Popcorn Pop-Up

Popcorn Pop-Up. The best hour of the week!

Popcorn Pop-Up is the best hour of the week - an afternoon social hour with 100s of Huskers. 

It’s free and every student, staff, and faculty is welcome.

Snack on fresh-popped popcorn straight from the kettle. Join in the game/activity while learning about campus organizations and departments. Mingle with friends and new acquaintances.

JOIN THE CROWD

Every Thursday
3 to 4 p.m.

@ Nebraska Union's The Crib

* during the academic calendar year only. Excludes holiday breaks and the summer term, unless otherwise noted.

What to Expect

Always FREE popcorn.
Always FREE drinks.
and a NEW activity each week.


Enjoy fellowship, laughter, friends, and smiles.

The game/activity will change weekly. It might be trivia, or maybe a sport, a craft, or karaoke.

There will always be fresh popcorn, including special flavors and mix-ins.

Get your free Pop-Up Cup

Each first-time attendee receives a FREE reusable yellow Popcorn Pop-Up Cup. 

Be sustainable. Hang on to your yellow cup. Bring it to subsequent Popcorn Pop-Ups to refill with popcorn treats.

Yellow cup for Popcorn Pop-Up.

Check in with Event Pass

As you enter this event, have your individualized UNL EVENT PASS ready to be scanned.  

Download your pass in less than 1 minute from your NvolveU account and save it to your Apple Wallet or Google Wallet.

VIDEO: Downloading your EVENT PASS 

Upcoming Dates + Activity Hosts

NOV 20, 2025
Recycling Cornhole
with Office of Sustainability
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DEC 4, 2025 
Cash the Therapy Dog 
with University Police


Popcorn Pop-Up will not meet Dec 11, 2025–Jan 15, 2026. 
 

JAN 22, 2026
Coming Soon
_______________

JAN 29, 2026
Coming Soon
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FEB 5, 2026
Coming Soon
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FEB 12, 2026
Coming Soon
_______________

FEB 19, 2026
Coming Soon


Earn your spot in the Golden Kernel Club

To recognize and honor frequent attendees. 

How to become a member:

  1. Go to the weekly Popcorn Pop-Up.
  2. At the check-in table, scan your individual Event Pass to officially record your attendance.
  3. Attend ten (10) Popcorn Pop-Ups to become an official member. Attendance does not have to be consecutive weeks.
  4. Once your attendance count is verified and you become a member, you will receive an exclusive stainless steel Golden Kernel Club Cup, and your name will be added to the Golden Kernel Club's roster.
sample of Golden Kernel Club's stainless steel cup.

Golden Kernel Club Members

Fall 2025

Alex Lupori  •  Alexis Mendez Santiago  •  Aden Minchow  •  Amy Stewart  •  Brett Tomjack •  Cat Dinh  •  Cooper Morgan  •  Daniel Gonzalez  •  Elizabeth Buescher  •  Emma DeShon  •  Domonique Cudjo  •  Gabriel Spray  •  Gideon Casimiro  •  Grace Clark  •  Izzy Lewis  •  Josie Golka  •  Journey McManus  •  Kailyn Drain  •  Karen Wills  •  Kashish Nangia  •  Liberty Stuart  •  Logan Livers  •  Madeline Condon  •  Marcus McCaskill  •  Molly Clark  •  Natalie Hill  •  Nick Stefanik  •  Olivia Cupp-Whiteman  •  Oluwatobi Tevoedjre  •  Paula McKillip  •  Steven Semadeni  •  Teddi Humphrey  •  Titus Willems  •  T.J. McDowell  •  Vivian Landis  •  Yannis Melessike  •  Yashvi Patel


* Bold Names are the newest members as of Nov 19, 2025.    

Spring 2026

Fall 2026

13 of the 15 inaugural inductees in the Golden Kernel Club.  November 13, 2025.
 

Eleven individuals pose together as the inaugural inductees in to the Popcorn Pop-Up's Golden Kernel Club. November 13, 2025.
Two addtional individuals pose with Karen Wills as the inaugural inductees in the Popcorn Pop-Up's Golden Kernel Club. November 13, 2025.

Questions? Connect with Karen Wills  kwills2@nebraska.edu  |  402-472-9749