Every year as Welcome Week rolls around, it’s easy to get wrapped up in all the excitement and energy that engulfs the campus. With more than 5,500 first year students joining the community and hundreds of fun events taking place from Aug. 27 to Sept. 2, NYU’s Welcome Week is highly anticipated.

But with such a huge number of events, it can feel impossible to figure out which ones to attend. Never fear — here’s a quick roundup of Welcome Week’s tried and trues, which definitely won’t let you down.

Hangouts

Throughout Welcome Week, “Hangouts” are opportunities to meet new students who have the same interests as you. With themes like social justice, foodie and film and movies, these hangouts are the perfect time to meet and discover people with similar interests or passions as yourself.

Bed, Bath and Beyond: After Dark

Board the coach buses that NYU arranges outside of Bobst, and make your way to Bed, Bath and Beyond for those last minute dorm supplies that you left at home. This event is a great way to stock up on dorm essentials and necessities while having a fun time. With food carts and a live DJ, Bed, Bath and Beyond: After Dark turns shopping for home goods into a great time.

A Cappella Show

Don’t miss your chance to hear NYU’s A Cappella groups in concert. Performers include NYU student groups such as the Mixtapes, Cleftomaniacs, Mass Transit, Vocaholics, N’harmonics and more. Live out your Pitch Perfect fantasies and check out a selection of the vocal talent that NYU has to offer.

Drag Bingo

Bingo, drag queens and music, oh my — Drag Bingo is a great way to liven up your Welcome Week. This year, Drag Bingo will be hosted by Season 9 finalist of RuPaul’s Drag Race, Shea Couleé. Get ready to lip-sync for your life.

Star Ball

The grand finale: the annual ball. Arguably the biggest Welcome Week tradition, you can have fun with friends while dancing on the highest floors of the Kimmel Center for Student Life with live DJs and performers, tons of free food and a killer view of the New York City skyline. There are vendor rooms full of NYU swag, so don’t forget to pick up some free goodies on your way out. This year, the theme is “star,” so dance the night away under the twinkling lights above.

A version of this article appeared in the Sunday, Aug. 27 print edition. Email Thomas Chou at [email protected].