Throughout the year, UBC Varsity Athletics, AMS Events, The Calendar, and UBC Recreation host some awesome events that have become iconic UBC traditions.
Here are some top events—but trust us, there's plenty more. UBC is a diverse campus with something for everyone!
Welcome Back BBQ (September)
This event is part of AMS Firstweek and is an evening of great music and food—all of which you get to experience while reconnecting with old friends or making memories with new ones!
Garden Party (September)
Dig out your bowties, suspenders, garden hats, and sundresses for the UBC Calendar’s annual Garden Party at the UBC Farm. Whether it’s challenging your friends to a game of croquet or giant Jenga, posing for your next profile pic, or dancing barefoot under the stars to live music and DJs, there will be something for everyone.
Homecoming (September)
Nothing brings people together like shared experiences. So put on your white, gold, and blue, and soak in the school spirit while cheering on the Thunderbirds football team. March down Main Mall with fellow students chanting, “UBC!”—all the way to the stadium. Who says we don’t have school spirit?
Day of the LongBoat (September)
This treasured event will help you find a rhythm with your new friends as you paddle in sync during this epic water race.
Polar Bear Swim (November)
Fancy a swim in the freezing ocean? Wait—don’t answer that. Trust us, it’s better with friends! Join hundreds of students and dive into the Pacific Ocean in celebration of the last day of classes.
Winter Classic (January)
Throw on that winter jacket and enter the Thunderbird arena for a night of true Canadian spirit. Previous UBC students have made this event the highest-attended university hockey game in Canadian history! Keep that record alive and join in the festivities of this hockey night.
Courtside (February)
Join the crowds in War Memorial Gym for the biggest night of basketball this campus has to offer. Back-to-back games showcase the athleticism of our elite women's and men's teams.
Storm the Wall (March)
For nearly 4 decades, students have scaled a 12-foot wall and tested their endurance. Alone, it seems impossible—but with the support of your team, you’ll find out what you’re really made of, and you’ll be able to say with pride that you stormed the wall!
Block Party (April)
This epic night of music, friends, and dancing, hosted by the AMS, is the best way to end the school year with a bang. Let loose one last time before exams begin.
The Great Trek Festival
This year, there’s a new tradition to add to your UBC bucket list! Inspired by the Great Trek of 1922, the campus-wide run will celebrate student leadership, advocacy, and the rich history of the Musqueam people. There will be music, food, and cultural performances so get ready to join the festivities on October 26.
Taking part in these timeless traditions will help to make your UBC experience about more than just academics.
