FreshFest 2026 registration is now open! 

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*Please note that the cost of the program is $380. We do not want the cost of FreshFest to pose a barrier to participation. If the cost of FreshFest is prohibitive to your attendance, please reach out to Jared Stern jmstern@syr.edu, as these requests are being handled on a confidential and individual basis. 

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FreshFest will take place Sunday, August 16 through Wednesday, August 19th. Participants will move-in on Sunday afternoon and we will have programming through Wednesday.

 

Registration closes on Thursday, June 25.

 

We will also have programming for parents/family/supporters through Monday, August 17th. More details and registration for that part of the program will be released soon. 

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FreshFest is the largest pre-orientation program at Syracuse University, part of Syracuse Welcome. Students that sign up for FreshFest will have access to:

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• Early Move-in: participants move in to their residence halls on Sunday before regular move-in. 

• Three Days of Programming: participate in three days of activities to help get acclimated to campus. Past activities have included field trips to Apex and Green Lakes, small group programs aimed at making connections, tours by school/college, meals together, and a welcome breakfast in the JMA Wireless Dome for participants and their families. 

• Tailored Mentorship: be paired with a returning student mentor. Mentors represent a wide variety of majors, have lived in almost every residence hall, hail from across the country, and are incredibly involved in the Orange community. More importantly, they are all leaders on campus and at Hillel and are there to answer questions, to a guide to SU life, and build an enduring relationship with participants.

• Cool SWAG: All participants will receive an iconic FreshFest t-shirt and other cool SWAG items designed by our FreshFest student leadership team. 

 

FreshFest is a great way to meet other incoming students (and returning students!) before the academic year begins. If you have additional questions, please email hillel@syr.edu.