A handle and light assembly for use on a barbecue grill. The assembly is inclusive of handle and at least one source of illumination for illuminating a cooking surface inside a hollow cooking chamber of the barbecue grill. The handle may function both as a means for opening a lid to access the cooking surface and also as a compartment for retaining the energy used to power the source of illumination. The lid includes at least one channel for the appropriate wiring to extend from the energy compartment to the illumination source. Accordingly, the handle may be located on the outside of the grill lid, and the source of illumination may be located inside the hollow cooking chamber.