Northwestern University Announces Upcoming Events

From classic opera to passport fairs, NU has a diverse lineup of activities for the week of February 25 to March 3.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Northwestern University is hosting a variety of events on its Evanston and Chicago campuses over the next week, including a talk by a renowned translator, performances of the classic opera "Carmen," a basketball game, a marketing presentation, a passport fair, and an open house at the university's special collections library.

Why it matters

These events showcase the breadth of cultural, academic, and community-oriented programming available to Northwestern students, faculty, staff, and the broader public. They provide opportunities for intellectual engagement, artistic appreciation, and practical assistance, reflecting the university's commitment to enriching the lives of its community members.

The details

The week's highlights include a talk by translator Mariana Dimópulos on the challenges of translation, performances of Bizet's opera "Carmen" by the Bienen School of Music, a men's basketball game against Oregon, a presentation by the Art Institute of Chicago's marketing executive Katie Rahn, a passport fair hosted by the Morton Grove Public Library, and an open house at the Galter Special Collections showcasing historical materials related to mental health treatment.

  • The translator's dilemma talk is at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, February 25.
  • The "Carmen" opera performances are at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, February 26, Friday, February 27, and Saturday, February 28, as well as 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 1.
  • The men's basketball game against Oregon is at 1 p.m. on Saturday, February 28.
  • The marketing presentation by Katie Rahn is at 12:30 p.m. on Monday, March 2.
  • The passport fair runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday, March 3, and Wednesday, March 4.

The players

Mariana Dimópulos

A translator who will deliver a talk on her book "Speaking in Tongues: Translation at the Crossroads of Languages, Domination, and Values," in dialogue with Nobel laureate novelist J.M. Coetzee.

Katie Rahn

The senior vice president of marketing and communications at the Art Institute of Chicago, who will share insights into audience engagement, careers in arts and cultural marketing, and more.

Bienen School of Music

The music school at Northwestern University that is presenting performances of the opera "Carmen."

Morton Grove Public Library

The library hosting a passport fair for those applying for a first-time passport or meeting the criteria to apply in person.

Galter Special Collections

The special collections library at Northwestern University that is hosting an open house to showcase historical materials related to mental health treatment.

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What they’re saying

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

The takeaway

Northwestern University continues to offer a diverse array of cultural, academic, and community-oriented programming that enriches the lives of its students, faculty, staff, and the broader public. From the performing arts to practical services, these events highlight the university's commitment to providing engaging and meaningful experiences for all.