As San Juan College celebrates its 45th year of the luminarias display on Saturday, Dec. 2, the community will enjoy an array of glimmering bags shining from rooftops, along sidewalks, in courtyards, select campus parking lots and student housing. Guests can drive or walk through the display starting at 6 p.m.

People may also choose to take advantage of the Park-N-Ride Red Apple Luminarias Trolley. To access the free service, park at the Piedra Vista High School parking lot from 6 and 8 p.m. for a no-stress ride through the luminaria display aboard a festive Red Apple Trolley.

Only two entrances will be open during the event. Walkers may park in one of these lots: Quality Center for Business (Lot O), the School of Energy parking lot, and the north Child and Family Development Center (Lot P), which are accessible by traveling south on College Boulevard from Pinon Hills Boulevard.

Drivers will enter the college from Butler Avenue, traveling north on Sunrise Parkway. They will then follow the marked route through the campus and exit at College Boulevard, where traffic must turn south to 30th Street.

Participants should note that the Pinon Hills Boulevard entrance to the college will be closed during the luminaria display.

An important note and as a courtesy, all drivers are asked to turn off their headlights as they drive through the display. Reducing light pollution during the event will ensure everyone has the most optimal luminaria experience possible.

The sounds of the season will ring campuswide as SJC’s listener-supported radio station, KSJE 90.9-FM, broadcasts Christmas carols. Weather permitting, the SJC Planetarium will host its annual Luminaria Stargaze from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. in the inner courtyard near the Connie Gotsch Theatre. A telescope will be set up to view the night sky.

Mary’s Kitchen will be open from 5 to 9 p.m., with hot food available for purchase until 7 p.m., and retail snacks, beverages and hot chocolate for sale until 9 p.m.

The Office of Student Engagement and Campus Life coordinates this event with help from the SJC Physical Plant, students, staff members and community volunteers who set up and light the candles. The week before, hundreds of area schoolchildren and high school students help fill paper bags with sand and candles, which are then set out by college students, staff members and volunteers.

SJC invites community members and groups to contribute to this annual tradition by helping with the set up of bags on Friday, Dec. 1, or lighting the candles at 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2.

The community is also welcome to pick up luminarias to recycle for their use after 2 a.m. Dec. 3. SJC will begin the cleanup and disposal of any remaining luminarias starting at 9 a.m. Dec. 3.

For more information or to volunteer, contact the San Juan College Office of Student Engagement and Campus Life at (505) 566-3403.