68 College Event Ideas That Will Boost Student Engagement

College is a time of excitement, discovery and unforgettable experiences. Whether you're part of a student organization, campus activity board or event planning committee, dreaming up event ideas that capture students' attention is key to building campus spirit and creating memorable moments. But how do you plan events that not only draw in the crowd but leave a lasting impression?

Here, we'll explore a variety of creative and engaging college event ideas, from outdoor movie nights to talent shows, live concerts and interactive game days. We’ll also look at how incorporating dynamic technology, such as LED screens, can elevate these events, making them more immersive and exciting for both participants and spectators. 

So — are you ready to plan your next big event? Then, let’s dive into some inspiring ideas that will make your campus the place to be!

1) Live Concert or Music Festival

Bring a little excitement to campus by hosting a live concert or music festival featuring local bands, student musicians or DJs. An LED screen can create an immersive backdrop for performances, showcasing close-up footage of the artists or animated graphics. Not only does this elevate the vibe, but it also ensures everyone in the crowd has a great view of the performance.

Pro Tip: Partner with a local radio station or club for sponsorships and have their logos displayed on the screen during the event.

2) Game Day Viewing Parties

Want to bring the game-day atmosphere back to the dorms? No problem! Host a viewing party for sporting events like your favorite teams, right on campus. LED screens are perfect for these gatherings, as they can display live-streamed games, replays and even custom content - great for branding your student group, dormitory, fraternity or sorority or any other organization. Create a fun, social atmosphere with food trucks, giveaways and team merchandise.

Pro Tip: Consider hosting half-time contests and showing interactive polls or social media feeds on the screen to keep the crowd engaged.

3) Talent Shows & Competitions

Everyone loves a good talent show, and colleges are of course brimming with talented students. Use a LED screen to amplify the excitement of performances, showing close-ups of the performers, showcasing their names and giving the event a professional feel. You can also use the screen to display a live voting system so the audience can vote for their favorite acts in real-time.

Pro Tip: Incorporate themed competitions like a "Lip Sync Battle" or "Dance-Off" to keep the energy high.

4) Career Fairs with a Modern Twist

Career fairs are an essential part of college life, but they don’t have to be boring. Modernize your next career fair by utilizing LED screens to display company logos, introduce speakers or highlight available positions. You can also create a digital job board on the screen where students can easily see opportunities as they browse the fair.

Pro Tip: Use the LED screen to host live Q&A sessions or other presentations with industry leaders or alumni to add an interactive element to the job fair.

5) Club & Organization Showcases

At the beginning of each semester, many colleges host club fairs where students can learn about the different organizations on campus. Make these events more interactive and visually appealing by using an LED screen to display information about each club, showcase event schedules, or play video highlights from past activities.

Pro Tip: Incorporate QR codes on the screen that students can scan to quickly join mailing lists or follow social media pages.

6) Graduation Celebrations & Senior Send-Offs

Graduation is one of the most significant milestones for college students, and it deserves to be celebrated in a grand way. LED screens can display the names and photos of graduates as they cross the stage, making sure everyone gets their moment of recognition. For senior send-offs, create a slideshow of memories, from freshman year to senior year, to play in the background throughout the event.

Pro Tip: Consider live streaming the ceremony on a site like YouTube or Vimeo for those who can’t attend in person.

7) Campus Town Hall & Debate Series

Organize a Campus Town Hall and Debate Series where students, faculty and local government officials can come together to discuss important issues. This event allows students to ask questions, voice their concerns and engage in meaningful dialogue with political leaders or student government representatives. Invite guest speakers or local politicians to discuss key topics like education, environmental policies or social justice. The debates can involve student-led teams tackling current issues, making the event a learning experience as well as a platform for student voices.

Pro Tip: Encourage students to submit questions in advance or during the event using a social media hashtag or online form, ensuring wide participation and engagement from those who may not feel comfortable speaking in person.

8) Interactive Trivia Night

Test students' knowledge on pop culture, history or campus-specific trivia by organizing a trivia night. Use an LED screen to display questions and answers in real-time, keeping everyone engaged. You can break participants into teams and display scores on the screen after each round, building excitement and friendly competition.

Pro Tip: Offer prizes for the winning team, and use a live polling system or app that syncs with the screen to make the event interactive and tech-savvy.

9) Fundraising Events

Fundraisers don’t have to be boring – they can be fun ways to support a cause. Whether it's a charity auction, 5K race, benefit walk, dance marathon or trivia night, making the event interactive can boost excitement and participation. You can display live donation updates, highlight auction items, or ask trivia questions to keep attendees engaged. Recognizing top donors and sharing information about the cause throughout the event also helps build enthusiasm and connection.

Pro Tip: Set up a real-time leaderboard for fundraising competitions to motivate participants and keep the energy high.

10) Outdoor Movie Night

Transform a common outdoor space on campus into a cinematic experience with a large LED screen. Choose a popular movie, provide comfortable seating or allow students to bring blankets, and set up a concession stand with popcorn, drinks and snacks. You can even create themed nights, such as a horror marathon for Halloween or a classic rom-com event for Valentine's Day.

Pro Tip: Use the LED screen to show pre-event content like student organization promotions or trivia questions before the movie starts.

11) Outdoor Yoga or Fitness Classes

Health and wellness events are a fantastic way to engage students and promote a healthy lifestyle. Organize an outdoor yoga class or group fitness session where participants can follow along with an instructor. To enhance the experience, incorporate motivational quotes or music to inspire participants throughout the session.

Pro Tip: Consider turning the event into a recurring series, with each session focusing on different fitness goals. Encourage participants to share their progress and thoughts on social media using a unique event hashtag to create a sense of community.

12) Esports Tournaments

Esports are rapidly growing in popularity among college students. Host an esports tournament featuring popular games like League of Legends, Fortnite or Super Smash Bros. You’ll need a screen to display the feed of the competition — the larger the better — and to showcase the players' gameplay, leaderboards and stats. This event can attract both participants and spectators, making it a social hub on campus.

Pro Tip: Collaborate with gaming clubs or organizations on campus and use screentime to highlight sponsors or future gaming events.

13) Art Exhibitions

For colleges with strong art or design programs, LED screens can play a pivotal role in showcasing student talent. Organize an art exhibition where digital works or time-lapse videos of students creating their masterpieces are displayed on the screen. If you're hosting a show, the LED screen can serve as a dynamic backdrop, showing close-ups, sketches or visual effects that enhance the artists’ themes.

Pro Tip: Live-stream the event online for an even larger audience, and use the screen to feature interviews with the artists or designers, or display campus logos/sponsors.

14) Campus-wide Scavenger Hunt

Organize a scavenger hunt where students race across campus to find hidden items or solve puzzles. Stations can be setup in key areas as checkpoints, displaying clues, maps or real-time updates on which teams are in the lead. This event is fun, engaging and encourages students to explore different parts of campus they may not be familiar with.

Pro Tip: Encourage participants to use a simple messaging platform to receive clues and track progress as they complete each challenge. This keeps things interactive and organized without requiring complex syncing.

15) Speaker Series & Alumni Talks

Invite industry professionals, alumni or professors to host a speaker series on topics that resonate with students, such as career development or social issues. Use an LED screen to display presentation slides, key points or live questions from the audience. A screen adds a professional touch to the event and ensures that even students in the back row can fully engage with the speaker.

Pro Tip: Create a social media wall on the screen that shows real-time tweets or posts with a custom event hashtag, encouraging students to engage with the discussion online.

16) Cultural Festivals

Celebrate the diversity of your campus by organizing a cultural festival that showcases food, music, dance and traditions from various places around the world. Play cultural music videos, display live performances or host interactive storytelling sessions. It’s a great way to highlight student diversity while creating an immersive experience that everyone can enjoy.

Pro Tip: Host a “Global Night” where each country or culture gets a dedicated time slot to shine on the screen, accompanied by relevant performances or food tastings.

17) Speed Networking Event

Networking is a critical part of college life, especially for students preparing to enter the job market. Host a speed networking event where students can meet professionals from various industries. LED screens can display conversation starters, company logos, interview tips and professional advice throughout the event. This setup makes networking less intimidating and adds a structured, visually appealing format.

Pro Tip: Incorporate live polling to let students ask professionals questions that can be displayed on the LED screen, fostering interactive discussion sessions.

18) Charity Runs or Walkathons

A campus charity run or walkathon can be a big event with a positive impact. Use large event screens at the start and finish lines to make announcements, track the progress of participants, show fundraising totals or display motivational messages. These screens can also show a live feed of the event for spectators to follow along, even if they are stationed far from the action.

Pro Tip: Have a leaderboard for top runners or fundraising teams, displayed prominently on the screen, to encourage donations.

19) Student Award Ceremonies

Whether it's academic achievements, sports awards or recognition for leadership, college award ceremonies are the perfect way to celebrate student success. Try displaying award categories, nominees and winners in real time, to make the ceremony feel polished and professional. You can also showcase student testimonials or video clips of their achievements.

Pro Tip: Create a highlight reel of campus events and student life moments to play on the screen while guests are arriving, adding to the sense of community pride.

20) Photo Booths

Photo booths are always a hit at campus events. Set up a photo booth with a twist — use an LED screen to create dynamic digital backdrops, allowing students to take pictures as if they were anywhere in the world. Whether it's posing in front of iconic landmarks, fun seasonal backgrounds or interactive graphics, this activity guarantees social media-worthy moments.

Pro Tip: Provide instant social sharing options so students can post their photos on their profiles with your event’s custom hashtag.

21) Holiday-Themed Events

Seasonal events are always popular on college campuses. Whether it's a Halloween costume contest, a winter holiday celebration, a Valentine's Day mixer, Cinco de Mayo or  an LED screen can enhance the experience. Use it to display themed decorations, announce winners for costume or ugly sweater contests, or show festive music videos in the background.

Pro Tip: Host a countdown on the LED screen for events like New Year's or Halloween to add excitement and anticipation

22) Escape Room

Escape rooms are a great way to challenge students' problem-solving skills while offering a fun team-building experience. Host a themed escape room in a large area on campus, and use LED screens to display clues, timers and progress updates. The screens can even offer additional layers of puzzles, like displaying hidden messages or providing video clues from "mystery characters."

Pro Tip: Tie the escape room theme to current campus events or causes, like sustainability, history or popular culture, to make it even more relevant to students.

23) Karaoke Night

Take karaoke night to the next level by integrating a live voting system with an LED screen. Students can perform their favorite songs, while the audience votes for their favorite singers. The screen can display the lyrics, show the voting results in real time and add dynamic visuals for an enhanced concert-like atmosphere.

Pro Tip: Offer themed karaoke nights, such as '90s throwbacks or Broadway show tunes, to attract different crowds and keep the event fresh.

24) DIY Craft Night

Host a do-it-yourself craft night where students can create their own art, decorations or custom apparel. Whether around the holidays, orientation or homecoming, you can help keep campus looking good while fostering a sense of school pride. 

Pro Tip: Incorporate giveaways or contests where the best DIY creation wins a prize, with submissions shown on the LED screen for everyone to admire.

25) Greek Olympics

Host a Greek Olympics event where sororities and fraternities compete in a variety of fun, light-hearted challenges to foster friendly competition and build camaraderie. Events can include classic relay races, tug-of-war, obstacle courses, trivia contests, campus scavenger hunts or other spirited games. This event offers a chance for each chapter to show off their team spirit and work together to win bragging rights or prizes. Make it a full-day event with food, music and plenty of photo opportunities.

Pro Tip: Create custom team uniforms or gear for each sorority/fraternity to wear during the competition, and offer a prize for the most creatively dressed team. Adding themed challenges that represent each organization’s values or history can also deepen the connection and fun.

26) Student Film Festival

Host a student film festival where aspiring filmmakers can showcase their work to everyone. A screen is obviously essential for this event, allowing you to broadcast short films or documentaries for large audiences. You can also create a cinematic environment with digital posters, film schedules and live interviews with the filmmakers displayed on the screen.

Pro Tip: Include an audience-choice award where students can vote for their favorite film, with live voting results projected on the screen during the awards ceremony.

27) College Carnival or Festival

Turn your campus into a fun carnival or festival for a day! Add to the carnival atmosphere by displaying schedules for performances, games or food vendor locations. You can also use screens for live updates, event maps or even display carnival-themed animations and videos to keep the energy up throughout the day.

Pro Tip: Offer raffles, games and prize announcements via a display to keep students excited and involved.

28) Open Mic Night

Give students a chance to shine by hosting an Open Mic Night, where they can showcase their poetry, spoken word, comedy or musical talents. This event fosters a creative and supportive environment, making it an intimate and exciting space for performers and the audience alike. It’s a great way to build community, celebrate student creativity, and offer everyone a moment in the spotlight.

Pro Tip: Create a feedback wall where audience members can write short notes of encouragement or praise for the performers. Display these after each act to boost interaction and build a positive, supportive atmosphere.

29) Campus Brew & BBQ Fest

Host a Campus Brew & BBQ Fest, where students can enjoy a day filled with craft beverages and delicious BBQ. For schools that allow alcohol, feature local breweries offering tastings of their craft beers, ciders or non-alcoholic options like craft sodas and kombucha for inclusivity. Pair the drinks with BBQ or other favorite fare from local vendors or food trucks. Set up live music, lawn games like cornhole and bocce ball, and casual seating areas to create a relaxed, festival-like atmosphere.

Pro Tip: Offer a "tasting passport" that allows students to sample different brews, and vote for their favorite. At the end of the event, announce the top drink and food vendor, creating a fun, competitive edge.

30) Debate Competitions

Debate competitions encourage students to engage in meaningful dialogue on important topics. Use LED screens to display splitscreens of the candidates, show debate questions, highlight key arguments or show time limits. The screen can also be used to track scores or offer audience polls on who they think is winning each round.

Pro Tip: Include a post-debate Q&A session, with audience questions displayed on the screen for a more interactive experience.

31) Campus Comic-Con

Bring the excitement of pop culture to your campus by hosting a Campus Comic-Con. This event can celebrate everything from comic books and anime to movies, TV shows and video games. Offer a mix of activities such as cosplay contests, fan art exhibitions, panel discussions, trivia contests and gaming tournaments. Set up vendor booths where students can buy comics and collectibles. You could also feature film screenings, workshops on costume-making or digital art, and photo booths with themed backdrops for fans to capture their cosplay.

Pro Tip: Host a cosplay parade where students can show off their costumes, with prizes for categories like Best Costume, Most Creative, and Best Group Cosplay. Encourage attendees to share their cosplay photos on social media using a custom event hashtag to generate buzz around the event.

32) Photo Scavenger Hunt

A photo scavenger hunt is a great way to get students moving and exploring campus. Give participants a list of items or locations to find and photograph. LED screens can be used to display hints or photos submitted by participants in real-time. You can even create a live leaderboard on the screen, showing which teams are in the lead.

Pro Tip: Allow students to share their photos on social media using a unique hashtag, with select posts featured on the LED screen during the event.

33) Comedy Night

Comedic events are always a big hit with college students. Add some visual flair to your standup or improve performances with a screen that displays performer names, key jokes or scene suggestions from the audience. You can also create dynamic backgrounds that change with each act to match the skits or jokes being performed.

Pro Tip: Include a live voting system for the funniest act, with results displayed in real-time on the screen.

34) Food Truck Festival

Bring some culinary excitement to your campus by organizing a food truck festival. LED screens can display menus, food truck locations, and festival schedules. You can also show video interviews with the chefs or behind-the-scenes footage of food preparation. This event is not only about the food but also the atmosphere, which can be enhanced with live music or cultural performances shown on the screen.

Pro Tip: Give students a booklet where they can receive stamps from each truck they visit. Offer prizes to those who visit a certain number of trucks to encourage them to explore all the options.

35) Virtual Reality (VR) Experience

VR is a growing trend in gaming and entertainment, and hosting such an event can draw in tech-curious students. Set up a few VR stations where students can participate in various virtual experiences, from exploring space to competing in virtual sports. Set up VR stations with headsets (e.g., Oculus, HTC Vive, Vision Pro), offering experiences like space exploration or virtual sports. For spectators, use screens to stream what players see in the headset.

Pro Tip: Incorporate a competition where students can try to achieve high scores or beat challenges, with live leaderboards displayed on the screen.

36) Environmental Awareness Week

To pique the interest of the environmentally conscious, organize an "Environmental Awareness Week" with activities such as clean-ups, eco-workshops and film screenings about sustainability. Displays can show educational content, important environmental statistics or live updates on campus sustainability initiatives. These screens can also show how students can get involved with local green organizations or volunteer efforts.

Pro Tip: End the week with a sustainability fair where students can visit booths and learn about eco-friendly products and practices, and have local, sustainable businesses sponsor the event.

37) Video Game Tournament

For students who love video games, but may not be all that competitive, host a gaming get-together featuring popular options like Mario Kart, League of Legends, Minecraft, Rocket League, FIFA or whatever you want. With an LED display, you can broadcast the action on a grander scale, showing gameplay footage, score updates and brackets. This event is not only for players but also spectators who want to watch the competition unfold.

Pro Tip: Offer fun prizes for participation or best performances to keep the atmosphere light and inclusive.

38) Haunted House with LED Effects

For a Halloween event, turn part of the campus into a haunted house experience. With the help of technology, you can display spooky visuals, eerie animations or even ghostly videos that add to the atmosphere. You can also use the screens to create jump scares or project creepy messages that enhance the haunted house vibe.

Pro Tip: Use the LED screens to display reactions from those who dare to enter.

39) Battle of the Bands

Host a campus-wide Battle of the Bands competition, where student bands get to showcase their musical talents. LED screens are essential here for displaying band names, song titles and live footage of the performances. You can also show audience reactions or live voting results to make the event more interactive.

Pro Tip: Create a virtual voting system where students can vote for their favorite bands via an app, and show the votes in real time on the screen.

40) Photography Competition

Host a competition that showcases the work of student photographers or a professional guest artist. An LED screen can serve as a rotating digital gallery, displaying high-resolution images throughout the event or as a semi-permanent installation around common areas. It’s an innovative way to showcase student art, and you can also include photo captions, artist biographies and background music to create a full exhibition experience.

Pro Tip: Announce a winner at the end of the event and offer a small prize, such as a feature in the campus newspaper or social media.

41) Murder Mystery Event

A campus-wide murder mystery event is an interesting way to engage students. Set the scene with haunting visuals, offer mystery clues and reveal plot twists as the story unfolds. Whether it’s a classic whodunit or a themed mystery (like a 1920s speakeasy), this is sure to be a hit with those who enjoy solving interactive puzzles.

Pro Tip: Get in touch with the theater department and feature student actors as the main characters. 

42) Campus Book Fair or Author Talk

Host an event to engage reading enthusiasts and celebrate literature. Set up a fair with booths featuring local bookstores, student authors and literary clubs showcasing their favorite reads. Invite a guest author, whether local or renowned, to give a talk or reading from their latest book, followed by a Q&A session where students can engage directly with the author. Include book signings, themed discussions and cozy reading corners where students can relax and explore new titles.

Pro Tip: Organize a book exchange table where students can bring gently used books and swap them for new ones. This creates an affordable way for students to expand their personal libraries while fostering a sense of community.

43) Campus Speed Dating

Host a Campus Speed Dating event to give students a fun, low-pressure way to meet new people and potentially spark a connection. Set up multiple tables where pairs of students can chat for a few minutes before rotating to the next person. You can offer icebreaker questions to help get conversations started and keep the atmosphere lighthearted. Keep track of rotations on the right type of LED display. Allow students to submit anonymous “matches,” and if both participants select each other, they can be notified after the event for a follow-up.

Pro Tip: Add a themed twist to the event, like “Coffee & Chat” where participants enjoy a casual coffee while they mingle. This makes the event feel more personalized and relaxed for everyone involved.

44) Pet Therapy Day

Host a "Pet Therapy Day" where therapy animals are brought to campus to help students de-stress, especially during exam periods. With the aid of display screens, show fun facts about the animals, calming music videos or even a live feed of students interacting with the pets. This event is simple yet effective, providing students with a calming break from their busy schedules and even gives them a taste of home.

Pro Tip: Have a live photo booth where students can take pictures with the therapy animals.

45) Student Fashion Show

Put on a student-run fashion show featuring designs created by students. LED screens can display the names of the designers, close-up footage of the outfits or themed visuals to enhance the runway experience. Whether it's showcasing eco-friendly fashion, streetwear or the latest trends, the screen adds professionalism and glamor to the event.

Pro Tip: Use the screen to feature interviews with the designers or model spotlights, giving the audience more insight into the creative process.

46) Outdoor Ice Skating Rink Event

During the winter season, set up an outdoor ice-skating rink on campus. LED screens can display festive winter visuals, music videos or even live-stream the skating action. The screens can also feature fun competitions like “Best Skate Moves” or “Fastest Lap,” with results announced live for participants and spectators alike.

Pro Tip: Add a hot cocoa station nearby to keep the skaters warm and comfortable.

47) Digital Art and Animation Festival

For students passionate about digital media, an art and animation festival can be a great way to showcase campus talent. Use LED screens to display student-created digital art, short films and animations. This event allows the entire campus to appreciate the creativity of digital artists, while the screens provide a perfect medium for high-quality visual content.

Pro Tip: Feature a live digital art creation session where students can watch an artist create on-screen in real time, with their work projected for everyone to see.

48) Augmented Reality (AR) Campus Tour

Offer a high-tech campus tour by incorporating augmented reality (AR). Students can use their phones to scan QR codes at key spots around campus, unlocking interactive experiences or fun facts. Use LED screens as checkpoints along the tour, displaying a live map, virtual guides or student videos that share their experiences at each location.

Pro Tip: Gamify the tour by awarding points for each AR interaction, with a leaderboard shown on the LED screen at the end of the event to motivate participation.

49) Paint & Sip Night

A “Paint and Sip” night allows students to relax and get creative while enjoying drinks (non-alcoholic for those under 21). Provide all the necessary supplies and have an artist on hand to guide participants through a step-by-step painting tutorial. This is a relaxing and social event where students can bond over art, while bringing home a token of the night.

Pro Tip: Create a gallery space on the LED screen, where participants' finished paintings are displayed for everyone to admire at the end of the night.

50) Mental Health Awareness Week

Every May comes Mental Health Awareness Month. Of course anytime of the year is a good time to promote some sort of mental health awareness. LED displays will be a good supplement to your campus resources, potentially showing mental health tips, mindfulness videos or guided meditation sessions. The screens can also feature live speakers discussing mental health, or show real-time questions from the audience in an interactive format.

Pro Tip: Partner with mental health apps like Headspace or Calm and display QR codes linking students to free trials or campus-sponsored subscriptions.

51) Student Business Expo

If your college has a strong entrepreneurial culture, organize a student business expo where young entrepreneurs can showcase their businesses or startup ideas. Use LED screens to display business logos, promotional videos or live demos of products and services. It’s a great opportunity for students to network, get feedback on their business ideas, and potentially find new customers.

Pro Tip: Have a “Best Startup” competition, with live voting from attendees, and announce the winner on the LED screen at the end of the event.

52) Retro Arcade Night

Bring back the nostalgia of classic arcade games by hosting a retro arcade night on campus. Rent old-school arcade machines like Pac-Man, Space Invaders and Street Fighter, or find a modded gaming system and show the event on the big screen. This event is sure to attract gamers and nostalgia seekers alike for a night of fun competition.

Pro Tip: Award prizes to students who set the highest scores for each game, with winners announced on the screen at the end of the event.

53) Virtual Study Abroad Fair

Many students dream of studying abroad, but choosing a program can be overwhelming. Organize a virtual study abroad fair where different programs are featured with presentations, videos and student testimonials. This setup allows students to explore various countries and programs without having to leave campus.

Pro Tip: Include live Q&A sessions with representatives from different programs.

54) Live Podcast Recording

If your campus is home to a popular student-run podcast or you're bringing in a guest podcaster, host a live event. Use live display technology to project visuals related to the podcast topic, show live audience reactions, or even display comments or questions from online listeners in real time. This event is great for engaging both in-person and virtual audiences.

Pro Tip: Enhance the experience by offering a meet-and-greet or photo-op with the podcast host or guest after the recording. This creates a memorable interaction for attendees and builds a stronger connection with the audience.

55) Language and Culture Exchange

Host a language and culture exchange event where students from different backgrounds can teach each other their native languages or cultural traditions. With a large display, show conversation prompts, cultural trivia or even language-learning tutorials. This is an excellent way to promote diversity, develop students’ worldly understanding and foster lasting friendships on campus.

Pro Tip: Organize mini language challenges where students try to guess foreign phrases or cultural facts, with the results displayed on the screen.

56) Campus Tailgate Party

Bring the excitement of tailgating to campus before a big game or event. Set up a dedicated space where students can gather to enjoy food, drinks and lawn games like cornhole or giant Jenga. Encourage school spirit by having students dress in team colors and decorate their tailgate spots. You can also offer prizes for the best-decorated setup or most spirited group. Include food trucks or BBQ stations to provide delicious tailgate-style food, and pump up the energy with live music or a DJ.

Pro Tip: Offer a photo booth or selfie station with themed props and team gear so students can capture their tailgate memories and share them on social media using the school’s hashtag.

57) Speed Painting Competition

For a creative and competitive event, organize a speed painting competition where students have a set amount of time to complete a piece of art. Use LED screens to show live close-ups of the students' progress or highlight the timer to add pressure and excitement. The screen can also feature the final artworks, with live voting to choose a winner.

Pro Tip: Tie the speed painting competition to a specific theme, such as school spirit or local culture, to encourage creativity.

58) Student DJ Showcase

Give musically inclined students a chance to show off their DJ skills by organizing a student dance event. An LED screen can display visuals that match the DJ's music, creating a club-like atmosphere on campus. You can also feature live audience reactions and song requests displayed on the screen to engage everyone at the event.

Pro Tip: Offer special themed sets or genre-based time slots (like ‘80s throwbacks or EDM hour) to keep the energy varied and give each DJ their unique spotlight.

59) TikTok Dance Challenge Event

Host a TikTok dance challenge on campus where students can compete by performing popular TikTok dances. Use an LED screen to showcase the latest TikTok trends, display real-time voting results and even live-stream submissions. You can also feature TikTok influencers or invite students to collaborate on creating a viral dance right at the event.

Pro Tip: Use the screen to display a QR code that links to the event’s TikTok page, encouraging participants to follow and share their performances on social media.

60) Campus Autumn Festival

Celebrate the beauty of fall with a harvest festival filled with seasonal activities and cozy vibes. Transform a common area on campus into a fall-themed wonderland with pumpkin carving stations, apple cider tastings, hayrides and craft booths where students can create their own autumn-themed decorations. Include classic games like sack races, bobbing for apples and a pie-eating contest to add a playful atmosphere. Live music, fire pits for s’mores and a fall photo booth with hay bales and pumpkins can make the event even more memorable.

Pro Tip: Host a "Best Pumpkin Carving" or "Best Fall Outfit" contest with prizes for the winners. You could also set up a fall-themed market where local vendors sell seasonal treats, crafts, or clothing to give the festival a community vibe.

61) Cryptocurrency Panel

Host a panel or discussion on the latest trends in the financial industry – cryptocurrency, NFTs, and the future of currency. LED screens can display key points, showcase popular NFTs or even feature a live crypto price ticker for a futuristic, tech-savvy feel.

Pro Tip: If possible, include a demonstration on how to create an NFT, with the screen showing the entire process in real-time, allowing students to get hands-on with this new trend.

62) Student Content Creator Bootcamp

Organize a bootcamp where students can learn the basics of video editing, storytelling and growing a following online. Use LED screens to display editing tutorials, video creation tips and influencer interviews to guide aspiring creators through the process.

Pro Tip: Let students submit short videos created during the event and showcase the best ones on the LED screen at the end of the bootcamp.

63) Campus Tug of War Showdown

Bring some classic competition to campus with a Tug of War Showdown. This high-energy, team-based event can be set up as a fun tournament, pitting student groups, sports teams or residence halls against one another in a friendly but intense competition. Create different divisions for mixed teams or themed matchups, such as faculty vs. students or freshmen vs. seniors. Set the stage with music, enthusiastic commentators and cheering sections to build the excitement.

Pro Tip: Spice up the event by adding obstacles or themed rounds, like mud pits or foam-filled zones, to make it more challenging and fun. Offer team prizes for the strongest pullers or most creative team outfits to encourage participation and boost campus spirit.

64) Music Production Workshop

With the rise of easy-to-use at-home production software like Logic, FL Studio and Ableton, many students are interested in creating their own beats or other music. Host a music production workshop where students can learn how to create tracks. Use LED screens to host tutorials and live demonstrations from instructors or guest producers. Students can even collaborate on creating a track together.

Pro Tip: Collect a group of volunteer student musicians to be on hand, assisting newbies. At the end of the workshop, play the student-created track on the screen, and make it available for download via a file share.

65) Instagrammable Experience

Create a pop-up experience with multiple Instagrammable stations around campus. These could be themed photo booths, art installations or neon-lit backdrops designed specifically for photos and videos. Use LED screens to feature event hashtags, showcase live student posts, show-off student submissions and provide prompts or fun challenges for the perfect shot.

Pro Tip: Remember to encourage tagging so that you receive maximum exposure to online communities.

66) Campus Blood Drive Challenge

Turn your regular blood drive into a Campus Blood Drive Challenge by adding a competitive twist! Encourage different student organizations, dorms, or fraternities/sororities to compete in teams to see who can bring in the most donors or donations. Create an incentive for participation, such as awarding points for each donation, with the winning team receiving a prize like a trophy, campus-wide recognition, or a fun group event. Use social media and campus-wide promotions to build excitement and encourage sign-ups in advance.

Pro Tip: Partner with local businesses to offer discounts or freebies (like coffee or snacks) to all donors, and provide them with branded swag like t-shirts or wristbands to commemorate their participation.

67) Campus Winter Bash

Create a festive holiday celebration that brings together classic activities for everyone to enjoy. Set up stations where students can participate in activities like an ugly sweater contest, gingerbread house decorating, and a secret Santa gift exchange. You can also include holiday-themed games like a "Reindeer Ring Toss" or a "Snowball Toss" using soft faux snowballs. Play holiday music or host live performances, offer hot cocoa, and set up a photo booth with fun holiday props for students to capture memories.

Pro Tip: Host a holiday movie marathon or karaoke session alongside the event to keep the festive spirit going. Add a charitable element by asking students to bring a small donation or canned food item in exchange for participating in the Secret Santa or decorating activities, encouraging the spirit of giving.

68) Campus Cooking Class Series

Host a campus cooking class series where students can learn to cook delicious, easy-to-make meals on a budget. Each session can focus on different cuisines or themes, such as quick weeknight meals, vegetarian dishes or international flavors. Invite local chefs, culinary students or campus dining staff to lead the classes, offering hands-on instruction and tips for cooking with limited ingredients and space. This event can be both educational and social, giving students practical life skills while enjoying a fun activity together.

Pro Tip: Collaborate with the campus food pantry to incorporate ingredients that are accessible to students in need. Offer participants recipe cards they can take home, complete with meal prep tips and information on where they can find affordable ingredients on or near campus.

Have Fun With Your Upcoming College Event!

Planning events that truly captivate a college audience and leave lasting memories requires creativity, engagement, and a bit of innovation. From large-scale concerts and festivals to intimate craft nights or outdoor yoga sessions, the possibilities for campus activities are endless. By incorporating dynamic elements like LED screens and creating interactive experiences, you can elevate these events and ensure they stand out. Whether you're organizing a talent show, a game day watch party, or an esports tournament, the key is to engage students, promote community spirit, and make each event a memorable one.

So, whether you’re planning your first event or looking to bring fresh ideas to your campus activity board, let these suggestions inspire you to create unforgettable experiences that will make your campus the place to be!

Ready to take your campus events to the next level? Contact Stellar XP today to learn how our LED screens and event solutions can transform your next event into an immersive, unforgettable experience. Our large screens feature on-board audio, complete connectivity and go anywhere the crowd is.