event.
Students are encouraged to attend Yule at least once during their time attending CBU as it continues to evolve creatively each year.
“The tradition of Yule in itself is significant as it has been a highlight event for CBU (then CBC) since its origination. It is a great evening where students come together and celebrate the season, have an opportunity to dress up, and experience a night they typically don’t have the opportunity to,” Holderman said.
