UVA community braves snow and cold for 25th annual Lighting of the Lawn

Fresh snow blanketed the University of Virginia Lawn Friday morning, but by 7 p.m., thousands of footprints had transformed the winter white into muddy trails as the University community gathered for the 25th annual Lighting of the Lawn celebration.

Despite 30-degree temperatures, Friday’s event transformed the Lawn into a wonderland of lights, music, sweets and holiday cheer – offering a welcome respite as students wrapped up their last day of classes before final exams.

Second-year students Jaci Blankenship, Nicole O’Keefe and Helen Hernandez arrived at 5:30 p.m. to secure front-row spots. 

“We got this exact spot last year,” Blankenship, a student in the School of Education and Human Development, said. “We were like, ‘We gotta get that same spot again.’”

Left to right, second-year students Nicole O’Keefe, Jaci Blackenship and Helen Hernandez show off their light-up wristbands from their front-row spot at the 25th annual Lighting of the Lawn.

For Hernandez, a psychology major who transferred to UVA this semester, it was her first time experiencing the tradition.

“I have my first final next Saturday,” Hernandez said. “I get to have fun here tonight, then I’ll go back and lock in for my exams.”

This year’s celebration featured a new form of light: CrowdSync wristbands that lit up in sync with the music, bringing an element usually seen at live concerts to Grounds. The Lighting of the Lawn committee also distributed free glow sticks and light-up sunglasses to attendees. Guests could snap keepsake photos at a dedicated photo booth. 

Students pose at the event’s photo booth, where guests could capture memories of the celebration with a UVA-themed backdrop.

Twenty-seven student groups entertained the crowd throughout the evening. Among the performers were the UVA Twirlers, participating in their first Lighting of the Lawn show – a choreographed routine to Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas is You,” complete with colorful, glowing batons. 

The group spent a month planning and choreographing the performance, according to twirler Ishita Bakshi, a third-year student. Group members borrowed their costumes from fourth-year student and twirler captain Gia Singh’s grandmother, who runs a baton twirling group and had the costumes handy.

“It was so exciting to perform for Lighting of the Lawn,” Singh said. “I loved seeing everybody in the front cheering us on and singing the lyrics to the song.” 

Third-year human biology major Ishita Bakski performs with the UVA Twirlers during their first Lighting of the Lawn show. The five-member group, part of the Cavalier Marching Band, spent a month planning and choregraphing their routine.

The holiday lights will remain illuminated on the Lawn through the end of 2025. 

The planned aerial drone show was grounded due to low cloud coverage, but organizers said they hope to reschedule the display before students leave for winter break.

Check out more scenes from the 25th Lighting of the Lawn in photos by University Communications photographer Matt Riley.