The annual Light Up UCF event, located outside of the CFE Arena, has returned again for its sixth year. This event runs for 50 days, this year from November 15, 2013 until January 5, 2014. This weekend, I volunteered for the Knight Run at Light Up UCF. A Charity 5k was added to the list of events over the 50-day span, supporting Second Harvest Food Bank and Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals with UCF’s Knight-Thon. Families wore their most creative holiday costumes while they ran throughout campus at night.
Similar to last year, Carl Black of Orlando is one of the Light Up’s biggest sponsors. Since the Arena is now owned by CFE, they too are now big sponsors of the event. This event is open to the public, but to be a part of the fun, families have to purchase tickets at the box office at the arena or Ticketmaster. One or more nights a season, the Student Government Association (SGA) sponsors a free Student Knight for UCF Students.
This year, there is live entertainment, a Ferris wheel, Dance Dance Revolution, Ice Skating, and many more rides for students and families to enjoy. The prices for tickets are separate for ice skating, carnival rides and photos with Santa. Per the name of the event, there is a holiday light show that is synchronized to music, which is centered in front of the arena, free for everyone to watch throughout the evenings. Movie screenings are also available as part of the Holiday Film Festival. Some of our favorite holiday classics, such as Fred Clause, are shown on a blow-up big screen on the Towers basketball courts. New additions this year include falling “snow” every evening and cocoa at the new Dunkin Donuts. I recommend this outdoor winter wonderland right here at UCF in sunny Florida.