SpringFest

April 16-18, 2026

The tradition of All Campus Day dates back to the late 1950's. The tradition is an inseparable mix of both "the day" and the events that go with that day. The earliest cited mention is in the 1958-1959 'A' Book. Listed as a day "...that classes are dismissed and the whole campus gets out..." for a variety of activities - recreational, social and service oriented. While the name has changed - All Campus Day has become Meltdown and now SpringFest weekend; overriding the theme of the weekend has not changed at all. It is a day that our students use for rest and relaxation in a variety of ways. Like many traditions, SpringFest has been woven into the fabric of UAF culture.

Fast Fact: The ever popular Mud Volleyball started as Mud Hockey in the late 1950's.

Fast Fact: Faculty asked for the all campus day to make sure students had the proper rest in order to get the best grade possible during finals.

 

11 a.m.—3 p.m. Alaska time
Traditions: Springfest Campus Cleanup

Location: Arctic Java

Help us keep our campus beautiful by picking up litter. All supplies are provided - just bring your energy and help make a visible impact in a short time! Show up any time between 11am and 2:30pm, pick up a little - or a lot! Weigh in at 3pm to see who picked up the most!

12—7 p.m. Alaska time
SpringFest 2026

Location: Troth Yeddha' Campus

Join Nanook Traditions for three days of fun as a last hurrah before the semester is out. Happening April 16鈥18.

12—12:30 p.m. Alaska time
Watermelon Drop

Location: Gruening Building

Kick-off SpringFest with the ceremonial watermelon drop off of the Gruening Building!

12—3 p.m. Alaska time
SpringFest Craft Corner

Location: Wood Center Mall

Get into the spirit of springtime creativity through the SpringFest Craft Corner featuring crafts like flower crown making, friendship bracelet making, and sunglass bedazzling. Do you craft during the Student Showcase and SpringFest picnic happening at the same time! Show off your creation at the Spring Fling Dance (Friday night) and Concert (Saturday night).

12—2 p.m. Alaska time
SpringFest Student Showcase

Location: Wood Center Mall

Step into the spotlight at the 2026 Student Showcase! Whether you sing, dance, crack jokes, break boards, juggle flaming torches (safely!), or have a completely unique skill, this is your moment to shine. Bring your creativity, bring your courage, and show the campus what you鈥檝e got. Sign up now and let the stage be yours!

12—3 p.m. Alaska time
SpringFest Picnic

Location: Arctic Java and Wood Center Mall

Eat, dance, play, and enjoy the student showcase to kick-off the weekend festivities at the SpringFest Picnic! We'll start with the ceremonial Watermelon Drop in front of the Gruening building and then head over to the Wood Center for the picnic food in Arctic Java and the Student Showcase in the Mall.

6—9 p.m. Alaska time
Bowling Tournament

Location: Polar Alley

Join us in another riveting night of friendly competition at the SpringFest Bowling Tournment! Fill out this form to register for the tournament:

Teams of 3-5 players compete over a series of 2 days (Thursday and Friday night). Top teams will move on to the next day.聽

Any student can sign up with any group of friends, or can sign up solo and be put on a team. Top three teams will win fun prizes and bragging rights.

6—8 p.m. Alaska time
Trivia Showdown

Location: Wood Center Ballroom

Watch the top four teams of trivia compete in a battle of the wits! Cheer for your favorite team in the audience while helping the teams compete in mini games and play as a collective audience team.

12—7 p.m. Alaska time
SpringFest 2026

Location: Troth Yeddha' Campus

Join Nanook Traditions for three days of fun as a last hurrah before the semester is out. Happening April 16鈥18.

2—4 p.m. Alaska time
Traditions: Springfest Bike Jousting

Location: Outside of the Wood Center

Bike jousting is back! Join us Friday, April 17th, from 2pm-4pm outside of Arctic Java to prove your worth and defeat your foes! Bikes, helmets, lances and shields provided. Safety waivers required. Bring yourself, your courage and your friends (or enemies).

5—9 p.m. Alaska time
Spring of The Hill

Location: Alaska Esports Center, Wood Center

Spring of the Hill 鈥 King of the Hill Gaming Showdown!


Get ready to claim the crown! Spring of the Hill is a fast鈥憄aced, King鈥憃f鈥憈he鈥慔ill鈥搒tyle gaming event happening during SpringFest, brought to you by Alaska Esports.聽

Join us on April 17th from 5 PM to 9 PM for an evening of friendly competition, hype matches, and nonstop energy as players battle for dominance across four iconic games:

Mario Kart
鈿旓笍 Guilty Gear
Beat Saber
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate

Whether you鈥檙e drifting to first place, pulling off insane combos, slicing beats in rhythm, or smashing your way to victory, the goal is simple: rise to the top and stay there. Each station will run a King鈥憃f鈥憈he鈥慔ill format鈥攚in and hold your spot, lose and let the next challenger step up.

Prizes will be awarded to top competitors鈥攂ut the rewards are a surprise for now!

Come for the games, stay for the atmosphere, and see if you have what it takes to be king of the hill.

7—8:30 p.m. Alaska time
Canoe Battleship

Location: Patty Center Pool

This SpringFest, we're bringing back Canoe Battleship where teams of 3-4 compete in seeing who will be the last boat floating by sinking the other boats in the Patty Pool. Teams will be able to use water blasters, buckets, and items (must be approved before use) to sink enemy boats.

8—10:30 p.m. Alaska time
Spring Fling Dance

Location: Dine 49

For our final dance of the semester, you are invited to our very own backyard garden party at the Spring Fling Dance on Friday, April 17, 8 p.m. in Dine 49! Bust out the floral dresses and khakis that you've been storing over the winter, and enjoy the bright spring vibes with us. We are honored to have DJ Trax setting the mood and energy for the night.

12—7 p.m. Alaska time
SpringFest 2026

Location: Troth Yeddha' Campus

Join Nanook Traditions for three days of fun as a last hurrah before the semester is out. Happening April 16鈥18.

11 a.m.—1 p.m. Alaska time
Beat Beethoven: 5k Fun Run

Location: Patty Center

Join the Fairbanks Symphony Orchestra in their annual Beat Beethoven 5k fun run! The goal: run the whole 5k before the end of Beethoven's 5th Symphony. Those who "beat Beethoven" will receive a voucher to any of FSO's next season concerts (not including the Holiday, Movie, and Season Finale concerts).聽

Standard Registration: $35 for UAF/Youth/Military; $40 Adult

Visit the FSO website for more information:

12—5 p.m. Alaska time
Pick-up Flag Football and Ultimate Frisbee

Location: Beluga Field

This will be a simple game of Flag Football, where people can show up as individuals or as a team to play. Games will last 30 minutes, and after each game new players can hop in and the next game will start. Fun, relaxed, and a great way to spend a Spring afternoon!

12:15—1:30 p.m. Alaska time
Root Beer Relay

Location: Beluga Field

The rules are simple: chug a can of rootbeer and race to the top of the Beluga Field hill to get to one of the coveted sleds to sled down the hill with and advance into the next round. It's like musical chairs but with more rootbeer and sledding! Who will conquer the 4 rounds of root beer, and who will fall at its mercy?

2—4 p.m. Alaska time
Capture the Flag

Location: Beluga Field

Do you want to join in a Large Scale game of Capture the Flag? Join us at Beluga Field on April 18th for Capture the Flag; teams will be decided when the game starts, but think about who you want to play with ahead of time. We plan on running multiple games from 2-4 PM so drop by when you can.

3—5 p.m. Alaska time
Spring Into Action! D&D Live Show

Location: Arctic Java

Come join the Table Top Role Playing Game (TTRPG) Club for a live D&D show in Arctic Java where they will be playing/performing a one-shot campaign where the players enter the realm of fairies and must try to make it out. The audience gets to act as the Agents of the Fae, and through interactive elements like sets of cards with pre-written events and encounters on them, they'll be able to influence the run of the campaign.

7—10 p.m. Alaska time
SpringFest Concert with SunDog and Casey Smith Project

Location: Student Recreation Center (SRC)

Get ready for an unforgettable night of live music featuring SunDog and Casey Smith Project! Grab your friends and join us for a night of great music, good vibes, and community. Whether you鈥檙e a longtime fan or discovering SunDog for the first time, you won鈥檛 want to miss this show. Pre-Sale tickets are $10 for UAF students and $15 for community. Gate ticket sales are $15 for students and $20 for community.