Family Weekend | September 20-22, 2024

Please note: this schedule will be updated regularly and all events/details are subject to change). Registration is not necessary this year for Family Weekend events.

Schedule a visit for your NEXT Luther College student! Reserved times with the Luther College Admissions Office are available Friday, September 20th only only and are at 9 a.m.; 10 a.m.; 11 a.m.; or 1:00 p.m. Registration will close at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, September 18th so be sure to register early.

8:45 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. | Luther College Book Shop open, Dahl Centennial Union, main level

10:30 a.m. | Chapel, Center for Faith and Life
Speaker: Sophie Yakes ’25
Special Music: Cathedral Choir, Mark Potvin, director
WATCH THE LIVESTREAM

1 p.m. to 5 p.m. | Family Weekend Information Table, Dahl Centennial Union

6 p.m. | S’mores at Davidson Møteplass hosted by Luther College Parent and Family Council, Davidson Møteplass (located adjacent to Dahl Centennial Union)

***JUST ADDED*** 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. | Live Music with Lou Shields at Pulpit Rock Brewing Company, 207 College Drive, Decorah

7:30 p.m. | The Luther College History You Haven’t Heard, presented by David Faldet, Professor Emeritus of English, Mott-Borlaug Room, Dahl Centennial Union
What key stories from Luther’s past get left off the college’s website and require a little detective work to uncover? Join Luther College Parents and Families to hear David Faldet, Professor Emeritus of English present his lecture: The Luther College History You Haven’t Heard, and get acquainted with a place whose full biography you really need to know.

7:30 p.m. | Driftless Jazz at Impact Coffee, 101 W Water St. Downtown Decorah.  Join us for a Driftless Jazz performance followed by a late night DJ dance.

Decorah Area Dining Options – Check out downtown Decorah and take advantage of the restaurants, ice cream and pizza joints, coffee shops, and sports bars both downtown and in the surrounding area, many owned by Luther grads, offering a wide variety of cuisines from all over. We recommend reservations at most places – call ahead to check for sure!

Please note: this schedule will be updated regularly and all events/details are subject to change. Registration is not necessary this year for Family Weekend events.

*NEW TIME AND LOCATION* 8:30 a.m. | Trout Run Trail Bike Ride, led by Dr. Thomas Johnson, Professor of Communication Studies. Gather at Trout Run Park along the Trout Run Trail. Vehicle parking is available at Trout Run Park, or if you choose, meet there on your bikes.

9 a.m. to 3 p.m. | Family Weekend Information Table, Dahl Centennial Union

***JUST ADDED*** 9 a.m. | Canoeing/Kayaking on the Upper Iowa River Meeting Location: Library Lot, directly behind the Library and Olin
Recreational Services invites students and families to explore the Upper Iowa River!  Two trips will be available 9 a.m. and noon.  All supplies will be provided, and people should wear shoes and clothing that can get wet.  Each trip can accommodate 20 individuals at a time, please sign up in advance here.  Each river trip should be about 2 hours. 

9 to 11 a.m. | Experiential Learning Showcase – Oral Presentations, Mott-Borlaug, Dahl Centennial Union
Please note: in addition to the presentation, posters will be displayed throughout the first floor of Sampson Hoffland and Valders Pit all weekend.

Experiential learning is an integral part of a Luther education. Internships and research are two popular avenues for students to pursue experiential learning. This showcase includes a variety of internships and research projects completed by Luther students from September 2023 through summer 2024. The goal of the Showcase is for students to share what they are learning and experiencing beyond our campus, increasing awareness of these valuable opportunities for fellow Luther students, faculty, staff, and friends of the college.

9 a.m. to 12 p.m. | Decorah Farmers Market – below the Oneota Co-op on Heivly St.  The Decorah Farmers Market is the best place to find local food and goods from Northeast Iowa’s small producers and artisans. The outdoor market takes place May through October on Wednesday afternoons from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday mornings from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.

9 a.m. to 5 p.m. | Vesterheim Museum open, 502 W. Water St., Downtown Decorah
Vesterheim Museum invites Luther families to come and see the collection that began at Luther in 1877.  Admission is free for Luther students.  Be sure to take a few minutes to visit the new addition that opened in 2023 – it’s beautiful!  JUST ADDED! Vesterheim will offer a tour of the main museum building at 11 a.m. and a tour of the historic Heritage Park at 1:30 p.m.

9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. | Luther College Book Shop open, Dahl Centennial Union, main level

9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. | Lobby, Dahl Centennial Union
Class Ring Promo: $30 off 10k, $50 off 14k, and $100 off 18k class rings! Visit with Luther’s Jostens representative to learn more and to place your order.

10:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. | All-College Lunch, featuring food trucks in front of Dahl Centennial Union.
Students are invited to stop by the Cafeteria the day of the food trucks to exchange a meal swipe for a Food Truck voucher.  The Food Trucks will also accept cash/card.

12 p.m. – 10 p.m. | Live on Winnebago – Winnebago Street, Downtown Decorah Live on Winnebago is a one-day, all inclusive, free-to-attend music and arts festival and celebration in the heart of Decorah, Iowa, highlighting local and regional artists and musicians. Join us for events and activities up and down Winnebago St. in Decorah! Activities for all ages, live music, an art fair, and so much more!  Musical guest lineup includes That 1 Guy, Javier Trejo y Caballo Cósmico, Mississippi Hot Club, Nola Jazz Band, Maritza and more.

12:30 p.m. | Concert, featuring Concert Band and Jazz Orchestra, Center for Faith and Life | WATCH THE LIVESTREAM

1 p.m. | Football vs. Coe College, Legacy Field in Carlson Stadium – Tailgate on the patio outside Oneota Market / WATCH THE LIVESTREAM

2 p.m. – 3 p.m. | Ballroom and Swing Showcase, Studio 2, Center for the Arts
Join the Luther College Ballroom & Swing Team for a Family Weekend showcase. Members of our competitive team, from newcomers to our most advanced dancers, will give a demonstration of both smooth and rhythm dances in which we compete. We look forward to displaying our vast array of talented ballroom dancers and showing off what our newcomers have learned in just a few short weeks. We will end the showcase by inviting friends and family to join us on the floor to learn the basic moves for Hustle, a popular social dance that is easy to both teach and learn, and enjoy some social dancing for all ages and experience levels. All are welcome!

3 p.m. to 7 p.m. | Friendship Family Fellowship hosted by Center for Intercultural Engagement and Support (CIES), Shirley Baker Commons.  CIES invites you to join us and learn about the Friendship Family Program (FFP). The FFP partners local individuals/families with international and other underrepresented student populations as a resource and support to foster a sense of belonging in our community.

3 p.m. Luther Trails Hike, meet in front of Dahl Centennial Union (hike will begin promptly after group gathers at 3 p.m.)  Come for a leisurely hike on the trail system through Luther’s native habitats, including oak woodlands and tallgrass prairies.  Student interns will talk about their stewardship work that maintains and improves the quality of our natural areas, including tree plantings, prairie and woodland management, and ongoing projects such as non-native invasive species control.  A great hike for those who want to enjoy the fall weather and native habitats in Iowa’s driftless region.  Wear footwear appropriate for light hiking.

7 p.m. | Men’s Soccer vs. St. Olaf College, Luther Soccer Field / WATCH THE LIVESTREAM

7 p.m. | Concert, featuring Aurora, Collegiate Chorale, Cathedral Choir, Norskkor, and Symphonic Band, Center for Faith and Life | 7 p.m. | BINGO at Impact Coffee, 101 W Water St. Downtown Decorah / WATCH THE LIVESTREAM

7 p.m. | BINGO at Impact Coffee, 101 W Water St. Downtown Decorah

8:30 p.m. | SAC Hop Soda Shoppe, featuring Jazz Orchestra and Jazz Band, Marty’s (lower level, Dahl Centennial Union)

Join SAC, Luther’s Jazz Orchestra, Jazz Band, and Ballroom & Swing for a fun night of music, dancing, and ice cream!

Please note: this schedule will be updated regularly and all events/details are subject to change. Registration is not necessary this year for Family Weekend events.

9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. | Luther College Book Shop open, Dahl Centennial Union, main level

9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. | Lobby, Dahl Centennial Union
Class Ring Promo: $30 off 10k, $50 off 14k, and $100 off 18k class rings! Visit with Luther’s Jostens representative to learn more and to place your order.

10 a.m. | Family Weekend Worship Service, Center for Faith and Life | WATCH THE LIVESTREAM

2 p.m.| Women’s Soccer vs. College of St. Benedict, Luther Soccer Field / WATCH THE LIVESTREAM

4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Faculty Artist Series: Luther College Piano Quartet, Noble Recital Hall | WATCH THE LIVESTREAM

Luther College Book Shop (located on the main level of Dahl Centennial Union)
Friday, September 20: 8:45 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
Saturday, September 21: 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sunday, September 22: 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Cafeteria (located in the lower level of Dahl Centennial Union)
Meals are served continuously during open hours.
Friday: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturday: 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sunday: 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Oneota Market (located on the main level of Dahl Centennial Union)
Features pre-made items, Impact Coffee, baked good, breakfast all day, wraps, sandwiches, paninis, and daily specials.
Friday: 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday: CLOSED

Nordic Brew (located in the lower level of Dahl Centennial Union)
Features ice cream, coffee (including specialty coffees), bakery items, cinnamon rolls, and crepes.
Friday: 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Saturday: 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Sunday: 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Nordic Mart (located in the lower level of Dahl Centennial Union)
Luther’s convenience store with cold drinks, snacks, health and wellness items, and household items.
Friday: 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Saturday: 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Sunday: 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.