By Anna Schuhmann
As the second semester unfolds, AUC life is once again filling up our calendars with moments that bring the students together. Whether you are looking to support your friends on stage, discover new ideas, cheer on AUC teams, or simply enjoy a night out with the community, this semester’s lineup has something for everyone.
From large-scale inter-university events to intimate cultural showcases, the communities continue to shape the rhythm of AUC’s routines. Below is your guide to some of the highlights of the coming months, and a reminder to mark your calendars early, because these experiences are not to be missed.
UCSRN Tournament
“This is likely the only chance AUC students will get to experience a UCSRN tournament hosted at home — and we need all the support we can get.”
When: April 11
Where: USC & AUC campus
Who: All University College students in the Netherlands
The UCSRN Tournament is the largest annual inter–University College event in the Netherlands, bringing together UC students from all across the country for a full day of sports, competition, community, and celebration. This year’s edition is especially exciting, as UCSRN will be hosted at AUC, providing a rare opportunity for students to experience the tournament on home ground. With AUC teams competing for the 10th UCSRN Tournament trophy, the stakes (and the energy) are high.
Attendees can expect high-level sports competitions, a variety of recreational activities organized by the CCTs, and a vibrant UC atmosphere throughout the day. Whether you’re competing, cheering from the sidelines, or volunteering, the tournament offers plenty of ways to get involved and connect with students from other UCs.
Good to know:
Volunteer sign-ups and spectator tickets will be announced soon. For updates, follow @auc_ucsrn_team.
Come support AUC teams, get involved if you can, and bring the campus spirit to life!
AUCanDance – Final Dance Performance
“Join us for an unforgettable dance performance made with love — P.S. save the date!”
When: May 16 and 17
Where: CREA
Who: AUC students, friends, and family
The Final Dance Performance is AUCanDance’s biggest event of the year, bringing an end-of-semester showcase of weekly classes and months of rehearsals. What began four years ago as a way to present dance beyond regular classes and UCSRN has since grown into a much-loved annual tradition.
This year’s performance features nearly 60 dancers, representing a wide range of dance styles and skill levels, from beginner to advanced. Unlike weekly classes where choreography changes regularly, dancers work on the same routines over multiple weeks, allowing them to build a polished and cohesive performance.
Attendees can expect a theatre-style dance experience filled with emotional, expressive, and energetic choreography. With a variety of styles presented in one evening, the performance offers an engaging and memorable atmosphere, and a chance to see friends and family shine on stage.
Good to know:
Seating is limited, and shows, especially the Saturday evening performance, tend to sell out quickly. Tickets will be released closer to the event, so keep an eye on AUCanDance’s channels for updates.
Save the dates, grab your tickets early, and come support AUC’s dancers as they close the semester on stage.
International Fair by AUCommunity
“The International Fair will be a fun and versatile event taking place the entire day — it is centered around AUC’s international character and meant to celebrate it.”
When: May (date TBA)
Where: AUC campus
Who: Open to everyone – drop by whenever you like and stay as long as you want
Hosted by AUCommunity, the International Fair is a full-day celebration of AUC’s diverse and international character. Designed as a fun and versatile campus-wide event, the fair invites students to come together and celebrate the many cultures that make up our community.
Attendees can look forward to a lively mix of stands, food, activities, and collaborations with multiple committees. Whether you’re stopping by for a quick bite or spending the afternoon exploring, the fair promises plenty of entertainment and a chance to connect with students from across campus.
Beyond the festivities, this year’s fair also carries a meaningful goal: part of the proceeds will be donated to charity, allowing students to enjoy tasty treats while contributing to a good cause. The committee will announce which charity they’ll be supporting in the coming weeks.
Good to know:
The exact date will be shared soon, so keep an eye out for updates. No tickets or sign-ups are required, just show up and join in.
Get ready to celebrate AUC’s global community, enjoy great food, and support a charitable cause.
TEDxAUC Conference
When: 6 June
Where: TBA
Who: AUC students and the wider community (VU, UvA, friends, and family)
“This event creates a platform for student voices and brings inspiring speakers directly to students, encouraging open dialogue, creativity, and connection.”
This year’s TEDxAUC Conference is centered around the theme of “What’s next”, inviting speakers and audiences alike to reflect on the future, from personal growth and academic inquiry to social change and innovation. The event brings the spirit of TED to the AUC community, offering a platform for sharing ideas, research, and personal stories that look ahead.
The programme features a diverse mix of speakers, including external professionals and AUC students. Three internal student speakers will take the stage after having been selected from January’s Pitch Night, highlighting student-driven ideas and perspectives on what comes next, both individually and collectively.
Attendees can expect inspiring talks that are accessible and thought-provoking, spanning academic, creative, and personal themes. Through the lens of “What’s Next”, the conference aims to spark conversation, elevate student voices, and connect students with professionals in an open and engaging setting.
Good to know:
Around 100 tickets will be released closer to the event via Eventbrite. There will also be opportunities to get involved beyond attending, including hosting as an MC or contributing performances throughout the day. Keep an eye on TEDxAUC’s channels for ticket announcements and participation opportunities.
Save the date, follow ticket updates closely, and consider taking part: either on stage or in the audience.
OnStage Presents: Cabaret
“Stuck in time, yet timeless, Cabaret reveals more than its debauchery — it serves as a cautionary tale for the times we live in now.”
When: 9 and 10 June
Where: CREA
Who: AUC students and the wider community
This semester, OnStage, in collaboration with CREA and AUCanDance, presents the musical Cabaret, a bold and provocative production set in 1930s Berlin. Against the backdrop of nightlife, excess, and artistic freedom, the show explores how personal lives unfold as political tension and rising authoritarianism creep in.
Featuring some of the most iconic songs in musical theatre history, Cabaret draws audiences into the infamous Kit Kat Klub through powerful storytelling, unforgettable performances, and a live orchestra. The production showcases AUC’s most talented performers and offers an emotionally rich and thought-provoking theatre experience.
More than entertainment, Cabaret invites reflection on contemporary politics and society, highlighting the relevance of historical narratives in today’s world.
Good to know:
There will be only three shows, with limited seating available. Ticket sales open in May, so be sure to secure your spot early.
Mark your calendars, grab your tickets, and don’t miss this powerful end-of-semester production.
DormFest
Amazing stage acts, good food, sunny summer vibes — and a full day of dancing outside with friends.
When: Mid-June (exact date TBA)
Where: AUC dorm courtyard
Who: Open to AUC students and externals, including UvA and VU students
DormFest is AUC’s biggest annual event, a full-day music festival taking place right in the dorms. Each year, the middle courtyard transforms into a themed festival space filled with live performances, food trucks, activities, and summer energy, creating one of the most anticipated days on campus.
Attendees can expect amazing stage acts, good food and drinks, sunny summer vibes, and plenty of opportunities to dance, relax, and enjoy time with friends. From themed outfits to student performances and committee-run stands, DormFest brings together creativity, community, and celebration into one vibrant setting.
Beyond the festival atmosphere, DormFest also marks one of the final moments of the academic year where students can truly unwind. With people from outside AUC joining as well, it’s a chance to meet someone new, support fellow students, and celebrate making it through another semester together.
Good to know:
The exact date and ticket information will be announced soon. Keep an eye on @dormfest_ on Instagram for updates, lineup reveals, and theme announcements.
Follow DormFest for news, start speculating about this year’s theme, and get ready for one of AUC’s most iconic end-of-semester celebrations.
The Herring 