Saturday, August 22
Schedule information is tentative and subject to change. More information will be added soon.
All programs are designed specifically for new incoming students.
Sunrise Yoga
When: 7:00-8:00am
Where: Ikenberry Commons Quad (green lawn space behind SDRP)
Who: All New Students
Join Campus Recreation for Sunrise Yoga! Start your day with a relaxing yoga session designed to help you stretch, move, and reset. All experience levels are welcome!
- Social Interaction
Transfer Student Welcome Week Events
When: Thursday, August 20 - Sunday, August 23
Where: See Schedule HERE
Who: New Transfer Students
We encourage all new transfer students to attend campus-wide Welcome Week events throughout the week, while also taking advantage of these transfer-specific programs designed to help you build connections, discover resources, and feel at home at Illinois.
- Large Group
- Social Interaction
- Distance
Bus Basics
When: 10:00am-12:00pm
***Groups leaving every 20 minutes***
Where: 3 Locations (choose 1!)
1. Ikenberry Commons South Bus Stop on Gregory Drive, Champaign
2. Pennsylvania Ave Residence Halls North Side Bus Shelter Stop, Urbana
3. Illinois Street Residence Hall Bus Green & Gregory Bus Stop, Outside ISR on Green Street, Urbana
Who: All New Students
Want to learn all about the Mass Transit District (MTD) buses? Meet the Orientation Team at one of these bus stops and learn how to navigate campus and the Champaign-Urbana community! Look for an Orientation Leader in a Blue Tie-Dye t-shirt.
- Large Group
- Social Interaction
- Distance
Schedule Scouting
When: 10:00am-12:00pm
*All Schedule Scouting walking tours will be leaving at approximately 10:15am and ending by 12:00pm
Where: Foellinger Forecourt: 709 S. Mathews Ave., Urbana, IL 61801 (off the Main Quad)
Who: All New Students
Feeling anxious about finding where your classes are located? Want to discover the quickest route from one class to the next?... Then join our Orientation Team members as they help you discover where your classes will be located on campus. Bring your schedule and meet us at one of these locations. Look for an Orientation Leader in a Blue Tie-Dye t-shirt.
Who: All New Students
- Large Group
- Social Interaction
- Distance
The Basics of Research at Illinois
When: 10:00-11:30am
Where: Location Varies, Check Registration Link!
Who: All New Students
Undergraduate research is widely recognized as one of the highest-impact experiences that a student can have during their time at university, but it can be intimidating to navigate the research landscape. Join the Office of Undergraduate Research to address any concerns you may have about research, discuss how your interest are reflected in research around campus, and create a plan to get involved!
Register Here.
Social Interaction
Quest for Success
When: Check-in at one of the locations below any time between 11:00am and 2:00pm to get your Quest map!
*It will take approximately 45 minutes-1 hour to complete the Quest for Success
Where: 4 Check-In Locations (Choose 1!!!)
- South Quad Bell Tower: Off Gregory Drive , Urbana
- Freer Hall: 906 S. Goodwin St., Urbana
- Harding Band Building: 1103 S. 6th Street, Champaign
- Loomis Laboratory of Physics: 1110 W. Green St., Urbana
Who: All New Students
Be a part of the Quest for Success! You will learn about many resources on campus that are here to help you be successful. Not only will you become more familiar with campus, you will get some Illini swag along the way! Take this opportunity to learn all about our beautiful campus, gather useful resources, and meet new people along the way.
- Large Group
- Social Interaction
- Distance
LabEscape
When: 12:00-10:00pm (Register for a time!)
Where: LabEscape Mission Control, Rm 1262
Digital Computing Lab1304 W. Springfield Ave., Urbana
Who: All Students
LabEscape is the world's only science-based escape room (though absolutely no science background needed!), now with a new mission-Dark Matter Disaster! This recreation activity is great fun for family and friends, with a 98% 5-star ratings! Normally $8/student, but this week if you use code WELCOME2026, your mission will be free!
Sign-up for a time here.
- Social Interaction
Club Connections
When: 2:00pm-3:00pm
Where: Siebel Center for Design: 1208 S. Fourth Street, Champaign
Interested in learning about Registered Student Organizations at Illinois? Our Orientation Team is ready to help you get connected with organizations and plan your Quad day!
****Bring your laptop or tablet to use during the session if you have one!
**Look for the Orange & Blue "Welcome Week" flag!
Who: All New Students
- Social Interaction
Study Spots
When: 3:00pm-4:30pm
*All Study Spots walking tours will be leaving at approximately 3:15pm and ending by 4:30pm
Where: 3 Meeting Locations (choose 1!)
1. Main Library Gregory Street Entrance: 1408 W. Gregory Drive, Champaign
2.Funk Library: 1101 S. Goodwin Ave., Urbana
3.Grainger Library: 1301 W. Springfield Ave., Urbana
Who: All New Students
Already trying to scope out the best spots to study on campus? Join our Orientation Team members as they show you some of the best spots to create, work, and study on campus! Look for an Orientation Leader in a Blue Tie-Dye t-shirt.
- Large Group
- Social Interaction
- Distance
Illini Frenzy
When: 4:00pm-7:00pm
Where: Activities & Recreation Center (ARC), 201 East Peabody Drive, Champaign
Who: All New Students
All students, new and returning, are encouraged to come to the Activities and Recreation Center and experience all that Campus Recreation has to offer! Tour the ARC and see climbing wall, outdoor pool, and more! Learn about Campus Rec programs and services Departmental resource tables with free swag and giveaways Inflatables, games, and interactive demos from community partners Talk to student members and officers at the Club Sports fair
- Large Group
- Social Interaction
- Distance
Interfraternity Council Field Day
When: 4:00pm-7:00pm
Where: Washington Park, 245 E. Chalmers St
Who: All students
Interested in learning more about fraternities on campus? Come meet the chapters within the IFC community while enjoying food and various yard games.
Who: All New Students
The Illiac: Sinfonia Da Camera
When: Meet @ 6pm to take bus to Hessel Park
Where: Transit Plaza Bus Stop-890 S. Wright Street, Urbana (Right outside the Illini Union Bookstore)
Who: All New Students
Grab your friends and head to Hessel Park for The ILLIAC! Enjoy live music, food trucks, and a free outdoor festival celebrating music and the Champaign-Urbana community. Look for an Orientation Leader in a Blue Tie-Dye t-shirt at Transit Plaza to help you get on the correct bus!
*Events are happening all afternoon if you would like to check them out please check the full event schedule.
Leisurely Lawn Games
When: 6:00pm-8:00pm
Where: South Quad Bell Tower (Off Gregory St. in Urbana)
**Look for the Orange & Blue "Welcome Week" flag!
Who: All New Students
Join the Orientation Team and come play some lawn games! Test your skills in Spike Ball and Bags, or just throw around a frisbee or football and get to know other new students!
- Large Group
- Social Interaction
- Distance
Illini Vibes Bingo & Games
When: 8:30pm-10:30pm
Where: Siebel Center for Design: 1208 S. Fourth St., Champaign
Who: All New Students
Welcome to Illini Vibes — a game night where you can meet new people and have some fun to end the long week! Enjoy card games, board games, and play bingo to win some prizes!
- Large Group
- Loud Noises
- Social Interaction
- Distance
Illini Vibes Games
When: 8:00pm-10:00pm
Where: Spurlock Museum: 600 S. Gregory St., Urbana
Who: All New Students
Welcome to Illini Vibes — a game night where you can meet new people and have some fun to end the long week! Enjoy card games, board games, and win some prizes!
- Large Group
- Loud Noises
- Social Interaction
- Distance
Sensory Guide Key
- Large Group Event attendees may number in the hundreds.
Stairs Stair usage is required to access at least portions of the event.
Bright & Flashing Lights This event may include visual stimulation such as bright lights, colors, or flashing/strobe lights.- Loud Noises This event may include auditory stimulation such as extra loud sounds, music, and cheers.
- Social Interaction Event may include group activities, handshakes, and/or speaking or expression.
- Distance Getting to or participating in this event may require traveling longer physical distance (greater than 0.5 mile).
Closed Caption Available This event includes live closed captioning available on event screens.
Request for Accommodation
If you need disability related accommodations, please contact Gretchen Forman at 217-333-4057 or gforman@illinois.edu. Accommodations include but are not limited to an ASL interpreter, live captioning, and transportation. Questions can be sent to newstudent@illinois.edu.