STUDENT AFFAIRS

• The Great Digital Adventure is back! Learn more about campus by creating a team and using your smartphones to scan a QR code and solve a series of puzzles that will take teams to the most interesting parts of campus. This activity is self-guided and can be done anytime during Family Weekend. All families who complete the adventure will be entered into a drawing and five families will receive a $100 gift card for Downtown Evanston, which recipients can use it at any of the participating businesses including restaurants, retailers and service providers. More details on how to participate in the Additional Information section below!

10:00 am – 6:00 pm - Family Weekend Hospitality Room & Watch Party Food & Beverage Ticket Pick Up (101 Wildcat Room, Norris University Center, 1999 Campus Dr.)

• Families should go to the Wildcat Room to pick up their pre-purchased Watch Party Food & Beverage Tickets, and to connect with Family Engagement staff, pick up an “at a glance” schedule book, collect a coupon for the bookstore and Evanston Farmer’s Market and enjoy some complimentary coffee, tea and water.

11:00 am – 12:00 pm - Faculty Lecture Series: Round 1 

Northwestern’s world-class faculty showcase their teaching expertise during various lectures for families. 

• Ancient Rome in Chicago. A Local History of Classical Antiquity in the most American of American Cities presented by Francesca Tataranni, WCAS (Guild Lounge, 2nd floor of Scott Hall, 601 University Place)   

  While the ancient Romans never made it to the “New World,” their “presence” in Chicago is reflected in architecture, the visual arts, and sites devoted to recreation, education, politics, and business. This presentation will take the audience on a journey to Chicago's financial district, political and commercial centers, cultural institutions, hotels, theaters, cemeteries, and ethnic neighborhoods. By touring the city, we will learn to "read" its streets, buildings, and monuments, uncovering Chicago's dynamic and enduring engagement with the classical past. The session will end with a showcase of a student-produced virtual architectural tour of Chicago that highlights the many ways in which the city’s protean dialogue with the Graeco-Roman world has shaped its image, reputation, and identity. 

• Journalism and AI: Preparing Students for Careers We Can’t Yet Imagine presented by Jill Blackman, Medill School of Journalism (Norris Louis Room 2-232)    

  In this session, parents will discover how journalism students are being prepared to thrive in an AI-powered world. They’ll see how leading newsrooms already use AI for research, transcription, and audience engagement, and how students are gaining transferable skills in writing, fact-checking, analytics, and digital storytelling. The lecture will highlight why critical thinking and ethical judgment are more important than ever in an era of misinformation, and how these skills prepare students not only for journalism but also for careers in communications, marketing, technology, and beyond. Parents will leave reassured that their students are developing the adaptability and creativity needed for jobs that don’t yet exist. 

• Adventures in Electronics or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Embrace Failure presented by Ilya Mikhelson, McCormick School of Engineering (Norris Lake Room 2-180) 

  We learn through failure, right?  Then call me frickin Einstein.  In this talk, I will take you on a journey through some of my electronics projects, both for work and for fun, showing you the various and numerous ways in which I have failed while attempting to build "simple" systems.  Society has come to view failure as something to be avoided, but I try to instill the idea in my students, every day, that failure is actually the only way to learn.  In this talk, I will try to demonstrate why we shouldn't fear failure, but rather embrace it. 

• Listening in the Age of the Algorithm presented by Daniel Shanahan, Bienen School of Music (Norris Louis Room North 2-204)   

   Whether it’s the movies we watch, the flights we buy, the goods we buy, or the music we listen to, algorithmic recommendation is changing how we experience the world around us. In this talk, I explore what it means to listen to music in an age of computational curation. As these systems are meant to model human preference, I discuss what it means to have musical preferences, to perceive musical features as similar, and what the role of social interactions has on our own listening behaviors. 

• Hail to Purple: Northwestern History & Traditions presented by Kevin Leonard, University Historian (McCormick Auditorium, Room 1-045)     

  Join University Historian, Kevin Leonard in a discussion of Northwestern’s past and its heritage. Generations of NU students have had significant and enduring impact on the school’s curriculum and in the formation of Northwestern’s most enduring extracurricular traditions. 

1:30 pm – 2:30 pm - Faculty Lecture Series: Round 2 

Northwestern’s world-class faculty showcase their teaching expertise during various lectures for families.  

• Hearing Silences: 50 Years of Black Women Faculty at Northwestern University, presented by Ava Thompson Greenwell, Medill School of Journalism (Guild Lounge, 2nd floor of Scott Hall, 601 University Place)   

  Much is known about the Black college student experience at higher institutions of learning. However, very little is known about the Black faculty experience ­­­– until now. “Hearing Silences: 50 Years of Black Women Faculty at Northwestern University” traces the history and experiences of some of the first Black women professors on the Evanston and Chicago campuses. The documentary film explores the pioneering women’s academic life, the highs and lows of being “the first” and their contributions to the university. 

• Designing the Materials of Tomorrow - Real and Imagined presented by Ian McCue, McCormick School of Engineering (Norris Louis Room 2-232)    

  Discovery of new materials has been essential to the development of modern society. However, these advances are often quiet and less visible to the public. This lecture will examine how civilizations have been able to make dramatic advancements due to innovations in structural materials, and how these concepts have made their way into pop culture. Underpinned by thermodynamics, we will discuss how our imagination and intuition for materials have always been guided by fundamental physics that we are still working to better understand. 

• When Literacies Collide: The Intersection of Computer Programming and Music presented by Michael Horn, School of Education and Social Policy (Norris Lake Room 2-180) 

  This interactive workshop will explore music and computer programming as two mutually reinforcing forms of literacy. Computer code provides a language to think about musical ideas such as rhythm, harmony, and chords. Music, in turn, provides a rich context through which to explore concepts of computer programming. As these literacies collide, they are both transformed in fascinating ways. Participants will have a chance to make their own music while learning a little about Python coding.  

• Talking about Love: The Marriage 101 Course presented by Alexandra Solomon, School of Education and Social Policy (Norris McCormick Auditorium, Room 1-045)  

  Dr. Alexandra H. Solomon is adjunct faculty in the School of Education and Social Policy, a licensed clinical psychologist, and host of the podcast, Reimagining Love. In this talk, Professor Solomon will explore what has made “Building Loving and Lasting Relationships: Marriage 101” the most popular class on campus for 25 years. In addition to gaining a deeper understanding the dating landscape of emerging adults, participants will learn how to support the young people in their lives as they navigate the challenges and opportunities of romantic love.    

• Orchestrating Leadership presented by Stephan Alltop, Bienen School of Music (Norris Northwestern Room 2-160 & 2-172)     

  A long-standing collaboration between the Bienen School of Music and the Kellogg School of Management, Orchestrating Leadership offers perspectives on leadership and communication from the context of the professional symphony orchestra. Stephen Alltop shares insights on how conductors inspire highly skilled musicians toward unified goals using a wide variety of skills and knowledge. The critical roles that preparation and vision play in the work of orchestral conductors, and the many parallels that exist between musical ensembles and business organizations will also be addressed.   

• Beer and Brewing in Germany and Chicago presented by Rob Ryder, Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences (Norris Louis Room North 2-204) 

  Did you know that the first riot in Chicago was due to Germans gathering to drink beer and discuss politics? What is the one very important ingredient missing in the original German Reinheitsgebot (purity law) of 1516? Join Rob Ryder, Professor of German, who will highlight a few historical and practical aspects of beer and brewing in German-speaking culture, a tradition that began long before the Middle Ages. He will also discuss the rich history of German beer making in Chicago from the 1850s to today. 

Afternoon with the Undergraduate Schools

Bienen School of Music 

3:00 pm – 4:00 pm (Ryan Center for the Musical Arts, Jean Gimbel Lane Reception Room)

• Bienen School family members are invited to a reception to connect with members of the Bienen School's leadership team and with other Bienen parents.

Families are also invited to observe student rehearsals at various times throughout the afternoon. 

• University Chorale, 2:00-3:20 pm (RCMA 1-190 McClintock Choral Room) 
• Northwestern University Symphony Orchestra, 2:10 pm - 4:10pm (Pick-Staiger Stage)
• Symphonic Wind Ensemble, 2:10 pm - 4:10pm (Pick-Staiger Rehearsal Room) 
• University Singers, 3:30 pm - 4:50 pm (RCMA 1-100 Galvin Recital Hall)
• Northwestern University Jazz Orchestra, 4:30 pm - 6:20 pm (Regenstein 011) 
• Bienen Contemporary/Early Vocal Ensemble 5:00 pm - 6:20 pm (RCMA 1-100 Galvin Recital Hall) 
• Northwestern University Marching Band, 4:00 pm - 6:00pm (Long Field) 
  •   Check the online schedule or bit.ly/NU-FW for rain location if needed

McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science

3:00 pm – 4:00 pm (205 Louis Room, Norris University Center) 

• McCormick family members are invited to this presentation and Q&A with Dr. Burghardt, Associate Dean of Undergraduate Engineering, and current engineering students.  

Medill School of Journalism, Media, Integrated Marketing Communications

3:00 pm – 4:00 pm (McCormick Foundation Center Forum, 1870 Campus Dr.) 

• A welcome from our Dean, and a brief showcase of student work, and time with advisers.

School of Communication

3:00 pm – 4:00 pm (Wirtz Center for Performing Arts, Room 102, Wallis Theatre,1949 Campus Drive) 

• Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs and Advising Lori Barcliff Baptista will speak briefly, and academic advisors will mingle with guests.

School of Education and Social Policy (SESP)

3:00 pm - 4:00 pm (Annenberg Hall, Room 123, Student Advising Office, 2120 Campus Dr.) 

• An open house and conversation with SESP faculty and advising team will take place in the SESP Student Affairs Office on the first floor of Annenberg Hall. Light refreshments will be served.

Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences

3:00 pm – 4:00 pm (Cahn Auditorium, 600 Emerson St.)

• Presentation and panel discussion on resources and opportunities for Weinberg students.  

6:45 pm – 8:15 pm:  Acapalooza Show #1 (Cahn Auditorium, 600 Emerson St.)

9:00 pm – 10:30 pm:  Acapalooza Show #2 (Cahn Auditorium, 600 Emerson St.)

• Join Northwestern University Dance Marathon (NUDM) and Family Engagement for a night of incredible a cappella performances! Enjoy music from Northwestern’s premier a cappella groups while learning about NUDM 2026’s life-changing primary and secondary beneficiaries.  

  Please Note: There will be two separate shows this year, one at 6:45 pm and another performance at 9:00 pm. Each performance costs $10 ($11.65 with fees), which is donated to NUDM and will feature half of Northwestern’s a cappella groups.  

  To ensure you are purchasing tickets for the a cappella groups you want to see, please see the performance schedule below. Tickets will go on sale on Monday, October 6 at 3:00pm CST.
  

  CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS  

• GROUPS PERFORMING AT THE 6:45PM SHOW:
  • Soul4Real
  • X-Factors
  • Undertones
  • Treblemakers
  • THUNK
  • Purple Haze
• GROUPS PERFORMING AT THE 9:00PM SHOW:
  • Extreme Measures
  • SigO
  • Asterik
  • ShireiNU
  • Freshman Fifteen
  • BrownSugar

8:00 pm – 10:00 pm - Dearborn Observatory (2131 Tech Drive) 

• Families are invited to drop in and tour the Observatory free of charge. Weather permitting, you will be able to view the night sky with our historic Dearborn Telescope.

6:00 am – 10:00 pm - Complimentary Access to the Henry Crown Sports Pavilion (2311 Campus Dr.)  

•  More information and class schedules included at the end of the schedule. 

11:30 am to 1:30 pm - Kellogg Alumni Open House (Kellogg Global Hub, 2211 N Campus Dr) 

• As part of Northwestern University's Family Weekend, Kellogg alumni and their families are warmly invited to join Dean Francesca Cornelli, Donald P. Jacobs Chair of Finance, for a special open house reception at the Kellogg Global Hub. The event will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and will feature guided tours at 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m., along with an opportunity to connect over coffee, soft drinks, and treats. Guests joining a tour should meet a member of the Kellogg Alumni Relations team in Room 1425 prior to the departure of their 30-minute tour. Click here to register. 

12:00 pm – 8:00 pm - Block Museum of Art (40 Arts Circle Drive)  

• Visit Northwestern’s campus art museum! The Block is an engine that drives questioning, experimentation, and collaboration across fields of study, with visual arts at the center. The Block is always free and open to all. For more information, please visit www.blockmuseum.northwestern.edu.  

12:00 pm – 10:30 pm - Visit the Norris Game Room (Norris University Center)   

• Visit the Game Room in the underground of Norris University Center for some family fun! The Norris Game Room has six Brunswick Gold Crown billiards tables, and a variety of video games on Xbox One, Playstation 4, and the Nintendo Switch, as well as several board games and a foosball table. All activities are free for NU Families.   

1:10 pm – 2:00 pm - Ju’mah (Muslim Friday Prayer) (Parkes Hall, Room 122, 1870 Sheridan Road)   

4:00 pm – 4:30 pm - Mindfulness Meditation Drop-In (Multi-Belief Space, Parkes Hall, Room 204, 1870 Sheridan Road)   

4:30 pm – 6:30 pm - Northwestern University Black Alumni Association (NUBAA) Prayer Walk & Social (The Black House, 1914 Sheridan Rd.)  

• Come pray for all our students! Families are invited to join NUBAA at the Black House for conversation and connection. Praise and worship + Meet and Greet will start at 4:30 pm, and the Prayer Walk will step off at 5 pm. Light refreshments will follow. All are welcome! If you have any questions, please direct them to nubaa@alum.northwestern.edu. We look forward to connecting with you then!  

5:15 pm – 6:00 pm - Northwestern Hillel Open House (629 Foster St.)   

• Join Hillel for an Open House. We’ll have a performance from ShireiNU (Northwestern's premier Jewish a capella group) and schmooze over drinks and light snacks!  Click Here to RSVP for Family Weekend events with Northwestern Hillel.

6:00 pm – 7:00 pm - Shabbat Services (629 Foster St.)  

• Join us for our weekly Shabbat services (both Reform and Conservative) led by students. Services are open to all. Click Here to RSVP for Family Weekend events with Northwestern Hillel.

6:00 pm – 7:30 pm - Exhibition Keynote: Alexander Nemerov on Helen Frankenthaler’s Diversions (Block Museum of Art, 40 Arts Circle Drive)  

• What is the relationship between an artwork and its maker? Can we confidently link the two, or do they diverge in meaning and intention? In this keynote lecture, Alexander Nemerov (Stanford University, Department of Art & Art History) will reflect on these enduring questions by focusing on Divertimento, a lithograph by Helen Frankenthaler, and its related working proofs—recently acquired by The Block Museum as part of a major gift from the Helen Frankenthaler Foundation. Learn More & RSVP 

7:00 pm – 9:00 pm - Shabbat Dinner (629 Foster St.)  

• Join Northwestern Hillel for our delicious Kosher Shabbat dinner prepared by Hillel's in-house chef, Jacob Portman! Click Here to RSVP for Family Weekend events with Northwestern Hillel.  

7:30 pm Symphonic Band  (Pick-Staiger Concert Hall) Shawn D. Vondran, conductor  

• The Symphonic Band’s first fall-quarter performance highlights the range of emotions evoked by places and spaces. The heights captured in Machu Picchu—City in the Sky inspire awe and wonder. The spiritual From the Delta is emblematic of the African American experience of enslavement in the South. George Washington Bridge, a work premiered 75 years ago, evokes a sense of urban grandeur and the wonder of modern engineering. Gabrieli’s “Sancta Maria” brings listeners into a divine space juxtaposed against darker outside forces, and Frank Ticheli’s Angels in the Architecture closes the concert depicting a battle between light and darkness. Tickets are $6 for the general public and $4 for students. Click here for tickets and more information. 

7:30 pm – 8:30 pm - Hang Time written & directed by Zora Howard (Takes place on the Chicago Campus in Abbott Hall, Wirtz Theater, Room 203, 710 N. Lake Shore Drive)

• Three men chew the fat under an old, wide tree. In Hang Time, we peek into the interiority – the great loves and bitter blues – of Black men in America. Setting the romantic and the macabre in sharp relief, the work invites the viewer to envisage the living Black body triumphant over the legacy of violence that it holds. Written and directed by Pulitzer Prize Finalist Zora Howard in her directorial debut, Hang Time is a deeply moving and subversive work not to be missed. For more information and tickets, go to Hang Time - Virginia Wadsworth Wirtz Centers - Northwestern University.

All day - The Great Game Digital Adventure: Northwestern Edition

• The Great Digital Adventure is back! Learn more about campus by creating a team and using your smartphones to scan a QR code and solve a series of puzzles that will take teams to the most interesting parts of campus. This activity is self-guided and can be done anytime during Family Weekend. All families who complete the adventure will be entered into a drawing and five families will receive a $100 gift card for Downtown Evanston, which recipients can use it at any of the participating businesses including restaurants, retailers and service providers. More details on how to participate in the Additional Information section below!

9:00 am – 10:30 am Campus Tours led by Family Ambassadors (Leaves from Norris West Lobby)  

• Family Ambassadors will lead a campus walking tour, which will leave from the Norris West Lobby next to the main doors. 

9:30 am – 11:00 am Campus Tours led by Family Ambassadors (Leaves from Norris West Lobby) 

• Family Ambassadors will lead a campus walking tour, which will leave from the Norris West Lobby next to the main doors. 

10:00 am – 5:30 pm - Family Weekend Hospitality Room & Watch Party Food & Beverage Ticket Pick Up (101 Wildcat Room, Norris University Center, 1999 Campus Dr.) 

• Families should go to the Wildcat Room to pick up their pre-purchased Watch Party Food & Beverage Tickets, and to connect with Family Engagement staff, pick up an “at a glance” schedule book, collect a coupon for the bookstore and Evanston Farmer’s Market and enjoy some complimentary coffee, tea and water. 
  

10:30 am - 11:30 am – Campus Resource Sessions Round 1 (Norris University Center, 1999 Campus Dr.)

Career Services for Northwestern Students (McCormick Auditorium, Norris University Center)  

• Northwestern Career Advancement (NCA) will offer an overview of the career resources available to your student including career counseling and advising services, internships and summer experiences, and the post-graduation success of our students. Come learn about how Northwestern prepares its students for life after graduation.  

Undergraduate Research Information (Norris Lake Room 2-180) 

• The Director of the Office of Undergraduate Research will explain how students can get involved in research. At Northwestern, research occurs in all fields and schools from the [expected] labs to the creative arts and journalism. Come learn the process of getting into a lab and/or developing your own project. We have extensive resources and funding for both.  

Office of Fellowships Session (Norris Northwestern Room 2-160 & 2-172)

• The Office of Fellowships helps students find and apply for external sources of funding to do many different things, including research, internships, language study, and tuition support, with international options available for all opportunities.  

Living within Your Means (Norris Louis Room North 2-204)   

• Living within your means is a strategy for creating the financial life you desire. We’ll share questions to ask about your future and money mindset, common pitfalls to be aware of, and tips on getting started to feel more financially secure. This session is hosted by U.S. Bank and is geared towards students and their families. 

11:00 am – 5:00 pm - Visit the Art Institute of Chicago (111 S. Michigan Ave Chicago, IL) 

• Northwestern undergraduates always enjoy free access to the museum when they present their Wildcard. During Family Weekend, only on Saturday, October 18, this benefit extends to up to two guests who will be allowed free entry when they visit either the Michigan Ave or Modern Wing ticketing counter with a Wildcard-wielding undergraduate! Information about visitor policies, special exhibits and more available at: artic.edu This program is supported by the Division of Student Affairs and managed by Student Organizations & Activities.  

11:45 am - 12:45 pm – Campus Resource Sessions Round 2 (Norris University Center, 1999 Campus Dr.)

Career Services for Northwestern Students (McCormick Auditorium, Norris University Center)  

• Northwestern Career Advancement (NCA) will offer an overview of the career resources available to your student including career counseling and advising services, internships and summer experiences, and the post-graduation success of our students. Come learn about how Northwestern prepares its students for life after graduation.  

Undergraduate Research Information (Norris Lake Room 2-180)

• The Director of the Office of Undergraduate Research will explain how students can get involved in research. At Northwestern, research occurs in all fields and schools from the [expected] labs to the creative arts and journalism. Come learn the process of getting into a lab and/or developing your own project. We have extensive resources and funding for both.  

Office of Fellowships Session (Norris Northwestern Room 2-160 & 2-172)

• The Office of Fellowships helps students find and apply for external sources of funding to do many different things, including research, internships, language study, and tuition support, with international options available for all opportunities.  

Living within Your Means (Norris Louis Room North 2-204)   

• Living within your means is a strategy for creating the financial life you desire. We’ll share questions to ask about your future and money mindset, common pitfalls to be aware of, and tips on getting started to feel more financially secure. This session is hosted by U.S. Bank and is geared towards students and their families.

12:30 pm - 4:30 pm - Family Bisque Painting with Artica Studios (Arch Room, Norris) 

• Celebrate Family Weekend through creativity! Join Artica Studios for a free bisque painting event on Saturday, October 18 at Norris. Participants may choose a bowl or a mug to create a piece of functional ceramics unique to you! All underglazes, supplies, and firing will be included. Your piece will be complete once it is fired in the studio. Please allow 1-2 weeks for your piece to be complete. Once ready, all participants will be notified via email for pick up in Artica Studios at Norris. All supplies included. Spots available on a first-come, first-served basis! 

1:00 pm- 5:30 pm - Family Engagement Football Watch Party (Kahn Plaza, Norris University Center)

• Cheer on your Northwestern Wildcats as they take on the Boilermakers at the Family Engagement Football Watch Party on the new Kahn Plaza! The event will begin one hour prior to gametime and feature music, games, and face painting plus an opportunity to mingle with other Wildcat families while everyone watches the game on a large screen. This event is FREE to attend. Food sales have closed, but several Norris University Center restaurants will be open; feel free to buy food and bring it outside. Beverage tickets will be for sale on the ground floor of Norris, near the doors that lead to the Watch Party. All food and beverage tickets are non-refundable. 
  

• Watch Party Menu  

  Grill (2 tickets each):  
  Hamburgers/Cheeseburgers  
  Portobello Mushroom Burger  
  100% Beef Hot Dogs  
  Brats  
  Grilled Chicken Breast  
  Veggie Burger  

  Sides and Desert (1 ticket each):  
  Bags of Chips  
  Cookies  
  Brownies  
  Lemon Bars  

  Nonalcoholic Drinks (1 ticket each):  
  Cans of Soda (Coke Products)  
  Topo Chico Sparkling Water  

  *Free drinking water will be available in large canisters
   
  Alcoholic Beverages (3 tickets each):  
  Beer  
  Wine  
  Hard Seltzers

2:00 pm - 5:30 pm - Northwestern Football vs. Purdue University (Northwestern Medicine Field at Martin Stadium)

• The Northwestern Wildcats will battle the Purdue Boilermakers for an exciting Big Ten match up at 2:00 pm CST. Official Family Weekend game tickets are sold out but you can check out nusports.com to see if other tickets are still for sale. Go ‘Cats! 

2:00 pm - 4:00 pm - Drop in for Kitty Kart Hour at the Norris Game Room on the Underground Floor!

• Enjoy some lighthearted Mario Kart fun — perfect for families, friends, and casual racers of all ages. No registration is needed, just show up, grab a controller, and get ready to race! 1st place racers will receive a small prize. Prizes available while supplies last. Please note: Spots are limited as we have two Nintendo Switch consoles available. Participants will drop in and rotate in throughout the hour. 

8:00 pm – 9:30 pm - Magician Daniel Martin (Cahn Auditorium)   

• From the largest Theaters & Fortune 100 companies to intimate celebrity events & residencies, Daniel Martin's high-energy performances are a thrilling fusion of Incredible Sleight of Hand & Playful Sleight of Mind that has led to record-breaking attendance records around the world. He has been awarded “Best Variety Artist" & "Best Male Performer" as well as the coveted "Entertainer of the Year" award.  Daniel’s award-winning magic has been seen on NETFLIX, Disney+, NBC, and Discovery. This is NOT a ticketed event; seats are first-come, first-served for this free performance sponsored Student Organizations & Activities. 

8:00 pm – 10:00 pm - Dearborn Observatory (2131 Tech Drive) 

• Families are invited to drop in and tour the Observatory free of charge. Weather permitting, you will be able to view the night sky with our historic Dearborn Telescope.

7:30 am – 1:00 pm - Evanston Farmer’s Market – NU Spirit Day! (University Place & Oak Avenue, behind the Hilton Garden Inn) 

Pick up your complimentary $5 coupon from the Family Weekend Hospitality Room and shop with more than 70 vendors. 

 8:00 am – 7:00 pm - Complimentary Access to Blomquist Recreation Center (617 Foster Street)  

 9:00 am - Please contact Campus Rabbi Jessica Lott for information regarding Shabbat morning services.

12:00 pm – 5:00 pm - Block Museum of Art (40 Arts Circle Drive)  

• Visit Northwestern’s campus art museum! The Block is an engine that drives questioning, experimentation, and collaboration across fields of study, with visual arts at the center. The Block is always free and open to all. For more information, please visit www.blockmuseum.northwestern.edu.  

12:00 pm – 10:30 pm - Visit the Norris Game Room (Norris University Center)   

• Visit the Game Room in the underground of Norris University Center for some family fun! The Norris Game Room has six Brunswick Gold Crown billiards tables, and a variety of video games on Xbox One, Playstation 4, and the Nintendo Switch, as well as several board games and a foosball table. All activities are free for NU Families.   

2:00 pm – 4:00 pm - Crafting Autumn Magic in Clay (ARTica Studios, Ground Floor of Norris) 

Join Mini Courses at ARTIca Studios for a cozy ceramics hand building workshop where you’ll craft a special keepsake to celebrate the season. Choose between a charming mini pumpkin or a warm, votive-style decoration—perfect for adding a festive touch to your home.  Each project takes about 30 minutes to complete and will need time to dry and be fired, so plan to have someone return in two weeks to pick up your finished piece.  Open to families and children 10+. Supplies are included, and the fee is $29 per person. Registration is required. 

2:00 pm – 3:00 pm - Hang Time written & directed by Zora Howard (Takes place on the Chicago Campus in Abbott Hall, Wirtz Theater, Room 203, 710 N. Lake Shore Drive)

• Three men chew the fat under an old, wide tree. In Hang Time, we peek into the interiority – the great loves and bitter blues – of Black men in America. Setting the romantic and the macabre in sharp relief, the work invites the viewer to envisage the living Black body triumphant over the legacy of violence that it holds. Written and directed by Pulitzer Prize Finalist Zora Howard in her directorial debut, Hang Time is a deeply moving and subversive work not to be missed. For more information and tickets, go to Hang Time - Virginia Wadsworth Wirtz Centers - Northwestern University.

3:00 pm – 4:15 pm - Walking Tour of Downtown Evanston Murals (Starting location provided upon registration) 

• Did you know that Evanston is home to over 30 extraordinary street art murals painted by world-renowned artists? Want to see them up close and get the scoop about how they came to be? Take a break from campus and join Art Encounter, the non-profit in charge, for this special guided tour to learn all about the public artworks that have transformed Downtown Evanston over the past eight years. Hear behind-the scenes stories about the artists, the artworks, and how the murals are made.  For more information and registration, go to Art Encounter- Downtown Evanston Mural Tour 

7:30 pm Northwestern University Symphony Orchestra Donald Schleicher, conductor; Jinjoo Cho, violin

• Einojuhani Rautavaara’s mysterious In the Beginning weaves darkness and light throughout a lush, string-laden soundscape. Bienen faculty member Jinjoo Cho is the featured soloist in Edward Elgar’s notoriously difficult, yet profoundly entrancing Violin Concerto in B Minor, Op. 61. The concert concludes with selections from Sergei Prokofiev’s vibrant, Italian-inspired ballet Romeo and Juliet. Tickets are $8 for the general public and $5 for students. Click here for tickets and more information. 

All day - The Great Game Digital Adventure: Northwestern Edition

• The Great Digital Adventure is back! Learn more about campus by creating a team and using your smartphones to scan a QR code and solve a series of puzzles that will take teams to the most interesting parts of campus. This activity is self-guided and can be done anytime during Family Weekend. All families who complete the adventure will be entered into a drawing and five families will receive a $100 gift card for Downtown Evanston, which recipients can use it at any of the participating businesses including restaurants, retailers and service providers. More details on how to participate in the Additional Information section below!

10:00 am - Donut 5K (Southern End of Northwestern Lakefill) 

• A Family Weekend tradition has returned! The Donut 5K is a typical 5K with a twist as every donut you eat takes time off your run! It’s a fun way to combine everyone’s love of donuts with friendly competition while raising money for the Triathlon Club. Please Register Here. 

10:00 am – 11:00 am - Exploring Study Abroad (McCormick Auditorium, Norris University Center) 

• Northwestern students participate in study abroad programs around the world. The Global Learning Office will provide insight into the process and possibilities of studying abroad.  

11:30 am – 12:30 pm - Fraternity & Sorority Life Panel Presentation (McCormick Auditorium, Norris University Center)

• Families are invited to a presentation provided by the Fraternity & Sorority Life staff that will overview the values of our community, benefits of membership, and pathways to joining across our four councils: the Interfraternity Council (IFC), the Multicultural Greek Council (MGC), the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC), and the Panhellenic Association (PHA). Families will also have a chance to ask questions and engage with a panel of upper-class student leaders within the FSL community about their experiences. 

8:00 am – 10:00 pm - Complimentary Access to the Henry Crown Sports Pavilion (2311 Campus Dr.)  

• More information and class schedules included at the end of the schedule. 

9:30 am - Sheil Catholic Center Sunday Mass (2110 Sheridan Road)   

• All families are invited to join the Catholic campus community for Mass, followed by hospitality.   

10:00 am -12:00 pm - Lutheran Campus Ministry Brunch & Worship (2204 Orrington Avenue)    

• All students and families are invited to a brunch at 10:00-10:45am followed by 11am worship with Holy Communion. Please RSVP for brunch by Monday, October 13, to lutherancm@u.northwestern.edu 

10:00 am – 12:00 pm - Northwestern Hillel Family Bagel Brunch (629 Foster St.)  

• Stop by Northwestern Hillel for bagels and lox before you head home! Click Here to RSVP for Family Weekend events with Northwestern Hillel.  

11:00 am - Sheil Catholic Center Sunday Mass (2110 Sheridan Road)   

• All families are invited to join the Catholic campus community for Mass, followed by hospitality.   

12:00 pm – 5:00 pm - Block Museum of Art (40 Arts Circle Drive)  

• Visit Northwestern’s campus art museum! The Block is an engine that drives questioning, experimentation, and collaboration across fields of study, with visual arts at the center. The Block is always free and open to all. For more information, please visit www.blockmuseum.northwestern.edu.  

2:00 pm – 3:00 pm - BMSA Art Talks! THE LIVING ROOM (Block Museum of Art, 40 Arts Circle Drive)

• Join the Block Museum Student Associates (BMSA) in The Living Room for a close look at Ken Fandell's The Sky Above My Home (10/7/2002–6/14/2003, Chicago, Illinois) (2003). Composed from hundreds of photographs taken over nine months, the work compresses time and space into a single, swirling image of the sky above the artist’s home. The Living Room is a drop-in space at The Block Museum that invites students and other visitors to gather, reflect, and connect with one artwork in the museum’s collection, rotating each month.

2:30 pm – 10:30 pm - Visit the Norris Game Room (Norris University Center)   

• Visit the Game Room in the underground of Norris University Center for some family fun! The Norris Game Room has six Brunswick Gold Crown billiards tables, and a variety of video games on Xbox One, Playstation 4, and the Nintendo Switch, as well as several board games and a foosball table. All activities are free for NU Families.   

5:00 pm - Sheil Catholic Center Sunday Mass (2110 Sheridan Road)   

• All families are invited to join the Catholic campus community for Mass, followed by hospitality.  

Dining   

If you are looking for a quick bite during the weekend, check out the Norris University Center for dining options:    

• Friday   

Starbucks: 8am - 8pm
ShakeSmart: 8am - 6pm
The Market: 10am - 6pm
Wildcat Deli and Buen Dia: 11am - 3pm
Chicken & Boba and 847 Burger: 11am - 7pm
Forno Pizza Co: 11am - 8pm   

• Saturday   

Buen Dia, 847 Burger, and ShakeSmart: closed
The Market: 9am - 7pm
Starbucks: 9am - 8pm
Wildcat Deli: 11am- 4pm
Chicken & Boba: 11am - 7pm
Forno Pizza Co: 11am - 8pm  

• Sunday   

Wildcat Deli, Buen Dia, 847 Burger, ShakeSmart, and Chicken & Boba: closed
The Market: 9am - 7pm
Starbucks: 10am - 8pm
Forno Pizza Co: 11am - 8pm

• Visit the University Bookstore on the Ground Floor of Norris.   

   Family Weekend Bookstore Hours:   

  • Friday: 9:00 am - 6:00 pm   
  • Saturday:  10:00 am – 5:00 pm**    
  • Sunday:  10:00 am – 2:00 pm   

   **Operating hours subject to change pending game start time. 

• Northwestern parents and families are invited to enjoy complimentary access to Henry Crown and all Group Exercise classes on Friday and Sunday of Family Weekend. Due to Saturday’s home football game, Henry Crown, including the Norris Aquatics and Combe Tennis Centers, will be closed all day, and there will not be any classes, however, Blomquist Recreation Center will be open from 8 am – 7 pm on Saturday. Join us and see how Northwestern Recreation can elevate your student’s university experience!   

Friday Group Exercise Class Schedule (Henry Crown Sports Pavilion) 

Sunday Group Exercise Class Schedule (Henry Crown Sports Pavilion)

• Some families choose to stay at hotels in downtown Chicago but for a list of area hotels, check out this site. Please note that we do not reserve blocks of rooms for Family Weekend or offer any hotel discounts. We provide this list to help you with your planning, but Northwestern University does not endorse any of the hotels included on it.