Featured Events

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Farmer’s Market: Thursday, April 6th, 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM

Downtown San Luis Obispo

Farmer’s Market serves as a preview night for Cal Poly's Open House weekend as well as for the clubs and organizations that are involved on campus. It is an excellent way for prospective students to learn about the many ways to get involved on campus while also getting a taste of San Luis Obispo culture at Farmer's Market. Cal Poly clubs and organizations will line Broad Street, while prospective students and their supporters enjoy an informative night in downtown.

Check-In: Friday, April 7th, 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Mott Lawn

Check-In for Open House begins Friday morning, followed by the University Welcomes. Bring a digital or printed copy of your ticket. You can RSVP here.

University Welcome: Friday, April 7th

Recreation Center - Main Gym

The University Welcome is the initial interaction admitted students have with Cal Poly to learn about this school. There are two University Welcomes with three colleges in each. Important members of Cal Poly will be speaking about their experiences at and what we have to offer.

University Welcome I, 8:30 AM - 9:40 AM

We welcome Admitted students and their supporters from the following colleges:

University Welcome II, 10:00 AM - 11:10 AM

We welcome Admitted students and their supporters from the following colleges:

Resource Fair: Friday, April 7th, 8:00 AM - 1:00 PM

The Resource Fair is an informational event for prospective students and supporters attending Open House. This event showcases a large variety of resources on campus that will be relevant to incoming students and their supporters. Each resource will display what they do, how they do it, and why they are an important source for Cal Poly students. Furthermore, resources will set up booths, provide information, and answer questions for parents and supporters.

Friday Nite Invite: Friday, April 7th, 7:30 PM - 10:00 PM

University Union Plaza

Friday Nite Invite is an event where prospective students will be able to have fun and meet each other in a fun environment. This will take place in the University Union Plaza on Friday night. There will be a DJ, bowling, free pizza, games, crafts, and club booths.

Transfer Mixer: Friday, April 7th, 8:00 PM - 9:00 PM

University Union, Room 220

The Transfer Mixer will be a chance for potential transfer students to meet and interact. There will also be an informational panel with time for students to ask questions. Food and drinks will be provided.

Coffee House: Friday, April 7th, 7:30 PM - 10:00 PM

University Union, Chumash Auditorium

While students are enjoying Friday Nite Invite, parents and supporters are invited to Coffee House, where they can talk to current students from all six of Cal Poly's colleges while enjoying coffee from local vendor BlackHorse. There will also be speakers from Administration as well as Parent & Family Programs.

Poly Royal Parade: Saturday, April 8th, 9:00 AM - 10:00 AM

Perimeter Road

The Poly Royal Parade involves various groups, clubs, and organizations on and off of campus, showcasing the many opportunities that students at Cal Poly have to offer. Participants will be encouraged to make a float, sign, or other representation of what they do on or off campus. The Parade will occur on a designated route through Cal Poly’s campus.

Opening Ceremonies: Saturday, April 8th, 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM

Dexter Lawn

Open House Opening Ceremonies is an event where important members of Cal Poly speak to the admitted students as well as their families. Along with the speakers, the Poly Royal Parade Grand Marshals and Open House Committee will be honored.

Campus Showcase: Saturday, April 8th, 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Lower Campus

At Campus Showcase Cal Poly Clubs and Organizations get a chance to show off what they do with booths, activities, food, and much more. Over 200 clubs are represented at this fun and exciting event.

Poly Royal Stage: Saturday, April 8th, 10:00 AM - 2:30 PM

Dexter Lawn

The Poly Royal Stage is an event that showcases all of the talent that Cal Poly has to offer. These performances can include bands and other signing acts, or clubs and dance teams depending on the theme that is picked. Any other forms of entertainment can also participate in the Poly Royal Stage.

Special Events

Special Events are put on by other Cal Poly organizations and clubs to showcase their unique opportunities.

Poly Royal Rodeo & Concert: Friday, April 7th, 7:00 PM & Saturday, April 8th, 5:30 PM

Spanos Stadium

Poly Royal has been the premier rodeo in the West Coast region since the first Poly Royal Rodeo in 1940. It is the largest college rodeo west of the Mississippi and draws crowds of up to 10,000 spectators. The Poly Royal Rodeo is held each year in early to mid-April during Cal Poly’s Open House weekend. The rodeo is a favorite of regional competitors as well as Cal Poly and San Luis Obispo community members for its lively atmosphere, professional entertainers and high-quality awards. This year, the Rodeo will be held in Spanos Stadium, followed by a concert by Chancey Williams and the Younger Brothers Band. Click here for more information of this year's Rodeo.

Tickets for the Poly Royal Rodeo can be purchased here.

The Pirates of Penzance: Friday, April 7th, 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM & Saturday, April 8th, 7:30 PM - 9:30 PM

Spanos Theatre

Cal Poly’s Student Opera Theatre (CPSOT) presents Gilbert and Sullivan’s hilarious operetta “The Pirates of Penzance” at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, April 7-8, in the Spanos Theatre on campus.

“The operetta is a sublime and hilarious marriage of clever verse and beautiful music,” said music faculty member Jacalyn Kreitzer, CPSOT’s founder and producer. “It’s a farce filled with puerile policemen, ludicrous lovers, pathetic pirates and an eccentric major general.”

Kreitzer selected “Pirates of Penzance” for this year’s semi-staged production in honor of Thomas Davies, Cal Poly’s director of choral activities and vocal studies, who is retiring at the end of the academic year.

As with other CPSOT productions, students in “The Pirates of Penzance” will sing lead, comprimario and ensemble roles. The chorus, stage managers, assistant director, assistant producer, make-up, costume designers and stage craftsmen are also students, all from a wide variety of majors.

Some roles are double cast to provide as many educational opportunities as possible. Corey Hable and Zachary Davis play the major-general, who may lose his daughters in marriage to the orphan band of pirates; Joshua Mueller and Chris Tusan are the conquering pirate kings; Hannah Littier and Samantha Foulk play the coy Mabel; Kelsey Ishimatsu-Jacobson andLauren Hartog sing the woes of the aging Ruth; and Gabriela Crolla, Jill Gibson, Molly Gooch and Jennifer Jang sing the roles of Edith, Isabel and Kate, some of the major-general’s slightly confused daughters. Liam Daley is Samuel, and Christopher Wall is Frederick, glad to end his pirate indentures.

Marcy Irving, founder and director of Central Coast Gilbert and Sullivan, will direct the production in concert style. Davies will conduct and Paul Woodring will play the orchestral parts on piano. Woodring is a Music Department staff accompanist and the university organist.

Tickets can be purchased from the Cal Poly Ticket Office. For more information, contact the Cal Poly Music Department.

Cal Poly Baseball vs. Hawai'i: Friday, April 7th, 6:00 PM, Saturday, April 8th, 6:00 PM, Sunday, April 9th, 1:00 PM

Baggett Stadium

Come cheer on the Mustangs as they take on conference rival Hawai'i for their first Big West home series. Tickets can be purchased here. More information about Cal Poly Baseball can be found here.

Computer and Electrical Showcase: Saturday, April 7th, 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM

Rec Center

Join the computer engineering, electrical engineering, computer science and software engineering programs in the Rec Center for an exciting hands-on showcase. Enjoy interactive displays and games.

Mustang News Live on Dexter: Saturday, April 8th, 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Dexter Lawn

Mustang Media Group, the student-run media organization that includes Mustang News, KCPR, CPTV and Central Coast PRspectives (CCPR), will be on display and broadcasting live. This award winning program offers students from all majors the opportunity to work and learn in a professional environment!

Screen Print Your Own T-Shirt: Saturday, April 8th, 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM

Bldg 26, Rm 209C

Participants will be able to screen print their own t-shirt on a 4-station manual printing press with a custom Cal Poly San Luis Obispo design. There will be a $10 fee to cover the costs.

Poly Royal Truck and Tractor Pull: Saturday, April 8th, 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM

Pasture on the corner of Highland Dr. and Mt. Bishop Rd.

The Poly Royal Truck and Tractor Pull has been held at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo almost every April since 1972. It is one of the largest events at Open House, drawing nearly 4,000 spectators and over 50 competitors from the Western United States. The event is run by Cal Poly Tractor Pull Club and the proceeds from the event bolster a scholarship endowment that goes to hard-working students of the College of Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Sciences. In 2016, the scholarship fund gave out over $30,000 to students.

Chamber Ensemble Recital: Saturday, April 8th, 2:00 PM - 3:30 PM

Music Bldg 45, Rm 218

A free chamber ensemble recital featuring student members of various Music Department instrumental ensembles.

Alumni Beer & Wine Garden: Saturday, April 8th, 2:30 PM - 5:00 PM

Engineering Plaza

Join us for an afternoon of fun, reconnecting with alumni, faculty, staff, and student ambassadors. You will enjoy local beer and wine, as well as delicious appetizers. The event will be held rain or shine!

Activities, Tour, & Concert at the Experimental Farm: Saturday, April 8th, 4:00 PM - 8:30 PM

Cal Poly Experimental Farm, on Bishop Road past the Rodeo and across from the Compost Unit

Students will join the Agroecology Club at the Student Experimental Farm for a fun evening of activities and to learn more about project based learning and existing projects to get involved in at the farm. Entertainment will be provided by a local band Cuyama Mama and the Hot Flashes. It will be a great evening to make connections!

Cal Poly encourages inclusivity in all its programs and activities. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation, including (but not limited to) physical access or Deaf/Hard of Hearing services, please contact New Student & Transition Programs (openhouse@calpoly.edu) in advance of your participation or visit.