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It’s finally here, Welcome 2026. We’re really excited to welcome you to - or back to - this wonderful place we call home, and we’ve got lots planned to help you settle in. We host more than 700 events, so there's something happening all the time.
It's a rolling, high-energy mix of pop-up performances, socials, fairs, chill spaces, big nights out (or quiet nights in), tours, volunteering opportunities, and so much more. Two events you can't miss are Welcome Festival (Monday 28 September - Sunday 4 October) and Welcome Fair (Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 October).
Our Students' Union venues will be PACKED with activity too, so make sure you don't miss what we have in store across these hidden gems (check out the Huntley, Phineas, the Institute and Mully's bars for a whole load of fun and activity).
There’s so much to experience, so to make it simple, we've broken it all down for you on this page.
PS. We're adding more tickets and more events all the time, so if something you're interested in is sold out, keep checking back!
Welcome Fest, Main Quad, Bloomsbury (28 September - 4 October)
Welcome Fest is your ultimate introduction to student life at UCL. From 28 September - 4 October, join us in the Main Quad on Bloomsbury Campus (What3Words: ///builds.pushes.ideal) for daily fairs, plus loads of events and live performances. At Welcome Fest, we'll have something for everyone - whether you're into sports, arts, music, food, or sustainability, there's so much to discover. Find all Welcome events here.
Activity kicks off at Welcome Fest on Monday 21 September for International Welcome Week, with events created to help you settle in, make friends, and feel at home from day one. During 28 September - 4 October, we'll take the festival to a whole new level with more tasters, demo's, performances and, live-music.
Here's what we recommend you do across the busiest week of Welcome Fest:
Monday 28 September
On Monday, our wonderful cultural societies will be holding their fair in the North Cloister, Haldane Room & Yellow Room. These societies provide a welcoming and inclusive space to connect, share traditions and celebrate different cultures - you can book your free ticket here.
- Headlining: Cultural Societies Fair, taking place in the North Cloisters from 10:00-15:00.
- Can't miss: Politics, Economics and Altruism Societies Fair - bringing together students who are passionate about politics, business, economics and the world of altruism. Head to the North Cloister and Yellow room to meet these societies!
- Explore: Find your Football with TeamUCL at the Blue Room off of the Main Quad from 13:00-15:00.
- Cult classic: Live Music @ Institute Bar, brought to you by Live Music Society from 19:00-22:30.
- Must-do: Student Media Societies Fair - head to the Haldane Room between 16:00-19:00 to connect with the creative voices behind our campus media.
Tuesday 29 September
On Tuesday, our artsUCL Fair will bring together artsUCL groups from across our student community (think dance, drama, production, music, theatre, painting - and everything inbetween) - the perfect opportunity to explore the wide range of clubs and societies on offer! Alongside the Fair, we'll have plenty of further activities taking place throughout the day, including:
- Headlining: artsUCL Fair in the North Cloisters, from 10:00 to 15:00 - come and meet our arts societies and see what they're all about! If you want to see them in action, keep an eye out for the performances taking place on the Main Stage in the Quad.
- Must-dos: We'll have two bonus fairs happening from 16:00-19:00 - check out the Sustainability Fair to discover how you can make a positive impact on our planet, and swing by the Networks Fair to meet the student networks that represent and support our diverse student community.
- Can't miss: Behind the scenes of Tony's Chocolonely (did someone say free chocolate?!) from 14:00-16:00 - hear about Tony's Chocolonely's work and mission, and find out how our cafes team prioritise working with sustainable and ethical suppliers such as Tony's.
- Explore: Kick off the week in style at our Welcome Boat Party, from 18:30-23:00 - join us for Thames views, great vibes and a free drink on arrival!
- Wildcard: Drag Society's Freshers Show - whether you've never been to a drag show before or you're already a regular, everyone's welcome! Join Drag Society in Mully's Basement Bar from 19:30-21:30.
Wednesday 30 September
TeamUCL is taking to the stage on Wednesday: try your hand at judo, get lifted up by our cheerleading team, or make your own smoothie with Project Active's bike-powered blender. Finish the day off in true UCL student fashion with Sports Night at Scala!
- Headlining: the TeamUCL Fair - your home of sport at UCL. Look out for Project Active if you want something ad-hoc and low-key, TeamUCL if you want to follow your passion for a particular sport, and our Elite Athlete programme for those at the top of their game!
- Must-dos: Join TeamUCL for a tour of your on-campus gym, where staff will be able to answer any questions you may have. Bonus: did you know we opened a new gym on our UCL East campus earlier this year?
- Can't miss: Sports Night: Welcome edition! Join us for pre drinks at Phineas where you can grab drinks for just £3.60 all night long, then we'll head to Scala.
- Explore: Niche & Common Interest Societies Fair - a space for you to explore your passions and connect with like-minded peers. Join us in the South Cloisters from 16:00-19:00!
- Wildcard: If you're looking for a relaxed way to meet new people during Welcome, join us for a Board Games Night with a lowkey, low pressure environment.
Thursday 1 October
Make an impact, build your skills and explore London with our Social Impact team! Come along to the Volunteering Fair and check out the hundreds of student-friendly opportunities available - from one-off volunteering roles to leading your own social impact project, there's something for everyone.
- Headlining: Our Volunteering Fair, taking place in the North Cloisters from 10:00-15:00, is your chance to meet recruiters from a wide range of UK-based charities and non-profits, explore diverse volunteering roles and discover how you can make an impact.
- Must-dos: The Big Hangout - across the Main Quad and Wilkins Building, you’ll find a series of relaxed, drop in hangout zones where you can bond over music, books, food, games, and activities.
- Can't miss: Ikebana Workshop at UCL East, where you'll create your own arrangement using seasonal flowers - all materials are provided!
- Wildcard: Welcome Sports Day with TeamUCL - head to Somers town Community Sport Centre to get active, meet new people and find your team during Welcome.
Friday 2 October
From boxing and dance classes to careers events, volunteering projects and boat parties, Friday offers something for everyone. Start the day at our part-time jobs Fair and meet a wide range of employers offering flexible, part-time opportunities, then get involved in activities ranging from conservation volunteering at Southwark Cathedral with our Social Impact team, to speedfriending sessions, leadership workshops, pub quizzes, games of mahjong, and so much more!
- Headlining: Find a part-time job to fit around your studies at our Jobs Fair, taking place in the North Cloisters from 10:00-15:00.
- Must-dos: Karaoke @ Phineas - everything from classic hits and modern bangers will be playing from 20:00-00:00 at Phineas! Start the night with a Know Your Union Bar Crawl, where you can explore your new Union Bars and meet other new students.
- Can't miss: Join the Social Impact team for one of their first Big Help Outs of the year - working closely with a professional conservator to help maintain and care for the iconic Southwark Cathedral. Big Help Outs run throughout the year - they're all about small actions creating big change when we come together.
- Explore: We'll be heading to Chinatown as part of our Discover London events, where we'll check out restaurants, bakeries and shops. We'll start the trip with a short speedfriending session.
- Wildcard: Join us for fun and friendly competition with a game of Mahjong (open to everyone - whetehr you've played before or are brand new to the game!) from 15:30-17:00 in Phineas.
Welcome Fair
Located at our Bloomsbury Campus and taking place on Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 October, this is your opportunity to chat to all our societies and clubs, discover new and exciting opportunities within the Students’ Union, and grab yourself a bunch of freebies. You don’t want to miss this!
This is your chance to chat to hundreds of our societies, sports clubs and student-led Networks face to face on stalls across campus. Alongside these student-led groups, there'll be loads of big brands and local businesses, ready and waiting with thousands of freebies to give away. Over in the Main Quad you can watch live entertainment and student showcases, everything from music and sports demonstrations to cultural dance performances.
You'll need to book a free ticket to attend Welcome Fair - these will go on sale Friday 25 September at 09:00.
Nightlife
Your all-access pass to the biggest nightlife events! The only official nightlife wristband in partnership with your Students' Union and Milkshake. See the full lineup and get your wristband before they sell out!
Your UCL journey starts here
This is more than just a welcome, it’s the start of your time at Students' Union UCL. So come along to our events, say hi to someone new, and don’t be afraid to get involved. Your journey starts here, and we’re so excited to be part of it.