Classes are in session and students are hitting the books. But what do you do when you need a break from the library or your dorm room? UNI has plenty of opportunities for an evening out on campus, you just need to know where to look!

Hang with CAB

Your Campus Activities Board is here to serve you. If you want a campus event that is loads of fun, free and sometimes even has you go home with some pretty cool swag, check the CAB schedule. From outdoor barbeques, movie showings, Panther Hot Ones to game nights, CAB always brings good times all around.

See what student orgs are up to

Student organizations are one of the best ways to get involved on campus. However, you don’t always have to be in an org to attend their events. Swing by Kamerick on Friday nights to see what movie the Film Appreciation Club is showing. Keep on the lookout for posters around campus, you might just be able to join the Clay Club for pottery-making, get your game on with Panther Esports, enter a charity basketball tournament or sit in on a guest speaker on a topic you find fascinating.

Check what’s at the GBPAC

The Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center is one of the finest performing venues in the Midwest, and it’s right on campus! It hosts everything from local acts, including UNI music ensembles, to nationally touring Broadway shows. UNI students have free access to almost any UNI ensemble performance. Students also get two free tickets per semester to the GBPAC’s artist series shows. Redeem them at the ticket office in the GBPAC lobby for you or a friend.

TheatreUNI

UNI students put on four to six shows per year in the Strayer Wood Theater ranging from intimate productions in the black box theater to grand stagings of Broadway classics. All TheatreUNI productions are free for students with UNI ID. This fall, catch their production of the world-renowned comedy “The Play That Goes Wrong” Sept. 9 through Oct. 8. Later in the season, see a classic horror tale with a twist in the play “Dracula: A Feminist Revenge Fantasy, Really” showing Oct. 26 through Nov. 5. Also keep an ear out for performances at Lang Hall’s Interpreters Theatre, which usually hosts unique student-produced or even student-created projects.

Watch your peers

Almost all UNI School of Music performances are free for UNI students. With a wide variety of ensembles, there are plenty of options to catch some live music. Desiring the sweet and low sounds of the tuba? UNITuba has you covered. Binge-watching Glee but need a break from the screen? The Singpins and Andante are here to satisfy all of your aca-cravings. 

UNI also has a number of other performing student organizations, including Orchesis, Illuminate and The Movement dance troupes. You can also catch a number of improv comedy shows this semester courtesy of UNI’s own student improv group, Some Assembly Required.

Root for the Panthers

Students can spectate a swathe of quality Division 1 athletics — for free. Just scan your student ID at the door to any UNI Athletics event. And keep an eye on your email, you might have the chance to be entered into a drawing for some sweet prizes just by showing up to the game.

Step into the city

While campus has tons of activities to keep you busy, don’t hesitate to branch out into the communities of Cedar Falls and Waterloo. Aside from some of the area’s best museums and restaurants, the two cities host a variety of community festivals throughout the year. Cedar Valley Pridefest will be Aug. 25-26 in Waterloo, featuring a series of live music, speakers, vendors and drag shows. Cedar Falls’ annual art festival, ARTapalooza, will be Sunday, Sept. 10 on Main Street, where you can catch art vendors from across the state.