Tree Lighting Ceremony
The Tree Lighting Ceremony is an annual event celebrating the illumination of the lights decorating the trees lining College Walk. To be specific, these are the trees between Kent and Hamilton on the east side of College Walk, and Dodge and Journalism Halls on the west. The event was first held in 1998. It is held just before finals week in early December. The lights remain on until the end of February.
The event is centered around the sundial, and features free hot chocolate, roasted chestnuts, performances by various a cappella groups, and speeches by the university president and a guest. At the end of the ceremony, the president pushes the switch to turn on the lights. Supposedly the podium with a big red switch is just for show.
The Tree Lighting Ceremony is followed by the older Yule Log Ceremony in John Jay.
