Welcome to GW! Events are added all the time, so bookmark this page and check back often to see what events we're adding to the schedule. Be sure to follow @StudentLifeatGW on Instagram and TikTok to get connected to the GW community, and for all the latest event updates.
- Week 1 (August 17th - 23rd)
Ikea Pop Up | 8/21, 12 -5 PM | MVC Quad
Move-in made easy! 🎉 IKEA is bringing a pop-up shop right to campus so you can grab all the essentials and fun décor pieces without leaving GW. From cozy bedding and organizers to stylish touches that make your space yours, you’ll find everything you need to settle in and feel at home.
Late Night Monument Walks | 8/21, 8-10 PM | Kogan Plaza
The monuments on the national mall are one of the most visited locations in America. What is gorgeous by day, is almost equally as breathtaking by night. Explore the Lincoln Memorial, World War II Memorial and Washington Monuments at night with your fellow GW peers.
RSVP to Late Night Monument Walks!
CLRE Rev Up the Night | 8/22, Time and Location TBD!
More information to come!
Reuse Market with GW Sustainability | 8/22, 12-4pm | University Yard
The Reuse Market is the Office of Sustainability's free garage sale, held during move-in week each year. The market redistributes student donations collected during the previous semester’s Green Move-Out, and makes dormitory essentials items like lamps, rugs, fans, storage caddies, and desk organizers available at no cost to students in an open-air market setting. Join us for the 2025 edition on August 22nd at University Yard from 12-4pm.
MVC Summit Course Opening | 8/22 | Summit Ropes Course
The Office of Campus Recreation will be reopening the Summit Course on Mount Vernon Campus! The course is the only low-ropes course in DC and has 13 action based elements that challenge teams and friends to work together to complete. Students may reserve 2, 4, and 6 hour time blocks throughout the season for a low rate of $25 per student from the Summit webpage.
First Night | 8/23, 7-10pm | Kogan Plaza & University Yard
It’s time to kickoff the new year with your favorite GW tradition - First Night x Org Fair. Join us on Saturday, August 23rd for a carnival and celebration. We're welcoming new students, and welcoming back old students with inflatables, carnival booths and games, a major secret attraction, student organizations, and food! Learn more at go.gwu.edu/firstnight and follow @studentlifeatgw on Instagram and TikTok for more updates!
RSVP to First Night!
- Week 2 (August 24th - 30th)
Vool Party | 8/24, 3-5pm | MVC Pool
Cool off from the summer heat at the MVC Pool (aka the Vool)! Enjoy snow cones, pizza, and prizes as the summer comes to an end.
RSVP to the Vool Party!
Intramural Soccer League Registration | 8/25 | Lerner Health and Wellness
Come play 6v6 indoor soccer at the Lerner Health and Wellness Center! Registration opens 8/25/25 and the season starts September 7th. Playoffs begin the week of October 1st.
National Mall Kickback | 8/25, 6pm | Henry Beacon Field
Hey there new students! What better way to celebrate the first day of classes than this iconic #OnlyatGW tradition? Join us for National Mall Kickback down at the national mall for an evening of games, giveaways, and more! Intramural Soccer Registration
Free Group Fitness Classes | 8/25 - 8/31 | Lerner Health and Wellness
Campus Rec is offering FREE Group Fit Classes August 25th-31st so students can trial the offerings before purchasing an unlimited semester pass. Classes are on a first come, first serve basis!
Foggy Fest | 8/27, 5-7pm | Foggy Bottom Residence Halls
Join CLRE for celebrating a new year of living on campus with fun games and activites happening all throughout Foggy Bottom! In coordination with our new Class Year Model for the Halls, excitement is all around you!
Gilman Scholarship Info Session | 8/28, 11am-12pm | 2127 G Street
If you are a Pell-Grant Recipient, you could be eligible for the Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship awarding up to $5,000-$8,000 for study abroad along with other amazing benefits! Join us as our Gilman Advisor discusses what makes a successful application with prospective applicants. You don't want to miss out on this great opportunity!
RSVP to the Info Session!
Community Cookout | 8/28, 6-8pm | MVC Quad
Come out to the MVC Quad to get to know the Vern community while enjoying food, games, and prizes!
RSVP to Community Cookout!
- Week 3 (August 31st - September 6th)
First-Gen Welcome Social | 9/2, 5:30-7pm | Location to come!
Kick off the new academic year with the First Gen: Welcome Social! This annual gathering is open to all first-generation college students at GW and is a great opportunity to reconnect with old friends, meet new faces, and build community across class years. Whether you're returning to campus or just beginning your GW journey, come celebrate with music, snacks, and fun activities while learning about upcoming events, resources, and ways to get involved with the First-Gen community. We’re excited to welcome you home! Let’s start the year strong, together!
RSVP to First-Gen Welcome Social!
Welcome Home Dinner with MSSC | 9/3, 4-6pm | MSSC Lounge (USC 5th Floor)
We’re kicking off the year with love, laughter, and a whole lot of flavor! 🌟🍽️ Join us for the MSSC’s Welcome Home Community Dinner — an evening to connect, build community, and celebrate the start of a new year together. Whether you’re a first-year, returning student, or just looking for a space to feel seen and supported, this is your home away from home. 🏠💛 Come hungry and leave full — in every way.
RSVP to Welcome Home Dinner!
Kindling: Stoking the Flames with CISL | 9/3pm, 7-8:30pm | Potomac Square
Step into the new school year with intention, community, and warmth. Kindling is an evening gathering to spark connection, reflect on your goals, and set meaningful intentions for the year ahead.🕯️ Upon arrival, stop by the check-in tables to receive your candle and tickets for the food trucks.🌕 The evening begins with a shared moment of wisdom to inspire your journey.✨ Together, we’ll light our candles and send our hopes and intentions into the night sky.🌮🍰 Food trucks will be serving up delicious bites.🎶 Enjoy live musical performances and meet the Interfaith Student Advisory Board (ISAB).🎁 Bring your light and leave with a renewed sense of purpose, connection, and maybe even a new friend! Students must RSVP on Engage to attend!
RSVP to Kindling: Stoking the Flames!
Office of Study Abroad (OSA) Meet & Greet | 9/4, 1-3pm | USC Grand Ballroom
The study abroad process can seem intimidating but we're here to help! Join one of our OSA Meet & Greets for an opportunity to Ask Us Anything! Thinking about studying abroad but don't know where to begin? Have a question but don't know how to connect with our office? Join us for an opportunity to meet your advisor, meet our study abroad community ambassadors, and get all your questions answers to set you up for success with your next steps to study abroad!
RSVP to OSA Meet & Greet!
Ikea Night | 9/4, 5:30-9:30pm | Buses load on 21st Street, Kogan Plaza
Join us for a fun day at IKEA with free transportation on buses from campus! Enjoy exclusive discounts, exciting giveaways, and cool swag items just for attending. It's the perfect chance to shop for your dorm or apartment, connect with friends, and score some great deals. You won't want to miss out on this event!
RSVP to Ikea Night!
First Friday Dinner | 9/5, 5:30-7pm | USC 309
Join us for our first First Friday Dinner of the year. This is a signature tradition for GW’s first-generation college student community! This kickoff event is a chance to enjoy a free meal, connect with other first-gen students, and build community in a welcoming, relaxed environment. Whether you're new to campus or returning for another year, this dinner is a great way to meet peers, learn about upcoming programs, and start the semester surrounded by support.
RSVP to First Friday Dinner!
- Week 4 (September 7th-13th)
RHA Residence Hall Elections
More information to come!
Registration for Intramural Tennis Doubles League | 9/8 | Lerner Health & Wellness
Join the Office of Campus Rec for this fun single-day, Tennis Doubles Tournament! Registration opens 9/8/25 with the tournament happening September 20th.
Register for Doubles!
Vern Votes | 9/10, 10am-2pm | MVC Vex Stop
Come out to the MVC Vex Stop to get information and ask questions about voting, plus snacks and prizes!
RSVP to Vern Votes!
Internship Film Festival | 9/11, 6-7:30pm | USC Betts Theatre
The GW Internship Film Festival features student-created content as students share their summer internship experience. This allows curious students to see what “A Day in the Life” as an intern looks like or to view reflections from specific internship experiences. Come see short videos and learn about how to find to your first or next internship!
MVC Org Fair | 9/22, 4:30-6:30pm | MVC Quad
Interested in getting involved this year? Come to the Mount Vernon Campus Student Org Fair on the Quad. Meet various student organizations and enter to win raffle prizes!
RSVP to MVC Org Fair!
Career Exploration Expo | 9/12, 11am-3pm | USC Grand & Continental Ballroom
The GW Career Exploration Expo is a student-led initiative, engaging undergraduate students, graduate students, and alumni to explore possible career opportunities. In partnership with the Center for Career Services, this event will provide attendees with the chance to find potential jobs or internships and is a great way to network with employers.
- Week 5 (September 14th-20th)
NPHC and MGC Etiquette | 9/15, 7-8:30pm | USC 309
Join Fraternity and Sorority Life and learn more about the eight chapters from National Pan-Hellenic Council that we have on campus! This is an opportunity to learn more about the process of getting involved in these organizations and also ask questions that you may have about the organizations in an open format. This event is highly suggested for potential new members and anyone interested in learning more about the history of these organizations!
National Voter Registration | 9/16, 11am-2pm | USC 1st Floor
Join members of the GW Fraternity and Sorority Life community in learning who are on the local and state ballots and what they stand for along with registering first-year students to vote!
MSSC Block Party | 9/19, 4-8pm | USC 3rd Floor
Every year since 2004, The George Washington University (GW) Multicultural Student Services Center (MSSC) has hosted the MSSC Block Party, a community-wide gathering to celebrate the start of a new academic year. Please join us for information sharing, community building, music, culture, dancing, and fun. MSSC is partnering with the Division for Student Affairs and the Office of Student Life to bring more than 120 Multicultural & Ally student organizations to this annual celebration. The purpose of the Block Party is to ensure that new and returning students feel welcomed, connected, and have a strong sense of belonging to the GW community. Faculty and staff, you are also "family" here. The MSSC is both a physical and philosophical "Home Away from Home" for hundreds of students from every background and identity each year.
RSVP to Block Party!
- Week 6 (September 22nd - 30th)
Wellness Without Borders | 9/25, 12-2pm | USC 310
Studying abroad can be an exciting, transformative adventure, but it can also be very stressful and a bit anxiety-inducing at times as students navigate new social and academic environments, overcome language barriers, and are faced with new challenges and bouts of homesickness. While these experiences and feeling are normal, it’s helpful to be proactive in finding strategies to help navigate and mitigate them. We invite you to attend this collaborative event hosted by the Office for Study Abroad (OSA) and the Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) office. You will have the chance to learn about growth mindset, speak with returning students, ask for advice, discuss potential scenarios, and learn different techniques that can help you to adapt, grow, and thrive during your time abroad.
RSVP to Wellness Without Borders!
Res Fest | Date and Time TBD
More information to come!
Study Abroad Fair | 9/25, 1-4pm | Kogan Plaza
Thinking about studying abroad but don't know what we offer? Join us at our annual study abroad fair, showcasing a variety of GW-approved study abroad programs for the semester and academic year! Get an idea of where in the world study abroad can take you and explore a bit of intercultural learning right here on campus! You'll have the opportunity to chat with Office for Study Abroad staff, representatives from our provider partners and host institutions as well as exchange students who are studying abroad here at GW! Come join the fun!
RSVP to Study Abroad Fair!
