Students Support the 40th Annual Light the Way Holiday Festival

Every November, the University of the Incarnate Word's Broadway campus transforms into a dazzling holiday destination during its annual Light the Way Holiday Festival. The beloved tradition draws thousands of San Antonio residents who gather to experience the millions of twinkling lights that illuminate the campus and mark the beginning of the Christmas season.

Behind the festival's festive glow is the dedication of UIW student volunteers. From Sept. 14 through Sept. 17, students gathered in the Student Engagement Center Joeris Ballroom to prepare the Christmas lights for the upcoming 40th Light the Way. Wearing protective gear, volunteers carefully replaced old bulbs with new ones and tested each light strand to ensure every display shines brightly when the campus officially illuminates for the holiday season.

Students are offered various ways to volunteer around campus. Light the Way volunteer days are a popular choice. "It's just chill," according to student Lilliana Cavazos, who was a first-time volunteer. She and her classmate Jessica Figueroa sat at a table together inspecting light strands. Both are freshmen in the science program and have a class together but didn't really know each other. Volunteer opportunities like this give students a chance to form new friendships.

Student Elizabeth Vallor stated "Light the Way has been an important part of my life because my mom Ana Vallor is a professor here and we've been attending the event for years. So, this was my way of giving back to the UIW community."

UIW's 40^th Annual Light the Way Holiday Festival presented by H-E-B, will have all the activities that you know and love, as well as a few surprises for the anniversary year. There will be live music, food trucks, Shoppers' Lane, Santa meet and greet and of course a million twinkling lights and fireworks to end the night. Light the Way will be on Saturday, November 21, 2026.

For more information: UIW Light the Way