Things to Enjoy
There's no better place than a college town for sports, performances and the arts! Take advantage of all that Northern Illinois University has to offer to enrich your life. Many events and exhibits are free or low cost. For an up-to-date list of events, visit the NIU Events Calendar.
Sports
Join us to cheer on the Huskies and experience Division I NCAA sports. NIU is part of the NCAA Mid-American Conference (MAC) in more than a dozen sports, from football to gymnastics, softball to track and field, tennis to wresting. Find schedules, purchase tickets and learn more about Huskie traditions.
NIU also competes in the Esports Collegiate Conference in Rocket League, League of Legends, Valorant and Overwatch. Online and in-person community events are scheduled throughout the year. Learn more and sign up for updates on the NIU Esports website.
Concerts and Performances
The NIU School of Music is known for its wide variety of world-class ensembles and solo performances. Visit the School of Music webpage for schedules and details.
The NIU School of Theatre and Dance offers 13 live performances each year in their newly renovated facilities. View schedules and purchase tickets online.
Arts and Museums
The NIU Art Museum in Altgeld Hall presents an annual exhibition and events calendar with award-winning, original curated exhibitions and national traveling shows that deeply explore topics of visual culture.
The NIU Pick Museum of Anthropology is a groundbreaking center where interdisciplinary approaches to the study of humans for creative engagement unite campus and regional communities.
And don't miss NIU's other campus museums and galleries, including the Jack Olson Gallery, the Burma Art Collection, Gallery 215 and the Blackwell History of Education Museum.
Ellington's Restaurant
Ellington's offers fine dining right in the heart of campus, with delicious three-course prix fixe meals during the fall and spring semesters.
Food Truck Wednesdays
A variety of local food trucks line the street on Normal Road in front of the MLK Commons during the fall and spring semesters.