Orientation
Join us for GradFest 2026, the University of Toronto Graduate Students’ Union’s official orientation event. GradFest is an annual fair-style event hosted by the UTGSU! It will be a festive and vibrant evening designed to welcome new graduate students into the UTGSU community. It’s your chance to explore all that the university has to offer — from student groups and funding opportunities to resources, events, and more.
DATE: Wednesday, September 16, 2026
TIME: 4:00PM – 7:00PM
LOCATION: Hart House Circle and East King’s College Circle
REGISTRATION
If your registered for GradFest (non-Waitlist) you still need to check in at the GradFest Registration Table at 7 Hart House Circle. Please remember to check-in with Registration before 5:30PM. After 5:30PM we will be releasing outstanding tickets to waitlisted registered students.
To check in, you will need to present your event ticket QR code (or we can do a live name look up).
GET YOUR SWAG BAG & LUXURY ITEM
When you check in at the Registration Table, you will also get a swag bag with giveaways from Rexall, Dove, Liquid IV and Alternity Cafe. You will also get your food, dessert and luxury item giveaways.
This year’s giveaways include a choice of one (1) luxury item (while supplies last):
- Toronto Transit Socks
- Don’t Ask Me About My Thesis Socks
- Tote Bag
- MagSafe Phone Wallet
You can find information on the menu and dietary items online. Students are encouraged to also bring reusuable water bottles as we will have public water options on site.
PARTICIPATE IN THE PASSPORT COMPETITION
There are six (6) passport locations to visit at GradFest. After you get all six stamps, hand in your passport and you will be entered into a chance to win a brand new hybrid bike and various other prizes including:
– Toronto Symphony Orchestra tickets
– Canadian Opera Company tickets
– Annual Bike Share membership
– CityPASS tickets
We also have other great activities and prizes at booths supplied by iphodo.com, Oddbunch, Mattel, Alternity Cafe and other partners!
WAITLIST
As of Friday, September 11, 2026 RSVP tickets are about to be sold out. However, non-registered graduate students are still welcome to join us at GradFest for activities, fairs and other opportunities – we will just be limited with food options. We strongly encourage that you sign up for the waitlist. If registered attendees do not arrive and claim their food, drink and giveaway tickets by 5:30PM we will release the additional tickets to non-registered attendees. We will notify the waitlist when tickets are released and are available at the Registration Table (roughly around 5:30PM).
Waitlisted attendees can still attend, participate in the fair and activities, and participate in the Passport. We just can’t guarantee food/dessert and giveaways. Pick up your passport at the Meet & Greet table (not Registration).
WEATHER WATCH
The event is rain or shine. The UTGSU continues to monitor weather activity and remains optimistic that the event will run smoothly.
GradFest Event Details
- Location: UofT Front Campus, King’s College Circle
- Date: Wednesday, September 16, 2026
- Time: 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM
🎊 What to Expect:
- 🍽️ Free Food – Enjoy delicious eats on us. View the menu and dietary details here.
- 🎁 Free Swag – Take home exclusive UTGSU giveaways
- 🎯 Games and Prizes – Try your luck and win cool prizes
- 🏠 Community Booths – Discover campus services, student groups, and resources to support your grad life
Register
Registration for UTGSU GradFest began on July 14, 2026 at 5 PM. Registration is available on Rubric. We encourage you to create an account, but you can also RSVP with a guest account.
RSVP’ing will add you to the event list for a food, drink, dessert and swag bag voucher.
As of Friday, September 11, 2026 RSVP tickets are about to be sold out. However, non-registered graduate students are still welcome to join us at GradFest for activities, fairs and other opportunities – we will just be limited with food options. We strongly encourage that you sign up for the waitlist. If registered attendees do not arrive and claim their food, drink and giveaway tickets by 5:30PM we will release the additional tickets to non-registered attendees. We will notify the waitlist when tickets are released and are available at the Registration Table (roughly around 5:30PM).
Cancel your Ticket
If you are no longer planning to attend Winter GradFest, please cancel your ticket so that another graduate student can attend. To cancel your ticket, please send an email to bookings@utgsu.ca with your name and email.
Family Friendly and Family Tickets
Please note that families are welcome to attend GradFest. If you are bringing your children, please contact info@utgsu.ca with the number of children in attendance, any dietary restrictions and accessibility needs and your approximate arrival time. Please note that childcare will not be provided at this event.
Accessibility
The organizers strive to create accessible and inclusive events. In this form, you will find areas to include dietary and accommodation notes. Additionally, if you need to contact an event organizer to confirm specific accommodation needs, please reach out to info@utgsu.ca.
Using Hello Rubric
HelloRubric is the new UTGSU’s membership portal where all of our events, financial aid and opportunities are posted. You will also be able to find information about course unions and graduate student groups as we transition over to Rubric. While you do not need the phone app, we encourage you to create an account with your University of Toronto student email (Single Sign On authentication is turned on) and download the app so that you can maximize your engagement opportunities.
- Visit campus.hellorubric.com or download the app.
- Select University of Toronto
- Register with your mail.utoronto.ca email (SSO verified) or use your personal email