Family Weekend

Parking is free to family members in many campus lots beginning at 5 p.m. on Friday and throughout the weekend.

Please review the campus parking site for more details about visitor parking. Lots identified with a black box around the lot number on the parking map (PDF) require permits at all times.

We invite you to stay in the Hotel at Holmes, located in the heart of campus and close to all of your weekend activities. Wake up and head to the ground floor of the Student Center for some Starbucks before you head out to explore campus or the community!

See the list of local hotels on the DeKalb County Convention and Visitors Bureau website.

While you're here, check out our local options for dining and entertainment, but also consider dining on campus for a true Huskie experience! Whether you grab something from the Huskie Den or Qdoba in the Holmes Student Center or enjoy an Einstein’s bagel or sandwich over in Founders Library, NIU has options for you.

Share in the Huskie experience by enjoying a variety of delectable food options in residential dining with your beloved family and fellow Huskies.

NIU is fortunate to be a part of a community that is so dedicated to our communiversity partnership. While you are here, we hope you explore DeKalb County and all it has to offer. Check out the virtual visitor’s guide or stroll through downtown DeKalb which was recently updated to be more pedestrian friendly.

See Huskie stadium fan guide for details about stadium policies, ticket information, tailgating and parking.

Tickets to the NIU Football vs. Ball State game on October 25 are now available for purchase.

If you have any questions regarding tickets to the football game, please call 815-753-7225.

Your student’s general admission ticket is free, but they should register their Z-ID online in advance to access their ticket.

The game has not yet been set.

Find more information on the 2025 NIU Football schedule.