The Weekender highlights free(ish) student-focused social events happening on the University of Nebraska–Lincoln campus on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday afternoons and evenings. All students are welcome.
This listing will be updated continually as events are announced.
Want your event to be considered for The Weekender? Add it to the UNL Events Calendar for us to curate into this list. RSOs can post their events on NVolveU.
ONGOING
Free Bowling
- Every Friday, Saturday & Sunday
- 5:30 p.m. to midnight Friday; 1 p.m. to midnight Saturday; 1 to 8 p.m. Sunday
- Husker Bowling Center, inside the Nebraska East Union
UNL students enjoy free bowling + shoe rental w/ their NCard. Reserve a lane for you and your friends.
hosted by Nebraska Unions
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Tea Time Fridays
- Fridays
- 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Jackie Gaughan Multicultural Center, Room 302
Visit the third floor reading room for a variety of different teas and snacks.
hosted by Kawasaki Reading Room
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SEPTEMBER 29, 30, OCTOBER 1
Hanging with the Huskers
- Sept 29, 2023
- 12 to 4 p.m.
- 17th Street Green Space (across from Willa Cather Dining Complex)
An afternoon full of fun with inflatables, a mechanical bull, and food.
Free for UNL students with Event Pass.
hosted by UPC Nebraska
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Pickleball Doubles Tournament
- Sept 29, 2023
- 5:30 p.m.
- Rec & Wellness Center
It's the fastest-growing sport in the United States, with over 4.8 million players in 2022. Tournament divisions are co-rec, women's, men's, and open.
Free to play. Sign up on-site by 5:30 p.m. at the RWC, located on East Campus. Winners are awarded an intramural championship t-shirt.
hosted by Campus Recreation
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Nintendo Switch: Smash Bros. Tournament
- Sept 29, 2023
- 5:30 p.m.
- Anderson Hall
A free 1-night tournament played on Nintendo Switch consoles. To compete, sign up on-site with the organizers by 5:30 p.m. Winners are awarded an intramural championship t-shirt.
hosted by Campus Recreation
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QTBIPoC Social
- Sept 29, 2023
- 5:30 to 7 p.m.
- Jackie Gaughan Multicultural Center, Ubuntu Room
An social mixer to recognize Queer, Trans, Black, and Indigenous people of color and connect attendees to a greater network of an affirmative community.
Free food and light refreshments are available. The event is casual and guests can come and go as needed.
hosted by Gender and Sexuality Center
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LIFE IN LINCOLN: Mana Games Cafe
- Sept 29, 2023
- 6:30 p.m.
- meet the group in Louise Pound Hall, near room 130. Group will walk together to the final destination(s).
Mana Games is a gaming café in the Haymarket’s historic Creamery Building featuring a huge library of board games, RPG manuals, and gaming accessories. You can grab a quick bite and a great cup of coffee while you connect with other gamers. Game & entry fee will be covered; students will be responsible for their own food & drink. Learn more about Mana on their website.
LIFE IN LINCOLN is a series on select Friday evenings for UNL students to gather and enjoy a nearby activity or tour to sample and learn about the local Lincoln culture, neighborhoods, and people.
FREE to attend. Open to all UNL students with Event Pass.
hosted by Student Leadership, Involvement, & Community Engagement; International Student and Scholar Office (ISSO)
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Men's Soccer Club vs. UNO
- Sept 29, 2023
- 7 p.m.
- Vine Street Fields (17th & Vine)
The sport club is hosting a home match against their in-state counterpart from University of Nebraska Omaha. Free for all to attend the game.
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OCTOBER 6, 7, 8
Husker Watch Party: Nebraska vs. Illiniois
- Oct 6, 2023
- Gate opens at 6 p.m.; Game kickoff is 7 p.m.
- Memorial Stadium, enter at Gate 24.
GO BIG RED! Enjoy a Friday evening watching your Nebraska Husker football team battle the Illinois Fighting Illini, live on the stadium’s big screen. Fans can sit right on the field (bring a blanket) or in the bleacher seats.
Additionally, two inflatable games - Football Toss and Basketball Game - will entertain guests during TV breaks and halftime.
This event is FREE for UNL students with EventPass. UNL staff and faculty show their NCard to enter. Families show their Family Weekend confirmation email at check-in.
• Each UNL student with Event Pass can enjoy a FREE hotdog, bag of chips, and drink. Additional food and drink is available for purchase.
hosted by Student Leadership, Involvement, & Community Engagement; Husker Athletics; and UNL Parents Association.
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Free Skate Night
- Oct 6, 2023
- 6 to 9:30 p.m.
- Breslow Ice Center (433 V Street)
UNL students can ice skate for free with their NCard. Skate rental is available for $3 per pair.
hosted by Campus Recreation
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First Friday at Sheldon Museum of Art
- Oct 6, 2023
- 4 to 7 p.m.
- Sheldon Museum of Art
SHELDON is open until 7 p.m. for the monthly First Friday event. Explore the fall semester exhibitions and socialize. Admission is free.
hosted by Sheldon Mueseum of Art
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Threads & Trails Artist Panel
- Oct 6, 2023
- 5 to 7 p.m.
- Great Plains Art Museum @ Hewit Place
Visit the museum for an artist panel to learn more about the collaborative exhibition “Threads & Trails: Contemplations of Our Herstories.” Erica Larsen-Dockray, Cybele Moon, Steph Coley, Eve LaFountain, and Marissa Magdalena Sykes will discuss the historical women that inspired their work, their personal experiences as female artists, and the creative process behind the project.
Admission is free.
hosted by Great Plains Art Museum
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Ross Fright Fest: GET OUT and CURE
- Oct 6, 2023
- 7 p.m. - GET OUT
- 9:15 p.m. - CURE
- Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center
The first night of this new month-long film festival, celebrating the Halloween season with 14 classic, campy, thrilling, surreal, and unsettling horror films.
Tonight's films are GET OUT (7 p.m. start) and CURE (9:15 p.m. start).
$5 general admission. Additional details and the view festival's full schedule on the Ross website.
hosted by Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center and Friends of The Ross
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OCTOBER 13, 14, 15
OCTOBER 20, 21, 22
OCTOBER 27, 28, 29
NOVEMBER 3, 4, 5
NOVEMBER 10, 11, 12
Free Skate Night
- Nov 10, 2023
- 8 to 11 p.m.
- Breslow Ice Center (433 V Street)
UNL students can ice skate for free with their NCard. Skate rental is available for $3 per pair.
hosted by Campus Recreation
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