Events Newsletter 2025-26

This Week at Columbia: Events & Opportunities 1/20 - 1/30

January 20, 2026
Events & Opportunities text on a pink background

Dear Students,

Today is the start of Welcome Week! For the next two weeks, new and returning students are invited to launch the new semester with an exciting lineup of activities to help you build community.

University Life Events
All events listed below are in Eastern Time (ET), free, and open to all students across all schools and campuses.

  • Dessert with Strangers: Columbia Bites & Trivia Nights! (In-Person). Meet new friends, test your knowledge with food-themed trivia, and enjoy some of Upper Manhattan’s best desserts. TODAY, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Register here. 
  • Community Connections: Building Belonging for Graduate Students with Disabilities (In-Person). Join the Graduate Initiative and Columbia Health Disability Services for a welcoming space where you can connect with fellow students and learn about different lived experiences. All students welcome. Wednesday, January 21, 12:00 - 1:30 p.m. Register here. 
  • Charcuter-We (In-Person). Don’t miss this charcuterie themed event! Hang out with friends through wholesome activities, and create a mini charcuterie box for someone special. Wednesday, January 21, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Register here.
  • New Year Affirmations & Conversations (In-Person). Set the tone for the Spring semester with The Graduate Initiative and create affirmation cards, reflect on goals, and connect through guided prompts and conversation. Thursday, January 22, 4:00 - 5:00 p.m. Register here. 
  • Find a Friend: Lego Lovers (In-Person). Build community with new people through hands-on LEGO building, icebreaker activities, and shared moments of creativity. Thursday, January 22, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. Register here.
  • Paint by Numbers to the Hamilton Soundtrack (In-Person). Dive into the arts and make a new friend through painting, Hamilton quizzes, and musical theater. Friday, January 23, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. Register here.
  • New Year, New Beginnings: A Spring Semester Welcome Gathering (In-Person). Join the International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) and University Life for an afternoon of connecting, crafts, games, treats, and a musical performance from Cumbe! Friday, January 23, 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. Register here.
  • Meaningful Mementos (In-Person). Spend time exploring personal and professional aspirations while creating personalized career accessories together with friends. Connect with others, share your experiences and stories, and leave inspired by your peers. Monday, January 26, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Register here.
  • Game Night (CUIMC) (In-Person). Bring a partner or come solo, pull up a chair, and try your hand at a few easygoing card games on the CUIMC campus. Tuesday, January 27, 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Register here.
  • Warm Up with Chai & Colors (In-Person). Warm up from the January cold with a cup of chai and watercolor painting at this cozy and creative get-together designed to support relaxation. Wednesday, January 28, 5:00 - 6:30 p.m. Register Here. 
  • Reset & Reimagine: A New Year Vision Board Event (In-Person). Set the tone for 2026 by creating a vision board full of inspiration, goals, and dreams. Thursday, January 29, 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. Register here. 
  • Grad Networking: Matcha & Mingle (In-Person). Meet fellow graduate students, grow your network, and enjoy a delicious cup of matcha. Thursday, January 29, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. Register here.
  • Make One, Take One: A Tiny Gift Exchange (In-Person). Brighten someone’s day by joining The Graduate Initiative for a cozy, creative gathering where you can make small handmade items to leave as a gift for another student or take a surprise creation in return. Friday, January 30, 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. Register here. 
  • Open Write Night (In-Person). Share the words that mean the most to you in a relaxed space. Short stories, poetry, anecdotes, songs, and other reflective pieces are welcome. Friday, January 30, 5:00 - 6:30 p.m. Register here. 
     

University Life Opportunities

  • CSSI Campus Connect Featuring Religious Life (In-Person). Learn more about the many ways that Center for Student Success and Intervention (CSSI) and Religious Life  support students across the University. This event is a chance to connect with peers, meet staff members, and explore the resources and opportunities available. Thursday, January 22, 1:00 - 2:00 p.m. Register here. 
  • Yoga Class (In-Person). Take a break to relax and refresh with yoga in Earl Hall. Please bring your own mat and arrive 10 minutes early to sign in and set up. There is a 5 minute late policy; doors close at 6:35 p.m. Thursday, January 22, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. Register here. 
  • Navigating Columbia Resources Workshop (Virtual). Join CSSI’s Case Management and Student Support Team to learn how to connect with various Columbia resources. Monday, January 26, 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. Register here. 
  • Coffee, Conversations, and Spirituality (In-Person). Join Religious Life for coffee, breakfast, and exploration of big questions about life, meaning, and purpose. No beliefs required, just bring your sense of connection and curiosity. Friday, January 30, 10:00 - 11:30 a.m. Register here. 
     

More Events and Opportunities Happening Around Campus
The events below are only some of the free, University-wide events open to all students. For a full list of events, visit the University Events Calendar.

  • Free Week of Fitness (In-Person). Try something new and drop-in to any PEREC Group Fitness, Functional Fitness and Indoor Cycling class for free! TODAY, January 20 - Friday, January 25, 7:45 a.m. - 8:00 p.m. Learn more. 
  • Dine Across NYC (In-Person). Dine with fellow students across the city in small, casual dinner settings hosted by alumni in their homes, favorite restaurants, or other venues. Learn from Columbia alumni experiences, make connections, and enjoy a complimentary meal. Monday, February 2 - Friday, February 6. Times Vary. Register here. 
  • Get Started with Health Insurance (Virtual). In this 20-minute session, you will better understand the Columbia University Student Health Insurance Plan and how to make the most of it. Q&A to follow. Thursday, January 22, 3:00 - 3:30 p.m. Register here. 
  • A Look at the Current Labor Market (Virtual). Don’t miss this virtual roundtable discussion on current labor market trends featuring Columbia’s Director of the Human Capital Management graduate program, the Executive Director of SPS’s Career Design Lab, and the Chair of the Columbia Alumni Association’s Mentorship & Networking Committee. Tuesday, January 27, 12:00 - 1:00 p.m. Register here. 
  • NYPD Shield Active Shooter Incident Considerations Webinar (Virtual). Hosted by the NYPD in partnership with Columbia Public Safety, this webinar will discuss best practices for staying safe in case of an active shooter emergency. Registration is limited to 1,000 registrants, and pre-registration is required. Tuesday, January 27, 11:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Register here. 
  • Pop-Up Concerts: Trinket Ensemble (In-Person). Experience the debut of Trinket Ensemble, a vibrant new voice in the contemporary chamber music scene. Doors open at 5:30, onstage seating is first-come, first-served. Tuesday, January 27, 6:00 p.m. Learn more. 
  • The Abel Lecture on Antisemitism featuring Prof. Pamela Nadell (In-Person). Join the annual Abel Lecture on Antisemitism featuring Prof. Pamela Nadell as she discusses her book Antisemitism, an American Tradition. Tuesday, January 27, 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. Register here. 
  • Screening of The Count of Monte Cristo (In-Person). Don’t miss this free screening of Alexander Dumas’ classic work Le Comte de Monte-Cristo, courtesy of Albertine Cinémathèque. Seating is first come, first served. Thursday, January 29, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m. Register here. 
     

Campus Resources to Support You

  • Discover Desserts Around Columbia. Today’s Dessert with Strangers event is an exciting opportunity to familiarize yourself with local eateries near each of Columbia’s three campuses! Check out staples like Dear Mama, The Hungarian Pastry Shop, and Salento, and find your favorite. Learn more. 
  • Explore CSSI’s Support Services. The Center for Student Success and Intervention is here to support you throughout the spring semester, offering connections to Columbia and community resources for housing, health, mental health, food security, and more. Learn more. 
  • Hosting Guests at Your Student Group Event? Remember: Recognized student groups must submit a finalized guest list to their advising office at least two business days before your event. Groups are responsible for their guests’ conduct. Plan ahead to keep your event smooth and compliant! Review the guest policy here.
     

We’re excited to welcome you at one or more of these events, and hope you have a great start to the Spring Semester.

Wishing you all the best, 
University Life