The Weekender

The Weekender

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 lane

September 12, 13, 14

10:00 AM TO 11:45 PM, September, 12 2025

Mana Games Week

Mana Games Cafe

Mana Games is a gaming café in the Haymarket's historic Creamery building where you can grab a quick bite and a great cup of coffee while you connect with other gamers. Featuring a full menu, a huge library of board games, RPG manuals, and gaming accessories, as well as unique and local retail items.

Details

6:30 p.m. September 12, 2025

Life in Lincoln: Global Dessert Competition

The Hub Cafe

Indulge your sweet tooth and love for international cuisines with the Global Dessert Competition, a delicious event for students to showcase their culinary skills by preparing desserts from their home countries or cultures. Whether you’re baking a beloved family recipe or trying your hand at a new treat from a different part of the world, this is your chance to share flavors, stories, and traditions with the campus community.

Attendees will sample desserts, vote for their favorites, and enjoy a sweet celebration of global cultures. FREE to attend. Open to all UNL students with Event Pass.

Details

September 19, 20, 21

7:00 p.m. TO 9:30 p.m. September 19, 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.

Details

5:00 TO 7:00 p.m. September 19, 2025

Steak Fry

UNL East Campus Animal Science Complex

Block and Bridle is hosting their annual Steak Fry. Come eat great steaks, cheesy potatoes, and cookies while connecting with other UNL students, current Block and Bridle members, East campus faculty, and members of our community.

Details

11:30 a.m. TO 1:30 p.m. September 20, 2025

Welcoming Week Tailgate at Sheldon Museum of Art

Sheldon Museum of Art

Join us for a Welcoming Week tailgate bringing Husker Nation and multicultural performances together in one fabulous celebration! Sample international foods and enjoy talented local performers. 

This is a FREE and family-friendly event.

Details

September 26, 27, 28, 29

3:00 TO 4:00 p.m. September 25, 2025

Popcorn Pop-Up: SLICE - Husker Vote Coalition

Nebraska Union: The Crib

The best hour of the week! Pop into The Crib for an afternoon social hour with 100s of other Huskers. 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.

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

WHAT TO EXPECT: Fun, fellowship, laughter, friends, and smiles.

Details

5:30 p.m. September 26, 2025

Free Throw Contest

Campus Recreation Center

The tournament will be played at the Campus Recreation Center on Friday, September 26th on Courts 7 and 8. All participants will need to be checked in on-site by 5:30pm to participate in the tournament.

FREE EVENT! Winners will receive this year’s intramural sports championship t-shirt!

Details

3:00 p.m. TO 4:45 p.m. September 26, 2025

Open Skating

John Breslow Ice Hockey Center

Join us for open skating! Free for UNL students (with NCARD) and their families with proof of Family Weekend registration. 

Skate rental is available for $5 a pair.

Details

11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. September 27, 2025

Family Weekend Picnic

Nebraska Union Room: Outdoor Plaza - North Side

Step outside on a gorgeous fall afternoon for a BBQ picnic with your fellow students and families. Play lawn games and listen to music all while enjoying a delicious prepared BBQ meal with your student and family. 

Event is free but requires Family Weekend Registration to attend.

Details

5:00 pm TO 7:30 pm, September 26, 2025

Fiesta on the Green

Nebraska Union Room: Union Plaza

Enjoy an evening filled with vibrant art, music, dance, and delicious food as a lively celebration to honor the history, cultures, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans. 

Explore opportunities to get involved with recognized student organizations, strike a pose at the 360 Touch Photo Booth, and soak in the festive atmosphere.

Free papusas for the first 500 and free churro snacks for attendees.

FREE to attend. A family-friendly event that is open to all students and public.

Details

8:00 pm TO 10:00 pm, September 29, 2025

Showtime at the Coliseum

Coliseum

Watch recognized student organizations and Greek chapters battle against each other with choreographed dances for ultimate bragging rights. 

This is a student event.

Details

October 2, 3, 4, 5

12:30 pm TO 2:30 pm, October 2, 2025

Ice Cream Social on East Campus

Dinsdale Family Learning Commons Room: Outdoor Plaza

Enjoy a free scoop of dairy store ice cream and live music by local artist Jonathan Leach.

Details

5:00 p.m. TO 8:00 p.m. October 3, 2025

Cornstock Festival

Memorial Stadium East Plaza

Cornstock offers a memorable evening for Husker fans of all ages. Check out the homecoming parade, enjoy food trucks (free for students with NCard), mocktails, balloon twisting & face painting, tattoo station, tractor hayrack rides, live music and more!

Details

6:00 p.m. October 3, 2025

Homecoming Parade

Nebraska Union Room: South Side - R Street

Come celebrate Homecoming by watching student organizations, community groups, homecoming royalty, the Cornhusker Marching Band and some special guests as they perform in our annual parade. Participants will include floats, golf carts, balloons, performances and more!

The Lincoln community, alumni and friends of the university are all invited to watch along the parade route, which starts outside the Nebraska Union and makes its way down 16th Street and Vine Street, ending up in the East Memorial Stadium Loop.

Details

8:00 p.m. TO 11:00 p.m. October 3, 2025

GLOW Skate

Breslow Ice Center

UNL students lace up the skates and hit the ice for free with a valid NCard.

Skate rental is 5$

Details

October 10, 11, 12

5:30 p.m. October 10, 2025

Badminton Doubles Tournament

Campus Recreation Center

FREE EVENT! Winners will receive this year’s intramural sports championship t-shirt! 

Leagues: Co-Rec, Women’s, Men’s, and Open
Sign-up on site to enter. All participants will need to be checked in on-site by 5:30pm to participate in the tournament.

Details

2:00 p.m. October 11, 2025

Drop-in Tour at Sheldon Museum of Art

Sheldon Museum of Art

Sheldon’s drop-in tours are a great way to learn more about the Sheldon’s architecture, exhibitions, and collection. 

Drop-in tours are free and open to everyone. No registration is required.

Details

October 17, 18, 19