It’s Your Life! Live it to the Fullest with These 11 Weekend Party Alternatives

By Meghen Jones

As college students, we all feel the pressure of enjoying college life to the fullest. But it’s okay to skip a few of those upcoming parties on your student planner.  Sure, it may be fun to go out, but let’s face it, sometimes you just don’t feel like partying—and that’s totally fine. Not to mention that there are costs associated with the act of partying itself, and who really wants to do the same thing every single weekend of their college experience? There are plenty of activities to enjoy on weekends that are just as fun.

If you are seeking a few laidback alternatives for partying, uCribs has you covered. Here are a few weekend activities that you can enjoy when you’re not really feeling the party vibe!

Attend A Concert

Have you ever been to a concert? If not, you should definitely scratch it off your bucket list. It’s the perfect thing to do when you aren’t trying to party too hard on the weekend, but you’re still craving a thrilling social experience. Between the colorful lights, the venue atmosphere, and the overall excitement of seeing your favorite artist live—it’s truly a one-of-a-kind atmosphere that everyone should seek out at least once within their lifetime. Plus, the best part about attending a concert is that you don’t have to have many friends in tow—if any at all— because you will be surrounded by other fans like yourself.

Attend an On-Campus Event

Universities almost always have some sort of weekend activity for students to attend. For example, your university may host a bingo night, intramural sports event, a play production, drive-in movie, or various club tournaments. You can find events by checking the student activities calendar, flyers posted around campus, or contacting the Student Activities Board. On- campus activities allow you to socialize outside of the noisy and cramped party setting, and some events even include snacks or meals for participants—and who doesn’t love free food?

Bonfire

Imagine sitting fireside with your best friends roasting marshmallows and just enjoying the outdoors. Depending on the time of year, a bonfire is a perfect idea for a fun, low-key gathering. Fireside hangouts allow you to bond with those closest to you, enjoy delicious, campfire-inspired food, and take in the beauty of the night sky, which is especially perfect for those students stuck in a densely populated city. It’s also an ideal setting for those deep, meaningful conversations that create lifelong friendships.

Comedy Club

Everyone needs a good laugh every once and a while! That’s why going to a comedy club is the perfect outing for a carefree Friday or Saturday night. It’s an affordable activity for you and a few friends, and you can enjoy stand-up, improv, or original plays in a fun-filled atmosphere. There’s really no greater stomach ache than the one you get from laughing so hard that your sides hurt.

Family Time

Are you currently counting down the days until you can visit your family? As college students, we often spend a lot of time away from our families due to hours of homework, lectures, and studying. College life can take a lot out of you, and if you are seeking an alternative to that weekend party, a weekend visit home may be what the doctor ordered. After all, there really is no place like home.

Work It Out

How many times have you wanted to exercise, but always end up swamped with so much to do? Well, if you’re not going to that weekend party, you have plenty of time to get in a good, blood pumping workout! Whether you decide to go alone or include a few of your friends, a workout will keep you feeling productive, healthy, and clear headed—which is more than we can say about that party. You can even check to see if your college has a recreational calendar for exercise classes that are being hosted. Keep in mind that campus gym facilities are usually free or discounted for students.

Get Crafty

We all have had those moments where we scroll through Pinterest pinning different crafts ideas and projects that we’ll probably never end up making. So, why not make your crafting dreams come true over the weekend in lieu of partying? Putting your ideas into action will not only include crafting the project itself, but it will involve many other busying errands including going to your local Hobby Lobby, Michael’s, or mom-and-pop art shop to find all the materials, which can always be an adventure within itself. And hey, while you’re in the shopping center, you might as well hit up a few of your other favorite retailers and maybe even grab lunch or coffee.

Go Somewhere Local

When you think of the term “local,” you probably think about all of your favorite neighborhood haunts—the places you frequent more often than you care to admit. But exploring your college town beyond those familiar places is a fun alternative to a weekend party. Who knows? You may find local gems such as a restaurant off the beaten path, a unique landmark, or another charming neighborhood that you would have never known about if you had not done a little exploring. Whether you’ve been living in your college town for one year or four years, there is always something new on the horizon.

Host a Bake-Off

Do you and your friends tend to have a little friendly verbal competition about who’s the best baker? Well, if you’re skipping that party this weekend, wouldn’t it be the perfect time to finally put your culinary skills to the test with an official bake-off competition? Pick your best recipe for a dessert and show off your pastry making skills! There’s nothing better than delicious sweets and spending time with your closest friends—and the more friends that join, the more desserts you get to indulge in. And who doesn’t love a little friendly competition outside the normal race for a solid GPA?

Host a Dinner

So, maybe you don’t want to spend the night baking, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t replace a competition with a feast. You can always invite your friends over for a delicious dinner gathering! If you’re not much of an at-home chef, ask everyone to cook up their favorite dishes and turn it into a giant potluck—just make sure to coordinate properly, so you don’t have any duplicate dishes. Everyone loves great food, and if you’re friends are also foodies, they definitely won’t turn down the invitation to savor a great meal—and a few fun games, like Cards Against Humanity.

Netflix Pajama Party

Everyone loves a movie night, which is why you can always opt for a pajama party and good, ol’ reliable Netflix. Invite the gang over, encourage they don their goofiest PJs, pop some popcorn, order pizza, and enjoy your favorite movies or binge watch a new TV show. It’s one of the most inexpensive party alternatives that allows you to spend time with your friends in the comfort of your own home. And who doesn’t love lounging around in their pajamas? It’s pretty awesome, if you ask me.

There are so many wonderful alternatives to weekend parties. Whether you decide to stay indoors in the coziness of your apartment home or explore the city at-large, there is always something fun to indulge in. With all of uCribs top-notch suggestions, you are sure to have the weekend you truly deserve.

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