Not all Binghamton University students will be heading home for a full month and a half after finals next week.
While most students will return home for the holiday season, there are some who choose to stay on campus or in the Binghamton area during winter break.
International students and athletes make up the majority of students who stay on campus, although students who live in the Hillside or Susquehanna Communities, or off campus, tend to stay as well.
Will Childress, a senior majoring in biology, said he is going home for a few days to celebrate Christmas, but is returning to Binghamton before New Year’s. Childress decided to come back to school instead of staying at home downstate because he lives off campus in Downtown Binghamton.
Students also stay on campus because of their jobs. Childress has two jobs, one at Sam’s Club and one on campus in the greenhouse. He said that the combination of his employment and housing arrangement is a reason he is staying in Binghamton.
According to University spokesman Ryan Yarosh, the University does not have any “formal” plans for break because of there are so few students staying on campus.
University spokesman Ryan Yarosh said that “due to the length of the break, international students don’t even stay — they generally try to find a friend to go home with.”
Although the University is not planning anything specific, the city of Binghamton has a number of events on its agenda. Many of the activities are set to take place throughout the latter half of December and into January.
Andrew Block, spokesman for the city of Binghamton, said a big event scheduled to take place in the city of Binghamton during break is First Night Binghamton.
“It’s a New Year’s celebration that involves over 100 venues and artists and is open to all ages from 3 p.m. until midnight,” Block said.
First Night Binghamton is organized by Southern Tier Celebrates, a non-profit organization dedicated to presenting the arts. This large-scale event usually draws a crowd from Binghamton and other surrounding areas, according to Block. Admission to this event is $10 for the general public and free of charge for children four years old or younger.
The Broome County Urban League also hosts an event in Downtown Binghamton for Martin Luther King, Jr. Day on Jan. 15. Block said that the day usually consists of meetings, celebrations and a culminating march at the end of the day.
On Dec. 19 and 20, the Downtown Singers will be performing at the Forum Theatre at 236 Washington St.
“These upcoming concerts are great for those who like choral singing,” Block said.
The concert begins at 8 p.m.
Numerous restaurants throughout the Binghamton area also hold specialty dinners and celebrations for the holidays.
Tranquil Bar and Bistro will host a New Year’s Eve celebration. The restaurant’s festivities will begin at 6 p.m. and continue until 11 p.m. There are three different waves of seating starting at 6 p.m., followed by one at 8 p.m. and another at 10 p.m.
The 6 p.m. and 8 p.m. seating is $50 per couple and $30 for singles; the times are only for those who wish to eat dinner. The 10 p.m. seating is a flat rate of $100 and includes a dinner, a champagne toast and live music.
John Slavik, manager of Tranquil, said that although there are not a lot of reservations yet, “seats will fill up fast as the event gets closer.”