Christmas Tree Lighting 2015 from TCU Student Media by Sierra Tuthill on Vimeo.

TCU hosted its annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony Tuesday night, marking the start of the TCU holiday season.

A tradition that began over 40 years ago, the TCU Christmas tree lighting has become a staple here on campus and in the Fort Worth community.

Joe LeConte, the Audio Visual Coordinator for the Brown-Lupton University Union, said working the Christmas tree lighting is easily one of the most popular events hosted every year by TCU.

Although it can be hectic outside during the event, LeConte said that working at the BLUU during the event is relatively low maintenance.

“This is by far the fastest event we put on every year, but at the same time it’s also the most well attended,” LeConte said. “Working in the BLUU is relatively easy during this event. It gets awfully quiet in here, as almost everyone who is in the BLUU leaves to go join the festivities.”

The Christmas tree lighting has grown to expand outside of the TCU community, and has become a holiday tradition for many families living around the Fort Worth area.

Junior pre-med major Lauren Tooman said she enjoys how the event brings together the TCU community and the greater Fort Worth area to celebrate the holidays.

“I love to see all of us come together with the alumni and the Fort Worth residents,” Tooman said. “It makes for an inviting, family friendly atmosphere.”

Fort Worth resident Jeannie Lewis attended this year’s ceremony for the first time with her family, and said she was impressed by how family friendly the event was.

“My kids absolutely loved the fireworks, they were hoping for even more when they were all over,” Lewis said. “I’ll definitely be coming back with my family in the future.”

Children weren’t the only ones who enjoyed the fireworks, as students were quick to mention the firework show as one of the best moments of the night.

First-year student Race Collins said he was impressed by how immense the fireworks show was.

“My favorite part was easily the fireworks show. I thought that TCU did an awesome job with it and it looked really cool,” Collins said.

Apart from the fireworks, there were plenty of other activities for guests to enjoy all around the TCU commons.

Attendees waited in lines to have their pictures taken with Super Frog Santa and a cow dressed up in reindeer attire.

Complimentary hot chocolate and cookies were served, and were a popular hit amongst students seeking relief from chilly conditions.

The 43-foot tall TCU Christmas tree will stand at the heart of the TCU campus until the end of December, and will remain lit every night through the end of the month.