Brock University is gearing up to welcome thousands of new and returning students to campus with a week of music, activities, traditions and opportunities to build community.

Welcome Week 2025 begins with Move-in Weekend from Saturday, Aug. 30 to Monday, Sept. 1, when more than 2,800 residence students will settle into their new home on campus.

Throughout the week, the Surgite Support Squad will be on hand to help new Badgers navigate their first days on campus.

The team of student volunteers will assist with events such as Move-In Weekend, Academic Orientation, Brock Cares Day of Service and BadgerFest. Easily recognized by their red-and-white tie-dye bucket hats, the volunteers provide directions, answer questions and offer a friendly welcome to help new students feel at home.

The heart of Welcome Week, BadgerFest, returns from Sunday, Aug. 31 to Friday, Sept. 6, bringing live music, comedy, fairs and giveaways to campus and beyond.

Organized by the Brock University Students’ Union (BUSU), this year’s BadgerFest offers students free and discounted access to two major festivals. On Aug. 31, BUSU will provide free tickets to the SomeKinda R&B Festival at Montebello Park in St. Catharines, featuring artists such as Mariah the Scientist, Kiana Ledé, FRVRFRIDAY, Eb3n and Benita.

To close out the celebration, students can access discounted tickets to the Misty City Music Festival in Niagara Falls, with performances by Riley Green, Kaleo and The Reklaws.

Niagara Region Transit will provide round-trip bus service from campus to both festivals.

Students can also participate in Movie Night Under the Stars, Pottery Painting, a Community Fair and a night of magic and comedy at The Badger Show.

“Welcome Week is about building community,” said BUSU President Fiona Seabrook. “It’s about celebrating what it means to be a Badger and starting the year with a sense of excitement and belonging.”

While most BadgerFest events are free, some require tickets due to limited capacity.

Graduate students can also take part in a week of programming hosted by the Graduate Students’ Association (GSA).

On Tuesday, Sept. 2, newly enrolled graduate students are invited to stop by Market Eatery and the GSA Office in MCC 302 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., or while supplies last, for free swag, snacks, a chance to win a $50 gift card, and health and dental information from StudentVIP.

On Wednesday, Sept. 3, new and returning grad students can visit MCC 300 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. to spin the prize wheel for giveaways, including three grand prizes: a Keurig, a toaster and a kettle.

The GSA Tie-Dye Social follows on Thursday, Sept. 4 from 1 to 3 p.m. at Jubilee Court, where current registered graduate students can RSVP through ExperienceBU to design a free GSA-branded T-shirt.

The beginning of September also marks the start of a month of programming organized by the Hadiya’dagénhahs First Nations, Métis and Inuit Student Centre leading up to the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Tuesday, Sept. 30.

Events begin Wednesday, Sept. 3 with a Lacrosse Fundamentals workshop on Alumni Field followed by Chalk the Campus on Sept. 4, when the Brock community will write education-related Calls to Action across campus.

Every Friday in September, Hadiya’dagénhahs will host a Bead and Read workshop in TH 145, combining traditional beading with a collective reading of Patty Krawec’s new book, Bad Indians Book Club. The official launch of the book club takes place at the Marilyn I. Walker School of Fine and Performing Arts on Tuesday, Sept. 16.

More information is available through ExperienceBU and Hadiya’dagénhahs’ Instagram and Facebook pages.

To help students travel smoothly throughout Niagara, Universal Bus Pass (UPass) stickers can be picked up at outdoor tables between the Goodman School of Business and the Student-Alumni Centre from Tuesday, Sept. 2 to Friday, Sept. 12 between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. (closing at noon Sept. 12).

After Sept. 12, stickers will be available at the BUSU Front Desk on the third floor of the Student-Alumni Centre, third floor) from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Students must bring their Brock Card to collect their sticker.

Students can ride the bus throughout September without a sticker, but are encouraged to pick it up early for uninterrupted service.

Full-time students attending Brock’s Burlington Campus at the Robert Bateman Community Centre can get unlimited rides on Burlington Transit with a $30 monthly U-pass add-on available at Burlington Transit’s customer service location at the Burlington GO Station (2101 Fairview St.).