Spring 2025 Cultural & Special Events

Elon University presents a broad offering of academic and special programs every semester. The cultural calendar provides a month by month overview of musical and theatrical performances, guest and faculty lectures, religious and ethnic observances, recitals, art exhibitions, special entertainment and other events.

Events are subject to change or cancellation.

Upcoming Events

Elon Distinguished Scholar Lecture with Srikant Vallabhajosula

Event Category: Speakers and Events

  • Tuesday, February 18
    5:00 pm

Gerald Francis Center
762 East Haggard Avenue, Elon

Reception at 4:30 pm in Student Commons; Lecture at 5 pm in Room 178

Elon University Jazz Festival with guest artists Allison Miller and Carmen Staaf

Event Category: Music

  • Saturday, February 22
    7:30 pm

McCrary Theatre, Center for the Arts
417 N. Williamson Avenue, Elon

Mike Wiley Productions, “Blood Done Sign My Name”

Event Category: Performing Arts

  • Tuesday, February 25
    7:30 pm

McCrary Theatre, Center for the Arts
417 N. Williamson Avenue, Elon

Admission: $15 or Elon ID. Tickets available beginning February 4 at elontickets.com (opens a new window).

Mac Stone, “The Wonder of Wetlands – Stories from the Field”

Liberal Arts Forum Lecture

Event Category: Speakers and Events

  • Thursday, February 27
    7:30 pm

Whitley Auditorium
106 E. Lebanon Avenue, Elon

Department of Performing Arts presents “Emanation – The Spring Dance Concert”

Artistic Direction by Jasmine Powell

Event Category: Dance

  • Friday, March 7
    7:30 pm
  • Saturday, March 8
    2:00 pm and 7:30 pm
  • Sunday, March 9
    2:00 pm

McCrary Theatre, Center for the Arts
417 N. Williamson Avenue, Elon

Admission: $15 or Elon ID. Tickets available beginning February 14 at elontickets.com (opens a new window).

Kate Brauman, “Water Security: Making Sense of Global Trends in Water Availability and Water Use”

Voices of Discovery Science Speaker Series

Event Category: Speakers and Events

  • Monday, March 10
    7:00 pm

McCrary Theatre, Center for the Arts
417 N. Williamson Avenue, Elon

U.S. Navy Band 2025 National Tour

Event Category: Music

  • Wednesday, March 12
    7:30 pm

Alumni Gym, Koury Athletic Center

Admission: Free, but a ticket is required. Reservations will be taken beginning February 19 at elontickets.com (opens a new window).

Vernice Armour, “Harness a Breakthrough Mindset”

Baird Lecture

Event Category: Speakers and Events

  • Thursday, March 13
    7:00 pm

Alumni Gym, Koury Athletic Center

Admission: $15 or Elon ID. Tickets available beginning February 20 at elontickets.com (opens a new window).

Maysoon Zayid, “Find Another Dream: An Evening of Comedy and Questions”

Liberal Arts Forum Lecture

Event Category: Speakers and Events

  • Thursday, March 27
    7:30 pm

Whitley Auditorium
106 E. Lebanon Avenue, Elon

Liz Ensz, “The Climate Sublime”

Artist talk and opening reception

Event Category: Visual Arts

  • Monday, March 31
    5:00 pm

Gallery 406, Arts West
406 W. Haggard Avenue, Elon

Exhibition continues through May 2.
Gallery Hours: 9 am – 5 pm, Monday – Friday

The James P. Elder Lecture with Frederick M. Lawrence

Event Category: Speakers and Events

  • Thursday, April 3
    6:30 pm

Whitley Auditorium
106 E. Lebanon Avenue, Elon

Admission: $15 or Elon ID. Tickets available beginning March 13 at elontickets.com (opens a new window).

“The Grapes of Wrath”

Based on the novel by John Steinbeck; Adapted by Frank Galati; Directed by Julian Stetkevych

Event Category: Performing Arts

  • Thursday, April 3 - Friday, April 4
    7:30 pm
  • Saturday, April 5
    2:00 pm

McCrary Theatre, Center for the Arts
417 N. Williamson Avenue, Elon

Admission: $15 or Elon ID. Tickets available beginning March 13 at elontickets.com (opens a new window).

Art Lande and Alex Heitlinger, duo jazz recital

Event Category: Music

  • Tuesday, April 22
    7:30 pm

Elon Community Church, 217 N. Williamson Avenue, Elon

Bill McKibben, “The Race for a Working Climate: What Now?”

Elon University Earth Week Keynote Speaker

Event Category: Speakers and Events

  • Wednesday, April 23
    7:00 pm

Alumni Gym, Koury Athletic Center

“Merrily We Roll Along”

Music & Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim; Book by George Furth; Directed by Jacob Brent

Event Category: Performing Arts

  • Friday, May 2
    7:30 pm
  • Saturday, May 3
    2:00 pm and 7:30 pm
  • Sunday, May 4
    2:00 pm

Roberts Studio Theatre, Scott Studios at Arts West
402 W. Haggard Avenue, Elon

Admission: $15 or Elon ID. Reservations are highly recommended and will be offered beginning April 25 at elonperformingarts.com (opens a new window).

“Down a Country Lane” – Elon Concert Band Spring Concert

Directed by Aaron Noë

Event Category: Music

  • Wednesday, May 7
    7:30 pm

McCrary Theatre, Center for the Arts
417 N. Williamson Avenue, Elon

“Meditations” – Elon Wind Ensemble Spring Concert

Directed by Jonathan Poquette

Event Category: Music

  • Thursday, May 8
    7:30 pm

McCrary Theatre, Center for the Arts
417 N. Williamson Avenue, Elon

Senior Thesis Exhibition

Artist talks and opening reception

Event Category: Visual Arts

  • Friday, May 9
    5:00 pm

Gallery 406, Arts West
406 W. Haggard Avenue, Elon

Exhibition continues through May 23.
Gallery Hours: 9 am – 5 pm, Monday – Friday

Earlier This Spring

Jonathan Eig, “Beyond the Dream: Embracing A More Complicated Martin Luther King, Jr.”

Event Category: Speakers and Events

  • Thursday, January 9
    6:00 pm

McCrary Theatre, Center for the Arts
417 N. Williamson Avenue, Elon

Admission: $15 or Elon ID. Tickets available at elontickets.com (opens a new window).

Department of Performing Arts presents “Paradise Lost” by Erin Shields

Directed by Susanne Shawyer

Event Category: Performing Arts

  • Saturday, January 18
    2:00 pm and 7:30 pm
  • Sunday, January 19
    2:00 pm
  • Tuesday, January 21 - Thursday, January 23
    7:30 pm
  • Friday, January 31
    7:30 pm
  • Saturday, February 1
    2:00 pm and 7:30 pm
  • Sunday, February 2
    2:00 pm

Roberts Studio Theatre, Arts West
402 W. Haggard Avenue, Elon

Admission: $15 or Elon ID. Reservations are highly recommended and will be offered beginning on January 10 at elonperformingarts.com (opens a new window).

Nathaniel Gumbs, organ recital

Event Category: Music

  • Sunday, February 2
    2:30 pm

Whitley Auditorium
106 E. Lebanon Avenue, Elon

Department of Performing Arts presents “Natasha, Pierre & The Great Comet of 1812” by Dave Malloy

Directed by Alexandra Joye Warren; Musical direction by Chris Rayis; Choreography by Jacob Brent

Event Category: Performing Arts

  • Friday, February 7
    7:30 pm
  • Saturday, February 8
    2:00 pm and 7:30 pm
  • Sunday, February 9
    2:00 pm

McCrary Theatre, Center for the Arts
417 N. Williamson Avenue, Elon

Admission: $15 or Elon ID. Tickets available beginning January 17 at elontickets.com (opens a new window).

Melissa Wilkinson, “A Light That Never Goes Out”

Artist talk and opening reception

Event Category: Visual Arts

  • Monday, February 10
    5:00 pm

Gallery 406, Arts West
406 W. Haggard Avenue, Elon

Exhibition continues through March 13.
Gallery Hours: 9 am – 5 pm, Monday – Friday

Tectonic Plates: Alamance County’s Science Café

Who’s in charge: my device or me? with Elizabeth von Briesen, Elon University Assistant Professor in Computer Science

Event Category: Speakers and Events

  • Tuesday, February 11
    7:00 pm

Burlington Beer Works
103 E. Front Street, Burlington

This free series runs from September through May on the 2nd Tuesday each month.