The Indiana Memorial Union is hosting its annual Light Up the Night event beginning at 7 p.m. Dec. 1 at the IMU circle drive.

The event will include the lighting of the candles on the east and west towers of the IMU, as well as a performance by the Singing Hoosiers and complimentary Sugar and Spice gingerbread cookies.

Students, faculty and staff as well as the surrounding Bloomington community are invited to attend the event to kick off the holiday season.

“The IMU is excited to host our third annual Light Up the Night event,” said Kaila Messerli, program coordinator of student involvement and leadership at the IMU. “Join us as we usher in the holiday season and bring a little extra light into the hearts of all Hoosiers.”

The candle tradition has been going on for over 50 years, but the lighting event itself is only a few years old.

The main event is the IMU candle lighting, which will be done by two student leaders. The iconic candle on the Biddle Hotel stands at 80 feet tall, with around 150 red bulbs and 33 white bulbs. The smaller candle is 60 feet tall, with 88 red bulbs and 34 white bulbs.

The candles will remain up until New Year’s Day.

Samantha Hyde is an intern with IU Studios.