Office of Student Life

Signature Events and Operations

General Info about Signature Events and Operations

Beginning in Autumn Quarter of 2010, a portion of the Student Activity Fee was designated for supplemental funding for some of Ohio State's largest and most well-known campus events. These "Signature Events" are among those that are the most traditional and well-attended events at the university. Whenever CSA reviews the Student Activity Fee on a cycle of every three years, Signature Funding is also reviewed. In 2025, Signature Funding was expanded to include operations run by a student organization that provide free services or benefit all Columbus-based Ohio State students during at least the Autumn and Spring semesters. Most recently, an application and presentation process identified the events and operations listed below for the funding cycle of Autumn 2025 through Spring 2028.

All Signature Events must be planned by students and must attract or have the potential to attract more than 1,000 student participants. These programs enhance social and community engagement while broadening the Ohio State experience for all students.

For more information about Signature Events and Operations, please contact Candace Floyd at floyd.149@osu.edu.

Autumn Semester Events

Students enjoying an Ohio State Welcome Week event together
http://welcomeweek.osu.edu / August 24-31, 2025

Welcome Week 2025

The Office of Student Life & Ohio Union Activities Board (OUAB) - Spirit & Traditions

Join us for a week of exciting events to kick off the start of the school year! Meet fellow Buckeyes and learn all about campus resources.
SIF crowd
Oval and South Oval / August 24, 2025, 4-7 p.m.

Student Involvement Fair - Autumn 2025

The Office of Student Life & Ohio Union and Student Activities

Kick off Welcome Week with a chance to chat with organization members and start thinking about how you will be involved outside of class!
International Welcome Party
Ohio Union Ballrooms / August 26, 2025, 6-9 p.m.

International Welcome Party 2025

International Friendships

The event features games, food, music, dance and opportunities to build friendships & connect with the OSU community. Free and open to all!
Homecoming Parade
Ohio Stadium to Ohio Union / October 3, 2025, 6:00 p.m.

Homecoming Parade 2025

The Office of Student Life & Ohio Union Activities Board (OUAB) - Spirit & Traditions

Join us on campus for one of Ohio State's oldest traditions! High five Brutus, listen to TBDBITL and support our student organizations!
Students pose for a photo at a campus event
CFAES Campus Area / September 4, 2025, 4-7 p.m.

Back to School Bash 2025

Animal Science Community Alliance and CFAES

Enjoy free food truck options, live entertainment, fun activities and games while discovering how to build your Buckeye student experience.
A student shows a plate of food she has been served
Ohio Union / November 26, 2025, 12 p.m.

Thanksgiving Dinner 2025

Office of International Affairs

An annual event, Thanksgiving Dinner brings together students, faculty, staff and community members unable to return home for the holidays.
Light Up The Lake
Mirror Lake Hollow & Browning Amphitheater / November 20, 2025, 5:15 p.m.

Light up the Lake 2025

Ohio Staters, Inc.

Join us at Mirror Lake & Browning Amphitheater for our annual Light Up the Lake ceremony. Refreshments: 5:15 p.m., Ceremony starts: 6 p.m.
CANDLELIGHT 2022
Across Campus / December 14-18, 2025

Commencement Week - Autumn 2025

The Office of Student Life & Ohio Union Activities Board (OUAB) - Spirit & Traditions

Join us for a week of behind the scenes campus tours and events to say farewell to our spring graduates
HACK OHI/O 2022
Ohio Union and Online / October 25-26, 2025

HackOHI/O 2025

OHI/O

Ohio State's Annual 24-hour Hackathon
Students perform at the NPHC Yard Show
South Oval near the NPHC Plaza / August 29, 2025, 7-9 p.m.

NPHC Yard Show 2025

National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC)

The Yard Show is a showcase of Black Greek-letter organizations, where fraternities and sororities perform stepping and strolling routines.
Students navigate an inflatable obstacle course in a pool
McCorkle Aquatic Pavilion / August 25, 2025, 5-8 p.m.

Wipeout! 2025

Recreational Sports and Student Professional Development Association

Come navigate an inflatable obstacle course in the pool of the McCorkle Aquatic Pavilion or stay dry and watch fellow Buckeyes "wipeout"!
Ohio State mascot Brutus Buckeye energizes the crowd at a campus event
Various Locations; Check OUAB calendar for details / November 17-21, 2025

Buckeye Nation Week - Autumn 2025

Ohio Union Activities Board (OUAB)

Buckeyes get ready as we gear up to take on That Team Up North!

Spring Semester Events

Spring SIF
Ohio Union / Jan 21-22, 2026

Student Involvement Fair - Spring 2026

The Office of Student Life & Ohio Union and Student Activities

Smaller & more intimate fair, gives new and returning students an opportunity to meet people & explore more options for their involvement.
Students perform a dance routine at Taste of OSU
Ohio Union / February 13, 2026, 5-8:30 p.m.

Taste of OSU 2026

Office of International Affairs

Cultural performances, exhibits & food from around the world provided by more than 30 different international and ethnic clubs on campus
OTL 2022 play
WOSU Public Media / April 10-17, 2026

Off the Lake Spring Musical 2026

Off the Lake Productions

Showtimes for the 2026 production of Alice By Heart: April 10th | 7 p.m. April 11th | 7 p.m. April 12th | 2 p.m. April 17th | 7 p.m.
TEDxOSU
Fawcett Center / March 7, 2026 (Tentative)

TEDxOhioState University - Annual Event 2026

TEDxOhioStateUniversity

TEDxOhioStateUniversity’s annual conference will feature 10 remarkable speakers giving TEDxtalks on their most innovative ideas.
Kemba Live / March 29, 2026, 7:30 p.m.

Greek Week Variety Show 2026

Greek Programming Board

Variety Show is an annual talent competition featuring the sorority and fraternity community, hosted by the Greek Programming Board.
AAHF2023
Across Campus / March 26-April 4, 2026

African American Heritage Festival 2026

African American Heritage Festival Planning Committee

Details TBD
candlelight outside 2022
Across Campus / May 3-9, 2026

Commencement Week - Spring 2026

The Office of Student Life & Ohio Union Activities Board (OUAB) - Spirit & Traditions

Join us for a week of behind the scenes campus tours and events to say farewell to our spring graduates
autumn 2018
Ohio Union / March 2026

Buckeye Nation Week - Spring 2026

Ohio Union Activities Board (OUAB) - Spirit & Traditions

Buckeye Nation Week is an inclusive celebration for all Buckeyes!
Dancers perform at Buckeye Mela
JoAnn Davidson Theater, 77 S. High St., Columbus, OH 43215 / January 24, 2026

Buckeye Mela 2026

Buckeye Mela

Buckeye Mela is a premier national intercollegiate Bollywood-Fusion and Bhangra dance competition hosted annually at Ohio State.
T4C Week
Various Locations / March 29-April 5, 2026

Time For Change Week 2026

Green Buckeyes

Ohio State’s annual sustainability week mobilizing the Ohio State community in a collective effort toward sustainability.

Signature Operations

Food pantry stocked with bread and produce
Younkin Success Center / Check site for operating hours

Buckeye Food Alliance

Buckeye Food Alliance

The Buckeye Food Alliance runs a client choice food pantry in the Monda Student Resource Center open to all Ohio State students.