Welcome Fest
Kick off your semester with one of the most exciting times of the year!
Before Welcome Fest starts, join us for a series of free International Welcome events from 9 - 14 February. It's the perfect chance for both domestic and international students to get involved in campus life and make new friends.
Then mark your calendars for Welcome Fest on 18 - 20 February 2026 for three huge days stacked with heaps of freebies, over 200 club stalls, parties and so much more. It's your chance to explore everything university life has to offer!
To get the most out of Welcome Fest, become a USU Member now – it’s your key to joining clubs, redeeming discounts on campus and unlocking your uni experience.
INTERNATIONAL WELCOME
9 - 14 February
Monday 9 February to Friday 27 February
USU Campus Orientation Tours
Presented by the University of Sydney. Delivered by USU.
Time: 10:00am - 2:30pm
Location: Meeting at Law Lawns, Eastern Ave
Register ↗
Tuesday 10 February
USU Campus Race
Time: 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Location: Starting at International Student Lounge (ISL)
Register ↗
Wednesday 11 February
Welcome to Sydney Party: Presented by Vodka Cruiser
Time: 6:00pm - 11:00pm
Location: Manning Bar
Register ↗
Saturday 14 February
Welcome to Sydney Day Trips: Taronga Zoo, The Big Bus Tour, Sea Life Sydney Aquarium, Madame Tussauds Sydney
Presented by the University of Sydney. Delivered by USU.
Time: Varies based on trip
Location: Meeting at International Student Lounge (ISL)
Register ↗
WELCOME FEST
Welcome Ceremony
The Welcome Ceremony is the University’s official Welcome for all students.
Held in the prestigious Great Hall, it will feature a Smoking Ceremony, Welcome to Country and official Welcome from the Vice Chancellor. The commencement address will be provided by distinguished alumnus and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Indigenous Strategy and Services), Professor Reuben Bolt. You will also hear from your student leaders and presidents of student organisations.
🗓️ Wednesday 18 February
🕤 9:30am - 11:30am
📍 Great Hall
🔗 Register ↗
USU welcome events
Wednesday 18 February
Silent Reading Social
Time: 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Location: Fisher Library Rooftop
Register ↗
Wednesday 18 February
Outdoor Movie Night
Time: 5:00pm - 10:00pm
Location: lawns in front of the Great Hall
Register ↗
Thursday 19 February
Games Afternoon
Time: 1:00pm - 4:30pm
Location: The Bevery, Holme Building
Register ↗
Thursday 19 February
Fantasy Movie Night
Time: 5:00pm - 10:00pm
Location: lawns in front of the Great Hall
Register ↗
Friday 20 February
Karaoke Night
Time: 6:00pm - 11:00pm
Location: Hermann's Bar, Wentworth Building
Register ↗
Free food on campus
Wednesday: 8:30am - sold out, thanks to our friends at USYD Student Life
Thursday - Friday: 9:00am - sold out
Free breakfast for USU Members
Location: USU Food truck outside Chau Chak Wing Museum
9:00am - 2:00pm
Free hot coffee for USU Members, thanks to our partners Vittoria and MilkLab
First 500 members each day receive a free reusable coffee cup!
Location: USU Coffee Cart outside the Great Hall
12:00pm - sold out
Free lunch for USU Members
+ Free Drink for USU Rewards, thanks to our partner Asahi
Location: USU Food truck outside Chau Chak Wing Museum
2:30pm - sold out
Free soft serves for Rewards Members
Location: USU Zone
Rewards perks
Get the most out of Welcome Fest with USU Rewards! 💙
Join or upgrade now to receive:
👜 Tote bag filled with goodies
🍵 100 free Mogu Mogu matcha vouchers to be given away
🍦 Free sweet treat everyday from 2:30pm at the USU Zone
Welcome Fest is happening 18 - 20 February but the perks of Rewards keep on giving all year round
From our friends
Big brands are pulling up 18 - 20 February. Check out who's coming:
Homart
First 500 students to sign up as a USU member will receive a premium Homart gift bag
Sign up at the USU Zone to collect your voucher, then head to the Homart stall on Eastern Avenue
Location: Eastern Avenue
Celsius
Free Pilates class at 8am and 10am on Thursday – first in, best dressed!
Location: The Quadrangle
Celsius
Enjoy cans of Celsius, the refreshing zero-sugar energy drink
Location: Eastern Avenue
Boss Coffee
Enjoy free Boss Coffee cans in a range of flavours
Location: Eastern Avenue
Bupa
A selection of exciting prizes up for grabs
Location: Front Lawns
CeraVe
Grab free samples from the range of CeraVe products
Location: Eastern Avenue
Coca Cola
Enjoy music and free cans of Coke
Location: in front of the Great Hall
Gillette
Free razor samples on offer
Location: in front of the Quad
Grill'd
Fun activities and special vouchers up for grabs
Location: Front Lawns
MilkLab
Enjoy free barista-made coffees
Location: Eastern Avenue
Nescafé
Sample the range of espresso coffee concentrates
Location: Botany Lawns
Top Juice
Enjoy giveaways, freebies and vouchers
Location: Eastern Avenue
V Energy
Enjoy free cans of V in a range of flavours
Location: in front of the Quad
Vaseline
Grab a range of samples from the Vaseline range
Location: Eastern Avenue
🪩 Party at Manning: Presented by Vodka Cruiser
Party at Manning is back, bigger and better than before! This year we’ve got a series of 3 themed parties to start the semester – Rodeo Roundup, Back to 2016 and Let's Get Wiggy. Send it in the group chat, it's gonna be a big three weeks.
🗓️ Wednesday 18 Feb / 24 Feb / 4 Mar
📍 Manning Bar (18+ only)
🎥 USU Movie Night
We’re kicking off the semester with an outdoor screening of a magical fan-favourite film. Bring your mates, grab a beanbag and some free popcorn, and vibe out all night!
Presented by the University of Sydney. Delivered by USU.
🗓️ Wednesday 18 February, 5pm - late
📍Front Lawns
🏰 Fantasy Movie Night
We've got an outdoor screening of a beloved animated adventure for the second night of Welcome Fest. Settle in with your friends and a free bag of popcorn for golden hour.
Presented by the University of Sydney. Delivered by USU.
🗓️ Thursday 19 February, 5pm - late
📍 Front Lawns
🤸 Pilates in the Quad: Presented by CELSIUS
Come to the Quad at 8am or 10am for a free Pilates class powered by CELSIUS. Plus, enjoy a refreshing zero-sugar energy drink – first in, best dressed!
🗓️ Thursday 19 February, 8am and 10am
📍The Quadrangle
More information
Accessibility at Welcome Fest
Quiet Hour
9am - 10am daily
Quiet Room
10am - 4pm daily
Resources Room, Level 4 Chau Chak Wing Museum
Disability Hub
Located on Eastern Ave near SRC and SUPRA collectives (opposite Taste Baguette)
Alternate accessibility route
If you wish to avoid the crowds, access Welcome Fest at Fisher Rd via City Rd
Sustainability at Welcome Fest
Green My Plate
Our friends from Green My Plate will be helping us make this Welcome Fest a low waste event. All food from the USU Food Truck will be served on reusable pink plates, which can go into the pink bins to be washed and reused, leaving a cleaner footprint and diverting single-use food packaging from landfill.
Reusable cup giveaway
First 500 members each day at the USU Coffee Cart receive a free reusable coffee cup!
Location: outside the Great Hall
Green Bins
Don't forget, there are Green bins placed across the USYD campus for food recycling
Stay tuned for the full clubs list!
Meet all of your favourite clubs at Welcome FestIf you can’t find your Club, they might not have a stall at Welcome Fest this sem.
Check out the full list of Clubs here ↗
