The Festival of Lights, a popular event drawing crowds of nearly 600 people, has been a tradition at Iowa State since the 1940s. Throughout the years it has morphed from solely a Christmas celebration into a celebration of the winter season that leads to all of Central Campus becoming engulfed in light.

This year the Festival of Lights will be held on Wednesday, December 4.

The evening will begin at 5:15 p.m. on the front steps of Beardshear Hall, featuring a speech by President Geoffroy and a holiday performance by the Iowa State Choir.

John McCarroll, director of university relations, said the Festival of Lights is an excellent opportunity to begin celebrating the holiday season together as a campus community.

“It provides an opportunity for students, faculty, staff and friends to come together in the spirit of the season for an evening of music and other events on Central Campus,” McCarroll said.

He said students are once again actively involved in coordinating and carrying out the annual event. Students will be busy singing in the choir, setting up luminaries , distributing hot chocolate and mingling with the individuals coming out to celebrate the holiday season at the Festival of Lights.

McCarroll said the Festival of Lights adds a warm feeling to campus as winter approaches, setting the mood for the upcoming holiday sesason.

McCarroll said everyone has their personal favorite aspect of the evening.

“Lighting the large tree just east of Beardshear Hall along with the luminaries that line the nearby sidewalks adds a special glow to Central Campus.”