Suggestions for the Weekend

Family Weekend is more than a schedule of events, it is time to become immersed in campus culture and the community. There is a great deal to take advantage of during your Weekend visit not only from the ever-moving NU community but also from the surrounding Evanston and Chicago areas. We have put together some items for you to consider while you are here (you can even let your student tag along).

On campus

  • Get a glimpse of student life! Join your student for classes and meals. If you wish to attend a class with your student, please request that your student ask permission from his or her professor before making plans to attend.  Class visits are subject to individual faculty approval.
  • See and hear student talent. For the best in music and the performing arts, look no further than Northwestern's student music and performance groups!
  • Enjoy the Block Museum. Through exhibitions, educational programs, and its Block Cinema film series, the Mary and Leigh Block Museum of Art is where the Northwestern community experiences excellence in the visual arts without leaving campus.
  • Enjoy free admission to Northwestern's fitness facility—the Henry Crown Sports Pavilion, Norris Aquatics Center, and Combe Tennis Center—including the Olympic-size pool, tennis courts, fitness classes, state-of-the-art exercise equipment, and a suspended track overlooking Lake Michigan. Find out more by visiting www.northwestern.edu/fitness-recreation .
  • Cheer for the Wildcats! On Saturday, have brunch in the dining halls or just grab a hot dog at Ryan Field and then watch the Wildcats take to the gridiron in a traditional fall rite. Come an hour before kickoff to the pregame pep rally at Wildcat Alley, featuring local performers and music by the Northwestern University "Wildcat" Marching Band. Tickets can be purchased here.
    NOTE: If you wish to sit with your student, you will need to purchase him/her a ticket also. Otherwise, NU students are seated in the student section.
  • Plan-it Purple is constantly updated with all events that are hosted on the NU campus.

In the community