From Saturday 20 September, students from across the world will start moving into accommodation in preparation for Welcome Week – one of the most important dates in the University calendar.

The University of Bristol Students’ Union (UBU) will be holding the annual UBU Welcome Fair on the Bristol Harbourside on Friday 26 September, for the second year running.

Millennium Square, Waterfront Square and the Amphitheatre will be transformed into a bustling marketplace of stalls, live music, and performances from societies, sports clubs, University services and local businesses.

The event is designed to welcome new students to university and showcase the opportunities on offer.  Over 15,000 people are expected to visit over the course of the day.

Amid the festival atmosphere, over 250 student-led sports clubs, societies and volunteering groups will be vying to attract new members and promote extra-curricular activities.

UBU Student Living Officer, Tom Phipps said: “We’re delighted to be able to hold our fair on the Harbourside and welcome students to the city in such an iconic location, enabling students to explore the wide range of opportunities at the Students’ Union, University and in the wider city.

“It also gives us the opportunity to celebrate the contribution students make to the local community whether through thousands of hours of volunteering or the role that students play in promoting the green agenda ahead of the Green Capital year.”

Last year, UBU supported over 200 societies with 10,000 student members. More than 8,800 students participated in a range of different sport activities and UBU Volunteering was supported by 800 active members, with RAG (Raising and Giving) generating more than £125,000 for charity.

UBU Chief Executive, Samantha Budd said: “This is an amazing example of the vibrancy and energy Bristol students bring to the city. It’s really important to us to situate the fair in the heart of the community to ensure students feel part of this wonderful city.”

The Welcome Fair is part of a key year for the Students’ Union, with the re-opening of the Richmond Building on Queens Road following a £30 million refurbishment scheduled for completion in early 2015.