STUDENT AFFAIRS

6:00 am – 10:00 pm - Complimentary Access to the Henry Crown Sports Pavilion (311 Campus Dr.)

• More information and class schedules included in the “Additional Info” tab.

10:00 am – 6:00 pm – Family Weekend Hospitality Room (101 Wildcat Room, Norris University Center, 1999 Campus Dr.)

• Families can stop by to connect with Family Engagement staff, pick up an “at a glance” program schedule, 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 lecture for families.

Preparing for a Curious Life, Not Just a Career: The Northwestern Personal Development StudioLab presented by by Bruce Ankenman, McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science (Guild Lounge, 601 University Place, 2nd Floor of Scott Hall)

• Learn about Northwestern’s newest opportunity – “The Curious Life Certificate (CLC)”.  We want to help all students engage with the world in unique, productive, and open ways. Managing the stresses of contemporary life is a journey we are all on, but students, more than most, are at a time of great life changes, mounting challenges, and clashing priorities. The Personal Development StudioLab is committed to helping students cultivate healthy connections, accurate awareness, and intentional attention. This topic will be presented at 11 am and 1:30 pm by two different professors who Co-Direct the StudioLab.

Mandela in Chicago presented by Ava Greenwell, Medill School of Journalism, Media and Integrated Marketing Communications (McCormick Foundation Center, 1870 Campus Dr.)

• This summer marked the 30th anniversary of Nelson Mandela’s visit to Chicago.  Ava Thompson Greenwell, Ph.D. shares an excerpt of her film, “Mandela in Chicago.” The documentary traces the history of Chicago’s anti-apartheid movement and the role the U.S. Civil Rights Movement played in the Free South Africa Movement.  In addition, she will share a work sample of another documentary she is working on that explores the history of Black women professors at Northwestern University. 

Misinformation, Fake News, Conspiracy Theories, and Pseudoscientific BS: How Powerful is it, why does it Happen, and how to Stop it presented by Nathan Walter, School of Communication (McCormick Auditorium, Norris University Center)

• In the contemporary media environment individuals often encounter myths, falsehoods, rumors, reporting errors, and conspiracy theories deliberately or inadvertently circulated by the media, governments, and other interest groups. These types of dis/misinformation pose a substantial challenge, and, in some cases, can result in physical harm, or even death. To this end, massive efforts are devoted to debunk misinformation; yet, scientific evidence of the effectiveness of these measures appear to be inconsistent. While some studies have found that corrective information can successfully debunk falsehoods, other studies suggest that individuals may struggle to discount misinformation, and, in some cases, correction attempts can even backfire by increasing support for the discredited position. Dr. Walter will present findings from his ongoing work on the continued influence of misinformation and the ability of nonpartisan fact-checkers to challenge the veracity of false information. The talk will also explore various psychological mechanisms that underlie these effects and provide specific recommendations for more effective correction efforts. 

Mickey Mouse & The Holocaust: An Investigation of Memory presented by Danny M. Cohen, School of Education and Social Policy (Lake Room, Norris University Center)

•  As we move further away from our black-and-white memories of the past, the Holocaust's relevance for today may appear to fade. In this interactive lecture (with a cameo from a certain animated character), we will explore, through photographs, complexities of Holocaust history that, once unearthed, have the power to alter our relationship with the past and make us feel closer than ever to those black-and-white images.

Petrarchan Divas: Beyoncè, Taylor Swift, and Shakespeare presented by Susan Phillips, Weinberg College of Arts & Sciences (Northwestern Room, Norris University Center)

• What’s in a Sonnet? From “What light through yonder window breaks” to “Standing in the light of your halo,” from “Whoso list to hunt” to “Love is a battlefield,” from “My mistress eyes are nothing like the sun” to “Diamonds in my eyes…I can still make the whole place shimmer,” from Petrarch to Shakespeare to Beyoncé to Taylor Swift, poets and songwriters have used Petrarchan conceits to capture their audience’s imagination as well as their beloved’s heart. This session—a mixture of lecture and interactive discussion—will explore the tropes and techniques of sonnets. Tracing their origins to the fourteenth century, these “little songs” took Elizabethan London by storm, provide the rhythm and rhyme for Romeo and Juliet’s first “duet,” and continue to lay down a groove for contemporary pop music.

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

• Visit Northwestern’s campus art museum! The Block is a dynamic, imaginative, and innovative teaching and learning resource for Northwestern and its surrounding communities. Exhibitions on view include Rosalie Favell: Indigenous Artists Facing the Camera, For One and All: Prints from The Block’s, and The Block Collects 2023 which will highlight new works of art in the collection including the 2022-2023 Student Acquisition. The Block is always free and open to all. For more information, please visit www.blockmuseum.northwestern.edu.

 12:30 pm – 11:00 pm - Visit the Norris Game Room (lower-level of Norris University Center)

• 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. Also Check out Nexus, the new eSports Gaming Lounge. Please note: The computers in the Nexus Gaming Lounge are only accessible with a valid student login. 

1:00 pm – 3:00 pm - Tours of Multicultural Students Affairs Spaces (Multicultural Center, 1936 Sheridan Road, & Black House, 1914 Sheridan Road)

• We invite families to visit the spaces Multicultural Student Affairs oversee that center the experiences of Black, Indigenous Students of Color (BiPOC) on campus. Learn about their histories and the resources available to our communities.

1:00 pm – 3:00 pm - Dia De Muertos Ofrenda (Day of the Dead Altar) (Multicultural Center, 1936 Sheridan Road)

• During your tour of MSA spaces, we invite you to engage with our Dia De Muertos Ofrenda (Day of the Dead Altar). You are invited to visit our altar, learn about Day of the Dead, and fill out a "remembrance card" which you can add to our altar to honor a departed loved one.

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

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

Hail to Purple: Northwestern History & Traditions presented by Kevin Leonard, University Archivist (McCormick Auditorium, Norris University Center)

• Join University Archivist Kevin Leonard in a discussion about the history and traditions of our beloved Northwestern.

Preparing for a Curious Life, Not Just a Career: The Northwestern Personal Development StudioLab presented by Joe Holtgrieve, McCormick School of Engineering and Applied Science (Guild Lounge, 601 University Place, 2nd Floor of Scott Hall)

• Learn about Northwestern’s newest opportunity – “The Curious Life Certificate (CLC)”.  We want to help all students engage with the world in unique, productive, and open ways. Managing the stresses of contemporary life is a journey we are all on, but students, more than most, are at a time of great life changes, mounting challenges, and clashing priorities. The Personal Development StudioLab is committed to helping students cultivate healthy connections, accurate awareness, and intentional attention. This topic will be presented at 11 am and 1:30 pm by two different professors who Co-Direct the StudioLab.

Artificial Intelligence Will Only Swallow Journalism If We Let It (And Maybe We Should) presented by Jeremy Gilbert, Medill School of Journalism, Medi and Integrated Marketing Communications (Northwestern Room, Norris University Center)

• The media covering media have described Generative AI in ways that might make a creature from a horror movie recoil. It’s true that GenAI is rapidly changing how we tell stories and interact with media but it’s definitely not true that GenAI will take all of our jobs, ruin the news industry and force you to read clickbait. Instead, lets talk about how GenAI can be harnessed to change the news industry in ways that benefit consumers and society.

Beyond Casting: Examining the Influence of Culture on Marketing Communications – Past, Present, and Future presented by Danielle Robinson Bell, Medill School of Journalism, Media, and Integrated Marketing Communications (Louis Room, Norris University Center)

• For decades, there has been an evolving relationship between culture and marketing. In this talk, we will explore this relationship and trace how culture has played a central role in shaping the messages, visuals, and platforms that inform consumer buying behavior and experiences at brand touchpoints. We will take a look at well-known and less well-known campaigns that have contributed to the un-mainstreaming of casting as a beacon of culturally relevant campaigns and helped establish new norms for representation in marketing communications.

Children’s Media, Play, and Play Space presented by Jacob Smith, School of Communication (Lake Room, Norris University Center)

• When we start to think about the subject of children’s media, we quickly come up against a host of contradictions: childhood is seen as a period of timeless wonder, but children are bombarded with all the latest fads and newest gadgets; we try to insulate children from the adult world, but provide them with media technologies that allow them easy access to it; we want kids to be kids, but are thrilled to introduce them to the consumer marketplace through toys, advertisements, and media franchises. In this talk, which is drawn from a course on “Children’s Media Culture,” we will consider some of these complex dynamics through the question of media and play: what is the history of children’s play spaces and how might that relate to the kinds of media entertainment kids consume? What might theories of play tell us about media franchises like Toy Story, Lego, or Barbie? What is the relationship between the experience of media spaces and natural environments?

Living - and Thriving through the Anthropocene presented by Patricia Beddows, Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences (Kresge 1-515, 1880 Campus Dr.)

• Earth is a finite planet.  Global evidence shows we are now in the new geological period of the Anthropocene, with global scale impacts on our waters, the solid earth, ecosystems, and climate.  We will review some of the aspects of our Past and Present, and then reflect on what we must do together, as we consider humanity’s Future on this planet.  We can thoughtfully harness our activities and technologies, and work with our “human” systems spanning economics, culture, and legal frameworks, in order to achieve a new necessary global plateau of sustainability.  The risks are indeed great, but this overview of the scope of action required, and some of the existing and emerging technologies will illustrate that we can achieve a thriving future on Earth. We will consider how you as a member of the Northwestern community can participate, and be part of the solutions locally, and globally. Earth is a finite planet.  Global evidence shows we are now in the new geological period of the Anthropocene, with global scale impacts on our waters, the solid earth, ecosystems, and climate.  We will review some of the aspects of our Past and Present, and then reflect on what we must do together, as we consider humanity’s Future on this planet.  We can thoughtfully harness our activities and technologies, and work with our “human” systems spanning economics, culture, and legal frameworks, to achieve a new necessary global plateau of sustainability.  The risks are indeed great, but this overview of the scope of action required, and some of the existing and emerging technologies will illustrate that we can achieve a thriving future on Earth. We will consider how you as a member of the Northwestern community can participate, and be part of the solutions locally, and globally.

Afternoon with the Undergraduate Schools

Bienen School of Music Rehearsals

3:00 pm – 4:00 pm         

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

• University Chorale, 2:00 pm - 3:20pm (Galvin Recital Hall in RCMA, 70 Arts Cir Dr.)
• Northwestern University Symphony Orchestra, 2:10 pm - 4:10pm (Pick-Staiger Stage, 50 Arts Cir Dr.)
• Symphonic Wind Ensemble, 2:10 pm - 4:10 pm (Pick-Staiger Rehearsal Room, 50 Arts Cir Dr.)
• University Singers, 3:30 pm - 4:50 pm (Galvin Recital Hall in RCMA, 70 Arts Cir Dr.)
• Northwestern University Marching Band, 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm (Long Field, 2498 Sheridan Rd.)
• Northwestern University Jazz Orchestra, 4:30 pm - 6:20 pm (Regenstein 011, 60 Arts Cir Dr.)
• Bienen Contemporary/Early Vocal Ensemble, 5:00 pm - 6:20 pm (Galvin Recital Hall in RCMA, 70 Arts Cir Dr.)

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 – 4:30 pm (McCormick Foundation Center Forum, 1870 Campus Dr.)

• A welcome from our Dean and a brief showcase of student and faculty work.

School of Communication

3:00 pm – 4:00 pm (Wirtz Center for Performing Arts, Room 201, 1949 Campus Drive)

• School of Communication family members are invited to this presentation and Q&A with Associate Dean for Undergraduate Programs and Advising Lori Barcliff Baptista, academic advisors and career services professionals. Light refreshments will be served.

School of Education and Social Policy (SESP)

3:00 pm - 4:00 pm (Annenberg Hall, Room 123, 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 School 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.

3:00 – 6:00 PM - Nexus Gaming Lounge Grand Opening (Game Room, lower level of Norris University Center)

• Join us for the Grand Opening of the Nexus Gaming Lounge, a dedicated computer space for casual and competitive gaming.  Come take a look at the state-of-the-art computers and enjoy some light refreshments.  Brief remarks will start at 3:30 pm and be sure to pick up a limited edition Nexus Gaming Lounge t-shirt.  Available while supplies last. Click Here for More Information.

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

5:00 pm – 5:45 pm – Conversation with University Leadership (Louis Room, Norris University Center)

• Join Provost Kathleen Hagerty and Vice President for Student Affairs Susan Davis to learn more about academics and student life on campus.

5:30 pm – 6:00 pm – Northwestern Hillel Family Reception (629 Foster St.) 

• Join us at Northwestern's center for Jewish life before Shabbat services and dinner.

• Join us for student-led Reform and Conservative services to welcome in Shabbat.

7:00 pm – 8:00 pm  – Northwestern Hillel Shabbat Dinner (629 Foster St.) 

Click Here to RSVP for Family Weekend events with Northwestern Hillel

6:00 pm – 8:00 pm - Northwestern University Black Alumni Association (NUBAA) Family Weekend Social (The Black House, 1914 Sheridan Rd.)

• Please join Northwestern University Black Alumni Board Members for a social on Friday, from 6-8pm. Meet Alumni parents and enjoy a couple hours of conversation with past and present members of NUBAA. We look forward to meeting you at the Black House on Friday! Light refreshments will be served. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to NUBAA Immediate Past President, MaryAnn Marsh at NUBAA@Alum.northwestern.edu

6:00 pm – 8:00 pm - Opening Reception for Muse, by visual artist Niki Grangruth and multimedia artist James Kinser. (Dittmar Gallery, Norris University Center)

• Muse, a collaborative body of work by visual artist Niki Grangruth and multimedia artist James Kinser, explores non-conforming gender identity by reimagining and reinterpreting well-known paintings of female subjects from art history. Through the use of a male subject, gaze, and hand-made costumes, each photograph questions common gender-specific beauty ideals, disrupts the pervasive construct of binary gender identity and explores gender as a non-linear and ever-changing performative act.  These challenges to socially constructed gender norms are juxtaposed with overt references to art history, which grounds the work in the familiar and accessible. Click Here for More Information.

7:00 pm - Imagine U: Frida Libre (Josephine Louis Theater, 20 Arts Circle Drive)

• Inspired by the childhood of legendary Mexican painter Frida Kahlo, Frida Libre is an uplifting story that explores the meaning of friendship, bravery, and transformation. Alex may seem like a quiet, shy boy, but he secretly holds big ideas inside his head. He wants to be a luchador (wrestler) and defeat bad guys in the ring. His life changes when he meets brave and colorful Frida, an unusual girl who dreams of being a doctor so she can help people. Forced to do a science project on butterflies and metamorphosis, the pair discovers how true friendship can help you overcome fear and transform your dreams into reality. Click Here to Purchase Tickets

7:00 pm – 9:00 pm - Smocks n' Mocks with NU Nights (Norris University Center Ground Floor)

• Come paint on canvases while enjoying mock drinks and food!  Brushes, paint, water, and everything else will be provided.

7:30 pm - Symphonic Band (Pick-Staiger Concert Hall, 50 Arts Cir Dr.)

• Shawn Vondran, Conductor  - A varied program of music for combined woodwinds, brass, and percussion. Tickets are $6 for guests & $4 for students. Click Here to Purchase Tickets

7:30 pm - In the Beginning There was House (This performance takes place at Northwestern’s Chicago campus - Wirtz Theater, Room 203, Virginia Wadsworth Wirtz Center for Performing and Media Arts, Chicago Campus - Abbott Hall, 710 N. Lake Shore Drive)

• Inspired by the life and work of Chicago house music legend Frankie Knuckles, the genre-fusing duo behind UNIVERSES have partnered to present a reading ofIn the Beginning There was House, a new work originally commissioned by the Goodman Theatre.  UNIVERSES was founded by Steven Sapp and Mildred Ruiz-Sapp to create moving, challenging, and entertaining works for the stage. Sapp and Ruiz-Sapp will be in residence throughout the 2023-24 Northwestern University academic year as part of the newly established Astere E. Claeyssens Artist-in-Residence program. In addition to teaching and mentoring students, they will be developing In the Beginning There was House with Obie-Award winning director Chay Yew. Click Here to Purchase Tickets

8:00 pm – 8:30 pm - Latin Partnerwork Dance Workshop (202 Northwestern Room, Norris University Center)

• Join the Dale Duro Latin Dance Co. Student Group for a lively 30-minute workshop during Family Weekend! Get ready to dance and connect as we delve into the world of bachata-style partner work. Whether you're a beginner or have some moves up your sleeve, this lesson is designed for all skill levels. We'll break down basic steps, ensuring everyone can join in the fun and create unforgettable moments on the dance floor. Don't miss out on this opportunity to dance and make Family Weekend even more memorable!

8:30 pm – 10:30 pm - The Second City @ Northwestern University (Cahn Auditorium, 600 Emerson St.) – SOLD OUT

• The Second City is a world-renowned improv and sketch comedy theatre and training center, operating in Chicago and Toronto for over 60 years, and coming soon to Brooklyn! Their Alumni include folks like Gilda Radner, Amy Poehler, Tina Fey, Bill Murray, Keegan-Michael Key, Amber Ruffin and Northwestern alumnus Stephen Colbert... and the list goes on! The show will feature custom scenes inspired by life at Northwestern, as well as improv comedy and some Second City classics. The show is rated PG-13.
  Tickets are required and cost $15 each. Tickets must be purchased in advance and space is limited. Please go to the Family Weekend registration form to purchase tickets. Your Northwestern student must also have a paid ticket if they wish to attend. 

9:00 pm – 10:30 pm - Chris Carter the Mentalist & Hypnotist (McCormick Auditorium, Norris University Center)

• A Northwestern tradition returns. Chris Carter has performed for Wildcat Welcome and Homecoming Week audiences dating back at least 10 years. Chris will have audience members write very specific numbers and statements on a card, and blindfolded, will be able to identify the numbers and statements on the cards while engaging with the people who wrote with them. He shows the most impressive card tricks, uses the power of suggestion to influence the senses of audience members, and can even identify the special code on your dollar bill without seeing it. Enjoy this free event and leave wondering, “how on earth did he do that?” Sponsored by Student Organizations & Activities.

 9:00 pm – 11:00 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.

8:00 am – 9:00 pm - Complimentary Access to the Henry Crown Sports Pavilion (311 Campus Dr.)

• More information and class schedules included in the “Additional Info” tab.

9:30 am – 10:15 am – Campus Resource Sessions Round 1 (Norris University Center)

 Career Services for Northwestern Students (Northwestern Room 202, 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 Session (Wildcat Room 101, Norris University Center)

• 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 (Lake Room 203, Norris University Center)

• 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.

10:00 am – 5:00 pm  – Alice Millar Chapel Open for Visits and Tours (Alice Millar Chapel, 1870 Sheridan Road)

• Alice Millar Chapel is open for quiet reflection, visits, and student led tours.

10:30 am – 11:15 am – Campus Resource Sessions Round 2 (Norris University Center)

Career Services for Northwestern Students 

• 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 Session 

• 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 

• 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.

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

• Northwestern undergraduates enjoy free access to the museum when they present their Wildcard at the ticket counter. For Family Weekend, this benefit extends to up to two guests who will be allowed free entry when they visit the ticket 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.

10:00 am – 11:15 am - Campus Tours led by Family Ambassadors (Leave from The Rock, near Harris Hall, 1881 Sheridan Rd.)

• Family Ambassadors will lead campus-walking tours which leave at 10:00 am.

11:30 am – 12:30 pm – Fraternity & Sorority Life Panel Presentation (Wildcat Room 101, 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.

12:00 pm – 5:00 pm - Open House Celebration: Indigenous Artists Facing the Camera at the Block Museum of Art (40 Arts Circle Drive)

• Spend a festive day at the Block Museum with the Mitchell Museum of the American Indian in celebration of Rosalie Favell: Indigenous Artists Facing the Camera. Enjoy open galleries, food by Fox Way Catering, music and storytelling by portrait sitter Mark Jourdan, and a gallery talk with portrait sitter Kim Vigue, Executive Director of the Mitchell Museum of the American Indian, on the history and future of the Mitchell Museum. Co-presented with the Mitchell Museum of the American Indian. The Block is always free and open to all. Full program details available online: https://www.blockmuseum.northwestern.edu/events/2023/open-house-celebration-indigenous-artists-facing-the-camera.html

12:30 pm – 11:00 pm - Visit the Norris Game Room (lower-level of Norris University Center)

• 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. Also Check out Nexus, the new eSports Gaming Lounge. Please note: The computers in the Nexus Gaming Lounge are only accessible with a valid student login.

1:00 pm – 2:00 pm – 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.

1:30 pm – 2:45 pm - Campus Tours led by Family Ambassadors (Leave from The Rock, near Harris Hall, 1881 Sheridan Rd)

• Family Ambassadors will lead campus-walking tours which leave at 1:30 pm.

2:00 pm - Imagine U: Frida Libre (Josephine Louis Theater, 20 Arts Circle Drive)

• Inspired by the childhood of legendary Mexican painter Frida Kahlo, Frida Libre is an uplifting story that explores the meaning of friendship, bravery, and transformation. Alex may seem like a quiet, shy boy, but he secretly holds big ideas inside his head. He wants to be a luchador (wrestler) and defeat bad guys in the ring. His life changes when he meets brave and colorful Frida, an unusual girl who dreams of being a doctor so she can help people. Forced to do a science project on butterflies and metamorphosis, the pair discovers how true friendship can help you overcome fear and transform your dreams into reality. Click Here to Purchase Tickets

3:00 pm – 5:00 pm – Acapalooza—hosted by NUDM (Cahn Auditorium, 600 Emerson St.) - SOLD OUT

• Join Northwestern University Dance Marathon (NUDM) and Family Engagement for an afternoon of a cappella music and fun! Hear from Northwestern’s incredible a cappella groups and learn about the NUDM 2024 rotating beneficiary, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Chicagoland and Northwest Indiana, and long-term beneficiary, the Evanston Community Foundation. Tickets are required and cost $8 each. Tickets must be purchased in advance and space is limited. Please go to the Family Weekend registration form to purchase tickets. Your Northwestern student must also have a paid ticket if they wish to attend.  Go to the Family Weekend registration page to buy tickets at  bit.ly/NU-FamilyWeekend.

5:45 pm – 9:00 pm – VIP Family Dinner @ Northwestern Volleyball vs. Michigan (Welsh-Ryan Arena, 2705 Ashland Ave) -  SOLD OUT

• Mingle with other Northwestern families over dinner in the Wilson Club, the most exclusive place to catch a Northwestern Volleyball match. Join us for a "tailgate style" dinner and drinks (cash bar) and hear from the Volleyball coaching staff and student athletes before they take the court.

  Tickets are required for the Wilson Club fan experience and cost $20 per person which includes a buffet dinner, entrance to the volleyball match and access to a cash bar (credit cards only). Gluten free, vegetarian and vegan food options will be available. Tickets are limited, and your Northwestern student must also have a paid ticket if they wish to enter the Wilson Club. 

  VIP Family Dinner attendees are encouraged to arrive between 5:45 pm - 6:00 pm to avoid the game-day crowds and use the Wilson Club entrance on the southwest side of Welsh-Ryan Arena.

  Game Tickets Still Available

  Discounted volleyball tickets are still available for family members for the 7 pm game. NU students attend the game for free with their Wildcard and families can purchase $7 tickets at Family Weekend Volleyball Tickets. If you have questions about the match or tickets you have already purchased, please email the Athletic Ticket Office at cat-tix@northwestern.edu or call 888-GO-PURPLE (467-8775). 

  Regardless of which ticket option you choose, ALL Family Weekend ticket holders will receive a commemorative NU Volleyball jersey koozie upon arrival. 

  We look forward to welcoming all our Northwestern students and their families to Welsh-Ryan Arena for what promises to be an entertaining and memorable night!

7:00 pm – 8:15 pm   Freshman Cabaret (Lutkin Hall, 700 University Pl.)

• The 81st Annual Dolphin Show presents our annual Freshmen Cabaret. The Dolphin Show is the largest student-produced musical in the country and we are excited to present a cabaret this Family Weekend entirely produced, directed, music directed, stage managed, and performed by the freshmen class. This January the Dolphin Show presents Kinky Boots which teaches us the value of self-expression, love, and respect. The Dolphin Show Freshman Cabaret invites audiences to celebrate the talent, identity, and passion of the Northwestern freshman class! No tickets or reservations are required- seats are first-come-first-served. We hope you can join us for this free event!

7:00 pm - 9:00 pm - S'morewestern (Lakefill Fire Pit)

• Bring your family and friends to the Lakefill fire pit to enjoy a free s'more (or two or three) around the campfire! All s'more materials (including roasting sticks) will be provided. Vegan marshmallows will be available upon request and you may bring a non-alcoholic beverage to enjoy. Easiest access is via exiting Norris Center on the Ground level East Lawn (near Starbucks) and proceeding SE to the footbridge to the Lakefill. The fire pit is located right on the lakefront. Sponsored by Student Organizations & Activities.

7:30 pm - Raphaella Smits, guitar - Part of the Segovia Classical Guitar Series (Galvin Recital Hall in the RCMA, 70 Arts Cir Dr.)

• Raphaella Smits plays worldwide on eight-string guitars and historical instruments. Recognized as “an uncommonly musical guitarist” (New York Times), her solo recitals as well as her performances with distinguished colleagues have met with enthusiastic audiences and press. Smits has made 21 recordings and is internationally praised as an inspiring teacher for both guitar and chamber music, serving on the juries of many international music competitions. In 1986, Smits was the first woman to win first prize in the Certamen Internacional de Guitarra Francisco Tárrega, the famous international guitar competition in Benicàssim, Spain, earning praise from chairmen Andrés Segovia and Narciso Yepes. She holds a chair at the Lemmens Institute in Belgium and regularly gives master classes across Europe, the Americas, and Japan. Tickets are $30 for guests & $10 for students. Click Here to Purchase Tickets

7:30 pm - Northwestern University Symphony Orchestra (Pick-Staiger Concert Hall, 50 Arts Circle Drive)

• The Northwestern University Symphony Orchestra's first performance of the academic year opens with Liza Sobel Crane's (E)Merging Dances, premiered at Carnegie Hall in 2022. The program continues with the 1947 version of Igor Stravinsky's Petrushka—the colorful, Russian folk music-inspired ballet detailing the loves and jealousies of three puppets. Concluding the program is Beethoven's Symphony No. 7 in A Major, a work so well received at its premiere that the audience demanded an immediate encore of its Allegretto movement. Tickets are $8 for guests & $5 for students. Click Here to Purchase Tickets

7:30 pm - In the Beginning There was House (This performance takes place at Northwestern’s Chicago campus - Wirtz Theater, Room 203, Virginia Wadsworth Wirtz Center for Performing and Media Arts, Chicago Campus - Abbott Hall, 710 N. Lake Shore Drive)

• Inspired by the life and work of Chicago house music legend Frankie Knuckles, the genre-fusing duo behind UNIVERSES have partnered to present a reading ofIn the Beginning There was House, a new work originally commissioned by the Goodman Theatre.  UNIVERSES was founded by Steven Sapp and Mildred Ruiz-Sapp to create moving, challenging, and entertaining works for the stage. Sapp and Ruiz-Sapp will be in residence throughout the 2023-24 Northwestern University academic year as part of the newly established Astere E. Claeyssens Artist-in-Residence program. In addition to teaching and mentoring students, they will be developing In the Beginning There was House with Obie-Award winning director Chay Yew. Click Here to Purchase Tickets

9:00 pm – 11:00 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.

8:00 am – 10:00 pm - Complimentary Access to the Henry Crown Sports Pavilion (311 Campus Dr.)

• More information and class schedules are included in the “Additional Info” tab.

9:30 am, 11:00 am & 5 pm  – 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 -  The Donut 5K (Southern End of Northwestern Lakefill)

• Come join Northwestern’s Triathlon Club annual Donut 5k! 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. Registration is now open!

10:00  am – 12:00 pm – Northwestern Hillel Family Open House Bagel Brunch (629 Foster Street)

• Join us before you head home for some hospitality and bagels.

Click Here to RSVP for Family Weekend events with Northwestern Hillel

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

• All students and families are invited to a continental breakfast at 10:00 am and then worship at 11:00 am with Lutheran Campus Ministry.  

11:00 am – 11:45 am – Alice Millar Chapel Morning prayer blessing and mini- concert with the Alice Millar Chapel Choir (Alice Millar Chapel, 1870 Sheridan Road)

• All are welcome for this morning of music and blessing in the University Chapel with the University Chaplain and the internationally recognized Alice Millar Chapel Choir who will share a preview of their fall concert. Coffee and light refreshments will be available before and after the service.

12:00 pm - 1:00 pm  – Alice Millar Chapel Open for Visits and Tours (Alice Millar Chapel, 1870 Sheridan Road)

• Tour of Alice Millar Chapel and demonstration and tour of the 5,235 pipe Aeolian-Skinner organ.

11:00 am – 1:00 pm – Family Weekend Brunch (Louis Room, Norris University Center) – SOLD OUT

• Round out the weekend with a brunch and mimosa bar while you reminisce with family members about your weekend in Evanston. You can also engage with staff and Family Ambassadors who can answer any lingering questions you may have. 

  Tickets are required and cost $15 each which includes breakfast and mimosas. Gluten free, vegetarian and vegan food options will be available. Tickets must be purchased in advance and space is limited. Please go to the Family Weekend registration form to purchase tickets. Your Northwestern student must also have a paid ticket if they wish to attend. 

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

• Visit Northwestern’s campus art museum! The Block is a dynamic, imaginative, and innovative teaching and learning resource for Northwestern and its surrounding communities. Exhibitions on view include Rosalie Favell: Indigenous Artists Facing the Camera, For One and All: Prints from The Block’s, and The Block Collects 2023 which will highlight new works of art in the collection including the 2022-2023 Student Acquisition. The Block is always free and open to all. For more information, please visit www.blockmuseum.northwestern.edu.

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

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. Also Check out Nexus, the new eSports Gaming Lounge. Please note: The computers in the Nexus Gaming Lounge are only accessible with a valid student login. 

 2:00 pm - Imagine U: Frida Libre (Josephine Louis Theater, 20 Arts Circle Drive)

• Inspired by the childhood of legendary Mexican painter Frida Kahlo, Frida Libre is an uplifting story that explores the meaning of friendship, bravery, and transformation. Alex may seem like a quiet, shy boy, but he secretly holds big ideas inside his head. He wants to be a luchador (wrestler) and defeat bad guys in the ring. His life changes when he meets brave and colorful Frida, an unusual girl who dreams of being a doctor so she can help people. Forced to do a science project on butterflies and metamorphosis, the pair discovers how true friendship can help you overcome fear and transform your dreams into reality. Click Here to Purchase Tickets

Visit the Henry Crown Sports Pavilion

Engage in the Northwestern recreational student experience!  Offering six recreation facilities, three intramural sport seasons with nine sports, 38 club teams, open recreation, a vast array of fitness equipment, wellness programs and services, indoor and outdoor water activities, and tennis - NU Recreation has something for everyone!  

Learn how fitness, wellness, recreation, and sports activities can help your student deal with the stresses of academic life, enhance their overall well-being, and improve their everyday life. The Henry Crown Sport Pavilion will be open from 6:00 am - 10:00 pm on Friday, 8:00 am - 9:00 pm on Saturday, and 8:00 am - 10:00 pm on Sunday.  Northwestern parents and families will have complimentary access to Henry Crown and all Group Exercise classes throughout Family Weekend.

Group Exercise Classes

Friday

Saturday

Sunday

Check out Norris University Center (1999 Campus Drive)

Dining

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

Friday

• Wildcat Deli and 847 Burger:  open until 3:00p
• Chicken & Boba:  open until 7:00pm
• Starbucks, Mod Pizza, and The Market:  open until 10:00pm

Saturday

• Wildcat Deli, 847 Burger, and Chicken & Boba:  CLOSED
• Starbucks and The Market:  9:00am-9:00pm
• Mod Pizza: 11:00am-9:00pm

Sunday

• Wildcat Deli, 847 Burger, and Chicken & Boba:  CLOSED
• Starbucks and The Market:  10:00am-10:00pm

Bookstore

Visit the University Bookstore on the Ground Floor of Norris.

 Family Weekend Bookstore Hours:

• Friday: 9am-6:30pm
• Saturday:  9am – 5pm
• Sunday:  10am – 2pm

Family Weekend FAQs

For all of your questions in planning for Family Weekend with your student, visit our Family Weekend FAQ section on our Family FAQs page.

Map

To assist you with your visit, please consult the Interactive Campus Map.