Hundreds of Penn students gathered to watch the lighting ceremony for the hanging icicle lights along Locust Walk at the Light Up Locust event on Dec. 5.
The event, spearheaded by Wharton junior and Class of 2026 President Vedika Jawa and Class Board 2026, drew over 200 students despite the cold weather. The board partnered with Penn’s Division of Facilities and Real Estate Services to coordinate the event.
DJ music blasted as students flocked to claim free Insomnia cookies, hot cocoa, tumblers, sunglasses, tote bags, and Christmas socks. Shortly before 7 p.m., students held out their phones to film and cheered as the hanging icicle lights lit up Locust Walk.
“The whole point of this event was to get people to take a break, come to something that is winter-spirited, and get their minds off of things and enjoy it,” Jawa said.
College first year and Class of 2028 President Mert Kayabas, who is also a former staffer of The Daily Pennsylvanian, expressed his excitement before the event.
“It's really important to continue these traditions because it helps build community," Kayabas said. "I know that my friends and I are going to feel happier walking down Locust when it looks prettier with the lights on and it's got the aesthetic to it."
College first year and Class of 2028 Vice President of Finance Megan Chan said the event was “highly anticipated” for the student government and aimed to get people excited for winter.
“We love giving free stuff whenever we can, and what better way to get people to come together than free food and free hot chocolate,” she said. “We’re trying to find ways for people to de-stress and be grateful that we are here and we are together, despite this being maybe one of the most stressful times of our freshman year.”
A FRES staff member dressed as Santa Claus stood on the Steinberg-Dietrich Hall rooftop while waving at those gathered on Locust Walk.
College first year Orchie Hasan noted that while she felt like the lights turning on was “a bit anticlimactic," she still enjoyed going to the event.
“I needed this for my mental health," she said. "It’s finals season, and everyone is stressed. I think it’s good to go see some light in the world."
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