9/23 | 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. | Deering Meadow
Stop by the Deering Steps First Day of Class Photo Station from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.! Snap a photo to celebrate the start of the quarter, grab a free snack, and check out our fun signs.
9/23 | Shuttles 5-9:30 p.m. | Undergraduate-Only Event
Hear directly from Coach Braun about the new home of Northwestern Football and tour the new field before the public. Enjoy free food and NA beverages with alcohol available for purchase. With the opening of the field, download the new Ryan Field App to view, manage and transfer tickets and access other game day information.
Check out snapshots from orientation as new students embark on their Northwestern journey!
Click around to find everything you need to know for the week ahead at Northwestern. Never miss a deadline, event or update in the sections below. Events and programs are open to all students
Student leaders: Apply by 9/24 for the Wildcat Den, a dedicated tailgate space for student orgs before home football games.
Register now for Norris Mini Courses and save! Use coupon code FALLQUARTERNOW to receive $5 off all courses and workshops from Wednesday, September 23 through Friday, September 25.
September 24, 7:00-9:00 PM
Join Norris Programs for a night of Trivia in Luna's Pub! Join us every Thursday from 6-8pm for a new trivia theme each week.
September 24, 12:30-1:00 PM
Join Block Museum staff for a talk considering artworks from the Block’s collection that reflect on the complexities of knowledge, fate, desire, and guilt, themes central to the 2026-2027 Campus Reading Program selection, "Vigil," a novel by George Saunders. Learn more here.
September 24, 8:00-9:00 PM
Looking for a midweek reset? Harbor is an opportunity to encounter Christ, be renewed in prayer, and connect with our campus Catholic community. Harbor takes place every Wednesday at 8:00 p.m., starting September 23rd. Join us for praise and worship music, opportunities for confession, prayer, snacks, and fellowship!
September 29, 8:00-10:00 PM, Norris, Luna's Pub
Join Norris Programs for weekly Tuesday Karaoke in Luna's Pub! Event runs 8:00 - 10:00pm each week.
September 29, 12:00-1:30 PM
We will mark the academic year with a service of blessing for the Northwestern community. The service will begin at 12:00 noon on Tuesday, September 29, 2026, in the Jeanne Vail Chapel (the smaller chapel next to Alice Millar Chapel). The service will be followed by a simple meal in Parkes 122. All are welcome!
September 30, 5:30-7:00 PM
The Off-Campus Life (OCL) Office invites student and non-student residents to meet new neighbors in the west-of-campus neighborhoods! Enjoy ice cream provided by C&W Market and Ice Cream Parlor FREE to the first 300 participants!
In case of rain, the event will be moved to October 1, 2026. Watch our Instagram page for updates!
September 30, 7:00-9:00 PM, Kahn Pavillion Norris
Join Norris Programs on Kahn pavilion and dare to be scared! Fall film series is free and open to all. Wednesday movies begin at 7:00pm on Wednesday, September 30, October 14, and November 11!
October 16, 7:00-8:30 PM, Luna's Pub, Norris
Join Norris Programs for a comedy series in Luna's Pub! Each evening will feature Chicago-based comedy talent and student spotlight performances! Event runs on Fridays, October 16, November 13, and December 4 at 7:00pm! Interested in being a student performer? Email Norris Programs at norrisprograms@u.northwestern.edu.
October 16, 9:00 AM-3:30 PM
ConnectEd is the education conference hosted by the Teaching, Learning, and Education Program (TLEP) at Northwestern University. This annual event is intentionally designed to bring together prospective students, current students, alumni, faculty, and staff to engage with important issues in teaching and learning while building meaningful connections with fellow educators.
October 29, 12:00-9:00 PM, Norris Center
Join Norris Programs & SOA for an evening of Halloween fun!November 19, 4:30-5:30 PM
George Saunders, author of Vigil, the 2026-27 Campus Reading Program selection, will participate in a keynote event. Free tickets are now available to undergraduate and graduate students through the Norris Box Office.
September 25, 3:00, 4:00, 5:00 (select only one)
Want to add regular service into your routine and make a real local impact? Become a Books & Breakfast volunteer tutor!! B&B serves 200+ Evanston elementary students across 7 schools every week. We make sure kids start their day with a warm meal and the confidence to crush their schoolwork.
October 13, 6:00-7:30 PM, Women's Center
Using the new Phoebe Bridgers album, Lost Weekend, participants are invited into a dialogue about grief and loss of people with whom you had a challenging relationships, grieving what might have been, and forgiveness and acceptance. Food will be provided.
Participants will be entered into a drawing to win a copy of Lost Weekend on vinyl.
A leadership development and community engagement cohort for select first, second and third-year Northwestern students that runs the duration of the school year. Named after a prominent family of Chicago activists, the program pairs weekly local public service with mentoring and structured reflection. Apply here.
Have you ever had to help a drunk friend but weren’t sure exactly what you were doing? This training will provide you with the knowledge and skills needed to identify, prevent, and intervene effectively in an alcohol-related medical emergency.
Sign up for a training NOW!
This one-hour training will allow attendees to learn how to recognize signs of an opioid overdose, identify when it is appropriate to use Narcan, learn how to administer Narcan to an individual they believe is experiencing an overdose, and identify additional emergency steps to take.
November 1, Deadline to Apply
The GSRC Leadership Program is designed for first-year students who aspire to lead at Northwestern. Through the 1 Week + 3 experience, participants will gain practical tools, valuable resources, and hands-on learning opportunities to develop their leadership skills and confidence.
September 29, 12:00-4:00 PM, Norris
The NCA Fall Career Fair will be hosted on Tuesday, September 29, 12 – 4 PM, at Norris University Center. Undergraduate students, graduate students, postdoctoral scholars and Northwestern alumni with a Handshake account are invited to participate. Connect with employers from a variety of industries. Open to all Northwestern undergraduate students, graduate students and alumni. Registration is open for our upcoming career fair!
Want to show off your creative talents and gain real work experience?
SAM works with a large team of students to complete projects for the departments across Student Affairs. The SAM student team is made up of the following areas: Graphic Design, Communications
By joining our student team, you will:
SAM is currently looking for Graphic Designers, and Student Feature Writers. Check out our job descriptions and how to apply here.
Graduation Weekend will be June 11-14, 2027. More detailed graduation information is released throughout the year. For an overview of what to expect, check out the Graduation Basics page on the Graduation Weekend website.
September 30, 4:00-6:00 PM, Lakefill
Recovery thrives in community, and we'd love for you to join ours. Celebrate National Recovery Month with Wildcats in Recovery at a picnic on the Lakefill featuring free food, games, and opportunities to connect with fellow students. Whether you're in recovery, recovery-curious, or an ally, all are welcome!
October 7, 1:00-3:00 PM, 633 Emerson Street (Searle)
Join CSAW, CAPS, and Student Health for a fun, lowkey open house event in Searle! Stop by for art making, tarot reading, puzzles, games, snacks, and to connect with providers and staff from CAPS, Student Health Services, and CSAW and learn all about our services. All participants will be entered to win prizes! Sign up now!
October 13-December 1
This bi-weekly group is for student survivors of interpersonal violence and their allies/support persons. Through engagement with creative fiction - this group will offer a space to explore media portrayals of survivorship, process personal experiences in relation to chosen prose, and explore themes related to experiences of violence.
Wellness Coaching is a collaborative, non-judgmental process to help you identify and achieve your health and wellness goals related to: physical activity, sleep, healthy eating, time management, and stress management/coping skills. Sessions are one-on-one, confidential, and free for all Northwestern students.
The Center for Student Advocacy and wellness offer Alcohol, Cannabis and Other Drug consultations for students who are interested in exploring more about their use of substances. If you have questions or want to learn more about harm reduction in a confidential one on one setting with a health educator from CSAW. Sign up today!
Ready to give mindfulness and meditation a little bit of a deeper dive? Feeling lost on how to make these practices a regular habit? Join the next mindfulNU cohort, an evidence-based program using meditation, journaling, small-group dialogue, and reflection in community to learn new ways of being. Open to all students and co-led by students.
A new academic year brings excitement, uncertainty, and big questions about who you are and where you’re headed. Spiritual direction offers a confidential, one-on-one space to reflect on transitions, purpose, identity, or what feels important. No religious or spiritual background is needed. Sign up for a preliminary session to learn more.
Kick off the new academic year feeling your best! Our licensed massage therapists are ready to help you unwind and recharge with personalized sessions designed just for you.
September 22, 2026
June 16, 2026
September 22, All Day
Norris University Center, 1999 Campus Drive
Fall Mini Courses and Workshops are here! Sign up today and enjoy favorites like Salsa and Bachata dancing, public speak...
September 22, 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM
Norris University Center, 1999 Campus Drive
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