Schedule of events
Friday, November 10, 2023
Family Weekend Kickoff Social hosted by the Division of Student Life
Location: IMU International Ballroom, 125 N Madison Street, Iowa City, IA 52242
The Official Family Weekend Kickoff is an opportunity to mix, mingle and receive an official welcome from Sarah Hansen, Vice President of Student Affairs and Angie Reams, Associate Vice President and Dean of Students. Our student life leadership will provide updates of areas of focus for the year, current student trends and how we are supporting students. This will also be an opportunity for our first-generation families to receive more information about resources for first-generation students. Light refreshments are provided.
FREE and open to all families (Registration required)
Free Movie Showing
Location:
Iowa Theater in the IMU, room 166
Big 10 Theater of the IMU, room 348
Take some time to relax, grab some popcorn, and experience a movie in the Iowa Theater located in the Iowa Memorial Union. Movies will be Barbie (2023) and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem (2023). Free and open to all registered families.
Campus Museums
Date and Time: Offered throughout the weekend
University of Iowa is proud to have multiple amazing museums on campus that include the Stanley Museum of Art, Natural History Museum, and the Old Cap Museum. Links to more information about the museums below.
Pre-Pharmacy Open House
Location: College of Pharmacy Building (180 S Grand Ave SW, Iowa City, IA 52245)
This event is not only an excellent opportunity to learn more about our pharmacy program, but also a chance to experience the vibrant University of Iowa community during Family Weekend.
If you have any questions or need further information, please don’t hesitate to contact us at pharmacy-admissions@uiowa.edu.
An Evening of Fun & Entertainment with Marcus Monroe
Date: Friday, November 10, 2023 @ 8:30PM (doors open at 8PM)
Location: IMU International Ballroom, 125 N Madison Street, Iowa City, IA 52242
Marcus Monroe is a New York City based award winning comedian. His show is a high-energy blend of innovative humor within your face comedic banter riddled with awkwardness. He is the recipient of the prestigious Andy Kaufman Award and has recently appeared on The Late Show, HBO, MTV, and ABC. The New York Times has selected Marcus’s show as a NYT critics’ pick 4 times and calls Marcus “one of the most entertaining performers to watch in New York City.” He is a favorite among cruise lines, performing arts centers, universities, and festivals. Most recently he has performed at the New York Comedy Festival, Bonnaroo, TedxBroadway, and Outside Lands alongside Neil Patrick Harris.
$10 per person (Seating is limited)
Saturday, November 11, 2023
Family Weekend Pancake Breakfast (Sold out)
This event is sold out!
Location: Main Lounge, Iowa Memorial Union, 125 N Madison Street, Iowa City, IA 52242
Join us for a pancake breakfast and plenty of Hawkeye spirit. Meet other families, enjoy music and games, and get your family picture taken!
$10 per person for the Pancake Breakfast (Children 5 and under, FREE)
B-I-N-G-O!
Location: Main Lounge, Iowa Memorial Union, 125 N Madison Street, Iowa City, IA 52242
Four corners, stamp, classic line, or Hawkeye H, there are many ways to win at this fun event! Grab a hot dog and soda, meet other Hawkeye families, and have the chance to win great prizes, including Iowa Hawk Shop gift cards.
FREE and open to all families (Registration required)
Free Movie Showing
Location:
Iowa Theater in the IMU, room 166
Big 10 Theater of the IMU, room 348
Take some time to relax, grab some popcorn, and experience a movie in the Iowa Theater located in the Iowa Memorial Union. Movies will be Barbie (2023) and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem (2023). Free and open to all registered families.
Sunday, November 12, 2023
UI Dance Marathon Runway of Hope
Location: IMU International Ballroom, 125 N Madison Street, Iowa City, IA 52242
Join us for UIDM’s annual fundraising brunch to support pediatric oncology patients being treated at the University of Iowa Stead Family Children’s Hospital. During the brunch, we will have a Silent Auction and our Runway of Hope Kiddo Fashion Show where our incredible UI Dance Marathon kiddos, along with their siblings and University of Iowa student leaders, will walk the runway.
The University of Iowa Dance Marathon creates and sustains special projects to provide emotional and financial support and services for pediatric oncology and bone marrow transplant patients and their families treated at University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital.
$25 per person (Seating is limited)
Free Movie Showing
Location:
Iowa Theater in the IMU, room 166
Big 10 Theater of the IMU, room 348
Take some time to relax, grab some popcorn, and experience a movie in the Iowa Theater located in the Iowa Memorial Union. Movies will be Barbie (2023) and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem (2023). Free and open to all registered families.
Tickets and Passes
Iowa vs. Rutgers Football Tickets
Date and time: Saturday, November 11, 2023 @ TBD
Schedule at a Glance
Friday
- 12pm to 7pm Welcome & Registration
- 12pm to 3pm Explore Campus
- 2pm Pre-Pharmacy Open House
- 3pm to 4:30pm Family Weekend Kickoff Social
- 8pm Free Movie Showing in the Iowa Theater
- 8pm Live Entertainment
Saturday
- 8:30 - 11am, Pancake Breakfast (sold out)
- 3pm Free Movie Showing in the Iowa Theater
- TBD Iowa vs. Rutgers Football Game
- 7pm Bingo
Sunday
- 10am - 12pm UI Dance Marathon Runway of Hope, Register Here
- 12pm Free Movie Showing in the Iowa Theater
Additional Opportunities
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 $5 per person when completing your Family Weekend registration. Pass can be used at the Campus Recreation and Wellness Center, the Field House, and the Hawkeye Tennis and Recreation Center.
Campus Museums
Throughout the weekend, make sure to check out our Campus Museums.
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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 Wednesday - Saturday. Closed Sunday. -
Old Capitol Museum
17 N Clinton St, Iowa City, IA 52242
‘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 Wednesday - Saturday. Closed Sunday.
Newman Catholic Center
The Newman Catholic Center are hosting events throughout Family Weekend. For more information, please visit www.iowacatholic.org.
Dining
For meals on your own, make sure to check out one of Iowa City’s awesome restaurants, or you can check out one of our Market Places (Catlett, Burge, and Hillcrest) and IMU dining options.
Travel and Lodging
From I-80:
- Take exit #244 and turn south on Dubuque Street
- Follow Dubuque Street south to Market Street
- Turn right onto Market Street
- Follow Market Street to Madison Street
- Turn left onto Madison Street
- Follow Madison Street to Jefferson Street
- Turn right to enter the Iowa Memorial Union parking area
From US 6:
- Follow US 6 to Iowa Avenue
- Turn east onto Iowa Avenue
- Follow Iowa Avenue to Madison Street
- Turn left onto Madison Street
- Follow Madison Street to Jefferson Street
Parking
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Iowa Memorial Union Ramp on Madison Street across from the IMU.
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North Campus Ramp on Madison Street north of the IMU.
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Metered street parking is also available around the Iowa Memorial Union and downtown Iowa City
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Football Parking (Please note: traffic around Kinnick Stadium is very congested and parking is limited. We suggest parking in the Hancher Auditorium parking lot and using the free football charter bus to the stadium. Bus service starts 9 a.m.)
Transportation
The University of Iowa CAMBUS provides free transportation around campus. Check out more information about CAMBUS here.
In addition to CAMBUS' free service, there is also transit available through the City of Iowa City. Visit Iowa City Transit for a list of prices and routes to navigate to and from campus, and around the Iowa City and Coralville area.
Where can I stay?
If you would like to explore lodging options, you can call the Iowa City/Coralville Convention and Visitors Bureau at 319-337-6592 or 800-283-6592 or visit their website (https://www.thinkiowacity.com/places-to-stay/hotels/) and click on their lodging page for updated information regarding hotel availability. Some Iowa City and Coralville hotels require a two-night stay on football weekends, and the room rates are typically higher than on non-football game weekends.
