Playing
...while learning
The campus offers a variety of entertainment and enrichment, from musical and dance performances to athletic games and recreational adventures.
In 2007-08 alone, over 141,000 visitors attended UCR events, and had an economic impact of over $3.4 million in the Inland Empire!
Visual art
The UCR ARTSblock is composed of the UCR/California Museum of Photography, the Sweeney Art Gallery, and the future Culver Center for the Arts, a media lab and presentation facility. The three institutions reside in the heart of downtown Riverside's historic pedestrian mall.
Music, theater and dance
UCR has been host to a diverse array of musical pantus, N*E*R*D, Bobby McFerrin, the Kronos Quartet, the Alexander String Quartet, and Ladysmith Black Mambazo.
UCR also has a wide range of musical ensembles offering several annual performances that are open to everyone. The ensembles are composed mostly of students but invite community members to participate as well.
The Department of Theatre presents plays and performances throughout the year, and all are open to the public. UCR students do nearly every aspect of production and performance.
The Department of Dance hosts "UCR is Dancing," a free show that is open to the public featuring original choreography by UCR Students.
Athletics and recreation
UCR is a National Collegiate Athletics Association (NCAA) Division I campus and is a member of the Big West Conference featuring 17 collegiate sports such as basketball, volleyball and baseball. Tickets for all UCR athletic events are available to the public.
The Student Recreation Center offers many classes that are open to the larger community including fitness, dance, martial arts, tennis, squash, meditation, self-defense, bagpipe, and first aid/CPR classes.
The Outdoor Excursions Program offers a wide array of recreational activities and trips, including
- rock climbing
- kayaking
- whale watching boat trips
- windsurfing
- snorkeling
- Yosemite Valley camping and exploring
- and much more!
Back to nature
Located near the base of the Box Springs Mountains on the east side of the University campus, the UC Riverside Botanic Gardens cover over 40 hilly acres and include over four miles of scenic trails.
The Gardens are a living plant museum with more than 3,500 plant species from around the world for visitors and researchers to see and study.