The Open House that opens doors — Oct. 17
Finding your purpose starts here! Come explore campus and discover everything the U of A has to offer.
Open House Event Details
Date
Saturday, October 17
Time
9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Location
Varied Locations Across North Campus + Campus Saint-Jean (Free parking is available at select lots. Please refer to the FAQ section for a list of locations.)
Coming from Calgary?
Book your free roundtrip ticket from Calgary to North Campus.
Make the Most of Open House
It’s the best day to explore the U of A! Start your day by connecting with our faculties and university services at our booth fair, spread across our North Campus hubs. But that’s not all! We have tons of guided tours, presentations and special events to choose from happening throughout the day. Plus, there is more to explore at our French-language campus — Campus Saint-Jean — just a short shuttle away.
Step 1: Register for Open House
While registration for Open House is not required, it will ensure you are in-the-know about all things Open House prior to the big day. Plus, if you pre-register and check-in on event day, you will be entered to win incredible prizes!
Step 2: Download the Open House App
Open House is packed with opportunities to explore the U of A in so many ways, and our event app can help you make the most of your visit. By downloading the app, you can:
- Browse all Open House special events, presentations and tours.
- Check off (+) the presentations and special events you are most interested in and build a schedule for your day.
- See activity locations on our campus map, and easily navigate between them.
- Play the QR Code Scavenger Hunt to win prizes.
- Register for guided tours!
Step 3: Register for Tours
Taking a guided campus or residence tour is a great way to picture your life here as a U of A student. Plus, our many other facility tours allow you to visit hidden gems and spaces on campus not typically accessible to the public.
All guided tours require registration through our Open House app. Each member of your group needs to individually download the Open House app and register themselves for the tour by clicking the + sign in the event schedule.
50% of tour spots will open at 9 a.m. on October 2 and the other half will be released at 8 a.m. the morning of Open House. Tours tend to fill up quickly, so be sure to visit the app on October 2 to register early!
Step 4: Attend Open House
We can’t wait to see you there!
Transfer Student Information Session
Your Next Chapter Starts Here
If you’re interested in transferring to the U of A from another post-secondary, sign up to learn about the transfer process, explore program options, admission requirements as well as scholarships and awards just for students like you!
Augustana Preview Day
See the Augustana Advantage
Explore our Augustana Campus in Camrose during Preview Day on Saturday, October 24.
Frequently Asked Questions
Open House does not require registration to attend. However, register and check-in on event day and you will be entered to win great prizes!
While downloading the app is the easiest way to plan your day, you can browse all tours, presentations and special events using the links below.
However, you will be unable to pre-register for tours without the app. Please visit us day-of at the Tour Information Zone in University Commons and we will do our best to get you on a tour!
If you are experiencing app trouble on the day of the event, please visit a Welcome Booth, located in each main hub, and our team will be happy to try to assist you in person.
GUIDED TOURS do require registration. Each member of your group needs to individually download the Open House app and register themselves for the tour.
Half of all guided tour spots are released online at 9 a.m. on October 2 and the other half are released at 8 a.m. the morning of Open House. Most of our tours sell out, so register early to secure your spot!
If you run into any trouble registering, our staff will be on site at the Tour Information Zone in University Commons, and ready to help. A standby line will be available for sold-out tours, but entry is not guaranteed.
Presentations and special events do not require registration. A few exceptions apply: please refer to the Business, Education and Transfer Student special events listing.
- All North Campus tours, excluding residence tours, will depart from the Tour Departure Zone in the atrium of University Commons.
- All Lister Residence Tours will depart from Lister Centre.
- Campus Saint-Jean Tours will depart from the Pavillon McMahon, main entrance of Campus Saint-Jean.
Please check in no earlier than 15 minutes before your scheduled tour start time.
Presentations are 40 minutes long.
Special Events work on a drop-in basis. Guests can come and go anytime between the hours indicated.
Use the campus map in the Open House app to guide you to presentation and event locations, or visit one of our four wayfinding tents at the following locations:
- Main Quad, close to the Centennial Centre for Interdisciplinary Science (CCIS) building.
- Outside the Fine Arts Building (FAB).
- Outside Kipnes Academy (KHRA).
- Along 89 Avenue between the Students’ Union Building (SUB) and the South Academic Building (SAB).
Complimentary parking is available at the following locations from 8 a.m. – 5 p.m.:
Note: ALL other parking lots at the U of A and in surrounding areas, other than the locations listed above, are NOT complimentary and you must pay to park at them.
CSJ is a 10-minute shuttle ride away. Shuttles depart several times throughout the day from outside the Fine Arts Building (FAB) on North Campus and outside the Pavillon McMahon on Campus Saint-Jean.
- Departs from North Campus: 9:25 a.m. I 11:05 a.m. I 1 p.m.
- Departs from CSJ: 10:30 a.m. I 12:25 p.m. I 1:30 p.m. I 2:50 p.m.
Edmonton transit is also available between North Campus and CSJ. Or, parking is available if you choose to drive yourself.
There will be plenty of places to purchase food and drinks on campus (times vary):
- Daily Grind in University Commons
- Food Trucks near the Flag Plaza outside of University Commons
- HUB Mall
- Lister Dining Hall
- Peter Lougheed Dining Hall
- Starbucks in Cameron Library, Kipnes Academy and CCIS
- Students' Union Building (SUB)
- Tim Hortons in CAB
We are happy to offer shuttle service to you and your chaperone from Calgary to North Campus on the Red Arrow & Ebus service. Capacity is limited, so reserve your spot early!
Please note: students under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.
Stay close to the action! Lister Centre, which is just steps away from campus, is offering a special rate of $119 per night for the weekend of Open House. When booking, please ask for the “University of Alberta Open House 2026” rate. Please note: This special rate is subject to availability.
Event Attendance Content Rules
Register for Open House and check-in once you arrive to be entered to win a $1,000 tuition voucher or an ultimate green and gold prize pack of an iPad, Herschel backpack and U of A hoodie.
QR Code Scavenger Hunt Content Rules
Complete the scavenger hunt and fill out the associated contest form on the Open House app to be entered to win an ultimate green and gold prize pack of an iPad, Herschel backpack and U of A hoodie.
Post-Event Survey Contest Rules
Attend Open House and complete our post-event survey to be entered to win one of two U of A Bookstore gift cards. You can access the survey in the Open House app or by scanning one of the survey posters located around campus during Open House.
Questions?
Contact the team at openhouse@ualberta.ca
Interested in volunteering?
If you are a current U of A student and would like to volunteer at Open House, visit the Ambassador Program web page.
