Light the Way Festival Frequently Asked Questions

Use our frequently asked questions section to learn about general event information, student and employee information and self-guided campus tours.

General Event Information

Do

  • Bring your family and friends to Light the Way
  • Wash hands and mask up to your comfort level
  • Enjoy UIW grounds and public spaces
  • Bring funds for food trucks and shopping. Vendors and food trucks accept major credit cards.
  • Wear comfortable shoes
  • Wear outwear according to the weather forecast
  • Bring a camera and take pictures, and use hashtag #LightTheWay and tag @uiwcardinals

Do not

  • Bring large bags or purses
  • Bring a scooter unless it is an ADA scooter
  • Bring your pets (service animals are permitted)
  • Ignore any symptoms of illness. Please stay home if you feel sick and we will see you on our Livestream.
  • Walk past barricades
  • Enter unauthorized UIW buildings
  • Climb the trees, landscaping or architecture
  • Smoke or vape on campus
  • Act in a manner contrary to the spirit and mission of the University of the Incarnate Word

Yes, this event is free and open to the public! All are welcome to join us in kicking off the Christmas season.

Event parking is available on a first come basis in the Ancira and Founders Hall Parking Garages. Spaces are limited and ride sharing is encouraged, with the drop off point being the Founders Hall complex please.

Map and Directions

Yes, portable restrooms will be between the AT&T Science Center Building and Elizabeth Huth Coates Theatre Building and adjacent to the Administration Building. A complimentary changing tent for babies, toddlers and nursing station will be located adjacent to the Administration Building.

Yes, food trucks with delicious food options will be on site.

Coolers will not be permitted as we have delicious food and drink offerings at the festival.

See Food and Shopping

Alumni activation and activities will be located on Dubuis Lawn. Alumni section of the event is the only area where alcohol will be served and permitted. Guests are not allowed to bring outside food, drinks or alcohol onto campus grounds.

Pets are not allowed on the grounds during Light the Way. However, service animals are permitted.

Campus buildings that are not part of the Light the Way Holiday Festival will not be accessible to guests. Please refrain from entering campus buildings without permission. The Student Engagement Center is the only location open for sales in the UIW Bookstore, Starbucks and Luciano Express Pizzeria.

Check back for more information.

Student and Employee Information

Students and employees can park complimentary at the Founders Hall parking lot and garage or the Alonso Ancira Tower Parking Garage. Please bring your UIW ID or business card to show the security team at the entrance. If you have questions, please email pr@uiwtx.edu.

The dining hall will be operating normally for students.

Students and employees may not park in any surface lot (Burr, Davis Court, Fine Arts, Hildebrand, Nursing, Riverside, Clement, Dubuis, Convocation, Natatorium or ICC) on campus from Friday, Nov. 22, at 10 p.m. through Saturday, Nov. 23, at 11 p.m. Cars in these areas will be towed on Saturday morning.

UIW expects thousands of guests and heavy foot traffic at this event. Residents may park in their designated parking garages with a valid parking permit. However, traffic will be closed on the lower campus from Friday, Nov. 22, at 10 p.m. through Saturday, Nov. 23, at 10 p.m. For this reason, all student residents are encouraged to park in upper campus garages (Ancira and McCombs).

Vehicles in the Agnese Sosa Parking Garage will not be able to leave from Friday, Nov. 22, at 10 p.m. through Saturday, Nov. 23, at 10 p.m. Residents on the upper campus can leave by the Hildebrand and 281 exit during the event. We strongly encourage residents to make arrangements to minimize the need to travel to and from campus during this event. Please be aware there will be longer wait times to enter and exit campus.

Open vehicle access to campus will remain available until Friday, Nov. 22, at 10 p.m. At promptly 10 p.m. Friday, all entrances and exits to campus will be closed. The only entrance/exit available will be the 281 access road entrance and the Hildebrand/281 exit. Thru traffic will be closed on the lower campus from Friday, Nov. 22, at 10 p.m. through Saturday, Nov. 23, at 10 p.m.

Students and employees may not park in any surface lot (Burr, Davis Court, Fine Arts, Hildebrand, Nursing, Riverside, Clement, Dubuis, Convocation, Natatorium or ICC) on campus from Friday, Nov. 22, at 10 p.m. through Saturday, Nov. 23, at 11 p.m. Cars in these areas will be towed on Saturday morning.

Self-guided campus tours

The lights turn on at dusk from Nov. 23, 2024, through Jan. 6, 2025.

Visitors can park in any open space on the UIW campus. Visitors should not park in any areas that clearly post that it is not UIW parking. You must have a handicapped placard to use handicapped spaces. Never park in a fire lane.
The campus facilities are usually closed during this time, however, there are a number of local restaurants all around the campus you can visit.

Yes, you can do a self-guided tour from Nov. 23, 2024, through Jan. 6, 2025.