Things to do in Lincoln, NE this weekend

There are 47 events in Lincoln, NE this weekend (Oct 16 to Oct 18), including Lincoln Home & Lifestyle Show, October 16-18, 2026, The Burroughs - Funk/Soul outta CO!, and Husker Volleyball vs. No. 13 Purdue.

Friday

October 16
  • 11:00 AM Loco Lincoln, NE Scavenger HuntCrescent Moon Coffee · 140 North 8th Street
    Start at the coffee shop and explore checkpoints around town in this community scavenger hunt.
  • 11:00 AM Food Truck FridayLincoln Saltdogs
    A portion of food truck sales supports a local nonprofit—grab lunch and help a community cause.
  • Star Pick 12:00 PM Lincoln Home & Lifestyle Show, October 16-18, 2026Sandhills Global Event Center · 4100 N 84th St
    Free admission to vendors, demos, and expert advice to help with home improvement projects and ideas.
  • 5:00 PM Run to the PollsThe Bay
    A community run to encourage voting and civic participation; open to runners and walkers of all levels.
  • 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM Nebraska Wesleyan Women's Volleyball vs University of DubuqueSnyder Arena
    College women's volleyball fundraiser night supporting Cure SMA; watch competitive matchups and school spirit.
  • 7:00 PM Grand Island vs. Lincoln North Star |H*S_Football[10_16_2026]Lincoln North Star High School Lincoln
    Local high school varsity football matchup under the lights—expect spirited crowds and Friday-night atmosphere.
  • 7:00 PM At the Well - Lincoln, NE - In-person GroupCity Impact · 1035 North 33rd Street
    An in-person support group offering connection, encouragement, and open, real conversations.
  • 7:00 PM Open SkateThe Bay
    Open public skating session for all ages. Bring skates or rent on site for a relaxed, social skate night.
  • 7:00 PM RINGU (4K Restoration)Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center
    4K-restored screening of the original Japanese horror classic as part of Fright Fest. Expect eerie atmosphere and cinematic detail.
  • 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM Performance by Love and GumptionCrescent Moon Coffee · 140 N 8th St
    Live acoustic set in a cozy coffeehouse setting. Drop in for coffee and local tunes.
  • 7:30 PM LumiaLied Center for Performing Arts
    A high-energy theatrical spectacle blending acrobatics, stunts, visual effects and a pulse-driven soundtrack for a futuristic night out.
  • 7:30 PM The Great GatsbyLincoln Community Playhouse
    Stage adaptation of Fitzgerald’s tale of love and excess, featuring period detail and dramatic performances.
  • 8:00 PM Crete vs. Lincoln Christian |H*S_Football[10_16_2026]Lincoln High School · 2229 J St
    High-school football game between Crete and Lincoln Christian. Expect varsity-level play and a lively community crowd.
  • Star Pick 9:00 PM – 11:59 PM The Burroughs - Funk/Soul outta CO!Zoo Bar · 136 N 14th St
    Energetic funk and soul performance with tight horns and a driving rhythm section—a danceable, late-night show.
  • 9:15 PM PULSE (4K Restoration)Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center
    4K-restored screening of Pulse as part of Fright Fest, presented with enhanced visuals and sound for horror fans.
  • 10:00 PM Y2K Party Vol. 3The Royal Grove
    Dance all night to your favorite hits from the 2000s spun by a live DJ.
  • 10:00 PM Afrobeats nightDuffy's Tavern
    A high-energy night of Afrobeats and dancing—come ready to move the floor.
  • THE SCOUTMary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center
    Paula Gonzalez-Nasser’s feature directorial debut screens during opening week; expect a festival-style premiere run.
  • THE HISTORY OF CONCRETEMary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center
    A 101-minute documentary that explores the history of concrete with unexpected humor and a Hallmark-movie twist.
  • Apocalypteque Album ReleasesZoo Bar
    Local act celebrates a new album release with a high-energy show backed by a rave-inspired set from The Burroughs.

Saturday

October 17
  • 7:00 AM HALF ROX | OCTOBER HYROX EVENT AT BFT LINCOLNBFT Lincoln · 1701 Pine Lake Road
    A half-distance HYROX fitness competition; compete solo or with a partner and costumes are encouraged.
  • 8:00 AM Waffle Weekend :: Lincoln, Nebraska3855 Village Lane
    Enjoy fresh waffles and great coffee from a local spot celebrating a weekend of sweet breakfast treats.
  • 9:30 AM – 2:30 PM Math RoomLincoln Children's Museum
    Hands-on activities and exhibits that explore math concepts for kids during weekend museum hours.
  • 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM Nebraska Wesleyan Women's Volleyball vs Loras CollegeSnyder Arena
    College volleyball match and Senior Night with live competition and in-person cheering; streaming link provided for remote viewers.
  • 12:00 PM Verdi’s MACBETH (The Met: Live in HD)Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center
    Live HD transmission of the Metropolitan Opera’s staging of Verdi’s Macbeth, featuring Quinn Kelsey and Lise Davidsen.
  • 1:00 PM Lincoln Indian Center Pow-Wow 2026
    A community pow-wow featuring traditional drumming, dancing, vendors and opportunities to see local Indigenous arts.
  • 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM Nebraska Wesleyan Football vs Central CollegeAbel Stadium
    Expect a full afternoon of competitive college football with campus crowds, concessions and halftime festivities.
  • Star Pick 4:00 PM Husker Volleyball vs. No. 13 PurdueBob Devaney Sports Center · 1600 Court St
    No. 1 Nebraska volleyball at home in the Devaney Center, one of the loudest gyms in college sports.
  • 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM Visiting Author – Lynn Kalemkiarian – A Pawprint on My Soul: Adventures with BarneyFrancie & Finch Bookshop · 130 S. 13th Street, Lincoln
    Author talk and Q&A about a memoir celebrating the bond between a writer and her therapy dog, followed by a book signing.
  • 5:00 PM – 7:30 PM GoodingZoo Bar · 136 N 14th St
    Singer-songwriter performs rootsy, genre-blending originals that draw on life growing up on the Great Plains.
  • 6:05 PM – 9:05 PM Lincoln Stars vs. Sioux City MusketeersThe Ice Box
    Junior hockey action with themed Star Wars Night promotions, on-ice entertainment and family-friendly activities.
  • 6:30 PM HEREDITARYMary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center
    A screening of Ari Aster’s 2018 psychological horror film as part of the month-long Fright Fest series.
  • Star Pick 7:00 PM PBR: Ram Challenger SeriesPinnacle Bank Arena · 400 Pinnacle Arena Dr
    Professional bull riding comes to the arena for one night only, featuring some of the top bull riders in the world battling rank bovine athletes.
  • 7:00 PM Lincoln Halloween Singles Mixer 2026McKinney's Irish Pub · 151 North 8th Street
    Drink specials, name tags and easy icebreakers to help local singles meet in a relaxed, Halloween-themed setting.
  • Star Pick 7:30 PM The Great GatsbyLincoln Community Playhouse
    A stage adaptation approved by the Fitzgerald estate exploring love, obsession and the glittering excess of 1920s New York.
  • 9:00 PM – 10:30 PM Husker Football on Big ScreenZoo Bar · 136 N 14th St
    Watch the Husker game on a big screen in a lively bar setting with food and drinks available.
  • 9:15 PM CEMETERY MAN (4K Restoration)Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center
    A demented Italian fantasy-horror film restored in 4K, screening as part of Fright Fest.
  • 10:00 PM PERREO Y2KThe Royal Grove
    A late-night reggaeton dance party spinning hits from J Balvin, Daddy Yankee, Bad Bunny and other Latin pop favorites.
  • WIDOW VON DU - Mr. and Miss Fire & Brimstone's competitionBourbon Theatre
    A drag performance and competition featuring RuPaul’s Drag Race alum Widow Von Du in a theatrical, high-energy show.

Sunday

October 18
  • 11:30 AM – 3:30 PM Math RoomLincoln Children's Museum
    Sunday hours offering hands-on math exhibits and activities for children and families.
  • 12:00 PM Mozart’s COSÌ FAN TUTTE (The Met: Live in HD)Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center · 313 N 13th Street, Lincoln, NE 68588
    Encore HD screening of Mozart’s comic opera about love, disguise and satire in the Met’s acclaimed production.
  • 1:05 PM Husker Soccer vs. IllinoisBarbara Hibner Soccer Stadium
    Cheer on the Huskers during Senior Day as Nebraska faces Illinois in a spirited collegiate match.
  • 2:00 PM The Great GatsbyLincoln Community Playhouse
    Stage adaptation of Fitzgerald’s novel following Jay Gatsby’s obsessive pursuit of Daisy Buchanan.
  • 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM Tijuana Gigolos | Gabe w/Pants | Pete's Birthday!Zoo Bar · 136 N 14th St
    Local bands and a birthday celebration at the bar with live sets and a party atmosphere.
  • 7:15 PM TRAIN TO BUSAN (4K Restoration)Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center
    4K restored screening of the zombie thriller as part of the Ross Fright Fest lineup.
  • 9:00 PM Liminal Space Lyrics' October Midwest SessionsDuffy's Tavern
    Final October installment of the concert series featuring Isiah Driessen & The New People and The Zooeys.
  • Star Pick Danielle Nicole BandBourbon Theatre
    Grammy-nominated blues vocalist and band delivering soulful, high-energy roots and blues performances.

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