Kick off semester 2 with a bang!
Before Welcome Fest starts, join us for a series of free International Welcome events from 21 - 31 July. 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 3 - 4 August 2026 for two huge days stacked with heaps of freebies, over 100 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
21 - 31 July
Tuesday 21 July to Thursday 30 July
Campus Tours
Presented by the University of Sydney. Delivered by USU.
Time: Tours start at 10am or 1pm
Location: Meeting at Hermann's Lawn, Wentworth Building
Register ↗
Tuesday 28 July
Campus Race
Time: 1:00pm - 4:30pm
Location: Starting at International Student Lounge (ISL)
Register ↗
Wednesday 29 July
Welcome to Sydney Party
Time: 6:00pm - 11:00pm
Location: Manning Bar
Register ↗
Friday 31 July
Welcome to Sydney Day Trips: Taronga Zoo, The Big Bus Tour or Sea Life Sydney Aquarium
Presented by the University of Sydney. Delivered by USU.
Time: Varies based on trip
Location: Meeting at International Student Lounge (ISL)
Register ↗
Welcome Fest
USU welcome events
Tuesday 4 August
Games, crafts and friends afternoon
Time: 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Location: The Bevery, Holme Building
Register ↗
Tuesday 4 August
Movie Night
Time: 5:30pm - 8:30pm
Location: The Refectory, Holme Building
Register ↗
Free food on campus
From 9am until sold out
Free breakfast for USU Members
Location: USU Food Zone, outside the Great Hall
9am – 2pm
Free hot coffee for USU Members
Free reusable coffee cups, while stocks last!
Location: USU Coffee Cart, outside the Great Hall
From 12pm until sold out
Free lunch for USU Members
Location: USU Food Zone, outside the Great Hall
2pm – sold out
Free sweet treat for Rewards Members
Location: USU Zone, Law Lawns
From 2:30pm until sold out
Free snack for all USU Members
Location: USU Food Zone, outside the Great Hall
Rewards perks
Get the most out of Welcome Fest with USU Rewards! 💙
Join or upgrade now to receive:
👜 Tote bag filled with goodies
🍪 Free sweet treat everyday at the USU Zone
Welcome Fest is happening 3 - 4 August but the perks of Rewards keeps on giving all year round
Party at Manning: presented by South Ave
Who’s ready to start semester 2 with a bang?
Presented by South Ave, Party at Manning is back with 2️⃣ themed parties 🪅
Rally up the group chat for two huge nights ⤵️
🏆 World Cup: Wednesday 5 August
🏒 Off Campus: Wednesday 12 August
We’ve got drink specials from South Ave and Carlton Dry to keep the party going all night. Plus, the first 50 Rewards Members to come through the door will receive free dinner from Hideout 🍔
🗓️ Wed 5 and 12 August
📍 Manning Bar
🕕 6pm - late
🎫 $10 for USYD students / $15 for general public
Manning Bar is strictly an 18+ venue, PHYSICAL ID is required on entry (no photographs or printouts) – only passports or Australian driver’s licenses will be accepted. The USU practices the responsible service of alcohol and encourages the responsible consumption of alcohol. Party at Manning is presented by USU and sponsored by South Ave and Carlton Dry.
Highlights
🛒 Consent Check In!
A great university experience starts with respect, everyday.
We've partnered with the University of Sydney's Safer Communities Office to bring Consent Check In!, an interactive activation co-designed with students that gets people talking about consent, communication and boundaries through everyday scenarios.
Step inside an interactive walk-through experience that simulates a convenience store, but with a twist! Pick up free goodies, and work through real-life situations that invite you to reflect on the choices we make in our everyday interactions.
🗓️ 3 & 4 August
🕘 9am - 4pm
📍 USU Zone, Law Lawns
👕 Half price hoodies at USYD Store
To celebrate the start of the new semester, USYD Store has teamed up with our friends at the University of Sydney to bring you 50% off selected crest hoodies, crew necks and t-shirts!
Powered by the University of Sydney. Delivered by USU.
🗓️ 20 July - 9 August
📍 USYD Stores and USYD Store pop-up at Welcome Fest
More information
Accessibility at Welcome Fest
Quiet Hour
9am - 10am daily
Quiet Room
9am - 4pm daily
Chancellor's Room, Level 3, Holme Building
The Chancellor's Room can be accessed via Science Road and is located behind the Refectory.
Please read the terms of use prior to using the space.
Alternate accessibility route
If you wish to avoid the crowds, access Welcome Fest at Fisher Rd via City Rd.
For more information on accessibility across campus, click here ↗
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
Free reusable coffee cups at the USU Coffee Cart, while stocks last!
Location: USU Food Zone, outside the Great Hall
Green Bins
Don't forget, there are Green bins placed across the USYD campus for food recycling