Welcome to the Arts First-Year Bucket List—a fun, low-pressure journey made just for first-year students. It’s all about getting out there, trying new things, feeling at home in the Arts community, and starting your next chapter at university. This is your chance to make your first year truly unforgettable.
Think of it as your guide to warm, indoorsy adventures, hidden gems on a misty campus, and meaningful moments with new friends. It’s not just a list—it’s a way to keep creating your UBC Arts story.
Check out our list of prizes and sponsors
Thanks to the generosity and support from campus and community sponsors, first-year students have the chance to win over $1,500 worth of amazing prizes.
UBC Bookstore
$100 Gift Card
UBC's one-stop shop for campus essentials – from textbooks to Thunderbird and UBC merch, from art supplies to passport photos and much more.
Cultivara Tree Tours - Expedition Lift Tour
2 Tickets (Value: $200)
This experience offers all the wonder and perspective of our Expedition climbs, made accessible for anyone who prefers not to use manual climbing equipment,may have a tight schedule or have physical limitations.
Museum of Anthropology
Indigenous Design awi’nagwis (Land) T-shirt (Value: $40)
Make a statement with this shirt by Kwakwaka’wakw, Dzawada’enuxw, Namgis, Métis and European artist, Michayla King. Her design features a cityscape in contrasting earth tones, which represent a sophisticated approach to the ever-relevant issue of all people’s connection with land.
Tea Time with Dean Clare
Value: Priceless
You (and a friend!) can join Dean Clare Haru Crowston for a special and intimate conversation over coffee, tea, and treats. This is your chance to ask questions, share what's on your mind, and have a real conversation in a relaxed setting.
UBC Athletics & Recreation: Personal training
Two sessions (Value: $142)
Whether you are new to fitness, looking for a specialized program, or an experienced athlete, UBC Rec's friendly and personable trainers can help you reach your full potential – whatever your goals might be!
UBC Athletics & Recreation: Fitness passes
Two passes (Value: $120)
UBC Recreation’s fitness memberships offer access to the ARC & Rec North Fitness Centres where you’ll discover opportunities to add group fitness activities such as spin, yoga, and Pilates.
Browns Crafthouse
$40 Gift Card
Crafthouse is more than a restaurant—it’s a proudly Canadian, locally owned and operated company committed to delivering quality, and true Canadian hospitality in everything they do.
UBC Food Services
Three $25 Gift Cards
Serve yourself deliciousness at a variety of cafés, eateries, and markets on campus including Hero/Harvest Coffee & Market, Da Bao, Open Kitchen, and more!
Wildlight Kitchen + Bar
$50 Gift Card
A celebration of West Coast culture and cuisine, Wildlight Kitchen + Bar is a MICHELIN® Guide Recommended selection. Wildlight is located in UBC's Lelem Village just minutes from campus.
Chan Centre for the Performing Arts
Two tickets (Value: $60-$138)
Singer-songwriter and Juno Award winning artist Dominique Fils-Aimé is a rising star in the Canadian music scene. Born and raised in Montreal to Haitian parents, Fils-Aimé’s music is infused with the history of Black music in North America. She weaves jazz, gospel, soul, and R&B into a sound that is uniquely her own.
UBC Old Auditorium: Candide operetta
Two tickets (Value: $30-$100) for February 5-8, 2026
Candide is a brilliant satire about humankind’s capacity for mindless optimism, set to a dazzling score by famed West Side Story composer Leonard Bernstein. There isn’t a dull moment in this fantastical and fast-moving comic operetta – come along for the ride! Featuring our student UBC Opera Ensemble with members of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.
Frederic Wood Theatre: Pyper
Two tickets (Value: $22) for March 11-28, 2026
Ten cyborg-AI teens try to build a time capsule to prove they exist in case they’re “retired” before graduation. Tracing their origins back to a mysterious piper in the town of Hamelin and an old puppet maker who discovers a talking block of wood, these algorithmic adolescents search for meaning in an ever-accelerating world of rapid obsolescence and hyperconnectivity. The Breakfast Club meets The Terminator in this angsty sci-fi odyssey about youth, identity, and what it means to be human in a digital-dependent world. This play is directed by Leona Morris.
UBC Old Auditorium: Giulio Cesare opera
Two tickets (Value: $30-$100) for April 9-12, 2026
Giulio Cesare tells the epic story of the meeting between Julius Caesar and Cleopatra, painting a surprisingly intimate, human portrait of love, jealousy, revenge and desire. This is a show that would be as at home on Broadway as in an opera house, an operatic smash-hit that takes no prisoners. Featuring our student UBC Opera Ensemble with members of the Vancouver Symphony Orchestra.
What is the Arts First-Year Bucket List? 📝
Whether you’re cheering at the Winter Classic, exploring Nitobe Garden, attending a career development workshop, or visiting the Chan Centre for Performing Arts, each item on the list helps you explore what UBC Arts—and the broader campus—has to offer.
How it works 🎯
This semester, there are two separate Bucket List grand prize draws—you can enter one or both rounds:
Round 1: January 13–February 12
🕛 Submit at least two photos by February 12 at 11:59 PM PST
Round 2: February 13–April 10
🕛 Submit at least two photos by April 10 at 11:59 PM PST
📸 To be entered into a prize draw, attend at least two listed experiences and submit a minimum of two photos within that round.
✨ You do not need to participate in both rounds to win.
What you can experience 🎟️
From ongoing campus classics to unique programming that will help you explore new interests, your Arts First-Year Bucket List is your guide to exciting events and workshops.
While only the experiences listed below count toward your Bucket List, there is a wide-range of campus events and activities that we encourage you to check out too.
Ongoing WT2 events
Cultural Interpreter Tours and Artist Demos
Thursdays to Saturdays | Select times | Museum of Anthropology at UBC
UBC Students Free (UBC ID Required)
MOA’s new Cultural Interpreters Program features daily tours led by guides from diverse First Nations and cultural backgrounds. Learn about the collection from an Indigenous perspective and enjoy drop-in art demos like carving and beading.
Cherry Blossoms at Nitobe Memorial Garden
Every Tuesday to Sunday | 10:00 AM-4:30 PM | Nitobe Memorial Garden
FREE (Student ID required)
Celebrate spring at Nitobe Garden! Students can enjoy the stunning cherry blossoms for free. Wander the serene pathways, admire the blooms, and soak in the beauty of this peaceful garden.
Take a pic with your prof (Office hours)
Make the most of office hours—chat with your professor, get guidance, and snap a quick photo together to remember the moment!
Take a pic with your APAC (Office hours)
Connect with an Arts Peer Academic Coach. Get tips, guidance, and support for your courses, and snap a photo together to celebrate your progress.
Snowball fight
Snow may start falling at any minute, so catch it while you can! Join a UBC snowball fight and make spontaneous memories with friends on campus. Don’t miss your chance to be part of this winter experience!
Disclaimer: Arts cannot guarantee snowfall, but we can guarantee fun ❄️
Round 1: January 13 to February 12
The Compass Open House
January 14, 2026 | 12:30-2:30 PM | Brock Commons South, Compass Hub (Room 3001)
FREE
Discover events, programs, and more at the Compass Student Engagement Hub Open House. It will be your gateway to an even richer UBC Arts experience. Plus: free tote bags and food!
AUS x Compass Chill and Chat
January 28, 2026 | 4:00-5:00 PM | Brock Commons South, Compass Hub (Room 3001)
FREE
Join the Compass and the AUS First Year Committee during Arts Week for snacks and good conversation.
Arts Week
January 20-24, 2026 | Various times and locations
From the enchanted Lilac Gala to fun collabs with your favourite student associations, don’t miss this highlight of the Arts January calendar!
Arts at UBC Winter Classic
January 23, 2026 | 4-7:30 PM | Thunderbird Arena
The UBC Women’s team hits the ice for the biggest festival hockey game of the season. Thunderbird will be buzzing with crowds, in-game entertainment, giveaways, and all the energy that makes Winter Classic a campus favourite.
Join the Arts takeover and unlock 40% off tickets to the Women’s game with code WCARTSSTUDENT40 until January 19! Plus, enjoy a dedicated Arts section in the stands to cheer together as one loud, proud Arts crowd, and help Unleash The Thunder!
💜 Don’t forget to show your Arts pride and wear something purple!
The Art of People and Culture
January 28, 2026 | 6:00-8:00 PM | Brock Commons South, Compass (Room 3001)
FREE
Curious about HR or organisational leadership? Hear from Arts alumni and learn how your degree can lead to people-focused work
Stretch It Out!
February 4, 2026 | 4:00-5:00 PM | Brock Commons South, Compass Hub (Room 3001)
FREE
Books down, mats out! Enjoy a restorative Pilates-inspired stretch session led by a certified instructor—no experience needed. Release tension, reset your focus, and feel good during those long school days.
UBC Opera: Candide
February 5-8, 2026 | Old Auditorium
Tickets: $15
Discover Leonard Bernstein’s Candide, a witty operetta following Candide’s adventures as he learns that true fulfillment comes from tending his own garden. Narrated by Christopher Gaze.
Find Your Fit: Exploring Campus Involvement
February 11, 2026 | 4:00-5:00 PM | Brock Commons South, Compass Hub (Room 3001)
FREE
Learn how involvement can level up your UBC Arts experience! This 50-minute session covers leadership opportunities, key dates, and how to get started—plus, everyone gets a free Arts tote bag.
Round 2: February 13 to April 10
The Art of Networking
March 11, 2026 | 6:00-8:00 PM | Robert H. Lee Alumni Centre
FREE
Build your network, get career advice from UBC Arts alumni, and learn how to market your skills with confidence. Enjoy a free LinkedIn headshot, light refreshments, and prizes!
Pyper
March 11-28, 2026 | 7:30-9:00 PM | Frederic Wood Theatre
Tickets: $11
Ten cyborg-AI teens build a time capsule to prove they exist in a world of rapid obsolescence. Blending The Breakfast Club with The Terminator, this sci-fi tale explores youth, identity, and what it means to be human in a hyperconnected digital age.
Slow Fashion Show 2026
March 12, 2026 | 6:00-9:00 PM | Museum of Anthropology
FREE
You’re invited to a showcase of sustainable fashion by emerging and established designers, plus pieces from the UBC Student Sustainable Fashion Challenge.
University Trajectories: Straight, Curved, and Broken Paths
March 12, 2026 | 4:00-5:00 PM | Brock Commons South, Compass Hub (Room 3001)
FREE
Not every university path is straight. Hear Dr. Mark Lam share how he went from failing five first-year courses and leaving school, to returning later and becoming a UBC Psychology Lecturer, and what he learned along the way.
Arts Community Fair
March 20, 2026 | 6:00 - 10:00 PM | Buchanan Courtyard
FREE
Expect music in the air, hands-on community activations, a bull ride for a little thrill, and food that brings everyone together.
Stay tuned for more information!
Vision Boarding for Your Year
March 25, 2026 | 4:00-5:00 PM | Brock Commons South, Compass Hub (Room 3001)
FREE
Curious about vision boards? Join this fun workshop to learn the brain science behind them and create your own for the summer and school year. Materials and refreshments provided.
Enter the draw to win a grand prize 🏆
Complete at least two Arts First-Year Bucket List experiences in a round and be sure to take photos of yourself (solo or with a group) at each event.
Using the form below, submit a minimum of two photos from that round for your chance to win fun prizes—think limited-edition merch, gift cards, and more!
✨ Each prize draw is separate, so you only need to participate in one round to be eligible to win.
