At 5:50 p.m. last year, I was rushing to the Lawn to help the University Judiciary Committee set up our table for my first ever Lighting of the Lawn (LOTL). I assumed it would be simple: stand in the cold bored, hand out glow sticks, watch the lights flip on, go home. But I was wrong—and what proceeded for the next four hours will forever be one of my favorite memories as a University of Virginia student.
One of the most beloved traditions at the University of Virginia, Lighting of the Lawn returns on December 5, 2025. Students attending the university for the first time, as I was last year, might be seeing the countdowns on social media and wondering: what actually is LOTL? Well, the Lighting of the Lawn has its practical reasons—such as making the Lawneasier to see at night and in the snow—but it also began in 2001 in the aftermath of 9/11 as a small candlelight vigil for students and Charlottesville neighbors. In the 24 years since, it’s grown into a campus-wide celebration, pulling in more than 15,000 students, faculty, staff, alumni, and community members to share in the festivities of music, memory, and light.
Each year has a theme—past ones including Brighter Together (2018), Illuminate (2019), Finding Our Light (2020), Brighter Than Ever (2021), Full Power (2022), Disglow (2023), Lights Up (2024), and this year’s theme: “Remix.” The theme is explained below:
“Remix is a celebration of UVA’s past, present, and future, blending iconic moments with bold new energy.
It respects where we’ve been while shining a light on where we’re going. Rooted in resilience, driven by creativity, and powered by community, Remix invites us to reimagine what it means to come together, to remember, and to celebrate.”
With metal detectors and security surrounding the Lawn area all the way to the amphitheater, the doors will open to everyone at 6:00 pm. Wander the tables (stop by UJC and Honor!), snag glow sticks and apparel, visit Lawn room parties, and settle in with friends as the crowd builds waiting for the event to start!
At 7:00 p.m., opening remarks and performances begin. The performances we have this year are incredibly eclectic, including acapella, dance, twirlers, and singers! The full list includes names you’re likely to know and love: Academical Village People, AcHOOstics, Afro-Hoos, Akademix, Christian Hoos Exalt, Ektaal A Cappella, Fuego Dance Club, Harmonious Hoos, Hoos in the Stairwell, Hoos in Treble, Hullabahoos, Kappa Alpha Psi, K-Edge, New Dominions, Radio Music Society, Remix A Cappella, The Flying V’s, The Virginia Belles, The Virginia Gentlemen, The Virginia S’ilhooettes, University Salsa Club, University Singers, UVA Twirlers, Virginia Dance Company, Virginia Ke Aashiq, and X-Tasee Dance Club.
Come for the music, the dancing, the friends you want to support, and for the community you want to build!
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