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Celebrate the season with Light Up the Night event at IMU

By IU Bloomington Today

December 02, 2024

Light Up the Night, the annual lighting of the candles on the Indiana Memorial Union tower, will celebrate the holiday season from 7 to 9 p.m. Dec. 5.

Ice skating is one of the popular activities at the Light up the Night event. Photo by Andrew Russell, Office of Student Life Ice skating is a popular activity at Light Up the Night. Photo by Andrew Russell, Office of Student LifeThe event, taking place in the IMU Circle Drive and parking lot, will feature a winter market, outdoor ice skating, entertainment and the candle lighting.

“Traditions are important; they bind us to people and places and create warm memories and shared experiences,” IMU Executive Director Hank Walter said. “More than 50 years ago, someone started the tradition of ‘lighting’ a candle that hangs off the side of each tower of the IMU, to provide some festive holiday cheer for the campus. Five years ago, we started Light Up the Night as a fun way for students and the community to celebrate the season. It grows bigger every year, with crafts and skating and candle lighting. I’m looking forward to what this year will bring.”

Hayley Griffith, IMU program coordinator for student involvement and leadership, said the winter market is doubling in size from last year. It will have a wide range of local businesses, including some student-run businesses, offering various items such as clothing and jewelry.

Light Up the Night will feature a variety of vocal performances and an ice-skating rink. The candlelight ceremony will be completed by an Office of Student Life leader and two student leaders to connect with their peers and wish them well at the end of the semester, Griffith said.

“We hope to engage attendees in multiple ways and provide an expansive experience for everyone,” she said. “It is truly exciting, as it is the perfect opportunity for both students and the community to bond over the end of another calendar year.”