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100 Epic College Event Ideas For Student Engagement

Are you looking to host college events that students will actually want to attend? A fun campus event attracts a crowd and engages students — and college students need activities outside of academics to truly thrive! These college event ideas listed below can also help build school spirit and camaraderie among your student body.

These college event ideas that are truly perfect for any campus size, group, organization, and age! We’ve split them up into large events, games and competitive themes, fundraisers, health and wellness events, academic events and more! Your student body will be chomping at the bit to sign up for any of these.

So, whether you want to organize a small event for a specific club or want something for entire student body participation, these event ideas are things college aged kids will love to be join in on! Let’s dive in!

Short on time? We polled our audience of college students and they ranked these as their top 10 favorite ideas:

  • Guest speakers or TedX Events
  • Anything involving free food
  • Car smash
  • Intramural sports event
  • Bingo night
  • Charity/awareness walk or run
  • Meditation or yoga session
  • Outdoor movie night with free snacks
  • Food truck fest
  • Photobooths

To organize an online event easily, use an online software to manage invitees! This can even be as simple as a Google form – you don’t need a paid service to advertise a great event.

college event ideas

100 College Event Ideas for The Best Student Body Participation

Large College Event Ideas Students Will Love

These fun activities can really add so much value to college life, both for student and the local community.

1. Host a music concert

A free music concert is something most people will enjoy! You could have a variety of music genres or stick to one type.

2. Promote a campus theatre production

Theatre productions are always a lot of fun, and students will love the chance to see one on campus. This is a great way for current students to support their fellow students even if they aren’t in the same major. It’s an excellent way to p

3. Host a themed party

Who doesn’t love a good party? Themed parties are especially fun social events – they give students something to bond over and look forward to! Be sure to advertise well in advance so everyone knows about it. You could organize one quarterly.

Be sure to use disposable dinnerware sets and decor with different colors for matching the theme!

4. Host a casino night

Casino nights are always popular, and they’re a great way to raise money for a good cause. You could partner with a local charity or organization.

5. Have a karaoke night

Karaoke nights are always a lot of fun, and they provide a great opportunity for students to show off their singing skills even if it’s a hidden talent.

6. Breakfast for dinner

College students love free food and they love brunch! You may be able to include local restaurants to participate.

7. Have outdoor movie nights

A classic movie night is always a hit with students. Be sure to choose movies that everyone will enjoy. My college campus used to do these on a big screen outside and it was amazing! The lawn was always packed.

8. Netflix Show Marathon

Host a Netflix party and play episdors of some popular shows. This is a great bonding experience for students.

9. Photo booths

Photo booths are always a lot of fun, and they’re perfect for students who love to take pictures. Be sure to have props for students to use.

10. Photo backdrops

On the topic of photos, set up various backdrops around campus that students can pose in front of and post on social media. Make it fun for them!

11. Dessert bar

A dessert bar is always a popular draw, and it’s the perfect way to finish an event. Be sure to have a variety of desserts for students to choose from.

12. Create a puzzle hunt

Puzzle hunts are always a lot of fun, and they’re perfect for a day or night out. You could either create your own puzzles or use ones that are already made. College campuses are made for events like this!

13. Picnic

A picnic is always a great way to spend a day, and it’s perfect for students who love to eat outside. Be sure to have a variety of food options for students to choose from.

14. Car smash

Car smashes are always a lot of fun, and they’re perfect for students who love to destroy things.

15. Host a pizza party

Pizza parties are always a lot of fun, and they provide a great opportunity for students to socialize and take a break from the dining hall food.

16. Board game cafe

Board game cafes are becoming increasingly popular, and students will love the chance to spend a night in playing their favorite games.

17. Organize a flash mob

A flash mob is always a lot of fun, and it’s perfect for students who love to dance. Be sure to have a choreographed routine or let students come up with their own.

18. Celebrity guests

Celebrity guests are always a popular draw, and they’re the perfect way to get students excited about an event.

19. Balloon Drop

A balloon drop is always a lot of fun, and it’s perfect for students who are looking for a little excitement.

20. Alumni Speakers

Alumni speakers are always a great way to get students excited about an event. They can provide valuable insights and advice. This may especially helpful to senior students who are about to graduate.

21. Pajama party

Pajama parties are always a lot of fun, and they’re the perfect way to spend a night in your residence hall. Be sure to have a variety of games, movies, and snacks for students to choose from while they hang out.

22. Spirit week

Ask any student and they’ll tell you spirit week is one of the best weeks of the year! Each day of the week gets a different theme. And this often leads up to homecoming in the fall but can happen any time of the year!

college event ideas

23. Ice cream sundae bar

An ice cream sundae bar is always a lot of fun, and it’s the perfect way to cool down.

24. Food truck rally

Invite local food trucks to post up in a parking lot! This is a great break from dining hall food and gives students a taste of local cuisine.

25. Comedy night

Comedy nights are always a lot of fun, and they’re perfect for students who love to laugh. Be sure to have a variety of comedians for students to choose from.

26. Graduation Party

Throw a graduation party for all of the students who will be graduating. Not many schools do this but it’s the perfect way to celebrate your new grads before they leave campus.

27. Holiday Tree Lighting

Light up your campus for the holidays with a festive tree lighting ceremony.

college event ideas

Competitions and Fun Games Students Will Be Obsessed With

Competitions and games are one way to really drive student body participation! They are hard to resist, especially if student can be in teams and their are prizes!

1. Obstacle course

An obstacle course is always a lot of fun, and it’s perfect for students who love to challenge themselves.

2. Mario Kart Party

Host a tournament-style Mario Kart competition for the best of the best to compete in on a big screen. Invite other students to watch! If this isn’t quite your style, consider other video games as well!

3. Organize a massive game of laser tag

Laser tag is always a blast, and students will love the chance to compete against each other.

4. Real Life Clue

Play a game of Clue on campus and see who can solve the mystery first…which may be a great idea to include faculty members as characters!

5. Launch a monthly trivia night

Trivia nights are always popular and they are a great way to get students engaged. You can either do this on your own or team up with another campus organization.

6. Olympic games

The Olympic games are always a lot of fun, and they’re perfect for students who love to compete.

7. Bingo

Host a bingo night and see who can win the most rounds.

8. Wheel of Fortune

Host a wheel of fortune night! Everyone loves a game show with high stakes.

9. Spelling Bee

College edition! Let each other see who can out-spell the competition.

10. Have a talent show

Talent shows are always a lot of fun, and they provide a great opportunity for students to show off their talents.

11. Gingerbread house contest

Have a gingerbread house contest to see who can make the best one.

12. Snowman building contest

See who can build the best snowman on campus.

13. Board game night

Board game nights are always popular, and they’re the perfect way to spend a night in. Be sure to have a variety of games for students to choose from.

14. Murder mystery night

Murder mystery nights are always a lot of fun, and they’re perfect for a night out. Students will love trying to solve the mystery.

15. Scavenger hunt

Scavenger hunts are always a lot of fun, and they’re perfect for a day or night out. You could either create your own hunts or use ones that are already made.

16. Giveaways

People love free stuff, and giving away small prizes is a great way to get students excited about your event.

17. Raffles

Another great way to giveaway prizes is by having a raffle. This will make students eager to buy tickets.

18. “Your School” Day

Dedicate a whole day to school pride. You can invite high school students as a way to encourage them to pursue college degrees or get a sense of what college can be like.

19. “Your State” Day

Dedicate a whole day to celebrating the state your school is located in!

20. Homecoming

Host a homecoming dance and game to celebrate your school spirit.

21. Easter egg hunt

An easter egg hunt is perfect for the spring semester once it starts to get warm out. Leave easter eggs all around campus with little prizes in them.

22. Fall Festival

If your campus has a fall festival, take advantage of it! It’ll be a lot of fun for students.

23. Thanksgiving Feast

What’s better than spending Thanksgiving with friends? Have a Thanksgiving feast on campus and let students bring their favorite dishes to share.

24. Christmas or Holiday Party

Christmas is the perfect time for a party, so why not have one on campus? Have a different organization take on each aspect of the party. One group can take themed drinks, other can each provide appetizers, a decor aspects, etc.

25. New Year’s Eve Party

Ring in the new year with a bang by throwing a party on campus! Be sure to have lots of food and drinks for students to enjoy.

Fundraiser or Charity Events To Raise Money For a Cause

University life is about fun and learning, and what better way to help that mission than with community events that give back? Engage your campus community by work towards a common goal.

college event ideas

1. Host a food drive

Food drives are always important, and they’re a great way to get students involved. You could partner with a local charity or organization.

2. Do a service project

Community service is always beneficial, and they’re perfect for college students. There are plenty of organizations that would love to have your help.

3. Walk a Thon

Walk a thon to raise money for a good cause.

4. Charity Auction

Host a charity auction and have community members from outside the college bid on artwork and creations of your students. This is an excellent way to not only show off your student body’s work but to raise money for your school, organization or a meaningful cause.

5. Car Wash

Students can wash cars to help raise money for a good cause. This is perfect for a club or smaller organization!

6. Have a bake sale

Bake sales are a classic fundraiser and they always do well. Be sure to have plenty of delicious goodies for students to choose from.

college event ideas

7. Host a charity walk/run

Charity walks and runs are always a great way to raise money for a good cause. You could partner with a local charity or organization.

8. Have a dodgeball tournament

Dodgeball tournaments are always a lot of fun. You could either have them as a standalone event or add it to another event. Use ticket sales to raise money for cause! Pit class years against each other for more entertainment!

9. Volunteer at a homeless shelter or soup kitchen

Volunteering at a homeless shelter or soup kitchen is a great way to help those in need. You could also partner with another campus organization to do this.

10. Paint a mural

Paint a mural is always a lot of fun, and it’s perfect for students who want to get creative. You could either choose a theme or let students come up with their own ideas.

Field Trip Style College Event Ideas To Take Students On

Take the fun off campus with these ideas for field-trip style events. When the school provides transportation and discounted rates, students are sure to sign up in droves.

1. Organize a trip to a sports event

Many college students love sporting events but don’t always have transportation to them. Organize a bus that takes students to a game.

2. Visit a nearby amusement park

Amusement parks are always a lot of fun, and students will love the chance to get out and have some fun.

3. Rock climbing

Rock climbing is a great way to get active and have some fun. You could either do this at a local rock climbing gym or outdoors.

4. Cooking lessons

Cooking lessons are perfect for students who love to cook. You could either partner with a local cooking organization or have your own class.

5. Ice Skating

Take a group to the ice rink for a day of skating.

6. Visit a local museum

Museums are always a great place to learn about different subjects, and students will love the chance to explore them.

7. Take them bowling

Bowling is always a fun activity, and it’s perfect for a night out. You could either go to a local bowling alley or have a bowling tournament.

8. Trampoline Park

Take a group to the trampoline park for a day of bouncing around.

9. Pumpkin patch trip

Great for the fall time, organize a trip to the pumpkin patch.

10. Apple Orchard Trip

Just like above, take students to the apple orchard for a fun fall weekend.

college event ideas

Health And Wellness College Events For Student Wellbeing

These events are the type student can’t resist participating in. You will probably need sign up sheets to manage the amount of students allowed at each event.

1. Free massages

Who doesn’t love a free massage? Give students free 10 minute massages and the line will be out the door.

2. Pet therapy

Pet therapy is a great way to reduce stress and anxiety. You could partner with a local pet therapy organization. This may help new students feel less homesick, too!

3. Paint night

Paint nights are always popular, and they’re a great way to get creative. Be sure to provide all of the supplies students will need.

4. Donate blood

Donating blood is always a good thing to do, and it’s perfect for college students who want to help out those in need.

5. Meditation class

Meditation classes are a great way to reduce stress and anxiety. You could either partner with a local meditation organization or have your own class.

6. Goat yoga

If you’re looking for a unique event idea, goat yoga is definitely it. Students will love the chance to do yoga while surrounded by adorable goats.

7. Adult Coloring Books

Adult coloring books are a great way to relax and de-stress. You could either provide coloring books and pencils or have a contest to see who can color the best picture. You can even invite students to draw their own and share!

8. Door decorating contest

Door decorating contests are perfect for students who love to be creative. You could either have a theme or let students come up with their own ideas.

college event ideas free yoga class

9. Yoga class

Yoga classes are always a great way to relax and de-stress. You could either partner with a local yoga instructor or have students teach.

10. Book club

Book clubs are always a great way to get students excited about reading, and they’re perfect for students who love to discuss books. You could either have your own book club or partner with a local organization.

11. Community garden

Community gardens are a great way to get students involved in their community, and they’re perfect for students who love to garden. You could either have your own garden or partner with local businesses.

12. Mental health night

Invite in a speaker to talk to students about mental health, healthy coping mechanisms, and resources the campus offers. Give them an incentive by offering a free resource like a live meditation or a free journal.

Academic-Inspired College Event Ideas

Most students come to college for education and the academic, right? Why not host some events that are not only fun but encourage students to show off what they are learning!

1. Host a debate tournament

Debate tournaments are always a lot of fun, and they’re perfect for students who love to argue.

2. Have a science fair

Science fairs are a throwback to elementary school. Let students get creative!

3. Host TEDx speakers

TEDx speakers are always a great way to learn about different subjects, and students will love the chance to see one on campus. Certain student organizations such as the newspaper or student council may enjoy collaborating to host the event.

college event ideas

4. Sign language classes

Teach the introductory signs and help each other communicate better.

5. Language nights

Devote a night to learning basic phrases from various languages. These can even be held as virtual events if needed, and what better way to attract speakers across the globe?!

6. Panel discussions featuring faculty members

Have a faculty member host a panel of experts in the field or host a panel of discussion featuring faculty members from each department.

Hobby-Inspired Event Ideas For College Students

Instead of full semester long classes, why not host a one off or series of hobby-inspired events that allow students to learn the basics of different skills?

1. Embroidery Class

Learn how to embroider and make personalized gifts, like hoodies or hats, for your friends.

2. Arts and Crafts Night

Set up a series of arts and crafts nights that allow students to try different crafts like pottery, making vision boards, dot art, and more!

3. Sewing Class

Teach students how to sew and repair their own clothes, for example. Teach them some basics – it’s an excellent way teach a practical skill in a fun way.

4. Pottery Class

Teach students how to learn how to work with clay and make beautiful pottery. I went to an event like this once and it was one of the best campus events I’ve ever gone to!

5. Knitting Class

Teach students how to knit and make cozy winter clothes. Start by teaching basic stitches and consider offering more advanced lessons if students like it.

Life Skills College Events

These are the skills that can’t be taught in college courses but are critical for students to know when they transition to post-grad life.

college event ideas free headshots

1. Cooking classes

Teach students how to cook easy, simple dishes that will take them through post-grad life.

2. Professional headshots

Hire a photographer and let students get professional headshots taken for free. Help your student body put their best foot forward.

3. Tax night

Teach students how to do their taxes. It’s a valuable life skill many students aren’t prepared for once they graduate!

4. Personal finance night

Teach students about personal finance and how to budget their money.

5. Grocery shopping

Many students don’t know the first thing about grocery shopping on their own. Teach them about how to navigate the grocery store, build a grocery list, compare prices, and meal plan.

college event ideas

Final Thoughts These College Event Idea That Will Inspire Participation From Your Student Body

The best way to boost student engagement is to be creative, innovative, and include student input. There are so many great event ideas that you can try out at your college campus! If you are looking for virtual events, we have a great list for those too!

University events don’t have to be boring, they don’t have to be limited to either a panel discussion or local city tours (though both can be great ideas).

Be creative! And remember, college students love free things! They also love fun things so anything that is free and fun is sure to be a hit. Good luck!

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About the Author

Nicole Booz

Nicole Booz is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of GenTwenty, GenThirty, and The Capsule Collab. She has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and is the author of The Kidult Handbook (Simon & Schuster May 2018). She currently lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and two sons. When she’s not reading or writing, she’s probably hiking, eating brunch, or planning her next great adventure.

Website: genthirty.com