The Fall 2024 semester kicks off Aug. 19, and Pegasus Palooza, UCF’s annual welcome week, greets students new and returning to campus with a variety of events. To make the most out of these special events, here is a list of the week’s events on the main campus and at UCF Downtown. Students will need to bring their UCF ID to participate in each event. For more information about these events, visit the UCF Mobile app, KnightConnect and by following @UCF_OSI on Instagram.
Sunday, Aug. 18:
The Knighting
Addition Financial Arena
Noon – 1 p.m.
UCF’s official welcome ceremony for all new Knights held in the Addition Financial Arena.
Class Photo
FBC Mortgage Stadium
1 – 1:30 p.m.
All new Knights will walk over to the Bounce House to take the annual Class Photo right after The Knighting on the football field. Head to student gates 6 – 9 to enter FBC Mortgage Stadium.
Opening Knight
FBC Mortgage Stadium
1 – 4 p.m.
What’s the best way to get involved? Talking to people who are. Come join us at Bounce House to see the amazing student organizations that you can join here at UCF. There will be DJs, free food and more.
Monday, Aug. 19:
Campus Locators
Dr. Phillips Academic Commons’ Seneff Plaza and Parramore Garage at UCF Downtown
8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Coming to the downtown campus for the first time? Not sure where to go? Wondering what services campus has to offer? Look for the downtown campus locator tents located in the DPAC Seneff Plaza and near the Parramore parking garage. There will be staff waiting to help you find what you are looking for and answer questions you may have.
Saving Secrets with Snap Tabling
Recreation and Wellness Center, Room 111
11 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Have you heard about Saving Secrets? Come lean the basic to discount savings and grocery shopping tips on budget. Learn about SNAP benefits and how to apply.
Well-Being Open House
Dr. Phillips Academic Commons’ East Lobby at UCF Downtown
11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Stop by the DPAC East Lobby (the side with the campus store) to meet all the downtown resources available to support your well-being.
Welcome Back Popsicle Social
Reflecting Pond
Noon – 1 p.m.
Pop on by to enjoy complimentary popsicles from Pop Parlour and meet UCF President Alexander N. Cartwright and First Lady Melinda Cartwright. Enjoy mingling with members of the leadership team and a special appearance by Knightro. The event will also include representatives from several campus organizations with resources and information on the opportunities and services they provide. In the event of inclement weather, this outdoor meet and greet will be moved inside Millican Hall.
Valencia College International Student Services Global Welcome Event
UnionWest 2nd Floor Lobby at UCF Downtown
Noon – 2:00 p.m.
Valencia College ISS is thrilled to invite all Valencia international students to this gathering. ISS is dedicated to ensuring your time at Valencia College is both enjoyable and successful.
Knight-Thon Karnival
Memory Mall
1 – 4 p.m.
Knight-Thon’s kickoff event for the new year. Held at Memory Mall, this event will allow all UCF students to attend a mini carnival with games, food, prizes, an inflatable attraction and more. Students can also learn more about Knight-Thon, their cause and how they can get involved with the organization.
Movie Knight
Memory Mall
7 p.m.
The Campus Activities Board will host a movie knight at Memory Mall for students to enjoy a showing of a popular movie with their friends.
Tuesday, Aug. 20:
Campus Locators
Dr. Phillips Academic Commons’ Seneff Plaza and Parramore Garage at UCF Downtown
8 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Coming to the downtown campus for the first time? Not sure where to go? Wondering what services campus has to offer? Look for the downtown campus locator tents located in the DPAC Seneff Plaza and near the Parramore parking garage. There will be staff waiting to help you find what you are looking for and answer questions you may have.
Speed Friending
Dr. Phillips Academic Commons, Room 107 at UCF Downtown
11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Student Engagement presents to you Speed Friending. This event is an amazing networking opportunity where UCF Downtown students can get to know one another by answering fun questions. We will also provide food, snacks, and drinks.
SNAP Coaching
UnionWest, 1st Floor at UCF Downtown
2 – 3 p.m.
SNAP stands for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. This program is federally funded and provides nutrition benefits to supplement the food budget of individuals who may not make enough money to eat healthy consistently. Learn more about SNAP at our monthly tabling event.
Meet the Advocates
Trevor Colbourn Hall
4 – 5 p.m.
Student success is our top priority here at UCF. Come to this event to meet some of the people working to ensure your academic success.
Taste of UCF
Addition Financial Arena
4 – 6 p.m.
This event will highlight cultural foods free to the student and staff population.
Lavender Knight
Addition Financial Arena
8 – 10 p.m.
Join us for an unforgettable night of glamour, talent, and celebration. This spectacular event brings together the vibrant and diverse world of drag performance, featuring a lineup of sensational local Orlando performers who will leave you mesmerized.
Wednesday, Aug. 21:
Amazing Race: Downtown Orlando
UCF Downtown Campus and downtown Orlando
All Day
Are you up for the challenge? Amazing Race: Downtown Orlando is back! You and your friends have from 2 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 21 to 2 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 28 to complete as many challenges as you can!
This is a single player activity, but you can complete challenges with your friends with the Scavify app. You must complete the challenges in your own account to be considered for one of the giveaways.
Search for Scavify in the App Store or Google Play, then create an account using your student email address. Starting at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 21, search “The Amazing Race: Downtown Orlando” and click “join.”
Enter Password: “2019”
Welcome Expo
Student Union, Pegasus Ballroom
10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
The Welcome Expo is hosted by the Knights Major Exploration and Transition Center and is the perfect place to find out what the UCF campus has to offer. Stop by the event to meet with campus offices, departments and local businesses from the area. Enjoy connecting with others while collecting many free giveaways. This event is open to all UCF students, staff and faculty.
Homecoming Reveal
Student Union, Atrium
11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Come out to find out the events and theme for UCF Homecoming 2024.
Internships: Who’s Hiring and Where Can I Find Them?
TBD
2 – 3 p.m.
Do you need experience? Find out how to obtain internships from experiential learning.
Fresh-U Market
Recreation and Wellness Center, Room 111
2 – 4 p.m.
Wellness and Health Promotion Services’ FreshU Market, located on the first floor of the wellness center, teaches healthy eating habits and making delicious treats — free of charge. Students should enter through the WHPS entrance, located next to Chick-fil-A.
Comedy Knight
Addition Financial Arena
7 p.m.
The Campus Activities Board will be hosting a comedy show in Addition Financial Arena for students to enjoy a hilarious set with their friends!
Thursday, Aug. 22:
Amazing Race: Downtown Orlando
UCF Downtown and downtown Orlando
All Day
Are you up for the challenge? Amazing Race: Downtown Orlando is back! You and your friends have from 2 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 21 to 2 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 28 to complete as many challenges as you can!
This is a single player activity, but you can complete challenges with your friends with the Scavify app. You must complete the challenges in your own account to be considered for one of the giveaways.
Search for Scavify in the App Store or Google Play, then create an account using your student email address. Starting at 2:00 pm on Wednesday, Aug. 21, search “The Amazing Race: Downtown Orlando” and click “join.”
Enter Password: “2019”
Welcome Back Fall 2024
Student Union, Atrium
11 a.m.
Join the Ginsberg Center as we welcome new and returning Knights for the Fall 2024 semester.
Taste of Downtown
Dr. Phillips Academic Commons at UCF Downtown
11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
This event entails free food from food trucks for the UCF DT community.
Student Faculty Feud
Dr. Phillips Academic Commons, Parramore Room (Room 107)
1 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Do you have what it takes to challenge your professor and win a prize! Come join the UCF Downtown faculty for some fun and games!
Reunite with your Orientation
Howard Phillips Hall, outside
5 – 8 p.m.
Reunite with some of the familiar faces from your orientation group.
Concert Knight
Addition Financial Arena
7 p.m.
The Campus Activities Board will be hosting a concert in Addition Financial Arena for students to enjoy a night filled with music from a popular artist with their friends.
Library Scavenger Hunt
John C. Hitt Library
Noon – 2 p.m.
The UCF Libraries are hosting a postcard themed scavenger hunt to get you familiar with all the areas of the John C. Hitt Library. Take a world tour and learn about the services, resources, and spaces for your academic journey. The first 150 students to complete the grand tour earn an exclusive UCF Libraries Duck and commemorative postcard.
Friday, Aug. 23:
Amazing Race: Downtown Orlando
UCF Downtown and downtown Orlando
All Day
Are you up for the challenge? Amazing Race: Downtown Orlando is back! You and your friends have from 2:00 pm, Wednesday, August 21 to 2:00 pm, Wednesday, Aug. 28 to complete as many challenges as you can!
This is a single player activity, but you can complete challenges with your friends with the Scavify app. You must complete the challenges in your own account to be considered for one of the giveaways.
Search for Scavify in the App Store or Google Play, then create an account using your student email address. Starting at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 21, search “The Amazing Race: Downtown Orlando” and click “join.”
Enter Password: “2019”
Welcome to the Majors
Addition Financial Arena
10 a.m. – 12 p.m.
The College of Business takes the main stage for its signature event, which introduces incoming business students to the culture of the college and sets them on the path to success. More than 1,200 business students are expected to attend UCF’s largest face-to-face class, where they’ll hear from college leadership, faculty and alums. They’ll also get a chance to network with student organizations and community and corporate partners, including presenting sponsor Wells Fargo. Doors open at 9:15 a.m.
Movie Night: Deadpool & Wolverine
7 p.m.
CMX Plaza Cinema Café 12, near UCF Downtown
The Downtown Student Life team is thrilled to invite you to an exclusive screening of Deadpool & Wolverine at the CMX Cinema in downtown Orlando. Drinks and snacks will be provided, while supplies last. Student must bring their UCF or Valencia College Downtown ID. RSVP for your slot here. At 5:45 p.m., students will check-In at UnionWest. At 6:15 p.m., moviegoers will leave for the cinema.
Neon Paint Rave
Memory Mall
8 – 11 p.m.
Join Late Knights for a neon paint rave.
Saturday, Aug. 24:
Amazing Race: Downtown Orlando
UCF Downtown and downtown Orlando
All Day
Are you up for the challenge? Amazing Race: Downtown Orlando is back! You and your friends have from 2:00 pm, Wednesday, Aug. 21 to 2 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 28 to complete as many challenges as you can!
This is a single player activity, but you can complete challenges with your friends with the Scavify app. You must complete the challenges in your own account to be considered for one of the giveaways.
Search for Scavify in the App Store or Google Play, then create an account using your student email address. Starting at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 21, search “The Amazing Race: Downtown Orlando” and click “join.”
Enter Password: “2019”
Day of Service
Student Union, Pegasus Ballroom
8 a.m., check-in is 7:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Volunteer UCF will host the event to give students an opportunity to get involved in their UCF and Orlando community. RSVP for this event on Knight Connect Sign up for volunteer sites will be first come, first serve. Students will complete three hours of service and learn how to get involved in more service activities for the upcoming fall and spring semesters.
