About Welcome to the U
Fall 2026 Welcome to the U
Welcome to the U will take place the week before the beginning of the Fall 2026 semester.
Welcome to the U is series of immersive opportunities during the first several weeks of the semester for students to explore the university its community, resources, values, and expectations through social events, community building, and leadership opportunities.
Through your active participation in Welcome to the U you will:
- Engage with the campus community;
- Connect with peers, student leaders, faculty, and staff; and
- Foster healthy habits to start the semester off strong.
Welcome to the U — Signature Events
Wednesday, September 2 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Time | Event Name | Description | Location |
| 4 - 6 p.m. | Men's Soccer vs. UMass Lowell | Cheer on the Minutemen as UMass Men's Soccer takes on UMass Lowell at Rudd Field. Enjoy an exciting NCAA Division I match, connect with fellow students, and show your UMass pride. Admission is free. | Rudd Field |
| 6 - 8 p.m. | One More Stop Before You Go | Families and supporters are invited to write a heartfelt postcard for their student—share encouragement and say goodbye before the semester begins. Raffles and refreshments included! | Student Union Ballroom |
| 7 - 9 p.m. | Banana "Split" Party | Families are invited to enjoy a sweet banana split celebration together as a special farewell treat after saying "See You Soon" to their student but before heading home. | Cape Cod Lounge |
| 8 - 10:30 p.m. | Sunset Movie: Project Hail Mary (2026) | An outdoor movie screening at sunset, providing a cozy atmosphere for students to enjoy a popular film under the evening sky. | East Pond Lawn |
Thursday, September 3 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Time | Event Name | Description | Location |
| 5 - 9 p.m. | Kickoff Carnival | A festival featuring rides, games, music, food, and activities to celebrate the start of the academic year. | Haigis Mall |
| 5 - 7 p.m. | UPlay | Kick off the semester with a night of fun and excitement! Join us for an unforgettable evening filled with games, music, and epic giveaways! | RecWell and RockWell |
| 6 - 8 p.m. | One More Stop Before You Go | Families and supporters are invited to write a heartfelt postcard for their student—share encouragement and say goodbye before the semester begins. Raffles and refreshments included! | Student Union Ballroom |
| 7 - 9 p.m. | Banana "Split" Party | Families are invited to enjoy a sweet banana split celebration together as a special farewell treat after saying "See You Soon" to their student but before heading home. | Cape Cod Lounge |
Friday, September 4 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Time | Event Name | Description | Location |
| 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. | Libapalooza | Libapalooza is a high-energy welcome event for first-year UMass students, held in the W. E. B. Du Bois Library before classes begin. It’s a fun, interactive way to explore the libraries’ spaces, resources, services, and staff. Chance to win prizes! | W.E.B. Du Bois Library |
| 11 a.m. - noon | Transfer Student Mixer | An event for transfer students to exchange apparel from their previous institutions for UMass gear, meet other transfer students, and enjoy lunch together. | Cape Cod Lounge |
| 1 - 3 p.m. | Come Home to Your College | An event encouraging students to visit their respective academic colleges, meet faculty, and learn more about their chosen fields of study. | Various Locations |
| 4 - 6 p.m. | Field Hockey vs. Boston University | Experience the excitement of UMass Field Hockey at Gladchuk Field Hockey Complex. Come support the Minutewomen, enjoy a great atmosphere, and be part of one of UMass Athletics' most successful programs. Admission is free. | Gladchuk Field Hockey Complex |
| 5:30 - 7 p.m. | UMass Pep Rally | Get ready to show your school spirit at the UMass Pep Rally! Join us for an unforgettable celebration featuring the UMass Marching Band, special appearances by the football team, the Chancellor, and our favorite mascot, Sam the Minuteman! *No Parking Available | McGuirk Alumni Stadium |
| 8 - 10 p.m. | Glow Party | Get ready for a sensory explosion featuring 100+ gallons of UV paint, foam cannons, lasers, confetti storms, and world-class DJs pumping high-energy dance music and light show that'll blow your mind. This is THE first-year party you can't miss, where you'll dance under mind-bending visuals, feel the cryo blasts, and create unforgettable memories with hundreds of new friends. | South Lawn |
Saturday, September 5 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Time | Event Name | Description | Location |
| 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. | Adventure into Amherst | Ready to explore your new home? Join us for Adventure into Amherst - your chance to discover the best of downtown Amherst! | Downtown Amherst |
| Noon - 8 p.m. | FroshFest | Come explore what the Student Union has to offer at FroshFest— games, food, movies, mini golf, arcade, crafts, and live entertainment that'll blow your mind, all while connecting with hundreds of other first-years. | Student Union |
| 8 p.m. - midnight | Late Night Breakfast & Karaoke | An evening event offering breakfast foods and karaoke, providing a fun and relaxed atmosphere for students to socialize. | Berkshire Dining Commons |
Sunday, September 6 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Time | Event Name | Description | Location |
| 1 - 2:30 p.m. | New Student Convocation | An official ceremony welcoming new students to the university, highlighting academic expectations and community values. | Mullins Center |
| 2:30 - 5 p.m. | UFest | A celebratory event marking the end of summer, featuring music, activities, and a resource fair to usher in the new academic year. | Goodell Lawn |
| 5 - 7 p.m. | Out-of -State Student Mixer | A networking event tailored for out-of-state students to meet, share experiences, and build a support community. | Student Union Ballroom |
| 7 - 11 p.m. | Mall Madness | A student trip to Hampshire Mall in Hadley, offering shopping, movies, laser tag, and skating at InterSkate 91. Buses will leave the Haigis Mall horseshoe. | Hampshire Mall |
Monday, September 7 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Time | Event Name | Description | Location |
| 11 a.m. - 1 p.m. | Welcome to the U Drag Show | An event featuring performances by drag artists. | Student Union Ballroom |
| 1 - 3 p.m. | Bounce Bonanza | An event offering inflatable games and activities and music. | Campus Pond |
| 4 - 6 p.m. | Men's Soccer vs. Princeton | Join the Minutemen at Rudd Field as UMass Men's Soccer takes on Princeton. Enjoy an exciting afternoon of Division I soccer, show your school spirit, and experience the energy of UMass Athletics. Admission is free. | Rudd Field |
Tuesday, September 8 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Time | Event Name | Description | Location |
| 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. | First Day of Class Photos | A chance for students to capture memories by taking photos on their first day of classes, with themed backdrops or props. | Student Union North Lawn |
| 4 - 7 p.m. | Club Sports Expo | Visit Tables with all 44 Club Sports Team Representatives including roster opportunities, tryouts, cost to participate, travel required, competition schedules, community service and fundraising opportunities. | Recreational Turf Fields |
Wednesday, September 9 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Time | Event Name | Description | Location |
| 6:15 - 8:30 p.m. | Wisdom of Happiness: Film Screening and conversation with Richard Gere | Join Student Affairs and Campus Life, the Fine Arts Center, and the International Campaign for Tibet for a free film screening of Wisdom of Happiness followed by a panel discussion featuring actor and UMass alumnus Richard Gere. Admission is free, but space is limited. Advance registration is strongly recommended. Register: umassarts.site/wisdom | Frederick C. Tillis Performance Hall |
Thursday, September 10 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Time | Event Name | Description | Location |
| 4 - 8 p.m. | Welcome to the U PondFire | Gather by fire pits around the Campus Pond to enjoy good company, music, and s’mores. | Campus Pond |
Friday, September 11 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Time | Event Name | Description | Location |
| 7 - 10 p.m. | Fall Concert | An epic concert exclusively for UMass undergraduates! Watch TikTok (@new2umass) for artist hints. | Mullins Center |
Saturday, September 12 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Time | Event Name | Description | Location |
| 3:30 - 6:30 p.m. | Football Home Opener vs. Sacred Heart | Be part of the excitement as UMass Football opens its home season at McGuirk Alumni Stadium. Experience the energy of game day, cheer on the Minutemen, and join fellow students and families for one of UMass's premier campus traditions. | McGuirk Alumni Stadium |
Saturday, September 19 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Time | Event Name | Description | Location |
| 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. | MassImpact 2026 | Join hundreds of UMass volunteers to give back to the community and network with critical services which keep the greater Amherst area vibrant and strong. Registration opens August 4th and space is limited! | Haigis Lawn |