One of the most common questions I receive from incoming freshmen is: What can you do at Amherst over the weekend? I acknowledge that Amherst, compared to Boston and New York, is a relatively isolated place. You may find Downtown Amherst boring after you’ve been here for a semester, since there are only a few restaurants and shops.
However, Amherst College itself hosts many engaging events over the weekend. My friends and I would often find activities at Amherst “overwhelming” since we can always find something to do after classes during weekdays and over weekends.
In the past few weeks, Amherst hosted many large-scale events that attracted hundreds of students to attend.
1. Spring Concert
Every Spring, Amherst invites an artist to the College to perform, such as the Chainsmokers, CupcakKe, etc. This year, CAB (Campus Activities Board) decided to have something new and different. We invited two R&B artists: Wolfacejoeyy and Orion Sun (the headliner). Although it was pouring hard that day, many students still showed up at the gym to enjoy these talented musicians’ performances. It was my first time watching a live performance, so it was certainly pretty impressive. Many people seemed to enjoy the performance. There was one student who was freestyling to the tunes, which had great moves.
2. Rave
On the Saturday before the last week of classes, Amherst had its largest party of the semester–Rave. This semester, the theme was “white-out”, in which everyone is encouraged to dress in white. Students LOVE raves because it is not exclusive to any clubs, affinity groups, or athletic teams. It is for everyone to enjoy the night, hang out with friends, meet new people, and RAVE. And you could even meet President Elliott there!
3. City Streets Festival
Hosted annually in the spring, Val (our dining hall) organized the City Streets Festival that celebrates international heritage, culture, and food from around the world. The event features a menu of international foods, including African, South American, Asian, and European dishes. It was a great opportunity to try food that I had never tried before. Unfortunately, we had strong winds on the day of the event this year, so there weren’t outdoor games to enjoy. However, seeing the vibrant flags from all over the world waving in the wind made me feel proud of our diverse campus community.
These are only events that are hosted by the College for all students over the weekends. There are many more clubs, teams, and affinity groups that you are involved with, so definitely do not panic about not having enough to do over the weekend! Other than these group events, I always enjoy chilling at the first-year quad, doing star-gazing at the Book & Plow Farm, and going on a walk on the rail trail.