Mariah Smith, MS, '95, P'24
Director of Parent and Family Engagement
Loyalty Hall
Luther College
700 College Drive
Decorah, Iowa 52101
Phone: 563-387-1096
Family Weekend is an ideal time for you, our families, to experience Luther College and to explore Decorah. We invite you and your entire family to let your student be your host as we gather as a community both on campus and in the surrounding area. The weekend will be packed with athletic competitions (go Norse!), concerts, food trucks, Culture Fest (an event celebrating the many cultures at Luther, Decorah, and beyond) hiking and biking, shops and restaurants to explore, and so much more. We hope you’ll be able to join us!
GOOD TO KNOW: Make your lodging reservations as soon as possible – area places may have availability, but we don’t recommend waiting too long! Go to visitdecorah.com and click on “stay more” for an updated list of area hotels, motels, cabins, Airbnbs, VRBOS, and campgrounds – Decorah has plenty to offer!
Family Weekend Future Dates
- September 20-22, 2024
- September 19-21, 2025 (tentative)
- September 18-20, 2026 (tentative)
Family Weekend 2023
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 TODAY only and are at 9 a.m.; 10 a.m.; 11 a.m.; or 1:00 p.m. Registration deadline is Wednesday, September 20.
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
Blessings for Student Organizations and Leaders
Speaker: Jaraad Ahmed ’25
Music: Nordic Choir, Dr. Andrew Last, conductor
WATCH THE LIVESTREAM
7:30 p.m. | Farwell Distinguished Lecture: Inciting Joy: An Evening with Ross Gay, Center for Faith and Life
Presented in collaboration with the Luther College Writers Festival
9 p.m. | Concert, Sponsored by Student Activities Council
NEW LOCATION: Marty’s, lower level of Dahl Centennial UnionÂ
Featuring LISSIEÂ
$10 admission | Free with CAF
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 a.m. to 3 p.m. | Family Weekend Check In and Information Table, Dahl Centennial Union
9 to 10:30 a.m. | Luther Trails Hike (led by student interns), gather in front of Dahl Centennial Union
9 to 10 a.m. | Internship + Research Showcase Presentation
Hovde Lounge, Preus Library
Please note: in addition to the presentation, posters will be displayed throughout campus all weekend.
Experiential learning is an integral part of a Luther education and two avenues for students to pursue experiential learning are internships and research during the academic year or in the summer. This showcase includes more than 50 posters highlighting the variety of internships and research projects completed by Luther students from September 2022 through summer 2023. 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.
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 all visitors from September 23 -30 in honor of the upcoming Vesterheim Commons dedication. Be sure to take a few minutes to visit the new building – it’s beautiful!
Folk-art demonstrators will be stationed around the campus throughout the afternoon and select buildings in Heritage Park will be open from 2 to 4 p.m. with guides available.
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 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. | Secrets of the Library Mini Escape Room, Room 212, Preus Library.
**All times are full for this event.**
11 a.m. to 1 p.m. | All-College Lunch, featuring food trucks, driveway in front of Dahl Centennial Union
Big Foot’s BBQ, Lillördag, Island Grill, and Sugar Bowl Mobile, to name a few who are on the list
**JUST ADDED** 11:30 a.m. | Noble Recital Hall, Jenson-Noble Hall of Music
Public Talk with Q & A Session
Anniken Huitfeldt, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway
**JUST ADDED** 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.| Students v. Families KICKBALL | Library Lawn
No registration necessary, join us as you are able! Open to all students and families.
12 Noon | Men’s Soccer vs. Nebraska Wesleyan University, Luther Soccer Field | WATCH THE LIVESTREAM
12:30 p.m. | Concert, featuring Concert Band and Jazz Orchestra, Center for Faith and Life | WATCH THE LIVESTREAM
1 p.m. | Football vs. Central College, Legacy Field in Carlson Stadium | WATCH THE LIVESTREAM
**JUST ADDED** 1:30 p.m. | Ballroom and Swing Showcase, Studio 2, Center for the Arts
Join the Luther Ballroom and Swing team, as they bring together dancers from every level to show what they know! The program will include two parts: a group showcase of each of the dances the teammates learn, as well as a short lesson for all attendees on how to dance East Coast Swing. All dressed up in competition attire, every team member will get to dance at least one of the dances and they’ll get you get moving, too!
2 p.m. | LC History: A Little Place of Learning in the Heart of America, presented by David Faldet, Professor Emeritus of English, Mott-Borlaug Rooms, Dahl Centennial UnionÂ
2:30 p.m. | Women’s Soccer vs. Nebraska Wesleyan University, Luther Soccer Field | WATCH THE LIVESTREAM
3 to 7 p.m. Culture Fest, Downtown Decorah
Explore the larger meaning of culture and identity, engage with diverse cultures and traditions through the arts, and experience an evolution of your own perspective! With food, vendors, interactive educational opportunities, and more, this downtown event welcomes all ages to celebrate our own rich heritage and that of our neighbors both on campus and off.
7 p.m. | Concert, featuring Aurora, Collegiate Chorale, Cathedral Choir, Norskkor, and Symphonic Band, Center for Faith and Life | WATCH THE LIVESTREAM
8:30 p.m. | Soda Shoppe, featuring Jazz Orchestra and Jazz Band, Marty’s (lower level, Dahl Centennial Union)
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
2:30 p.m.| Women’s Soccer vs. College of St. Scholastica, Luther Soccer Field | WATCH THE LIVESTREAM
Luther College Writers Festival (September 22-23)
Writing the Tree of Life: Language in Place
Celebrating the rich diversity of contemporary writing, the weekend includes keynote addresses, featured writers, readings, panels on craft and publishing, a book sale and more.
The festival’s keynote speaker and this year’s Farwell Distinguished Lecturer is award-winning poet and essayist Ross Gay. The lecture, “Inciting Joy: An Evening with Ross Gay,” will be Friday, Sept. 22 at 7:30 pm in the Center for Faith and Life, and is open to the public. For more information about the speaker, visit rossgay.net.
Culture Fest (Saturday, September 23 | 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm)
Downtown Decorah
You are invited to explore the larger meaning of culture and identity, engage with diverse cultures and traditions through the arts, and experience an evolution of your own perspective! With food, vendors, interactive educational opportunities, and more, this downtown event welcomes all ages to celebrate our own rich heritage and that of our neighbors both on campus and off.
Sponsored by Luther’s Center for Intercultural Engagement and Support and community partners.
Special Exhibition
Explore beautiful textile crafts of the Hmong who were resettled to northeast Iowa in the 1970s-1980s as refugees from Laos.The Hmong-made folk art documents their traditions and way of life before their exile from Laos as refugees. Luther College, local churches and community members provided support to refugees that made Iowa their first home after escaping Communist regimes in southeast Asia. These Paj Ntaub were gifts to Decorah friends and sold at craft fairs to supplement family income. A number of these textiles have been donated to Luther College Anthropology Collection and are on display in the Dahl Union Gallery through December of 2023.
Decorah Gear Exchange (September 23-24)
Pulpit Rock Brewing Co. | 207 College Drive
NEW this year: guided outdoor activities!Â
Held annually each fall — the Decorah Gear Exchange is the best place to sell and buy gently used outdoor recreation gear in the Decorah Driftless area. Find new-to-you gear, connect with other outdoor enthusiasts, gain resources about the area, and join for free activities on local trails too!
Proceeds benefit Decorah Parks and Recreation, further expanding recreational opportunities and resources in the Decorah area.
Luther College Book Shop (located on the main level of Dahl Centennial Union)
Friday, September 22: 8:45 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.
Saturday, September 23: 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sunday, September 24: 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.
Things To Do
In addition to catching up with your student and participating in events on campus, you may be wondering what you might do in Decorah and we’ve got some ideas:
- Hit the Luther Book Shop to stock (or restock) your Luther gear.
- Take a look at the view of the Valley from the deck of Dahl Centennial Union.
- 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!
- Pack your hiking shoes or bicycles(you can also rent bicycles!), you can hit the trails early and still make lunch! With miles and miles of trails over the rolling hills as well as up into the bluffs, you can really get lost in this part of the Driftless Region. We also recommend visiting two of our favorite parks: Dunning’s Spring and Phelps Park.
- Learn a bit about Decorah’s heritage by stopping in at the Vesterheim Museum (they also have a new outdoor area that is lovely).
- With nearly every storefront full, downtown Decorah is bursting with retailers, offering nearly everything you might need to check some things off your holiday shopping list (no, it’s not too early). Clothing stores, gift shops, arts and crafts suppliers, candle shops, a food co-op, bookstores, and much more.
Mariah Smith, MS, '95, P'24
Director of Parent and Family Engagement
Loyalty Hall
Luther College
700 College Drive
Decorah, Iowa 52101
Phone: 563-387-1096