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. |
| 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. | Explore the UNI Botanical Center UNI Botanical Center | Explore this amazing campus greenhouse with your family. Our staff & volunteers will be present to answer questions about the diverse plant collection and point out interesting plants in each room. Meet the 2 tropical birds and bearded dragon! |
| 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. Stick around to see performances by some student organizations including the SingPins! |
| 9:00 a.m. - noon | Explore the UNI Botanical Center UNI Botanical Center | Explore this amazing campus greenhouse with your family. Our staff & volunteers will be present to answer questions about the diverse plant collection and point out interesting plants in each room. Meet the 2 tropical birds and bearded dragon! |
| 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) GBPAC | 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 - 11:30 a.m. | Honors & Scholars Open House Bartlett Hall 3rd Floor | Visit Honors & Scholars Programs for light refreshments and a tour of their space! |
| 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. - noon | Physics at Low Temperatures Begeman Hall 114 | Demonstrations of phenomena at ultralow temperatures will be presented. |
| 10:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. | Family Pictures & Putting Towers Center | Housing & Dining is excited to host a casual come-and-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 a.m. | Women's Swim & Dive Purple & Gold Intrasquad Meet Glen F. Henry Swimming & Diving Pool, Wellness & Recreation Center (WRC) | Come cheer on your Panther Swim and Dive team in their home-opening intraquad meet at the Glen F. Henry Pool inside the Wellness-Recreation Center (WRC). This event is free for all and a great way to see what's in store for the rest of their season! |
| 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. |
| 11:00 - noon | Picture Yourself Abroad Study Abroad Center,103 East Bartlett Hall | Come visit the Study Abroad Center where you can learn about study away opportunity. Chat with study abroad staff and faculty leaders about our programs. Enjoy some snacks and get a free passport photo. |
| 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. |
| 1:00 p.m. | UNI Women's Volleyball vs Murray State McLeod Center | Come cheer on your reigning MVC Volleyball champs as they take on Murray State in the McLeod Center. Tickets will be available for purchase at a later date through unitix.uni.edu. Free admission IF you have a ticket to the football game! |
| 1:00 - 3:30 p.m. | Family Tailgate at the Hyvee Fan Zone West UNI-Dome Parking Lot | Join the UNI Alumni & Foundation, UNI Athletics and Cedar Falls Hyvee in the west UNI-Dome parking lot for a free family-friendly tailgate. Includes free food from Hyvee (while supplies last), games, and giveaways. |
| 4:00 p.m. | UNI Football vs Illinois State UNI-Dome | ARE YOU READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL?! Your UNI Panthers take on MVC foe and defending FCS National Runner-Up, the Illinois State Redbirds. Join us as we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the iconic UNI-Dome - the first 1,000 fans in attendance will receive a vintage rope hat! Tickets are available for purchase at unitix.uni.edu. Family Members wanting to have their student sit next to them should use the promo code FAM26 to claim their student's complementary ticket in the same section as the rest of the purchased tickets. Events in the UNI-Dome are cashless and have a clear bag policy. |
| 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. |
| 1:00 p.m. | UNI Women's Soccer vs Belmont UNI Soccer Field | Support UNI Women's Soccer as they take on the Belmont Bruins at the UNI Soccer Fields. Free admission to this game! |
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 activities in central campus, including Maucker Union, Lang Hall and Rod Library, are encouraged to utilize the circle drives off of Wisconsin Street and West 26th Street to drop off or pick up individuals. The Gilchrist A lot, north of University Avenue, is centrally located and available for parking on Friday and Saturday (not overnight).
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.
