Check another item off your USC Bucket List: Celebrate the holidays by attending USC’s Tree Lighting Ceremony.

Later this week enjoy a musical holiday tradition at USC, with two free Christmas concerts performed by the University of South Carolina School of Music’s premier choral ensemble. The USC Concert Choir, directed by Dr. Larry Wyatt, continues a much loved holiday tradition. The concert program includes a variety of sacred works and Christmas songs from early and Baroque works to works by contemporary composers of the 21st century and best-loved Christmas carols. The concerts are set for 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 30 at First Presbyterian Church (1324 Marion St.) and 6 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 2 at Shandon United Methodist Church (3407 Devine St.). View a full list of USC concerts and events.

Trivia Tuesday:
Be the first to answer this week’s trivia question correctly in the comments to receive a No Limits t-shirt. What number is the tree lighting ceremony on the USC Bucket List?

From pumpkin carving contests to service projects, new Halloween traditions sprout up around campus each year. Returning annual events this year have included Trick-or-Treat with the Greeks, USC School of Law’s Halloween Carnival, McCutchen House’s Annual Pumpkin Carving Contest, WUSC’s Zombie Walk and Pumpkin Chunkin’. You’ll find more about these festivities in USC Times.

One tradition that Gamecocks everywhere can enjoy to get in the Halloween spirit involves putting their creative talents to the test. Thanks to sites like Pinterest, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, it has become increasingly easy for Carolina fans to share their creativity. That’s why we want you to “pin” your most unique Carolina themed pumpkins. Comment on this post on this pin with a Pinterest link to your original Carolina pumpkin creation by Thursday, Nov. 1 at 5 p.m. We’ll repin your creation on our Carolina Pumpkins Pinterest board. The pumpkin with the most repins from our board by Friday, Nov. 2 at 5 p.m. will receive a No Limits t-shirt.

Check out some of the pumpkins entered into the McCutchen House Annual Pumpkin Carving Contest. Which one is your favorite?

#UofSC Halloween Pumpkins

Gamecocks: We want to see your best carving and painting abilities! Share your most creative Carolina themed pumpkins. Tag them on with #UofSCpumpkin on Instagram and Twitter.

Storified by U of South Carolina · Wed, Oct 31 2012 11:57:11

Have you seen the Gamecock Halloween light show set to Sandstorm?

And we leave you with last week’s ‘Photo of the Week‘ — a baby Gamecock. Have you submitted your photos this week?

Highlights this year include a mix of new and old traditions, from fundraisers and dance competitions to parades and pep-rallies. A crowd favorite, the Spurs and Strut dance competition was created within the past decade to give all student organizations an opportunity to play an active role in homecoming, with the addition of the Step Show competition in 2008. New traditions have been added to the mix as recently as last year, with the introduction of the Number One Gamecock competition. Some returning favorites include the Cockfest Pep Rally, Showcase and Homecoming Parade.

Homecoming events
Homecoming kicks off on Sunday, Nov. 4, 2012, leading up to the the Nov. 10 football game against the University of Arkansas Razorbacks. This year’s homecoming theme is “Cocky 4 A Reason.” The week of diverse events are planned by a student committee, in addition to a number of homecoming events coordinated by My Carolina Alumni Association and various colleges and schools within the university. View a full list of events on the USC Student Life and My Carolina Alumni Association websites.

Homecoming Trivia:
Be the first to answer this week’s Trivia Tuesday question correctly in the comments section to win a No Limits t-shirt. Homecoming dates back to the early decades of the twentieth century. What year did it begin at USC? The answer lies somewhere in our digital collections of Garnet & Black yearbooks.

Homecoming history
Stop by McKissick Museum to check out Get Cocky! The Significance of USC’s Gamecock Culture and explore the history and dynamic role of athletics at the university. Homecoming history is on display, where you can view dresses worn by former USC Homecoming Queens and see the evolution of Cocky over the years. The exhibition runs through Dec. 14, 2012 and admission is free. The museum is located in the heart of campus, on the university’s historic Horseshoe. Hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Saturday, 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. The museum is closed Sundays and all university and state holidays.

Share your photos and memories
What are your favorite USC Homecoming memories and traditions? What does homecoming mean to you? Share your photos and memories with us and you could be featured in the next print edition of USC Times. Those selected will receive a No Limits t-shirt. Send your memories and high-resolution photos to lwhite@mailbox.sc.edu for consideration or tweet using the #USCHC hashtag. Please include your name and contact phone number with emailed submissions.

See what memories others are sharing on Twitter:

#UofSC Homecoming Memories + Traditions

Homecoming memories and traditions, as shared by University of South Carolina fans and followers.

Storified by U of South Carolina · Wed, Oct 24 2012 07:26:23

@UofSC @uschomecoming Singing in the choir at halftime and if course the game! Caroline Carson

Keep up with USC Homecoming activities on Twitter and Facebook. View photos from USC Homecoming on Flickr.

The excitement and spectacle of Gamecock game days are hard to beat when it comes to athletic events. But there are few moments that will make a USC alumnus’ heart swell with pride more than raising a toast to their university as the last line of the alma mater is sung.

Just more than a century ago, in 1911, George A. Wauchope, an English professor at USC, wrote the alma mater’s lyrics and set it to Robert Burns’ “Flow Gently, Sweet Afton.” Ever since, its singing at athletic events has been one of the university’s most revered traditions.

Over the years, it has become custom to raise the right hand, with fingers cupped, as “Here’s a health, Carolina, forever to thee” is sung, as if offering a toast to the university. It’s an action that unites Gamecock Nation.