HERO area
The Weekender highlights free(ish) student-focused social events happening on the University of Nebraska–Lincoln campus on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday afternoons and evenings. All students are welcome.
October 29, 30, 31
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm, October 29, 2026
Popcorn Pop-Up
Nebraska Union Room: The Crib
The best hour of the week! Every Thursday from 3 to 4 p.m. pop into The Crib for an afternoon social hour with 100s of other Huskers.
It’s free and every student, staff, and faculty is welcome.
Snack on fresh-popped popcorn directly from the kettle. Join in the activity while learning about campus organizations and departments. Mingle with friends and new acquaintances.
**********
What to expect:
Fun, fellowship, laughter, friends, and smiles.
There will always be fresh popcorn, including special mix-ins.
Details8:00 pm – 11:00 pm, October 30, 2026
Glow Skate Night
John Breslow Ice Hockey Center
Lace up the skates and hit the rink for ice skating! Skaters of all levels are welcome.
Admission is free for any UNL student - just bring your NCard.
Skate rentals: $6
Public admission: $6
11:00 am – 5:00 pm, October 30, 2026
Fall 2026 Tea Time
Jackie Gaughan Multicultural Center Room: 302
Stop by the Kawasaki Reading Room on the 3rd floor of the Jackie Gaughan Multicultural Center every Friday from 11am to 4pm, starting August 28th and running through December 15th.
Details8:00 pm, October 29, 2026
Nightmare on R Street
Phi Delta Theta House
Nightmare on R St is a haunted house philanthropy event hosted by the Phi Delta Theta fraternity at our chapter house on R St. Attendees will walk through a themed haunted house experience designed and staffed by chapter members, featuring decorated rooms, guided pathways, and Halloween-themed effects. The event is open to students and the public, and all proceeds will be donated to Live Like Lou, Phi Delta.
Details7:30 PM, October 30, 2026
Lincoln's Symphony Orchestra
Lied Center Performing Arts
LSO and guest conductor Andrew Grams are joined by concertmaster Anton Miller for Max Bruch’s energetic and virtuosic Scottish Fantasy. After intermission, LSO will perform either Edward Elgar’s Nimrod from his Enigma Variations OR Edvard Grieg’s In the Hall of the Mountain King – you decide with your vote! Antonín Dvořák’s Symphony No. 8 closes this program.
Free for UNL Students with Ncard.
To pick up your tickets, you must stop by the LSO Box Office located in the Lied Center Ticket Lobby 1 hour prior to each show to claim your ticket(s). Make sure you have your N-Card in hand.
Details6:00 pm – 7:30 pm, October 29, 2026
UNL Out of the Darkness Pumpkin Painting Social
Nebraska Union - Ballroom
Come join the Out of the Darkness organization to paint mini pumpkins, create community within our club, and talk about the Spring Out of the Darkness Walk!
Details5:00 pm – 6:30 pm, October 29, 2026
Arch Hall-Oween 2026
Architecture Hall T-Studio
Join us to celebrate the spooky season with a relaxing evening of pumpkin painting! We'll be providing supplies, so come to wind down and have fun!
Details8:00 am – 8:00 pm, October 30, 2026
Harper Dining’s Halloween Costume Contest
Harper Dining Center
We’re hosting an all-day costume contest at Harper Dining Center on Friday, October 30th. Stop by Harper Dining at during any meal period and have a staff member snap your Polaroid picture and get your contact information.
Come back to Harper on Monday, November 2nd to vote for your favorite costume!
Winner will be announced on Tuesday, November 3rd.
Prize: Steak dinner for you and 3 friends
Also on Friday, October 30th, stop by our Halloween dessert and snack table during lunch for some spooky treats. Dirt and worm parfait cups, apples and caramel, popcorn and candy corn, spooky decorated cakes and cookies.
*Must be a meal plan holder to win*
November 5, 6, 7, 8
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm, November 5, 2026
Popcorn Pop-Up
Nebraska Union Room: The Crib
The best hour of the week! Every Thursday from 3 to 4 p.m. pop into The Crib for an afternoon social hour with 100s of other Huskers.
It’s free and every student, staff, and faculty is welcome.
Snack on fresh-popped popcorn directly from the kettle. Join in the activity while learning about campus organizations and departments. Mingle with friends and new acquaintances.
**********
What to expect:
Fun, fellowship, laughter, friends, and smiles.
There will always be fresh popcorn, including special mix-ins.
Details5:00 pm – 7:00 pm, November 6, 2026
First Friday: One Piece at a Time
Architecture Hall West Room: T-Studio/ HDR Pavilion Lobby
On November 6 from 5-7 p.m., stop by the HDR Pavilion Lobby/T-Studio in Architecture Hall to experience One Piece at a Time - A Co-Creational Speculation on Mass Timber in North America (OPAT) by Professor Jason Griffiths.
One Piece at a Time is an architectural assemblage of mass timber components gathered during Griffiths’ 2024 sabbatical road trip to universities across North America. The project brings together multiple participants in a conversation about how we build with wood and explores the diverse approaches to forestry, mass timber and construction across the United States.
Details9:00 am – 4:00 pm, November 8, 2026
Fall Colors Hike
Outdoor Adventures Center
Need a quick escape from the city? Join Outdoor Adventures for a day of hiking at Platte River State Park. You’ll enjoy beautiful fall colors and scenic views of the Platte River, a delicous lunch, and great conversations with fellow hikers. It’s the perfect way to relax and enjoy the outdoors close to home.
The cost of this trip covers all of the transportation, activity-related gear, meals while at the activity site, permits, leadership, and instruction for the program.
https://crec.unl.edu/activities/outdoor-adventures/adventure-trips-clinics/
Details11:00 am – 5:00 pm, November 6, 2026
Fall 2026 Tea Time
Jackie Gaughan Multicultural Center Room: 302
Stop by the Kawasaki Reading Room on the 3rd floor of the Jackie Gaughan Multicultural Center every Friday from 11am to 4pm to enjoy fresh tea
Details12:00 pm – 1:30 pm, November 5, 2026
Cooking Demo for Students
University Health Center and College of Nursing Room: First Floor Kitchen
Join the UNL campus registered dietitians to learn how to prepare diabetes-friendly, immunity-boosting dishes.
You must register to attend. Limited to 10 attendees; first come, first served. Please only register if you can show up, otherwise, you will be taking a spot for someone who may want to attend.
Registration will automatically close when 10 people have signed up.
https://health.unl.edu/cooking-demos/
Details5:00 pm – 7:00 pm, November 6, 2026
November First Friday at Sheldon Museum of Art
Sheldon Museum of Art
Start your weekend at Sheldon Museum of Art. UNL graduate student poets will read their original poetry, inspired by art on view, in the galleries starting at 6 p.m.
Before the poetry readings, join a tour of “Remembering Modern Art” at 5:30 p.m. Admission is always free and everyone is welcome.
Funding was provided by Humanities Nebraska and the Nebraska Cultural Endowment.
https://sheldonartmuseum.doubleknot.com/event/november-first-friday/3159103
Details5:00 pm – 9:00 pm, November 6, 2026
Lazzi Improv Show
Nebraska Union & Chimney Rock Room
A free comedy improv show put on for the public!
Details5:00 pm – 7:00 pm, November 6, 2026
First Friday at the Great Plains Art Museum
Great Plains Art Museum
The Great Plains Art Museum is open late Nov. 6, 5-7 p.m. with three exhibitions and light refreshments.
On View:
“Elsewhere / The Prairie Was Ours”
August 25-December 19, 2026 | Lower-level Gallery
“Jennifer Angus: Like a Moth to the Flame”
August 7-December 19, 2026 | First-Floor Galleries
“Moving with the Hydrocommons”
August 7-December 19, 2026 | Mezzanine Gallery
3:00 pm – 6:00 pm, November 6, 2026
First Friday at The Eloise Kruger Gallery of Miniatures
Oldfather Hall Room: Room 831
Step into a World in Miniature!
Join us for First Friday in the Gallery, our monthly open house at The Eloise Kruger Gallery of Miniatures. Wander through tiny worlds, discover remarkable craftsmanship, and enjoy an afternoon of big imagination in small scale.
Admission is always free and open to the public.
Details4:00 pm – 5:00 pm, November 6, 2026
Japanese Conversation Table
Jackie Gaughan Multicultural Center Room: Room 301
Interested in practicing your Japanese? Come Join us every Friday from 4 to 5 PM at Kawasaki Reading Room (JGMC Room 301).
Details4:00 pm – 6:00 pm, November 6, 2026
Blind Box Bingo: Bigger & Better
The Ballroom
Back by popular demand! Take part in the blind box craze through competitive rounds of bingo with your friends! Enjoy rounds of traditional bingo mixed with fun variations!
We took your feedback from the last event: More Bingo Sheets, More Seating, and More Blind Boxes!!!
Winners will get to leave with popular, authentic blind boxes.
Now with EVEN MORE Blind Boxes from popular brands like POP MART, MINISO, and SMISKI!
Details4:30 pm – 7:00 pm, November 5, 2026
Movie Night: Monster’s University
Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center-Van Brunt Visitors Center Room: Cooper Theater
Monsters University captures the classic first-generation college experience: Mike Wazowski arrives with big dreams, zero built-in family connections or legacy status, and a stark realization that institutional rules weren’t designed with underdogs in mind.
Every ticket holder will receive popcorn and a soda to enjoy throughout the movie.
Registration required: sign up at https://unl.campuslabs.com/engage/event/12907986
Arrive by 4:30 PM - screening will start at 5 pm.
November 12, 13, 14, 15
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm, November 12, 2026
Popcorn Pop-Up
Nebraska Union Room: The Crib
The best hour of the week! Every Thursday from 3 to 4 p.m. pop into The Crib for an afternoon social hour with 100s of other Huskers.
It’s free and every student, staff, and faculty is welcome.
Snack on fresh-popped popcorn directly from the kettle. Join in the activity while learning about campus organizations and departments. Mingle with friends and new acquaintances.
**********
What to expect:
Fun, fellowship, laughter, friends, and smiles.
There will always be fresh popcorn, including special mix-ins.
Details4:30 pm - 5:30 pm, November 12, 2026
Ginger Bread House Decorations
Willa Cather Dining Center
Join us for a fun gingerbread house decorating event where everyone can get creative, decorate, and enjoy time together!
DetailsStarts at 7:30 pm, November 13, 2026
Arcadia
Temple Building Room: Howell Theater
Moving fluidly between the early 19th century and the present day, Arcadia intertwines mathematics, science, romantic entanglements, and literary inquiry in a richly layered exploration of time, knowledge, and the pursuit of truth. At once intellectually rigorous and deeply human, it is a play that delights in language while asking enduring questions about what we can know and what remains forever elusive
Details2:00 pm – 3:00 pm, November 14, 2026
Drop-In Tour at Sheldon Museum of Art
Sheldon Museum of Art
Explore the many forms of abstract art on view at Sheldon Museum of Art with a Sheldon educator. Through guided looking and conversation, discover how artists express ideas beyond representation.
Tours at Sheldon are free, but space is limited. Advanced registration is encouraged.
https://sheldonartmuseum.doubleknot.com/event/drop-in-tour-abstract-approaches/3159169
Details6:00 pm – 10:00 pm, November 14, 2026
Pitch Please Family/Friends Night!
Nebraska Union: The Crib
On Friday, November 14th, Pitch Please is hosting a quick performance to showcase what we've been working on this semester! Consider it a little sneak peek before our Fall Show :) Come to the UNL Crib at 7pm to this FREE performance, free will donation only. We look forward to seeing you there!
Details5:30 pm – 7:00 pm, November 13, 2026
Life in Lincoln: Airport Extras
Lincoln Airport
Get an inside look at the newly renovated Lincoln Airport! This unique experience will provide students with a wealth of knowledge about airport operations through an engaging presentation, followed by an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour of the facility.
Participants will have the opportunity to explore areas not typically open to the public while learning how the airport functions day-to-day. Don’t miss this chance to discover what keeps Lincoln’s airport running and see it from a whole new perspective.
Details2:00 pm – 4:00 pm, November 15, 2026
Family Day at Sheldon Museum of Art
Sheldon Museum of Art
Inspired by the exhibition “Gender, Genre, Generation,” join artist Anne Burton for a hands-on exploration of abstract mark-making. Families are invited to participate in a hands-on art activity, enjoy gallery experiences, and share a free snack together.
Family Days at Sheldon are free and open to all families, but advanced registration is encouraged.
https://sheldonartmuseum.doubleknot.com/event/family-day-with-anne-burton/3159195
Details