School events are an essential part of college life, and the right mix of activities can make or break a college experience. Whether it’s a movie night, charity drive, or game night with friends, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
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Top 20 college event ideas
Here are 20 fun school event ideas that will help bring students together and create lasting memories at your school:
1. Outdoor sports extravaganza
Organize an outdoor sports extravaganza with your college friends! Pick a day, and organize some fun physical activities like soccer, basketball, volleyball, and other outdoor games. Make sure to have plenty of snacks and drinks on hand for when the games are done.
2. Game night
Another great event idea for college students is a game night. Gather all your friends and pick out some fun board games.
Fun college games, such as Cards Against Humanity, Apples to Apples, and Scattergories are popular options. You can also do some laser tag if you can find somewhere to rent equipment.
Have everyone bring snacks and drinks, then get ready for a night of laughs and memories.
3. Outdoor movie marathon
Make movie marathons more fun and inclusive by hosting one in an outdoor setting. Just set up a projector, screen, and some chairs or blankets for everyone to sit on. Invite friends over and watch your favorite movies under the stars.
You can find an outdoor movie screen rental to provide a large screen so that everyone can enjoy the show. Don’t forget the sound system, snacks, and drinks!
4. Talent show
Hosting a talent show is an excellent way to bring college students together and showcase their skills. Whether it’s singing, dancing, playing an instrument, or comedy skits, there are plenty of opportunities for entertainment. All you need is a stage and some volunteers to help judge the acts.
5. Food festival
Food festivals are one of the best event ideas for college students. This type of event can bring together a variety of different cuisines, giving students the chance to sample something new and broaden their palates.
Additionally, food festivals are an ideal way for college students to socialize in an exciting atmosphere.
6. Workshops
Workshops offered on college campuses can be a great way for college students to expand their skill set. These programs might cover topics like coding, web development, photography, or art.
It can even be something very niche, like a workshop on how to make your own soap or candles. Not only will these workshops teach students something new, but they can also be a great way for them to network and meet like-minded people.
7. Scavenger hunt
If you’re looking for super fun events for college students, nothing beats a scavenger hunt. It’s easy to organize and can be tailored to any group size or location.
All you need is a list of items for each team to find, and the race is on! This event encourages teamwork, problem-solving skills, collaboration, and creativity – all while having an unforgettable time.
8. Comedy night
Host a comedy night after finals week to help your classmates wind down and have a good laugh. Invite an experienced stand-up comic, improv troupe, or even in-campus amateur comedians.
You can charge an affordable entrance fee and offer snacks and drinks. Not only will it be a fun way to celebrate the end of the semester, but it can also serve as a fundraiser for your college club or organization.
9. Karaoke time
Everybody loves karaoke, and it’s a great way for college students to let loose and have fun. Whether you organize an event at a local karaoke bar or host one in your dorm, karaoke is sure to bring plenty of laughs and good memories. Belt out your favorite tunes and make some new friends.
10. Craft fair
It’s always good to learn something new. Organize a craft fair and invite local artisans to showcase their skills.
Not only can attendees get creative, learn something new, and find unique gifts for friends and family; it could be a great opportunity to network with other professionals in the area.
11. Cultural diversity day
Cultural diversity day is one of those college social events that’s sure to be a hit. Host an event that celebrates different cultures from around the world.
Invite students to share their stories, traditional dishes, and music from their home countries. You could also have student volunteers dress up in traditional garments and teach others about their traditions and customs.
12. Fitness challenge
Everybody can benefit from being more active, and what better way to bring college students together than with a group fitness challenge?
Set the rules in advance — everyone has to complete a certain number of steps every day or exercise for a set amount of time each week. At the end of the week or month, the person with the most steps or longest workout wins a prize.
13. Open mic night
Open mic night is similar to a talent show where college students can show off their talents in front of an audience. However, the difference is that students can perform for passion, not just for prizes.
Whether it’s singing, rapping, beatboxing, or comedy skits, open mic night is an awesome way to showcase your skills and have some fun with friends. Don’t forget to rent high-quality equipment. Rent for Event provides AV equipment for a stress-free open mic night.
14. Charity fundraiser carnival
Organizing a charity fundraiser carnival is an excellent way to bring college students together for a good cause. Activities like dunk tanks, face painting booths, and food vendors will surely make the event a hit.
After collecting donations at the door or through ticket sales, you can donate the proceeds to your chosen charity.
15. Trivia night
One of the most popular college activities is having a trivia night. Gather a group of friends and compete against each other in an hour or two of questions related to topics like pop culture, history, science, and math. Make sure to include prizes for the winners.
16. Battle of the bands
For music lovers, a battle of the bands is a great way to bring together college students from all walks of life. Set up an evening where multiple student bands get together and perform for their peers.
The audience can then vote on their favorite band, creating a friendly competition that’s both fun and memorable.
17. Costume party
A costume party is best for Halloween or other holidays but can be fun anytime. Get creative with themes and have everyone dress up in costume to make the event extra special.
18. Bake sale
Organizing a bake sale is a fun and tasty way for college students to bond and socialize. Gather all the ingredients, find some helpers, and create delicious treats like cookies, cakes, pies, muffins, and brownies — the possibilities are endless.
You can even host a cooking class along with it to help others learn how to bake.
19. Theater production
Fun club events like theater production can be a great way for college students to express themselves. From performing classic plays to creating their own skits and shows, theater productions give students an opportunity to explore their creativity in a safe and supportive environment.
The best part? This kind of event is a great way for them to meet new friends and develop relationships while having fun.
20. Mural painting
Mural painting is a great way to get creative and have some fun with your college friends. Find an outdoor wall or a long stretch of fence and get together to brainstorm ideas for the mural design.
Once you have a general idea, assign everyone tasks and break off into groups to work on different parts of the mural. It’s always rewarding when you can step back at the end of the day and admire your collective masterpiece.
How to get college students to attend events [H2]
More than just organizing your event, you also need to make sure that students actually show up. Here are some tips to draw college students to your event:
Know your audience
It’s important to understand the interests of college students when planning events. Consider what topics they might be interested in, and use that knowledge to create an event that appeals to their interests.
Additionally, keep the event open-ended enough so it can accommodate a diverse group of attendees with different skills and backgrounds.
Promote your event
Promoting your event is key to getting college students interested and attending. Utilize social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok to create a buzz about the event.
Make sure you are using relevant hashtags so that more people can find out about it. Put up posters around campus with all the details of the event, and be sure to advertise in college newsletters or websites.
Invite close friends or classmates who might be interested in attending – word of mouth is always a powerful tool.
Offer interesting incentives
Freebies, like free food and drinks or a draw for prizes, can help attract college students to events. Offering discounts on student admission rates is another way to incentivize attendance.
Moreover, consider hosting events in convenient locations such as near campus or at popular establishments that college students frequent.
Unleash the fun: event ideas to keep college students engaged
There are so many opportunities to engage students. This way, they will have no excuse not to try something new and exciting.
From outdoor sports activities to movie nights and game tournaments, there’s an event idea for everyone. So unleash your inner creativity, grab a group of friends, and get ready for some serious fun.
