August 21-22, 2026

All events below are free and only for Iowa State University students. Cyclones: be sure to bring your red ISU ID card to all events!

Friday, August 21

Time	Event	Location
6:00-8:00 p.m.	Welcome Cookout Grab a bite to eat and meet new friends while enjoying all the features of this state-of-the-art athletic facility. Keep your eye out for special guests and activities!	Lied Recreation Athletic Center

Saturday, August 22

Time	Event	Location
8 a.m. - noon	G.O.A.T. Breakfast Why is the G.O.A.T. Breakfast the greatest of all time? It's free, fun, and FULL OF GOATS! Kick off your Saturday right- where legendary energy and great food set the tone for an unforgettable start to the semester! Enjoy inflatables, mini golf, make a friendship bracelet, and vibe with tunes from our DJ. Free breakfast burritos, iced coffee and other breakfast goodies, prizes, goat cuddles and more!	Central Campus
Times vary	Gallery of Games \| Durham Great Hall, Memorial Union \| 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Level up your game night with classics and new favorites – perfect for laughs and friendly competition. ISU Volleyball Exhibition Game vs. Minnesota \| Hilton Coliseum \| 11 a.m.- clear bags only policy in effect Get to feel the energy of Cyclone Magic as you cheer on the Cyclones. Farmers' Market \| Main Street, Ames \| 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Explore local flavors and fresh finds at Ames' vibrant farmers market. Book it to the Ames Public Library \| Ames Public Library \| 11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. Check it out — literally. Learn about all the library's free services, win swag and gift cards to your favorite Main Street spots, play a few games, relax in cozy chairs, enjoy free popcorn, and leave with a FREE library card (no late fees on fun here). Bonus: the CyRide Red Route stops right outside. Target Run \| Target \| 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Stock up on the essentials and bond with others during this off-campus adventure. Nerdology: Trivia \| Sun Room, Memorial Union \| 1-2:30 p.m. and 3-4:30 p.m. Show off your trivia skills and geek out with fellow Cyclones in this fast-paced challenge. Colossal Volleyball \| State Gym \| 1-3 p.m. Think volleyball, but bigger–literally. Grab your friends, or make some there, and take on this giant-sized challenge! Ice Skating \| Ames/ISU Ice Arena \| 2-4 p.m. Glide into fun with an afternoon on the ice. Whether you're a pro or a first-timer, it's all about the laughs.	Various locations
8:30-10:30 p.m. Doors open at 8 p.m.	Hypnotist and Comedian Chris Jones - Clear bags only policy in effect. SEE the show or BE the show with America's Got Talent star and hypnotist Chris Jones. You’ll laugh, be amazed, and experience something you’ll definitely talk about later.	Stephens Auditorium

Time

Event

Location

8 a.m. - noon

G.O.A.T. Breakfast
Why is the G.O.A.T. Breakfast the greatest of all time? It's free, fun, and FULL OF GOATS!
Kick off your Saturday right- where legendary energy and great food set the tone for an unforgettable start to the semester! Enjoy inflatables, mini golf, make a friendship bracelet, and vibe with tunes from our DJ. Free breakfast burritos, iced coffee and other breakfast goodies, prizes, goat cuddles and more!

Central Campus

Times vary

Gallery of Games | Durham Great Hall, Memorial Union | 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Level up your game night with classics and new favorites – perfect for laughs and friendly competition.

ISU Volleyball Exhibition Game vs. Minnesota | Hilton Coliseum | 11 a.m.- clear bags only policy in effect
Get to feel the energy of Cyclone Magic as you cheer on the Cyclones.

Farmers' Market | Main Street, Ames | 11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Explore local flavors and fresh finds at Ames' vibrant farmers market.

Book it to the Ames Public Library | Ames Public Library | 11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
Check it out — literally. Learn about all the library's free services, win swag and gift cards to your favorite Main Street spots, play a few games, relax in cozy chairs, enjoy free popcorn, and leave with a FREE library card (no late fees on fun here). Bonus: the CyRide Red Route stops right outside.

Target Run | Target | 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Stock up on the essentials and bond with others during this off-campus adventure.

Nerdology: Trivia | Sun Room, Memorial Union | 1-2:30 p.m. and 3-4:30 p.m.
Show off your trivia skills and geek out with fellow Cyclones in this fast-paced challenge.

Colossal Volleyball | State Gym | 1-3 p.m.
Think volleyball, but bigger–literally. Grab your friends, or make some there, and take on this giant-sized challenge!

Ice Skating | Ames/ISU Ice Arena | 2-4 p.m.
Glide into fun with an afternoon on the ice. Whether you're a pro or a first-timer, it's all about the laughs.

Various locations

8:30-10:30 p.m.
Doors open at 8 p.m.

Hypnotist and Comedian Chris Jones - Clear bags only policy in effect.
SEE the show or BE the show with America's Got Talent star and hypnotist Chris Jones. You’ll laugh, be amazed, and experience something you’ll definitely talk about later.

Stephens Auditorium