Host an Event
With over 100 years of MIT event experience, Campus Activities Complex (CAC) staff are your go-to for event assistance. We support leaders in planning, creating, and implementing their event vision.
Our Spaces
The CAC provides a wide range of event spaces, from a 1,100-seat auditorium to small conference rooms and everything in between. Requests for CAC spaces should be made through the virtual scheduling system
If it is your first time reserving a space, you will need to create an account: Mazevo.
About this space: Kresge Auditorium was dedicated in 1955 to serve as “the meeting house of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.” Designed by Eero Saarinen of TWA Flight Center fame, Kresge serves as a well known example of thin shell concrete structure, drawing visitors from around the world. The roof, supported on only three points, was originally covered with smooth and bright white orastone, then replaced by lead sheeting attached with a mesh of stainless steel wire, before finally being replaced in 1980 with the copper roof that we know today.
Featured facilities: 1,200-seat performance hall, 200-seat theatre, as well as rehearsal rooms and dressing rooms.
Commonly used for: Performance facilities for MIT Music and Theatre Arts productions as well as work by a number of student organizations.
About this space: Centrally located, the Stratton Student Center offers places to gather, study, dine, do errands, and relax. MIT students view the Student Center as their out-of-the-classroom home.
Featured facilities: Forty student offices and lounges, multipurpose event rooms, five dining venues, a reading room with group study spaces, and the Athena Lounge
Commonly used for: Meetings, dancing, and conferences
About this space: Built in 1916 in honor of the former MIT President, Francis A. Walker, (Building 50) was one of the early buildings built on MIT’s Cambridge campus. The architect, Welles Bosworth (MIT Class of 1889), patterned his design of the building after the gentlemen’s clubs of the nineteenth century, complete with social rooms, meeting rooms, offices, athletic facilities, and dining rooms. Murals, painted by Edwin Howard Blashfield (MIT Class of 1869), grace the walls of Morss Hall. Blashfield’s murals can be seen at the Library of Congress, the Detroit Public Library, and various state buildings around the country.
Featured facilities: Morss Hall (large banquet facility with patios), the Rainbow Lounge, the Climbing Wall, the Muddy Charles Pub, and a dance rehearsal room
Commonly used for: MIT Group events; exam facility
About this space: Within the auditorium, there is an audio amplification system with surround sound capability, video and audio taping capability, VCR, slide projector, and a large screen. Audio taping is provided by Video Productions. For all other audio/visual needs, please request AV services from IS&T.
Featured facilities: Auditorium has a capacity of 289 with three removable seats at the front of the auditorium
Commonly used for: Lectures and symposiums
About this space: This icon of architecture on MIT’s campus was designed by Frank Gehry and brings together the three triads of MIT education: teaching, research, and community. It is an exciting environment with the academic and research labs of CSAIL, LIDS, and Linguistics and Philosophy, combined with the Faculty Lunch Program and the R and D Pub located in the towers of the center. The focal point of the facility is the Vest Student Street with it’s featured promotion and display boards, student and community activity booths, and benches and café seating meant to foster informal interactions and conversation.
Featured facilities: Kirsch Auditorium, two flat classrooms (sixty seats each in 32-124 and 32-144), and two tiered classrooms (ninety seats each in 32-141 and 32-155)
Commonly used for: Student activities, as well as departments, labs, and centers for conference, seminars, and social programming
About this space: The MIT Chapel is a non-denominational space located next to Kresge Auditorium and the Kresge Oval with the ability to accommodate up to 140 people.
Featured facilities: Space seats 114 people, but extra folding chairs can be brought in to accommodate up to 140 people.
Commonly used for: Personal events such as weddings, baptisms, bar/bat mitzvahs, and memorial services, as well as group events and initiation services for sororities and fraternities.
About this space: These facilities are available on a limited basis after the needs of religious activities have been met. The Main Dining Room has a movie screen and windows, and can be used with the Small Dining Room with connecting doors open. Both spaces must be booked to do this.
Featured facilities: Main dining room (accommodates groups up to 48); Small dining room (accommodates groups up to 16); Community room (accommodates groups up to 20)
Commonly used for: Banquet-style setup (Main Dining Room); meetings and informal gatherings
About this space: Memorial Lobby (10) is a War Memorial. In line with sanctity of the War Memorial, no posters or banners may be hung from the ceiling or placed on the walls, and no yelling or shouting of any kind will be permitted. In compliance with Fire and Life Safety Codes, a clear pathway (three feet wide) to the exit doors must be maintained at all times. No obstructions or electrical cords should disrupt or impede traffic flow or doorway areas. Any cords used must be taped down. Event organizers are responsible for removing all tape at the conclusion of their events. No public address system, yelling, or shouting is allowed; however, music may be played at a reasonable volume between classes and during the lunch hour.
The eight booths are to remain in Memorial Lobby (10). Booths can be collapsed and pushed off to one side of the Lobby. Booth removal involves a special fee and must be arranged in advance. Promotional tables are available for use by MIT departments and organizations with a reservation. When not reserved or in use, community members may sit at the table, but they are not permitted to promote their activities or services, display materials, or distribute items.
Featured facilities: Eight booths are available throughout the academic year, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Available on a limited basis during the academic year after 6 p.m. during the week and all day on weekends.
Commonly used for: To promote of student group and departmental activities
About this space: When using the lobby for an event, please be considerate of the nearby classroom and keep noise levels to a minimum. Furniture setups and support services for Lobby 13 are provided by CAC. If your event requires more than a few tables and chairs, you will need to make arrangements with a CAC manager to rent furniture. If setting up in center of lobby, you will need a four foot aisle around the perimeter of the room.
Please note that during the winter months and in the evenings, the lobby can get very cold.
Featured facilities: Entrance lobby with standing room reception capacity of 770 and seated capacity of 359 with tables and chairs. The space must be maintained as an open passageway for the public — access to the doors, elevators, and stairways cannot be blocked or restricted in any way.
Commonly used for: Receptions, career fairs, poster sessions
Dertouzos Amphitheater
Just outside the Stata Center, the amphitheater has a capacity of 350.
Kresge Barbecue Pits
The two Barbecue Pits are located between Kresge Auditorium (W16) and Amherst Street. Each pit services approximately 25 people. If you require seating, contact CAC for rental arrangements and prices. A MIT Police detail is required if alcohol is served. Please note that the Barbecue Pits are only open from April 1 to November 1.
Kresge Oval
Between Kresge Auditorium and the Student Center.
Kresge Lawn
Between Kresge Auditorium and the Zesiger Center.
Stratton Student Center Plaza
Just outside the Student Center in the area just before the steps on the LaVerde’s side entrance.
Student Center Steps
Elevated area in front of the Student Center, connected to the building.
Personal Events
CAC has a lifelong commitment to MIT community members. MIT students, alumni, staff, faculty, and their children are invited to reserve MIT spaces such as the Chapel for weddings, memorials, and other religious ceremonies, including baptisms, bar/bat mitzvahs, naming ceremonies, and vow renewals.
CAC provides a range of services to make planning seamless for important rites of passage including:
- Assistance with scheduling and reservations
- A site visit with a walkthrough that includes recommendations based on past events
The Chapel normally seats 114 people, however, extra folding chairs can be brought in to accommodate up to 140 people.
Reservation Process
To check availability of dates, please contact CAC by completing the Inquiry form. You can anticipate a response within 48 business hours.
Once a date is identified and a completed “Personal Event Application” is submitted and processed, you will receive a tentative confirmation via email. Current MIT students do not have to pay fees for MIT Chapel ceremonies. All others have 15 days to submit a 50 percent non-refundable deposit in order to lock in your reservation. The remaining balance is due one month prior to your event.
Resource Block
[Event Resources]
[Community Standards Grant Application]
[Halal and Kosher: Inclusive event planning]
[FSILG Social Events Policy]
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Contact the CAC
The CAC is dedicated to helping groups and individuals across the MIT community create and implement their event vision.
Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. For after-hours and weekend event needs and building emergencies, please call the CAC manager on duty.