Colleges and Universities With the Best Concerts, Festivals, and Events

Top Recommendations

• Liberty University (Lynchburg, VA): Liberty's Student Activities team offers more than 70 events throughout the school year, including concerts, movie nights, film festivals, open mics, Class of Coffeehouse, and more.
  
  What students say: "They offer lots of Christian worship concerts, and well-known artists have performed, including Phil Wickham, Charity Gayle, Forrest Frank, and the Collingsworth family."
  
  "[They host] a Block Party!"
  Yes, connect me!
• University of California, Los Angeles (Los Angeles, CA): More than 500,000 people flock to UCLA's campus every year for over 1,000 student and professional visual, performing, and media arts events.
  
  What students say: "[It's a] big school that hosts concerts with famous singers!"
  
  "It hosts the UCLA Jazz Reggae Festival and collaborates with the Hollywood Bowl!"
• Virginia Tech (Blacksburg, VA): Virginia Tech offers opportunities like the Summer Arts Festival in coordination with the town of Blacksburg, Gobblerfest at the beginning of fall semester, concerts, and more.
  
  What students say: "Virginia Tech will be hosting Metallica in May 2025! What other college has done that?"

More Colleges With Amazing Events

• East Tennessee State University (Johnson City, TN): The Student Government Association and the Multicultural Center organize major concerts and events throughout the year at ETSU, like the Spring Concert, Native American Festival, Corazon Latino, and more.
  
  What students say: "Many country artists have performed, such as Riley Green!"
• Estrella Mountain Community College (Avondale, AZ): EMCC offers exciting student events like performances through the Performance Arts Centers, Mariachi concerts, Arts Week, and more.
  
  What students say: "EMCC is known to have many events on campus, some of which I attended, including the Hispanic Heritage Month fest. They offered tacos to eat, Mariachi bands to perform, and dancers who were proud to represent [their culture]. This campus is open to many cultures and continues to surprise me with each new festival they offer."
• High Point University (High Point, NC): HPU's Student Experience team plans a packed calendar of events and programs, from weekly movies and food trucks to annual celebrations and concerts.
  
  What students say: "[There are] too many festivals to name, but a couple examples of the concerts are Flo Rida (last year) and Jason Derulo (this year)."
  Yes, connect me!
• Indiana University Bloomington (Bloomington, IN): IU Bloomington offers opportunities to students such as their Late Night events, spring concerts, cultural festivals, and more.
  
  What students say: "[They offer] a variety of different music and culture events."
• Kent State University (Kent, OH): Each year, Kent State offers more than 1,000 programs, activities, and on-campus events—including theater performances, guest speakers, concerts, and more.
  
  What students say: "They always bring out someone cool and different every year. Also, events help students stay connected."
• Marian University (Indianapolis, IN): The Marian University Theatre is a hub for activities and events from Marian groups, local artists, and national acts to speakers, panel discussions, and theater.
  
  What students say: "We have live music on campus by students sometimes. We also have a theatre program."
• New York University (New York, NY): NYU fosters a community of cultural experiences, from dance performances to interactive visual installations to classical music.
  
  What students say: "They are very inclusive on campus. They celebrate all kinds of cultural festivals, and that just improves the diversity of the college."
  Yes, connect me!
• Pennsylvania State University—University Park (University Park, PA): The Bryce Jordan Center at UPenn hosts top-industry music performers as well as family shows, sporting events, and commencements.
  
  What students say: "I know they have concerts of well-known people!"
• Providence College (Providence, RI): The College's Student Engagement & Leadership team plans signature campus-wide events such as the Fall and Spring Involvement Fairs, Spring Concert, Senior Ring Weekend, and much more.
  
  What students say: "[They've had] Zac Brown Band."
• Stony Brook University (Stony Brook, NY): The Student Activities Center serves as Stony Brook's hub of student life on campus, serving as a venue for student programming, lectures, conferences, movies, concerts, and more.
  
  What students say: "[They host] the Welcome Seawolves event."
• The Ohio State University (Columbus, OH): The Ohio Union Activities Board offers over 300 events each year, and the University's Discount Ticket program makes sporting events, concerts, restaurants, movie theaters, and more affordable for students.
  
  What students say: "There are so many live music events and even concerts that happen on campus. There were recently Childish Gambino and Sabrina Carpenter concerts."
  Yes, connect me!
• The University of Alabama (Tuscaloosa, AL): The University Programs Department at UA is a dedicated team of over 30 students who plan, promote, and execute over 150 campus events per year.
  
  What students say: "So many country music stars come to Tuscaloosa and sing. At frats, there are also DJs and singers sometimes."
• University of Florida (Gainesville, FL): The UF Performing Arts department brings world-class performers to campus so students can experience the art of dance, theater, music, and other acts of live human expression.
  
  What students say: "We had a concert on the first day of class!"
• University of Tennessee at Knoxville (Knoxville, TN): The Center for Student Engagement at UT Knoxville works with student leaders on the Campus Events Board to offer events, from concerts and comedians to interactive activities and speakers, that engage students with the campus community throughout the year.
  
  What students say: "[They had] Morgan Wallen at Neyland Stadium!!"
• University of Wisconsin—Madison (Madison, WI): The Wisconsin Union Directorate is a student-led board that plans more than 1,000 events every year, including live music, films, lectures, political discussions, community service, outdoor activities, and art exhibits and performances.
  
  What students say: "[They have the marching band perform as the] 'Fifth Quarter' [post-game celebration] at the end of home football games."
• West Chester University (West Chester, PA): The West Chester Student Activities Council sponsors all types of exciting events on campus, including movies, giveaways, lectures, novelties, karaoke, concerts, comedians, hypnotists, and much more.
  
  What students say: "This college has an incredible drum major academy as well as a phenomenal marching band. They excel greatly in teaching their students proper technique and management, and it pays off well due to their numerous marching parades."
• Western New England University (Springfield, MA): WNEU's Student Involvement & Connections team offers a non-stop calendar of activities, from comedians and bands to game nights, speakers, and career planning events.
  
  What students say: "There has been a Mariachi band and a rock band, and Dan + Shay will be coming."
  Yes, connect me!