Wildcat Days is your official welcome to life at UNH! This weekend is packed with opportunities to connect with new friends, explore your new campus, and gear up for the academic year. Expect a mix of can't-miss traditions, exciting social events, and important sessions designed to help you thrive.
Important Dates
Move-in: Thursday, August 27 or Friday, August 28
Wildcat Days: Friday, August 28 - Sunday, August 30
First day of classes: Monday, August 31
Wildcat Days Schedule 2026
Below is the full Wildcat Days schedule for 2026. All mandatory events are noted with an *
Friday, August 28
Floor Meetings*
4pm – 6pm
Residence Halls
Get to know the students on your floor and learn what it means to be part of a UNH residential community. Your RA will share meeting location details.
Dinner (theme- carnival)*
4:30pm – 7pm
Holloway Commons Dining Hall
Join UNH Dining for a Carnival Themed dinner in Holloway Commons. Grab some friends, enjoy delicious food, and end your meal with some Popcorn, Cotton Candy & Ice Cream Novelties and more carnival fun!
Wildcat Bash*
7pm – 10pm
New Hampshire Memorial Union (MUB)
For over twenty years, Wildcat Bash (formally MUBFest) has welcomed our newest wildcats to campus by providing activities and events to help students get acclimated to campus, meet new people, and have fun before classes start. As part of the official welcome weekend programming for new students, this event features giveaways, programs, food, and fun!
Saturday, August 29
UNH Begins with u*
10:30am - 11:30am
Whittemore Center Arena
Discover what it means to be a Wildcat through shared values, practical advice, and building a supportive campus community.
College of Health and Human Services Welcome*
1pm – 3pm
Hamel Recreation Center
Join your CHHS Class of 2030 classmates to get to know your academic advisors and peer mentors, tour our college buildings, and learn important start of semester information. Required for all CHHS students.
Paul college welcome & FIRE team meetings*
1pm – 3pm
New Hampshire Memorial Union (MUB)
Paul College students will begin in Paul College or Hamilton Smith Hall, check email for specifics. Required for all PAUL students.
College of life sciences and agriculture Welcome
1pm – 2pm or 2pm - 3pm
Spaulding 145
The college’s academic advising team and student ambassadors will welcome COLSA students to the fall semester, offer Fall 2026 updates, and be on hand to answer questions. Students with last name A-K meet at 1-2pm and those with last name L-Z meet at 2-3pm.
college of engineering and physical sciences welcome
1pm – 3pm
Johnson Theater
Returning CEPS students and members of the CEPS Dean’s Office will welcome new students and provide guidance and tips for a successful first year at UNH. Then break out into groups to meet your advisor for the year!
College of liberal arts
1pm – 3pm
Murkland Hall 110
COLA students with academic advising questions can drop in to speak with the COLA Academic Advising Team.
class photo and cat pack kickoff*
3:15pm – 5pm
Memorial Field and Whittemore Center Arena
Head to Memorial Field for the exciting tradition of taking your class photo! Then join UNH’s administration, student senate, athletes, and Cat Pack Captains to kick off your college experience!
Resource fair*
5pm – 6:30pm
Thompson Hall Lawn
Learn about resources available to you here at UNH and enter for a chance to win prizes by visiting as many tables as you can!
find your fit*
7pm – 9pm
Hamel Recreation Center
Find Your Fit is packed with fun: bouldering wall, lawn games, Dance Dance Revolution, interactive sport games, free pizza and shaved ice while connecting with Campus Rec programs, Health & Wellness and others.
Sunday, August 30
Run in college woods
8am
Meet at the Wildcat Statue
Explore one of UNH's greatest outdoor spaces on a run through College Woods. Choose between a 5K or 10K route as we keep the pace conversational, meet fellow runners, and get familiar with the trails.
outdoor yoga
10am
Fishbowl Lawn (outside Scott Hall)
Start your UNH journey with an outdoor yoga session designed to help you relax, recharge, and connect with fellow new students. No experience is necessary; just bring yourself, a yoga mat or towel and enjoy some fresh air, gentle movement, and a great way to begin the semester.
Mindful Wildcats: Navitating College with Presence and Awareness
10am - 11:15am
Hamel Recreation Center- Thrive Office (2nd Floor)
College brings exciting opportunities, new experiences, and plenty of change. In this session, you will learn the basics of mindfulness and meditation, explore their benefits, and practice skills that can support your well-being and academic success. Discover how mindfulness can help you cope with stress, build resilience, strengthen focus, increase self-awareness, and stay grounded as you navigate your first year at UNH and beyond. Open to beginners as well as those who use it regularly as part of their self-care.
Let's Talk Academic Success
11am - 12pm
Hamilton Smith 130
This workshop will focus on the study strategies and time management tools for successful learning at UNH.
Find Your Classes Tours
11am or 2pm
Outside Hood House
Bring your course schedule and UNH Orientation Leaders will help you find the classrooms for your upcoming classes!
Fraternity and Sororotiy Life Info Sessions
11am or 1pm
MUB Theaters
Curious about joining a fraternity or sorority? Learn about the recruitment process, benefits of membership, and how to get involved in FSL at UNH.
College Woods Hike
1pm
Meet at the Wildcat Statue
Another opportunity to explore College Woods. During this hike you’ll have the opportunity to connect with some of the Outdoor Adventures student staff and find out about some of the upcoming trips this semester and other way to get involved.
Target Trip
1pm
Meet at 10 Academic Way
Need last-minute items for your room or classes? Sign up (starting 8/28) for the target trip. Seats are limited!
Paint a Tote Bag
1pm - 3pm
Hood House Room 124
Paint a tote bag with Tri-Alpha Honor Society and get to know fellow students and resources!
Library Discovery Challenge
1pm - 2pm or 2:30pm - 3:30pm
Dimond Library Room 421
Explore the library through a fun, team-based challenge designed to help you learn your way around the UNH Library. Working in teams, you'll complete a series of interactive challenges throughout the library building and website. Discover study spaces, research support, online resources, and more.
Music Department Open House
1:30pm - 3pm
Paul Creative Arts Center- Bratton Recital Hall
Come find out how you can be part of the music department on campus! Every ensemble is open to ANY student, regardless of major. You earn credits for participating in an ensemble, and you can even earn your Fine & Performing Arts credit through performing! You could also add a music minor, or take private lessons on an instrument/voice. Visit us in Bratton to hear how you can get involved, meet current students and faculty, and find your people.
Intramurals 101
2pm - 4pm
Hamel Recreation Center
Come discover Intramural Sports offerings and how to register. Drop into the HRC to learn more!
ICE Cream Social
2pm - 4pm
Hamel Recreation Center
Join us to get the scoop on what Wildcats for Recovery has to offer. Cool off, connect, and celebrate the start of the semester with a sweet treat.!
Enterperneruship Center (ECenter) Open House
3pm - 4:30pm
ECenter, 21 Madbury Road- Entrance Across from Hop & Grind
Got big ideas? Whether you dream of launching a business, leading a non-profit, joining a family business, owning a franchise, breaking into high-tech innovation, or simply making the world a better place by solving real problems—we want to meet you! Come grab a sweet treat and see what’s possible at the UNH Entrepreneurship Center!
Get Ready for College Math
3pm - 4:30pm
Kingsbury S145
Get set for success in your math class! Find your classroom, meet professors and TAs, and learn about study skills and support resources. Stop by if you’re in Math 417, 418, 420, 422, 424A, 425, 426, or 527!
Drop In Pickleball
Tennis Courts
Come to the tennis courts to play pickle ball! Equipment will be provided for those who need it!
Drop In Soccer and Flag football
5pm - 8pm
Student Rec Fields
Kick off the semester with casual pick-up games of soccer and flag football at Student Rec Field. Whether you're looking to join an intramural team, find teammates, or just play, this drop-in event is the perfect place to start.
Honors Human Bingo
6pm - 7pm
Lawn Behind Fairchild Hall
Come meet Honors classmates and new friends with a low-key Human BINGO game and win some Honors swag! Enjoy a sweet treat and hang out with members of HUSC (Honors Undergraduate Social Committee).
Bingo
7pm - 8pm
MUB- Granite State Room
Wrap up Wildcat Days with BINGO, a UNH student favorite. Prizes included!
