Carol of Lights Brings Cheers and Smiles

The 56th annual Carol of Lights lit up the Texas Tech University campus on Tuesday night as onlookers gathered in their winter gear waiting for that moment marking the beginning of the holiday season.

Click to learn a few facts about the Carol of Lights

Total darkness filled the sky, and then it happened. The geosciences building adorned with a 20-f00t wreath lit up, and the crowd cheered and clapped. People hugged one another and used the moment as an opportunity to take pictures of themselves in front of the brightly lit buildings and archways.

Spectators waited with anticipation as they sang holiday songs.

Spectators waited with anticipation as they sang holiday songs.

Freshman Sarah Hamby said she came to Texas Tech eager to start anew outside of her hometown of Albuquerque, N.M. She said the longstanding event was the talk around campus, so she wanted to see it for herself. She smiled as she talked about how powerful and holiday inspiring the evening was.

“I was so excited,” Hamby said, “it puts a big smile on my face to see this kind of tradition.”

People searched for their loved ones and a photo opportunity in front of the buildings.

People searched for their loved ones and a photo opportunity in front of the buildings.

About Lucinda Holt

Enterprise Editor - Journalism major and anthropology minor. Graduates in December 2014. Lucinda is a non-traditional student with an associate degree in journalism from Western Texas College in Snyder. She hopes to build a career as a foreign correspondent.