LIGHT THE NIGHT 2026
Light the Night is the annual free bike light giveaway event that happens each September on the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus. Volunteers are sought annually to install lights on bikes for one or both shifts of the event.
The 19th annual Light the Night was held on Tuesday, September 22nd, 2026 from 4-7 pm at five locations:
Over 800-1,000 bike light sets are installed most years. Lights are given out from 4-7 pm or until supplies last.
Safety of bicyclists in our campus community is a high priority, and as the days grow shorter in the fall and more people are bicycling at night, lights are vital for safe bicycling.
Attendees are required to bring their bicycles for the free installation.
- Alma Mater Plaza (intersection of Green St. & Wright St., Urbana)
- Hallene Gateway (intersection of Illinois St. & Lincoln Ave., Urbana) - If you registered for Bike to Work Day 2026 but did not get your t-shirt, this was the station to get your shirt.
- Green St. & Lincoln Ave. (southwest corner), Urbana - an MTD van will be present for you to practice how to put your bike on an MTD bus/van
- Southwest corner of the Armory Building (intersection of Fourth St. & Gregory Dr., Champaign)
- Pennsylvania Ave. & Dorner Dr. (northwest corner), Urbana
Over 800-1,000 bike light sets are installed most years. Lights are given out from 4-7 pm or until supplies last.
Safety of bicyclists in our campus community is a high priority, and as the days grow shorter in the fall and more people are bicycling at night, lights are vital for safe bicycling.
Attendees are required to bring their bicycles for the free installation.
