Events

Welcome Week events take place across the entire McMaster campus. Click the Welcome Week button on the Virtual Map to learn campus and familiarize yourself with event locations.

Plan your Welcome Week using the tool below. There are over 120 events to explore.

Here are instructions on how to use the filters to customize your experience.

Welcome Week events are categorized into six main types.

  • Signature: Campus-wide events for all first-year students. These events have been created to help support your transition to university life and will help you find your community here at Mac.
  • MSU: Events hosted by the McMaster Students Union.
  • Online: Virtual events.
  • Residence: Events for students living in residence.
  • Faculty: Events hosted by Faculties or Programs.
  • Student Affairs: Events hosted by Student Affairs departments and services.

This list refers to all groups hosting Welcome Week events. For example, if you’re searching for events hosted by your specific Faculty, use this filter!

Use this filter to view Welcome Week events by day.

Found 132 item(s).

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Events

Off Campus Students: Commuter Connections

  • student affairs
Date: Aug 25 @ 8:30 AM to 9:30 AM
Location: The Hub, First Floor (The Nest)
Group: Access Program
Biking, busing, or driving to campus? You’re not alone! Commuter Connections is a chance to meet other students who commute, swap tips for navigating long days, and build your own commute survival kit to make the ride (and campus life) a little smoother. Whether you're looking for a commute buddy or just a place to connect, drop in for snacks, conversation, and some practical fun with fellow off-campus students.

Drop-In: Meet your IESE Team

  • student affairs
Date: Aug 25 @ 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Location: McMaster University Student Centre (MUSC), room B118
Group: International and Exchange Student Experience
Accessibility considerations: medium noise environment, low physical exertion, indoor event, seating available
Swing by MUSC B118 any day during Welcome Week to say hello to the IESE team! Whether you’ve got questions, need directions, or just want to connect, we’re here for you. Come grab a bite of some classic Canadian snacks and get to know the faces behind IESE—no pressure, no RSVP, just good vibes and great people. Come for the snacks, stay for the smiles!

Mac Welcome

  • student affairs
  • signature
Date: Aug 25 @ 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Location: Ron Joyce Stadium
Group: Student Success Centre
Accessibility considerations: high noise environment, medium noise environment, medium physical exertion, outdoor event, seating available
Get ready, Marauders — it all begins here. Join us for the first big event of Welcome Week 2025 at the legendary Ron Joyce Stadium! It’s your chance to truly experience the energy, excitement and unforgettable moments that make McMaster unlike anywhere else. Whether you're here to vibe with new friends, meet the faces behind McMaster or just soak in the electric atmosphere, this is where your McMaster journey officially begins. Featuring: Live DJ Big energy New connections McMaster leaders Performances Special guests, including McMaster alumni, John Ferguson ‘19 and Connor Carroll ’19 from Season 10 of The Amazing Race Canada And more! Don’t miss it — the countdown to your McMaster journey starts now.Featuring: Live DJ Big energy New connections McMaster leaders Special guests and performances And more! Don’t miss it — the countdown to your McMaster journey starts now.Featuring: Live DJ Big energy New connections McMaster leaders Special guests and performances And more!

BSSC Meet and Mingle

  • student affairs
Date: Aug 25 @ 11:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Location: Peter George Centre for Living and Learning (PGCLL), room M05
Group: Black Student Success Centre
Accessibility considerations: medium noise environment, low physical exertion, indoor event, seating available
Calling all Black students! Join us at the Black Student Success Centre for any, or all of our Meet and Mingles. Step into our welcoming space, connect with fellow students, and dive into engaging conversations centered around one of our daily themes.

Drop In: Meet Your Academic Coach

  • student affairs
Date: Aug 25 @ 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Location: Mills Memorial Library, room L215
Group: Writing and Academic Skills
Accessibility considerations: low noise environment, low physical exertion, indoor event, seating available, limited seating
Drop by the Writing and Academic Skills Hub in Mills Library 215 Monday, August 25 - Friday, August 29 11:00am - 2:00pm and ask your burning questions to an academic coach. Curious about how to create weekly class and study schedules? Want to find out more about how to stay organized and find time for everything? Or maybe you want to ask what the best ways are to study for tests in university? We've got the answers to your questions!

Create a Dreamcatcher with ISS in the Indigenous Health Learning Lodge

  • student affairs
Date: Aug 25 @ 1:00 PM to 2:30 PM
Location: L.R. Wilson Hall, Room 1811
Group: Indigenous Student Services
Accessibility considerations: indoor event, medium noise environment, low physical exertion, seating available
Hosted by Indigenous Student Services & the Indigenous Health Learning Lodge Join us for a hands-on workshop where you'll learn about the cultural significance and history of the dreamcatcher, then create your own to take home. This is a calm, creative space to connect with tradition, community, and wellness. All materials and snacks provided. Open to Indigenous students (First Nations, Métis, and Inuit).

Faculty Fest: Kinesiology

  • faculty
  • signature
Date: Aug 25 @ 1:30 PM to 5:30 PM
Location: Burke Science Building (BSB) Field
Group: Kinesiology
Accessibility considerations: medium noise environment, medium physical exertion, low physical exertion, outdoor event, limited seating
Hey First Years! Want to meet your fellow Kinions, explore campus, learn what Mac Kin has to offer, and have some fun? Come to Faculty Fest on BSB field! We’ve got campus tours every 30 minutes, Kin merch for sale, games, activities, and much more! Our amazing Big Blues will be there to answer all your questions (even the ones about stealing the moon). Don’t miss out, all you need is vibes and we can’t wait to see you there!

Faculty Fest: Arts & Science

  • faculty
  • signature
Date: Aug 25 @ 1:30 PM to 5:30 PM
Location: In front of McMaster Museum of Art (Camp ArtSci)
Group: Arts and Science
Accessibility considerations: medium noise environment, medium physical exertion, outdoor event, uneven terrain, limited seating
For your first intro to Artsci, Faculty Fest is the place to be! Come hangout with us at Camp Artsci to get to know your fellow first-years and Welcome Week Reps, and share in some good music and 90s themed crafting. We’ll also be running campus tours to show you various health and academic support services and resources across campus. We can’t wait to meet you all - and get you HYPED about everything Artsci and McMaster have to offer!