• Hawkeye Family Social, sponsored by University of Iowa Center for Advancement (UICA) — 6:30–8:30 p.m.
  Big Grove Brewery
  1225 S. Gilbert Street, Iowa City
  • Arriving to campus before Friday? Local to the Iowa City or surrounding areas? Get your weekend started early and join us for a casual evening at Big Grove Brewery. Appetizers and soft drinks provided. Full food and drink menu available for purchase on your own. Advance RSVP is encouraged and will be sent via email to all registered families. 
  • Parking at Big Grove is limited. Customer parking can be found in the parking lot and the lot adjacent to Riverfront Crossing Apartments. Additional parking is available on the street and at Riverfront Crossings Park. Find a full parking map here.

• Iowa Women's Volleyball vs. West Florida — 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. ($)
  Xtream Arena
  200 E. 9th Street, Coralville
  • Before you check in for Family Weekend, head to Coralville (~10 minutes from campus) and cheer on the Iowa women's volleyball team as they face Texas Tech in the opening match of the Kwik Star Klassic, an annual Big Ten tournament, hosted by Iowa.
  • Tickets for this match are sold separately and not included within your Family Weekend package. An exclusive, discounted ticket link has been sent via email to all registered families. 
• Family Weekend Check-In — 1:00–6:00 p.m. 
  Iowa Memorial Union (IMU) Main Lounge
  125 N. Madison Street, Iowa City 
  • Check in, grab your materials for the weekend, and stay awhile! Enjoy snacks, activities, a photo booth, and connect with fellow Hawkeye families. 
  • Unable to make it during this time? Check-in will also be available at the IMU Welcome Center Fri. 6-9 p.m. and Sat. 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. 
• Choose Your Hawkeye Adventure — 2:00–5:00 p.m.
  Various campus locations 
  • Make the afternoon your own! Choose from a variety of experiences happening across campus, including tours, open houses, informational sessions, and more. Pick the opportunities that interest your family most and create your own Hawkeye adventure as you explore, discover, and experience campus together. 
  • Specific events can be found in the "Choose Your Own Adventure" tab, after Sunday's events! 
• Iowa Women’s Soccer vs. Illinois — 5:00–7:00 p.m.
  Iowa Soccer Complex
  2665 Prairie Meadow Drive, Iowa City  
  • Support the Hawkeye Women Rise campaign and help cheer the Iowa women's soccer team to victory in this Big Ten matchup against the University of Illinois. This event is free to attend and open to all. 
• Iowa Women's Field Hockey vs. Indiana — 5:00–7:00 p.m.
  Grant Field
  2601 Prairie Meadow Drive, Iowa City 
  • See the women's field hockey team in action during this Big Ten battle. This game is part of the Gold Out Games initiative, a nonprofit dedicated to raising funds for children battling brain cancer. Show your support by wearing your best Iowa gold! This event is free to attend and open to all. 
• Friday Night Concert Series — 6:30–9:00 p.m.
  Pedestrian (Ped) Mall Stage
  210 S. Dubuque Street, Iowa City 
  • Catch one of the last weekly summer live music events presented by Summer of the Arts. Grab a bite to eat, explore the downtown Iowa City area, and enjoy the sounds of local musicians and bands. This event is free and open to all.  
• Hawkeye Family Trivia — 8:30–10:00 p.m.
  Iowa Memorial Union (IMU) Main Lounge
  125 N. Madison Street, Iowa City 
  • This is one of our main Family Weekend events and you won't want to miss it! Kick off your weekend by joining hosts from Trivia Mafia for a high-energy, engaging, and interactive team-based trivia competition. Test your knowledge and see if your family has what it takes to finish among the top!
  • There will be a total of 8 rounds and suggested team size is 3-5 people. One mobile device per team will be needed to join. Top 5 teams will receive prizes. Popcorn will be available for all to enjoy! 
  • Doors will open at 8:00 p.m. — early arrival encouraged as the event will start promptly at 8:30 p.m. 
• Hawkeye Family Game Night — 8:30–10:00 p.m.
  Iowa Memorial Union (IMU) Hawkeye Room
  125 N. Madison Street, Iowa City
  • Looking for a more casual chance to gather with your family, catch up, and enjoy some friendly (or not so friendly) family competition? This event is for you. Grab one of our many games from Catan and Monopoly to Catch Phrase and Uno, we'll have wide variety for you to choose from. 
  • You'll also have access to our HawkeyEsports Arcade. 
• Yasmin Williams Live Performance – 7:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. ($)
  Hancher Auditorium
  141 E. Park Road, Iowa City 
  • If you've never been to a performance in Hancher, Iowa's hub for creativity and creative practice on campus, in the community, and across the arts field, now's your chance! Let your mind unwind and enjoy the sounds of fingerpicked guitarist, Yasmin Williams.
  • Tickets for this performance are sold separately and not included within your Family Weekend package. More info and tickets here.

• Iowa City Farmer’s Market — 7:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
  Chauncey Swan Parking Ramp
  415 E. Washington Street, Iowa City
  • Grab a bite to eat, find your new favorite trinket and support local! The Iowa City Farmer's Market has been home to locally made and produced goods for over 50 years. A great way to start your Saturday and see a showcase of some of Iowa City's most beloved vendors. 
  • Find a list of helpful things to know before attending here. 
• Yoga Class & Coffee — 8:00–9:00 a.m.
  Iowa Memorial Union (IMU) International Ballroom
  125 N. Madison Street, Iowa City 
  • Take a moment to stretch, recharge, and enjoy a peaceful morning together before another full day of Family Weekend fun. Join instructors from the Campus Recreation and Wellness Center (CRWC) for a guided yoga class, open to yogis of all levels. 
  • All attendees will receive a voucher, good for a venti of their choice at the Starbucks in the Ground Floor of the IMU! Limited amount of mats available to use. If you're able to bring your own and/or a towel, that can help ensure those who need one will be able to have access to one of ours. 
• Hawkeye Village Tailgate Experience — 1:00 p.m. ($)
  Duane Banks Field
  960 Evashevski Drive, Iowa City
  • For families looking for an all-inclusive tailgating package, this might be the option for you! No need to worry about bringing your own chairs, cooler, or food as this tailgate package has all you need and is conveniently located just a short walk from Kinnick Stadium.  
  • Tickets to this event are sold separately and not included in your Family Weekend package. Advance ticket purchase required. More info and tickets.
• Iowa Hawkeyes vs. University of Northern Iowa Panthers Football Game — 3:00 p.m. Kickoff ($)
  Kinnick Stadium
  825 Stadium Drive, Iowa City 
  • Wear your best black and gold and be ready to cheer on the Hawkeyes! Whether you've purchased tickets to attend the game in Kinnick Stadium or plan to catch it at one of Iowa City's downtown restaurants, there will be plenty of Hawkeye spirit for you to soak in. 
• Gameday Activities — Ongoing
  Surrounding Kinnick Stadium/Melrose Avenue
  825 Stadium Drive, Iowa City 
  • Check out this site for a pregame timeline of events and activities you can enjoy around Kinnick Stadium along with helpful tips, reminders, and things to know before gameday.
  • Game watch locations: Field Day Brewery, Big Grove Brewery, Joe’s Place (and many other options downtown Iowa City/surrounding areas!). Please note: these are not formal events, but rather suggested locations for you to watch the game. 
• Iowa City Northside Outside — 6:00–8:00 p.m.
  North Linn Street, Iowa City 
  • See an Iowa City neighborhood transform into a community destination, support our local businesses, and celebrate the energy, creativity, and culture that define the Northside. Savor food and drink offerings from the area’s restaurants, shop and explore the neighborhood’s retailers and boutiques, and enjoy live music. 
  • Find more info here. 
• Iowa Women's Volleyball vs. Texas Tech — 6:00–8:00 p.m. ($)
  Xtream Arena
  200 E. 9th Street, Coralville
  • Unable to make it to Friday's kickoff of the Kwik Star Klassic? You're in luck! This is the second of 3 tournament matches you can catch this weekend. 
  • Tickets for this match are sold separately and not included within your Family Weekend package. An exclusive, discounted ticket link will be sent via email to all registered families. 
• CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER: FilmScene in the Park: Pixar's WALL·E — 7:00–9:30 p.m.
  Chauncey Swan Park
  405 E. Washington Street, Iowa City
  • CANCELLED DUE TO WEATHER! FilmScene in the Park is a free, outdoor cinema series hosted in downtown Iowa City. Run by the nonprofit arthouse cinema FilmScene, it runs annually from May to October. 
  • Seating is first-come-first-served with movies beginning at sunset (approx. 7:15 p.m.). Show your Hawkeye Family wristband to redeem a FREE popcorn. Additional concessions will be available for purchase. 
• B-I-N-G-O! Night — 8:30–10:00 p.m. 
  Iowa Memorial Union (IMU) Main Lounge
  125 N. Madison Street, Iowa City
  • Each year, families share that this is one of their favorite events of the weekend. In partnership with Campus Activities Board (CAB), join us for an evening of fun, rowdiness, and a whole lot of hooting and hollering. Tons of prizes available including Hawkeye swag, cameras, Bluetooth speakers, Lego sets, and more! You won't want to miss this one. 
  • Doors open at 8:00 p.m.

• Yoga Class & Coffee — 8:00–9:00 a.m.
  Iowa Memorial Union (IMU) International Ballroom, second floor
  125 N. Madison Street, Iowa City 
  • Start your last day in Iowa City with some movement and reset after a busy weekend. Join instructors from the Campus Recreation and Wellness Center (CRWC) for a guided yoga class, open to yogis of all levels. 
  • All attendees will receive a voucher, good for a venti of their choice at the Starbucks in the Ground Floor of the IMU! Limited amount of mats available to use. If you're able to bring your own and/or a towel, that can help ensure those who need one will be able to have access to one of ours. 
• Exclusive Sunday Brunch Experience — 8:30–9:30 a.m. or 10:00–11:00 a.m. ($)
  Big Grove Brewery
  1225 S. Gilbert Street, Iowa City
  • Make your Sunday morning easier by securing brunch plans in advance! An exclusive opportunity for registered families, Big Grove will be opening early for two private Hawkeye Family brunch seatings. A high-quality buffet with scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, biscuits, gravy, and more (and of course, coffee!!). 
  • Tickets for this event are sold separately and not included within your Family Weekend package. A ticket link has been sent via email to all registered families. Please note: tickets will be available for purchase through 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 16. 
• Hawkeye Family Professional Photos — 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
  Weather relocation: Iowa Memorial Union (IMU) Hubbard Commons, open area inside Main Entrance 
  125 N. Madison St., Iowa City 
  • He's back! A favorite from last year, Joe Photo will be taking complimentary photos for all families. With IOWA block letters and Herky as your background, this is your chance to coordinate outfits for an updated family photo or strut your best Hawkeye gear. Leave campus with these keepsakes to help you remember Family Weekend 2026. 
  • Each family will have the opportunity to strike multiple poses and images will be sent directly to your phone within minutes! 
• Dance Marathon Brunch — 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. ($)
  Iowa Memorial Union (IMU) Main Lounge
  125 N. Madison Street, Iowa City
  • Dance Marathon is the largest student-led philanthropy and student organization on campus and the 3rd largest Children's Miracle Network across the nation. Come meet Dance Marathon students and families and enjoy a morning of fun, laughter, and community. Brunch will be served at 10:00 a.m. with events, including a silent auction and kiddo fashion show, starting at 10:30 a.m. 
  • Tickets for this event are available as an add-on option within registration and will also be available day-of, at the door. 100% of tickets sales will go to support pediatric oncology and bone marrow transplant patients and their families treated at University of Iowa Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital. 
• Iowa Women’s Field Hockey vs. Indiana — 12:00–2:00 p.m.
  Grant Field
  2601 Prairie Meadow Drive, Iowa City
  • Help cheer the lady Hawkeyes onto victory in this final Big Ten matchup of the weekend! This event is free and open to all. 
• Iowa Women’s Volleyball vs. Central Arkansas — 1:00–3:00 p.m. ($)
  Xtream Arena
  200 E. 9th Street, Coralville
  • Celebrate the women's volleyball team as they compete in their final match of the Kwik Star Klassic tournament. 
  • Tickets for this match are sold separately and not included within your Family Weekend package. An exclusive, discounted ticket link will be sent via email to all registered families. 
• ALOK: Eat Pray Leave Tour — 7:00 p.m. ($)
  The Englert
  221 E. Washington Street, Iowa City
  • The Englert is a cultural cornerstone of Iowa City, known for live performance and community-oriented events.
    Built in 1912, it's Iowa City's last historic theatre and something we hope all students and families can experience.
    See ALOK, an internationally acclaimed poet, comedian, public speaker, and actor while they're in Iowa City.
  • Tickets for this event are sold separately and not included within your Family Weekend package. Find more information and tickets here.

Make the afternoon your own! Running concurrently with check-in, there will be a variety of experiences happening across campus. Pick the opportunities that interest your family most and create your own Hawkeye adventure as you explore, discover, and experience campus together. 

• Admissions Campus Walking Tour — 2:00–2:45 p.m. and 4:00–4:45 p.m.
  Iowa Memorial Union (IMU) Hubbard Commons
  125 N. Madison Street, Iowa City 
  • Whether it’s your first time to campus or you’re looking to get reoriented, join student tour guides for a 45-minute guided walking tour of the east side of campus. Explore familiar favorites, learn fun facts about the University, and see campus through the eyes of a Hawkeye. 
  • Two tour times available. Interested families should head to the Hubbard Commons fireplace before desired tour start time.
• Stead Family Children's Hospital Tour — 2:00–2:30 p.m. and 3:00–3:30 p.m.
  • Due to limited capacity, this opportunity was extended only to those who purchased tickets to the Sunday Dance Marathon Brunch event. Families were notified via email and required advance sign-up. If you signed up, please check your email for additional details.
• Hancher Auditorium Tour — 2:00–2:45 p.m.
  Hancher Auditorium Main Lobby 
  141 Park Road, Iowa City 
  • Go behind the curtain to explore how Hancher Auditorium brings the performing arts to life on this exclusive tour! Gain a firsthand perspective on how things work, learn theatre protocols, and operate equipment at this campus hub for creativity and creative practice. 
  • This tour has a limited capacity. There is accessibility parking available at Hancher for those that need it, but Lot 55 is not open to the public. Plan for about a 15-minute walk from the Iowa Memorial Union or take a Cambus! Both the Blue and Red routes will stop at Hancher.
• Campus Safety at Iowa Session — 2:00–3:30 p.m.
  Iowa Memorial Union (IMU) Iowa Theater 
  125 N. Madison Street, Iowa City 

  • Join Officer Poole for an interactive session highlighting how the University of Iowa Campus Safety supports the mental health and wellbeing of our students and campus community. This session will showcase the collaborative work between Campus Safety and the Threat Assessment Team (TAT), including their joint de‑escalation and threat assessment training, giving families an inside look at how they help faculty, staff, and students manage anxiety, navigate conflict, and recognize early indicators of distress or potential harm.

• Iowa Memorial Union Facility Tour — 3:00–5:00 p.m.
  Iowa Memorial Union (IMU) South Lobby 
  125 N. Madison Street, Iowa City 
  • Drop by for a guided tour of the IMU! Groups of up to 15 depart as they fill up, running about 20 minutes each. See the Main Lounge, International Ballroom, Black Box Theater, and Richey Ballroom, plus renderings of our upcoming new spaces. The tour will end near the Iowa Hawk Shop. Show your Hawkeye Family wristband to receive 20% off an item of your choice! 
• Tippie College of Business Open House & Tours — 3:00–4:30 p.m.
  Pappajohn Business Building (PBB)
  21 E. Market Street, Iowa City 
  • Celebrate the groundbreaking of Tippie’s new modern business education campus and learn more about the exciting expansion. A ceremony will begin at 3 p.m., followed by light refreshments in the Andersen Galleria. 
  • Business Student Ambassadors will also offer building tours from 3:30–4:30 p.m.
• College of Pharmacy Open House & Tours — 3:00–4:30 p.m.
  College of Pharmacy Building Main Lobby 
  180 S. Grand Avenue, Iowa City 
  • Stop by the College of Pharmacy with your family for a casual, drop-in open house! Meet the College of Pharmacy admissions team, connect with current student ambassadors, win raffle prizes, and explore the building through a guided tour. Whether you're already on a pre-pharmacy path or simply considering pharmacy, all students and their families are welcome.
• Student Legal Services (SLS): Renting Rumble Session — 3:30–4:30 p.m.
  Iowa Memorial Union (IMU) Iowa Theater 
  125 N. Madison Street, Iowa City 
  • Lawyers from Student Legal Services will present on renting in the Iowa City area, with topics including finding an apartment, signing a lease, maintenance requests, and security deposits. Play Kahoot! for a chance to win prizes! 
• Explore Campus Museums  
  Various locations  
  • Campus is home to many amazing museums and exhibits. Take a picture with Rusty the Sloth at the Museum of Natural History or see the world-renowned collection of modern, contemporary, and historical art at the UI Stanley Art Museum. 
  • Find a complete list of campus museums, collections, and exhibits here. 

You may be wondering "why do I need to register to visit my Hawkeye?" By registering for Family Weekend and paying the $55 registration fee (per family, not per guest), you'll get:

• Access to all Family Weekend programming and events. Without registering, you will not be able to attend many of the events outlined on the schedule
• A Hawkeye Family "swag bag" filled with Iowa goodies, including a Downtown Iowa City Hawkeye Pass. This card is given exclusively to Family Weekend attendees and gets you a variety of discounts and specials in our downtown district. New deals are continuously added and there is no expiration date. Leave the card with your Hawkeye so they can take advantage of ongoing deals!
• 3 meal tickets, valid at any of our main on-campus Market Places (Catlett, Burge, or Hillcrest) during Family Weekend. If your student has a current meal plan, they will not need a ticket and can use a meal swipe. If you need more than 3 tickets, you can add them on within registration or purchase them at the door, weekend of
• Exclusive discount ticket links for some events that are ticketed, such as women's volleyball games
• Opportunity for early access to purchase tickets to the Iowa Hawkeyes Family Weekend football game at Kinnick Stadium. Historically, we have had an "early bird" registration deadline of July 1. Families who registered before this date were provided access to the Sept. 19 game two weeks before the general public
• Tailored communication from the Parent and Family Program leading up to Family Weekend. Our goal is to eliminate the stress of trying to figure it all out on your own, allowing you to truly unwind and soak in the weekend with your Hawkeye!

When registering, you'll need to have your student's HawkID along with a credit card for payment. We ask for some basic contact information, estimated arrival to campus, and total number of guests in your party (including your student). If you have multiple current students, only one HawkID will be needed to register. 

Exploring Iowa City

Make sure to visit downtown Iowa City on your visit to campus. Visit the Downtown Iowa City website for more information about events happening in Iowa City.

Campus recreation centers

Looking to utilize campus recreational facilities and equipment? Access passes can be purchased for $6 per person when completing your Family Weekend registration and will be picked up at check-in on Friday or Saturday. Pass can be used at the Campus Recreation and Wellness Center, the Field House, and the Hawkeye Tennis and Recreation Center.

Outdoor opportunities

Looking to escape downtown Iowa City and explore scenic Iowa? Then check out two exciting University locations located about 15 minutes outside of Iowa City. The Macbride Nature Recreation Area (MNRA) is a 485-acre natural area that includes 14 trails all along Coralville Lake and Lake Macbride State Park. MNRA is also home to the Iowa Raptor Project and we encourage you to visit for a self-guided tour to explore their preservation efforts and to say hello to their 17 unreleasable birds of prey. 

Performing arts

Although our fall programming is focused on Iowa athletics and student traditions, we also know that you may want to attend one of the many performances happening on campus during Family Weekend. For a complete schedule of events during Family Weekend, check out the Performing Arts at Iowa calendar here. 

Campus museums

Throughout the weekend, make sure to check out our Campus Museums.

• UI Stanley Museum of Art Tour
  160 W Burlington St, Iowa City, IA 52242
  The University of Iowa Stanley Museum of Art welcomes families to discover and enjoy extraordinary works of art, explore new ideas, and cultivate new insights into history, culture, and the act of creation. Self-guided tour booklets and scavenger hunts are always available at the front desk; guided tours are also available when scheduled online (here) at least one month in advance. We hope you leave the Stanley with a sense of excitement and wonder, curious to learn more about art and culture. Open 10am-4:30pm Friday and Saturday, 12:00 pm-4:30pm Sunday
• UI Museum of Natural History
  17 N Clinton St, Iowa City, IA 52242
  Explore the magical gallery spaces of a museum that has been part of the Hawkeye experience for more than 170 years. Journey through 500 million years of our state’s geological, cultural, and ecological history in Iowa Hall where you will meet our famous museum mascot, Rusty the Giant Sloth (#SelfieWithRusty), and find our gift shop. Next, make your way up to Bird and Mammal Halls to find the real hidden treasures including the Laysan Island Cyclorama and “the whale”. Be sure to follow the museums on IG to keep up with programming and special events for students and families @pentacrest.museums. Open 10am-5pm Friday and Saturday. Closed Sunday.
• Old Capitol Museum
  17 N Clinton St, Iowa City, IA 52242
  The Golden Old Capitol is the heart of our beautiful campus in downtown Iowa City. The museum features history of our National Historic Landmark which served as Iowa's first state capitol from 1846-1857 and the University of Iowa's founding building. Be sure to visit the changing exhibits on the ground floor, too. A rite of passage for all Hawkeyes, a visit to the Old Capitol Museum is a must and a souvenir from our gift shop is a treat. Be sure to follow the museums on IG to keep up with programming and special events for students and families @pentacrest.museums. Open 10am-5pm Friday and Saturday. Closed Sunday.

Dining

For meals on your own, make sure to check out one of Iowa City’s vibrant restaurants, or you can check out one of our Market Places (Catlett, Burge, and Hillcrest) and IMU dining options. Registrants of Family Weekend can find a coupon in the program they received at check-in for lunch at one of our market places!

Places of worship

There are many local places of worship near campus. Here are a few that have reached out and shared their service information: 

• St. Paul's Lutheran Chapel - The Lutheran Curch - Missouri Synd

  404 E. Jefferson St., Iowa City, IA 

  Sunday services is at 9:00 AM

• Newman Catholic Student Center

  104 E. Jefferson St., Iowa City, IA

  Sunday services at 9:00 AM and 11:00AM. Following both masses, there will be a free pancake breakfast with a free-will donation that benefits their weekly "Wake Up Wednesday" Brunch for students.