Family Weekend
Thanks for making Family Weekend so great! It's official: Family Weekend 2026 will be held Friday, September 25th through Sunday, September 27th, 2026. Registration is now open!
2026 Family Weekend Schedule
Here is the schedule for Family Weekend! Keep coming back for any updates we may have.
Friday, September 25, 2026
| Time | Event and Location | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 7:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. | Discover Rod Library & UNI's 150th Exhibit Rod Library | Spaces to Visit: Enjoy cool, air-conditioned areas perfect for relaxing with your family, including cozy bean bag chairs. Exhibits to Explore: Step into UNI’s 150-year legacy at the UNI Museum’s Sesquicentennial Exhibit on the first floor. Don’t miss the Rod Library Art Invitational, featuring outstanding works by select UNI students. Activities for All: Play board games, giant Jenga, and Legos, or get creative with crafts in the Makerspace. Unleash your imagination on the large whiteboard wall. You can also check out hammocks or bikes to experience the campus outdoors. |
| 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. | Ice Cream Social Maucker Union Coffeehouse | Meet fellow Panther families while enjoying ice cream and music, making friendship bracelets, or simply relaxing with some coloring. The vibe speaks for itself, and before you know it, the music will have you up on your feet dancing. |
| 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. | Family Weekend Check-In Maucker Union Coffeehouse | Have any questions about Family Weekend or what UNI has to offer? Swing by our check-in table to let us know your here and get your questions answered! |
| 7:30 p.m. | UNI School of Music's 45th Annual Scholarship Benefit Concert Catherine Cassidy Gallagher Great Hall, Gallagher Bluedorn (GBPAC) | The School of Music is thrilled to welcome Family Weekend guests to the Gallagher Bluedorn for the 45th Annual Scholarship Benefit Concert! The concert will include performances by the UNI Wind Ensemble, Jazz Band One, UNI Choirs, and the Northern Iowa Symphony Orchestra, as well as featured soloists and more. Please join us for this exciting event and help to support student scholarships at UNI’s School of Music! Purchase your tickets through Family Weekend Registration. |
| 8:00 - 10:00 p.m. | Family Weekend BINGO Maucker Union Ballroom | The Office of Student Involvement is excited to host BINGO (with UNI prizes) for Family Weekend. BINGO is free and open to all ages. Registration for this event is required. |
Saturday, September 26, 2026
| Time | Event and Location | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 7:30 - 8:30 a.m. | Small Mammal Observation on Smith Prairie Daryl Smith Prairie | Come out to check the small mammal traps set out by our amazing Dr. Demastes and his mammalogy students! It's a fun opportunity for kids and family to observe some cute, fluffy creatures living on the campus prairie |
| 8:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. | Family Weekend Check-In Maucker Union Coffeehouse | Have any questions about Family Weekend or what UNI has to offer? Swing by our check-in table to let us know your here and get your questions answered! This is where you can grab your exclusive Family Weekend t-shirt here while supplies last. |
| 8:30 - 9:30 a.m. | Family Welcome Maucker Union Coffeehouse | We hope all families will join us for the Welcome with an introduction of the 2026 Forever Family sponsored by the Alumni Association and opening remarks from President Nook at 9:00 a.m. |
| 9:30 - 11:00 a.m. | Business, Breakfast, and Balloons Curris Business Building (CBB), Hall of Flags | Business students and their families are welcomed to Curris to join the Wilson College of Business for breakfast and fun activities for all ages. Current business students - come break a balloon to win a prize and a chance to win one of our scholarships! We look forward to getting to know you and your families better. First come, first served! Registration for this event is required. |
| 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. | Teacher Education Convocation Bengtson Auditorium, Russell Hall | Newly admitted UNI Teacher Education students and their families are invited to the 63rd Teacher Education Convocation and Celebration. This special ceremony honors the formal induction of students into UNI Teacher Education and their commitment to the teaching profession. Faculty and staff are welcome to attend! Students should check their email for an invite with registration link. |
| 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. | White Coat Ceremony (this event is intended for nursing students, their families and friends) Lang Hall Auditorium | The White Coat Ceremony at UNI is a prestigious event that marks the transition of nursing students into the profession, signifying the start of their clinical education and commitment to ethical, patient-centered care. The ceremony is an important milestone at the beginning of their journey toward becoming compassionate healthcare professionals, emphasizing the program's commitment to professionalism and excellence in patient care. |
| 10:00 a.m. - noon | Biology Open House and Demonstrations McCollum Science Hall | The Biology Department will have an open house featuring a tour of the SynDavers, alligators and turtles and more |
| 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. | Family Pictures & Putting Towers Center | Housing & Dining is excited to host a casual come-a-go event on the 2nd floor of Towers Center. Come enjoy a round of mini-putt and test your skills for a chance to win various prizes. Families will also be provided a space to take a fun group picture with a UNI backdrop and props included. |
| 11:00 - 11:45 a.m. | Chemistry Magic Show Lantz Auditorium, McCollum Science Hall 137 | The student chapter of the American Chemical Society will be performing a series of entertaining and informative chemistry demonstrations. |
| 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. | Tailgate Lunch at the Dining Centers Piazza & Rialto | Join us for a Panther Tailgate and enjoy some of the best college food in Iowa! $10 tickets can be purchased in advance. Door rate $12.50 (credit or debit purchase only). |
| noon - 7:00 p.m. | Discover Rod Library & UNI's 150th Exhibit Rod Library | Spaces to Visit: Enjoy cool, air-conditioned areas perfect for relaxing with your family, including cozy bean bag chairs. Exhibits to Explore: Step into UNI’s 150-year legacy at the UNI Museum’s Sesquicentennial Exhibit on the first floor. Don’t miss the Rod Library Art Invitational, featuring outstanding works by select UNI students. Activities for All: Play board games, giant Jenga, and Legos, or get creative with crafts in the Makerspace. Unleash your imagination on the large whiteboard wall. You can also check out hammocks or bikes to experience the campus outdoors. |
| 12:30 - 2:30 p.m. | Family Fun at Rod Library Rod Library | Come to the library on Saturday from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. for an escape room, a chance to win a board game, and a hands-on exploration of rare books and unique university archives materials. |
| 4:00 p.m. | UNI Football vs Illinois State UNI-Dome | ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL!!! Come enjoy a great football game as the UNI Panthers takes on the Illinois Redbirds. Tickets will be available for purchase at a later date through unitix.uni.edu |
| 4:30 - 6:00 p.m. | Dry-run Creek Aquatic Macro-Invertebrate Collection and Observation Dry-run Creek access by Center for Energy & Environmental Education (CEEE) | Wear a chest wader and use a dip net to survey the creek and see what you can find! A fun activity for students, children (12 and older) and family to learn what amazing macro-invertebrates are living in the creek. |
| 7:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. | Prairie Night Time Bat Detection Daryl Smith Prairie | We will detect different bat species living on Smith Prairie using ultrasound. It's a fun event for students, children and family from the community |
| 7:30 p.m. - 9:30 p.m. | Prairie Night Time Insect Observation Daryl Smith Prairie | We will use light traps to attract and observe insects living on the Smith Prairie on campus. It's fun for students, children and family from the community |
Sunday, September 27th
| Time | Event and Location | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. | Family Weekend Fun Day with Recreation Services Wellness & Recreation Center (WRC) | Recreation Services invites you and your family to play in their space! Climb the wall, enjoy some family time in the pool, or a quick game of 2 on 2 basketball. We'd love to see you in the WRC. Help us make sure we've got the event just right for you and your family and tell us how you're planning to spend your time. |
| 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. | Family Feud WRC, Room 176 | Join us for a unique twist on Family Feud to explore wellness! Test your knowledge on the eight dimensions of wellness and mental health in a friendly competition that promotes laughter and learning. Get ready to challenge yourselves and have fun along the way! |
| noon - 11:00 p.m. | Discover Rod Library & UNI's 150th Exhibit Rod Library | Spaces to Visit: Enjoy cool, air-conditioned areas perfect for relaxing with your family, including cozy bean bag chairs. Exhibits to Explore: Step into UNI’s 150-year legacy at the UNI Museum’s Sesquicentennial Exhibit on the first floor. Don’t miss the Rod Library Art Invitational, featuring outstanding works by select UNI students. Activities for All: Play board games, giant Jenga, and Legos, or get creative with crafts in the Makerspace. Unleash your imagination on the large whiteboard wall. You can also check out hammocks or bikes to experience the campus outdoors. |
Cool Cats Carts Shuttle Schedule
The Cool Cats Carts are going to be back in action!
Friday, September 25th, the carts will shuttle from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. to and from the Gilchrist A Parking Lot and the Maucker Union.
Saturday, September 26th, the carts will shuttle from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in a rotation to four different stops:
- Gilchrist Parking Lot
- Maucker Union
- Towers Center (North side of campus, Rialto Dining Hall)
- Redeker Center (South side of campus, Piazza Dining Hall)
Visitor Information
Things to do in the Cedar Valley
Parking Options for Weekend
Family members visiting campus for Family Weekend can park in any A, B, C, or R campus parking lot. Those planning to stay overnight on Friday or Saturday night need to park in a C or R parking lots. A parking fee may apply for some of the parking lots on Saturday. If you have any parking questions, contact Parking Operations at (319) 273-3179 or (319) 273-7093.
Families participating in the Friday evening and Welcome on Saturday morning at the Maucker Union are encouraged to park in the Gilchrist A lot, north of University Avenue.
Accommodations
Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all UNI-sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this program, please contact studentlife@uni.edu as soon as possible to make arrangements.
