Good Times & Great Events
August 17 - 22, 2025
The Great Gator Welcome is your official kick-off to the Fall semester. From August 17 - 22, campus departments and student organizations will host events with opportunities for you to meet new people, get connected to the Gator student experience, explore campus and just have fun!
Stay up-to-date with all the events at @ufstudentengage on Instagram!
Trivia Night
August 17 | Reitz Union Grand Ballroom | 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. | Doors Open at 6
Grab some friends and join us for a fun night of trivia! Put your knowledge to the test with a mix of questions for a chance to win some prizes! Whether you're in it to win or just for the laughs, it's sure to be a great time!
Great Gator Coffee Hour
August 18 | Student Engagement Portal | 9:30 - 11:30 a.m.
Swing by the Student Engagement Portal for coffee, pastries, and a little recharge! Join us for crafts, games, and the chance to connect with campus partners. Fuel up and connect with us then!
Speed Friending
August 19 | Honors Village | 5 - 8 p.m.
Rain Location: Reitz Union
Come check out Speed Friending—a fun and easy way to meet new people! You’ll go through a few rounds of five-minute conversations to break the ice. After that, stick around to play games, hang out with your new friends, and enjoy some light refreshments!
Freshman Kickoff
August 20 | Gator Walk | 3 - 5 p.m.
Rain Location: Ben Hill Griffin Stadium
If you haven’t had a chance to check out the student orgs on campus, Freshman Kickoff is the perfect opportunity! Chat with organization leaders, learn how to get involved, and enjoy some light refreshments while you explore. Don’t forget to pick up your class shirt if you haven’t already—just in time to head over to Convocation!
Convocation
August 20 | O'Connell Center | 4:30 p.m.
Freshman Convocation is a special tradition that marks the official start of your college journey. It’s a time to come together with your class, hear from campus leaders, and celebrate the beginning of this exciting new chapter!
Class of 2029 Photo
August 20 | Ben Hill Griffin Stadium | 7 p.m.
Once Convocation wraps up, make your way to Ben Hill Griffin Stadium to take part in the Class of 2029 photo! It’s a memorable tradition you won’t want to miss as you officially kick off your time at UF.
ACCENT Show with Bryan Cranston
August 21 | O'Connell Center | Doors open at 6 p.m., Event starts at 7 p.m.
The Accent Speakers Bureau is the largest student-run speakers bureau in the nation, bringing influential figures like Ke Huy Quan, John Green, Barbara Corcoran, Tim Tebow, and now Bryan Cranston to campus for engaging talks and student-led Q&As.
GatorNights
August 22 | Reitz Union | 7 - 10 p.m.
GatorNights is the University of Florida's premier late-night event series held on Fridays at the Reitz Union, offering free entertainment like movies, live performances, crafts, games, and food to create a vibrant and safe social space for students.
