Winterfest is a great opportunity for students to continue the transition to college life at UNCG and find out what it means to be a Spartan.

All events are designed to help you get acclimated to campus by learning about academic support resources, campus programs and services, and most importantly, a chance to meet friends and make new Spartan connections.

Rawkin’ Welcome Weeks is a great opportunity for students to continue the transition to college life at UNCG and find out what it means to be a Spartan.

All events are designed to help you get acclimated to campus by learning about academic support resources, campus programs and services, and most importantly, a chance to meet friends and make new Spartan connections.

2026 Schedule

January 9 – January 30

The full schedule will be shared closer to January 2026. In the meantime, you can review our 2025 schedule to get an idea of this year’s events.


2026 DAY-TO-DAY SCHEDULE

Friday, January 9

SFO Drop-ins in Forney 101 (1:00 PM – 4:00 PM)

The Student’s First Office is offering all day drop-ins during the first week of classes both in-person and virtually. Please stop by if you have any questions or need help adjusting your schedule.

Saturday, January 10

UNCG Women’s Basketball vs Mercer in Bodford Arena (2:00 PM – 6:00 PM)

Come support you UNCG women’s basketball team as they take on Mercer. UNCG students receive FREE admission

Monday, January 12

Spartan Spears (7:45 AM – 1:45 PM)

Spartan SPEARS are student leaders, faculty, and staff on campus who help students find their way on the first two days of class each semester. SPEARS are always easy to spot in their lime green and can be found walking around campus, or at a stationary location.

SFO Drop-ins in Forney 101 (9:00 AM – 4:00 PM)

The Student’s First Office is offering all day drop-ins during the first week of classes both in-person and virtually. Please stop by if you have any questions or need help adjusting your schedule.

SFO Drop-ins in Forney 101 (1:00 PM – 4:00 PM)

The Student’s First Office is offering all day drop-ins during the first week of classes both in-person and virtually. Please stop by if you have any questions or need help adjusting your schedule.

Poster Sale in the EUC Commons (9:00 AM – 6:00 PM)

Poster Invasion returns for the semester sale of posters and poster accessories.

ACE Ice Skating in TBD (9:00 AM – 6:00 PM)

ACE will take student ice skating off campus.

Tuesday, January 13

Spartan Spears (7:45 AM – 1:45 PM)

Spartan SPEARS are student leaders, faculty, and staff on campus who help students find their way on the first two days of class each semester. SPEARS are always easy to spot in their lime green and can be found walking around campus, or at a stationary location.

SFO All Day Drop-ins in Forney 101 (9:00 AM – 4:00 PM)

The Student’s First Office is offering all day drop-ins during the first week of classes both in-person and virtually. Please stop by if you have any questions or need help adjusting your schedule.

Poster Sale in the EUC Commons (9:00 AM – 6:00 PM)

Poster Invasion returns for the semester sale of posters and poster accessories.

ACE Winter Movie in TBD (TBD)

ACE will show a cozy winter movie with giveaways.

Wednesday, January 14

SFO All Day Drop-ins in Forney 101 (9:00 AM – 4:00 PM)

The Student’s First Office is offering all day drop-ins during the first week of classes both in-person and virtually. Please stop by if you have any questions or need help adjusting your schedule.

Poster Sale in the EUC Commons (9:00 AM – 6:00 PM)

Poster Invasion returns for the semester sale of posters and poster accessories.

EnVision Your Wellness in EUC Willow (10:00 AM – 2:00 PM)

Envision your wellness! Join us in creating vision boards around the eight dimensions of wellness and set intentions for this new year. We’ll have vision board and art journaling supplies, planner templates, and customizable goal trackers. Supplies including construction paper, magazines, stickers, colored pencils, and watercolor paint will be available. Also, enjoy some snacks and music!

Winter Involvement Fair in EUC Cone Ballroom (11:00 AM – 2:00 PM)

Student organizations are invited to table in order to promote involvement in their groups to their peers. Groups must register to secure a table, but all students are invited to attend.

New Year, New Me in the AAC (3:30 PM – 4:30 PM)

Ready to start the semester with intention and some good energy? Create your own vision board to map out your goals and dreams while connecting with other students who are focused on making this year count. It’s a great chance to get inspired, set a clear path forward, and build community as you kick off a fresh start.

Thursday, January 15

SFO All Day Drop-ins in Forney 101 (9:00 AM – 4:00 PM)

The Student’s First Office is offering all day drop-ins during the first week of classes both in-person and virtually. Please stop by if you have any questions or need help adjusting your schedule.

Poster Sale in the EUC Commons (9:00 AM – 6:00 PM)

Poster Invasion returns for the semester sale of posters and poster accessories.

Get Ahead of the Game: Syllabus Reviews in the AAC (1:00 PM – 4:00 PM)

Kickstart your semester with the Academic Achievement Center coaches to review your syllabi, identify questions to ask your instructors, and organize important dates in your planner or calendar.

Knots of Connection in EUC Azalea (4:00 PM – 5:00 PM)

“In this hands-on workshop, you’ll create a personalized beaded keychain something small you can carry with you that represents connection, intention, or just a moment to breathe. As you string each bead and tie each knot, you’ll have space to reflect, reset, and reconnect with yourself and those around you.
This is a relaxed, judgment-free space to meet other students, share some conversation, and take a mindful break from your day. Come solo or bring a friend no experience needed, and all materials are provided.”

Ice Skate with ACE (6:00 PM – 9:00 PM)

ACE will take students ice skating off campus!

UNCG Men’s Basketball vs The Citadel in Bodford Arena (7:00 PM – 9:00 PM)

Come support you UNCG men’s basketball team as they take on The Citadel. UNCG students receive FREE admission

Friday, January 16

SFO All Day Drop-ins in Forney 101 (9:00 AM – 4:00 PM)

The Student’s First Office is offering all day drop-ins during the first week of classes both in-person and virtually. Please stop by if you have any questions or need help adjusting your schedule.

Poster Sale in the EUC Commons (9:00 AM – 6:00 PM)

Poster Invasion returns for the semester sale of posters and poster accessories.

ACE’s Frosted Flannel Fest in EUC Cone Ballroom (6:00 PM – 9:00 PM)

Join ACE for a winter wonderland with be winter themed games, activities, crafts, and more!

Saturday, January 17

MLK Day of Service in EUC Cone Ballroom (1:00 PM – 5:00 PM)

MLK Day of Service is an annual university-wide event which takes place every January to give UNCG students an opportunity to connect to different parts of our community while honoring Dr. King’s legacy through service. MLK Day of Service 2026 registration is currently full. To be placed on the waitlist, please email Kristina Feduik at k_feduik@uncg.edu and include whether you wanted to be placed with a student group. After that, you will be contacted directly if a spot becomes available.

UNCG Men’s Basketball vs Mercer in First Horizon Coliseum (2:00 PM – 4:00 PM)

Come support you UNCG men’s basketball team as they take on Mercer. UNCG students receive FREE admission.

Tuesday, January 20

Winter Welcome Arcade in UNCG Esports Arena (10:00 AM – 2:00 PM)

Have you checked out the UNCG Esports Arena yet? The Winter Welcome Arcade is a great opportunity to do so! Complete different tasks in the Esports Arena for chances to win cool prizes! Meet other gamers, faculty members who teach classes about video games, and play games!

Hot Cocoa Bar in Jackson Library Lobby (11:00 AM – 1:00 PM)

Enjoy a free cup of hot cocoa courtesy of your friends at the UNCG University Libraries! We will provide toppings and library swag for you to take with you!

Back from Break Study Tips Virtual (2:30 PM – 3:30 PM)

Getting back into study mode after a break can feel overwhelming. Join us for a relaxed session with the Academic Achievement Center to learn simple strategies for staying focused, managing your time, and finishing the semester strong. This event is designed to help first-year students feel confident and ready for what’s ahead.

Wednesday, January 21

Culture Convos in Fountain View Dining Hall (10:00 AM – 2:00 PM)

We’re celebrating the richness of our different backgrounds for this Wellness Wednesday! Come share about your favorite things in your family’s culture like foods, music, and traditions. Grab some buttons honoring different countries and holidays from around the world, and some Spartan Well-Being giveaways.

Lunch & Learn: Crafting SMART Goals that Stick Virtual (12:00 PM – 1:00 PM)

Join us for a virtual lunch and learn meet-up! In this skill-building workshop, you’ll learn about SMART goals and practice crafting a set of goals for yourself this semester. As a group, we will chat about the importance of goal setting for students and share strategies for helping these goals stick. The workshop will conclude with a reflective “Letter to Future Self” activity. This is a great opportunity to develop your leadership skills, connect with the online learning community, and prepare for a successful semester at UNCG!


CPD Game Night! in CPD (4:30 PM – 6:00 PM)

Come spend a cozy afternoon with the Career & Professional Development team as we blend connection and creativity. Warm up with hot chocolate and rotate through fun stations like creating your own Vision Board, Career Uno, Planting Success, and Letters to Future me. This is a great opportunity to get to know the CPD staff in a welcoming, relaxed space!


MLK: Inspire a Shared Vision in EUC Alexander (5:00 PM – 6:00 PM)

Join OLCE to reflect on Dr. King’s legacy, learning about the leadership skills he used to inspire a shared vision of a hopeful future. Grow in your own visioning abilities, discuss your leadership with others, and honor the contributions made by one of history’s leaders!

Thursday, January 22

UNCG Women’s Basketball vs Chattanooga in Bodford Arena (6:00 PM – 8:00 PM)

Come support you UNCG women’s basketball team as they take on Chattanooga. UNCG students receive FREE admission.

CoWAM Welcome Back in Weatherspoon Art Museum 6:00 PM – 7:30 PM)

Join us for festive wintery crafts and button making, light snacks, and cozy games at CoWam’s spring semester kick-off event. We will discuss our upcoming semester events and how you can continue to get involved with the Weatherspoon Art Museum!

Saturday, January 24

UNCG Women’s Basketball vs ETSU in Bodford Arena (2:00 PM – 4:00 PM)

Come support you UNCG women’s basketball team as they take on ETSU. UNCG students receive FREE admission.

UNCG Men’s Basketball vs Furman in Bodford Arena (7:00 PM – 9:00 PM)

Come support you UNCG men’s basketball team as they take on Furman. UNCG students receive FREE admission.

Wednesday, January 28

Career Cafe in the CPD (3:00 PM – 5:00 PM)

“Need dedicated time to finally tackle your career to-dos?
Career Café is a casual, drop-in work session where you can make real progress on resumes, applications, cover letters, and more.
Bring your laptop, grab a drink from our coffee bar, and get to work in a relaxed, productive environment. Career Coaches will be on hand to answer quick questions, share feedback, and help you push through whatever you’re working on. No presentation—just dedicated space, support, and caffeine to get things done.
Whether you’re polishing your resume, hitting your application goals, or catching up on career tasks, Career Café gives you the perfect setting to make it happen.”

EUC Blood Drive in EUC Cone Ballroom (8:30 AM – 6:30 PM)

Join us for the first blood drive of the semester. Do your part and sign up now to donate blood. https://euc.uncg.edu/blood-drive/

Spartan Leadership Challenge: Bronze Kick Off in EUC Alexander (11:00 AM – 12:00 PM)

Interested in the Bronze Experience of the Spartan Leadership Challenge? The Bronze Kickoff is the perfect place to start! Come meet new people, learn what the Bronze Experience is all about, and discover how it can jump start your leadership journey at UNCG. No sign up needed. Just bring a friend and take the first step toward becoming a changemaker!

Thursday, January 29

The Protection Connection: Condom Bar in Fountain View Dining Hall (1:00 PM – 3:00 PM)

Grab some free condoms and meet Guilford County Public Health team members, who will be co-hosting our STI Testing event on February 11. They’ll be available to answer questions you have about testing and sexual health!


5th Annual Piney Palooza- The kickoff signature event at Piney Lake to start the academic year off!
RecFest 2025, hosted by the Department of Recreation & Wellness, is facility-wide event welcomes new and returning Spartans to the Kaplan Center for an unforgettable night of non-stop fun!
RecFest 2025, hosted by the Department of Recreation & Wellness, is facility-wide event welcomes new and returning Spartans to the Kaplan Center for an unforgettable night of non-stop fun!
1st Friday at the G kicks off UNCG's annual Rawkin' Welcome Week programming and the beginning of another academic year.
1st Friday at the G kicks off UNCG's annual Rawkin' Welcome Week programming and the beginning of another academic year.
Photos of students with chalkboards at Fall Kickoff.
1st Friday at the G kicks off UNCG's annual Rawkin' Welcome Week programming and the beginning of another academic year.
5th Annual Piney Palooza- The kickoff signature event at Piney Lake to start the academic year off!
Starting off the fall 2025 semester with Fall Kickoff
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