Each year, Northwestern organizations host a variety of events from concerts to fundraisers to game days, giving students a break from their schoolwork and opportunities for fun. Check out some of the biggest events that get NU students excited throughout the year.
Dillo Day
Arguably NU’s most notable tradition, Dillo Day is the largest student-run music festival in the country and takes place on the Lakefill. Each May, Mayfest Productions curates a lineup of musical acts to entertain the NU crowd. While the first Dillo Day was held in 1973, a now-iconic part of it — the theme — was only added in 2019. This past year, Carnival Dillo sent students searching for their best denim, animal print or polka-dotted attire as Natasha Bedingfield, Ravyn Lenae, nimino and more performed. To round out the fun, food trucks, a beer garden and — specific to Dillo Day 2025 — a carousel deck the grass.
A&O Blowout
Throughout the year, student group A&O Productions brings films, speakers and musical guests to NU, but none rival Blowout. Since 2009, this student organization has worked hard to bring big names to campus each Fall Quarter for a night of fun in Welsh-Ryan Arena.
Last year, Rico Nasty headlined, supported by Grouptherapy and NU’s own student act Perl. Past Blowout acts included Dayglow, Aminé and Young Thug to get students up and dancing.
Tickets to Blowout were made free-of-charge to students in 2019 and have been since, but it’s best to secure tickets when they first drop, as A&O events are some of NU’s most popular.
NU Dance Marathon
This academic year will mark 52 years of Northwestern University Dance Marathon. Each year, NUDM supports a rotating beneficiary as well as the Evanston Community Foundation as one of the largest entirely student-run philanthropies in the nation, according to NUDM’s website. While NUDM committee members spend months planning the event, any student is welcome to register to dance the night away — 15 hours to be exact. Many sign up with friends or as part of an organization’s team to support this event, which has raised more than $23 million since 1975.
Ticket Claims
Following NU Men’s Basketball’s second place Big Ten finish in the 2022-2023 season, a ticket claim process was introduced to account for more student fans than the Welsh-Ryan Arena student section could accommodate.
Similarly, when NU Football relocated to Martin Stadium during the Ryan Field renovation in 2024, ticket claims were introduced to adjust for the lakeside stadium’s limited capacity. For these sports, students have assigned times where they can secure tickets for games. These online claim windows open specific dates, and a students’ window is determined by attendance at other sporting events, each weighted by points.
NU Day at Wrigley
Each spring, NU students take to Wrigley Field for a night of baseball, Chicago dogs and, of course, a limited edition Chicago Cubs hat in University colors.
This annual event is sponsored by the Northwestern Alumni Association and dates back to the 1980s, according to University Archives. This year, student tickets sold for $25 and sold out three weeks prior to the event. NU Men’s Basketball Coach Chris Collins threw the 2025 ceremonial pitch. A portion of ticket sales support the Student Activities Assistance Fund.
Email: [email protected]
Related Stories:
— Mayfest hosts 53rd annual Dillo Day, adjusts to last minute BigXthaPlug cancellation
— Northwestern’s Dance Marathon raises nearly $200,000 for beneficiaries
— Rico Nasty, Grouptherapy and freshman artist Perl perform at A&O 2024 Blowout
