I agree with nvoigt, subscribe to the .NET magazine. It's amazing what kind of solutions to have for some problems...
Although they advertise alot but then again it's a completely free magazine. + it will keep you up to date of these events that nvoigt talked about.
I once went to one of these events, I don't know what it was exactly all about but anyway there was this "walking buffet" which drew my attention immediately. I also got some cool T-shirt, some gadgets and whatever else you could get for free.
At the end of the day I had free dinner and some gadgets, not bad when you are a poor student like me :).