The calendar turning to December means a whole new slate of exciting events on campus before the new year, especially holiday-themed festivities.

Entrepreneurs Club’s Husky Startup Challenge Demo Day

This celebration of Northeastern student innovation will be held Monday, Dec. 1, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. in the Curry Student Center Ballroom. Attendees can register for this free event here.

About 20 ventures have gone through the rigorous seven-week Husky Startup Challenge. Demo Day is when students will showcase their ventures, which cover a broad range of products and services, says Parshwa Khambhati, who runs the Husky Startup Challenge. They include a real-time social network and a smarter way to lock and secure a bicycle. All of the ventures are competing for their share of $5,000 in cash prizes and attendees will help decide the winners.

Signs of the Season

This annual program began in November and continues this month. Included are events planned by several Northeastern student groups and organizations.

At 4 p.m. on Monday, Dec. 1, NU Hillel and Chabad at NU will host a pre-Hanukkah Candle Lighting ceremony in the Curry Student Center. Hanukkah starts Dec. 16. Following this event, Snell Library Quad will transform into a Winter Wonderland beginning at 4:30 p.m. thanks to Sigma Phi Epsilon and the Office of Student Affairs. This annual festival has food, entertainment, and ice carving demonstrations, and is open to the entire Northeastern community.

Other Signs of the Season events include a Unity Gospel Choir concert on Wednesday, Dec. 3, at 7 p.m. in the John D O’Bryant African-American Institute and a Christmas celebration potluck at West Village G on Thursday, Dec. 4, at 7 p.m.

Northeastern Athletics

Winter sports are well into the 2014-15 campaign and the Huskies will look to add to their win columns this month.

Men’s basketball continues its non-conference schedule with a home game against Western Michigan on Dec. 6 at 4 p.m. Women’s basketball will play five games in December, including one at home against New Hampshire on Dec. 22 at 2 p.m. at the Cabot Center.

Men’s hockey’s lone game at Matthews Arena this month is Dec. 3 at 7 p.m. against Providence College, part of a home-and-home series with the Friars. The women’s hockey team will host two games between now and Dec. 31 against Union (Dec. 2, 7 p.m.) and Dartmouth (Dec. 31, 2 p.m.).

Tickets can be purchased through Northeastern’s Ticket Center.

Gingerbread Village

Students will participate in the 14th annual Gingerbread House Construction Contest on Thursday, Dec. 4, from 3-8 p.m. in Stetson West. Their creations will be on display Friday in the Gingerbread Village from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in Xhibition Kitchen and on the NU Dining Facebook and Twitter pages.

The Northeastern community can vote for their favorites by visiting Xhibition Kitchen or checking out the contestants on NU Dining’s social media outlets; the first, second, and third place winners will each receive a cash prize. All of the gingerbread houses will be donated to Pine Street Inn and Rosie’s Place.

Holiday dance moves

The NU Ballroom Dance Club will bring the wizarding world of Harry Potter to the Curry Student Center ballroom on Friday, Dec. 5, at 8:30 p.m. for the Yule Ball and a magical night of waltzing. Free waltz lessons will be offered to beginners. Open level Ballroom Club dancers will perform a showcase, followed by fun dances and prize giveaways. Dress in semi-formal attire or as your favorite character from the Harry Potter Series.

Northeastern University Dance Company is hosting its 12 annual Winter Showcase on Saturday, Dec. 6, at 3 p.m. in Blackman Auditorium. All of the routines are choreographed and performed by students, and include a variety of dance styles. Tickets are free through Northeastern’s Ticket Center.