Ahead of Lighting of the Lawn, Riley McNeill and Chelsea Huffman, co-chairs of the Lighting of the Lawn Committee and fourth-year College students, and Peter Mildrew, the president of the Hullabahoos and third-year Commerce student, discuss the festive tradition which brings the community together year after year. From planning the event to preparing performances, McNeil, Huffman and Mildrew elucidate how the light show has historically helped the community heal in the midst of hardship.
Lighting of the Lawn — illuminating the past and igniting the future
The Lighting of the Lawn Committee and featured performance groups are gearing up for this year’s Lighting of the Lawn in anticipation of the joyous December event

Lighting of the Lawn began as a student vigil, memorializing the tragic 9/11 attacks, and continues to be an annual gathering for the University and the broader Charlottesville community.