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.
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.
Details + Reserve a laneOctober 16
7:00 pm – 9:00 pm, October 16, 2025
Music Bingo
Nebraska Union Room: Regency Suite
Play for free to win amazing prize packages at a huge one-night game.
Bring friends as there is plenty of space and cards for HUNDREDS of Huskers to play. Prepare your knowledge of popular music from the 1990s through 2000s - or at least be able to recognize songs by sound - because this is the key for you to win.
This event is FREE for UNL students with Event Pass.
DetailsOctober 23, 24, 25, 26
3:00 pm – 4:00 pm, October 23, 2025
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 straight from the kettle. Join in the game/activity while learning about campus organizations and departments. Mingle with friends and new acquaintances.
Details7:00 pm – 9:00 pm, October 23, 2025
Life in Lincoln: West Coast Swing Dancing
Constellation Studios
Life in Lincoln is a series of select 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.
Get ready to move and groove. No dance experience? No problem. Wear comfortable clothes and shoes you can move in to dance the night away.
Meet in Louise Pound Hall, Room 130 at 6:30 p.m. and the group will walk together to the final destination; otherwise, meet the group at Constellation Studios at 7 p.m.
FREE to attend. Open to all UNL students with Event Pass.
Details7:15 pm., October 23, 2025
Mrs. Warren’s Profession (National Theatre Live)
Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center-Van Brunt Visitors Center Room: Ross Theaters (123 & 124)
Five-time Olivier Award winner Imelda Staunton (The Crown) joins forces with her real-life daughter Bessie Carter (Bridgerton) for the very first time, playing mother and daughter in Bernard Shaw’s incendiary classic.
Ticket is $5 for UNL Students.
Details7:00 pm – 9:30 pm, October 24, 2025
Community Climbing Event
Outdoor Adventures Center
Come join us for a monthly night of climbing and a special event at the Outdoor Adventures Center Climbing Wall! Whether we perform some karaoke or pedal our smoothie bike, friends will be made and good times will be had by all.
Details7:00 PM - 9:00 PM, October 24, 2025
Bathtub Dogs x The Red Keys Halloween Show
Nebraska Union
The Bathtub Dogs and The Red Keys are teaming up for an a cappella Halloween show!
Details8:00 pm – 10:00 pm, October 24, 2025
Night of the Living Drag Show
Andersen Hall
Student performers lip-sync to popular songs in two acts for the end-of-the-semester drag show. A short intermission will take place between the acts.
There is no entry fee to this event, yet attendees are asked to bring a nonperishable food item or personal hygiene product to be donated to Husker Pantry. Some requested items are: shampoo, conditioner, hand soap, chips, flour, sugar, cooking oil, and beans.
Time: TBD, October 25, 2025
East Campus IANR Tailgate
Nebraska East Union Room: Great Plains Room
Join us for an East Campus IANR Tailgate with Free Food, Football, and Fun! Everyone is invited to attend; no RSVP is required!
GAME: Huskers vs. Northwestern
GAME TIME: TBA
Tailgate starts 4 hours before kick-off.
Free parking is available.
Wednesday, Oct 29 - Special Event
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM, October 29, 2025
Husker Haunt
Nebraska East Union Room: Great Plains Room
A campus tradition for hundreds of Huskers. Wear a favorite Halloween costume and bring your crew for a fun-tastic night of indoor Halloween-themed activities and treats, all in one location:
• An eerie and frightening Haunted House
• Costume Contest - sponsored by UBT. Prizes valued at $100, $50, and $25. Check-in by 8:15 p.m. Contest starts at 8:30 p.m.
• DIY Mini Pumpkin Decorating
• Hay Rack Ride
• Bowling @ the Husker Bowling Center
• Halloween-themed Mocktails, hosted by Alcohol and Other Drug Education.
• Free Candy
Free for UNL Students with Event Pass.
DetailsOct 31, Nov 1, 2
5:30 PM - 8:30 PM, October 31, 2025
Morrill Hall-oween
Morrill Hall
Join us for a spooktacular time trick-or-treating while exploring exhibits, participating in games, and doing crafts and activities.
Please bring your own trick-or-treat bag to fill (we will have a limited number of basic paper treat sacks for those without a bag).
Activities:
- Halloween BINGO!
- Spooktacular crafts
- Scavenger hunt
- Candy Corn Bowling
- Pumpkin Toss
1:00 p.m. November 2, 2025
Mrs. Warren’s Profession (National Theatre Live)
Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center-Van Brunt Visitors Center Room: Ross Theaters (123 & 124)
Five-time Olivier Award winner Imelda Staunton (The Crown) joins forces with her real-life daughter Bessie Carter (Bridgerton) for the very first time, playing mother and daughter in Bernard Shaw’s incendiary classic.
Ticket is $5 for UNL Students.
Details
November 7, 8, 9
Starts at 7:00 PM, November 7, 2025
Boots and Ballads Country Music Karaoke
Nebraska East Union Room: Great Plains Room
ONE EVENING ONLY. Karaoke returns to campus by popular demand.
Take the stage and show off your vocal talents for other Huskers with a rendition of a favorite country music song. Even if you don’t sing, you can join the audience to enjoy the beautiful musical styling of your friends and classmates.
FREE for UNL students only with Event Pass.
Details11:00 AM – 4:00 PM, November 9, 2025
Tea Time Friday
Jackie Gaughan Multicultural Center Room: Kawasaki Reading Room 302
Enjoy Japanese tea and snacks every Friday at the Kawasaki Reading Room in the Jackie Gaughan Multicultural Center, 1505 S St Room 302, Lincoln, NE 68508.
Bring friends or come to make new friends and enjoy tea in a relaxed environment.
Starts at 1:00 PM, November 9, 2025
Life of Pi (National Theatre Live)
Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center-Van Brunt Visitors Center Room: Ross Theaters (123 & 124)
Puppetry, magic and storytelling combine in this unique, Olivier Award-winning stage adaptation of the best-selling novel.
After a cargo ship sinks in the middle of the vast Pacific Ocean, a 16-year-old boy named Pi is stranded on a lifeboat with four other survivors – a hyena, a zebra, an orangutan and a Royal Bengal tiger. Time is against them, nature is harsh, who will survive?
Ticket is $5 for UNL Students
Details