Get the best from Welcome Fest: Your ultimate guide
Former Matilda Elise Kellond-Knight is the keynote speaker at Welcome 2024.
1. Don't miss the Welcome Ceremony
The official opening of Welcome Fest, Student Life’s Welcome Ceremony kicks off at the Main Stage outside the Quad from 10 am on 14 February, and will feature an official Smoking Ceremony and Welcome to Country, followed by student performances and a suite of special guests, including keynote speaker Elise Kellond-Knight, Australian football player and former Matilda.
Come along early to join us for a free breakfast at the USUeats Food Caravan Cart in front of the Great Hall from 9 am – registrations essential. You’ll also be able to collect your free commemorative Ceremony t-shirt, while stocks last. Register for the 2024 Welcome Ceremony on the Welcome website.
2. Refuel with free food
Speaking of free breakfasts, there are plenty of chances for you to work your tastebuds without spending a penny at Welcome Fest, thanks to your student union, USU. Food and drink freebies are available to USU Members only. Free to join, find out how you can become a USU Member online.
- Thanks to our friends at Vittoria Coffee and MILKLAB, USU Members can enjoy free coffee at the USUeats Coffee Cart at University Place from 9 – 3 pm each day of Welcome Fest, between Wednesday 14 – Friday 16 February.
- USU Members can also grab a free breakfast from 9 am till sold out at the USUeats Food Caravan Cart at Great Hall, and a free lunch from 12 pm until sold out at the USUeats Food Truck at University Place each day of Welcome Fest.
- Grab a free soft serve at the USUeats Food Caravan at Great Hall, from 2 to 3 pm every day of Welcome Fest. Available to USU Rewards Members.
3. Groove outside the Quad
Three days of non-stop beats, good vibes, and unforgettable moments? Yes please. See what's on at the Main Stage and Club Stage below, and head to the USU Welcome Fest site to check out the full line up of music and performances.
Turn up the volume at Live Music on the Main Stage on Wednesday 14 February and watch free performances from renowned Aussie artists Mallrat from 3 pm and Baker Boy from 4 pm.
Soothing beats
Sway to the tunes of the Jazz Society as they present ‘Jazz Jam’, a collaborative ensemble from 11:30 am – 3 pm on 14 February.
Tear up the dancefloor
Catch the DJ Society behind the decks from 1–2 pm on 14 February.
Pop prisms
Love a bit of pop? UniJam has you sorted from 12:30–1:30 pm on 15 February.
Hit the right note
If Pitch Perfect was your gateway into a cappella, keep the harmony going with the Sydney University Musical Society Choir (SUMS), from 2–2:30 pm on 15 February, and BarberSoc from 1:15–2 pm on 16 February.
Away from the Quad, you can also catch free acoustic music every day of Welcome Fest from 4–6 pm at Courtyard and Hermann’s Bar.
4. Dance the night away at Party at Manning
What better way to bond with new friends or have a blast with old ones than a party? Enjoy delicious drinks, street food and live music at Party at Manning on Wednesday 14 February from 6 pm till late. Happy hour is from 6–8 pm. University of Sydney students receive discounted tickets and 10% off drinks and food, and the first 100 through the door nab a free serving of Manning Cantina.
5. Watch the big screen under the stars
Feel the breeze and maybe catch a glimpse of a shooting star, all while being whisked away to another world at the Welcome Fest Outdoor Cinema. This year’s film is Spirited Away, a fantasy anime by Hayao Miyazaki that follows the fanciful adventures of ten-year-old Chihiro. Join us for this special movie screening at Main Stage outside the Quad at 5 pm on 15 February – arrive early for free food and popcorn from the USUeats Caravan. Entry is free but registrations are essential.
6. Preview the best comedy Sydney has to offer
Exclusive to Welcome Fest, Manning Bar will host a special Sydney Comedy Festival Preview, before the main event kicks off in April. With a line-up of Australian and international stars, from seasoned pros to the hottest up-and-comers, join us for a huge night of laughter and fun on Thursday 15 February from 6 pm. Discounted tickets are available for University of Sydney students.
7. Look at the sea for new beginnings
ESSSENSSSE, a one-hour performance by evocative and multidisciplinary Sydney-based artist HOSSEI, began when the artist became fascinated by sand dollar sea creatures— their shape, features, and how in medieval times it was believed they were mermaid currency. In HOSSEI’s work, the minimal features of sand dollars become emblematic of embracing purity and vulnerability, in an aquatic ecosystem that explores the tenacity of the human spirit by revealing the essence of what is underneath. With a one-hour free performance each day of Welcome Fest, check times and register for ESSSENSSSE via the Verge Gallery website.
8. Club, society and University stalls
In between soaking up the shows, speeches and sounds of Welcome Fest (and making the most of the free food) check out the 180+ clubs and societies on display along Eastern Avenue from 14–16 February. With games to be played, freebies to be won, friends to be made, and essential information about starting university, the hundreds of stalls will keep you entertained for hours.
Seeking support during Welcome
A range of activities and services will help you feel at home at the University, whether you’re just starting with us or returning after the break. From academic advice to student wellbeing, you’ll find plenty of support hubs as you take in Welcome. Download the Sydney Uni app to find out more information and opening times of the support hubs available during Welcome.
Got a question? Don’t be afraid to ask – feel free to approach our friendly Student Life Ambassadors (SLAs) and ask about anything you can’t find or figure out. SLAs are usually identified by a t-shirt that has 'Student Life Ambassador' written on the back.
Staying safe and cool
It’s a good idea to familiarise yourself with our safety and emergency procedures before arriving on campus. And remember to practise sun safety when outdoors – wear sunscreen and protective clothing, seek shade and stay hydrated by drinking plenty of water. There are also several ‘cool zones’, 'shade zones' and ‘quiet rooms’ across the Welcome Fest site to help you stay cool. Visit the Welcome Fest webpage to locate these areas.