Chico State Events

Chico has long been a vibrant, engaging college town. This is in part due to the proximity and relationship the University has with Downtown Chico and the surrounding areas.  

Below you will find opportunities and important events that will bring large numbers of students, alumni, parents, and families to campus and the surrounding Chico area.  

Fall Move-In: typically occurs the Wednesday and Thursday before the first day of classes for the Fall semester. Students may arrive on whichever day works best for them. 

Classes Start: view the academic calendars here.

Wildcat Welcome Weeks: typically, the first two weeks of each semester. View Wildcat 

Wildcat Weekend: one weekend in mid-October. This includes Chico Preview Day, Family Weekend BBQ, and Alumni Weekend. View Wildcat Weekend 2025 Events here. 

Choose Chico: typically, mid-Spring semester. This is an open house for prospective Chico State students and families. 

Commencement Ceremonies: typically, mid-May when approximately 3,500 students will walk across the stage. Inviting thousands of guests to the Chico area. 

Chico State Alumni Events: View upcoming local and regional Alumni engagement opportunities.

The Career Center hosts career fairs that bring employers to campus and downtown Chico. You can find the career fair schedule here.

Orientation: find Orientation dates and overnights for Summer and Winter Orientations, where incoming students visit Chico along with their families. 

Chico State Athletics: for upcoming schedules and competitions visit the sport specific page. 

Today's reason to choose Chico State:

College Consensus recently listed Chico State on a half dozen rankings! Based on real student reviews, these rankings are a testament to our high-quality, high-value education:

2025 Best Colleges and Universities in the West (No. 19)

2025 Best Public Colleges and Universities (No. 30)

2025 Best Online Public Colleges and Universities (No. 7)

2025 Best Online Colleges and Universities in the US (No. 5)

2025 Best Value Online Colleges and Universities (No. 14)

Intent to Enrolls—At a Glance

Year over year, as of July 10, 2023

Spotlight

We are consistently ranked as a top sending institution for Study Abroad! Since 2016, approximately 1,600 Chico State students have studied abroad—with 200 locations to choose from in 35 countries.

Students unsure how to pull it off have the dedicated support of the International Education and Global Engagement (IEGE) Office staff, who help with everything from getting a first-time passport to assistance with scholarship and internship applications, as well as academic and travel advice and language training programs.

 "When students embark on global exchanges, they sow seeds of connection, compassion, and mutual respect around the world and in our backyards," said Ximena Ospina, a study abroad and exchange coordinator with IEGE. "Through this, global citizens and transformative leaders are developed."