Experience art, concerts, Homecoming spirit and Halloween fun — most events free and open to the public.
Linfield University’s October calendar overflows with music, theatre, art, lectures and community celebrations, offering the public dozens of opportunities to connect, learn and be inspired. From the acclaimed Immigrant Story Live to a gallery exhibition by Colorado artist Peter Evan Costas, from homecoming traditions to the haunting opening of Shakespeare’s “Macbeth,” the month is packed with creativity and conversation. Most events are free and open to the public, making October the perfect time to experience Linfield’s bold spirit.
Can’t-miss highlights include The Immigrant Story Live on Oct. 7, the annual Homecoming and Fall Family Weekend festivities, Celebración 2025 honoring Latine Heritage Month, and the opening of Macbeth on Oct. 30. With concerts, art shows, readings, wine chats and even a haunted harvest festival, there’s something for everyone on campus this fall.
Oct. 7: The Immigrant Story Live
The Immigrant Story Live is coming to Linfield University for the first time this fall, bringing the acclaimed storytelling event to the Richard and Lucille Ice Auditorium at Melrose Hall. Join Linfield’s Learning Across Boundaries at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 7 for this powerful program features immigrants sharing their personal journeys through live, heartfelt stories that celebrate resilience, identity and community. Storytellers at this event will be Liani Reeves from South Korea, and Linfield professor Sonia Ticas (pictured) from El Salvador. Following their stories, a moderated discussion will invite audience participation and welcome questions. This event is free and open to the public.
Oct. 8-Nov. 14: “Petrichor” by Peter Evan Costas
“Petrichor,” an exhibit by artist Peter Evan Costas will be featured in the Linfield Gallery in the Miller Fine Arts Center at Linfield University from Oct. 8 through Nov. 14, 2025. Colorado-based Costas uses mixed media to reconstruct and unearth memories and imagination. The exhibition features photographs, mixed media artworks and sculpture. Tapping into his experience serving as a sonar technician in the U.S. Navy, Costas’ work drives to both communicate the submariner experience and use memory as a catalyst for fiction.
The artist will give remarks during the opening reception from 5-7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 8 in the gallery. Light refreshments will be provided.
Gallery hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and noon to 5 p.m. Saturdays. This exhibition is sponsored by the Lacroute Arts Series and the Department of Art.
Oct. 10: AI Book Club: “Rewiring Your Mind” by David Wood
Part of the School of Business’ Artificial Intelligence and I (AIAI) Initiative, the community is invited to discuss influential AI research papers and books in a collaborative setting. The fall semester book is “Rewiring Your Mind for AI” by David Wood. Hosted by Nicholson Library, the AI Book Club meets on the second Friday of the month from 12-1 p.m. in Nicholson Library’s Austin Reading Room.
Oct. 10: Homecoming Choral Concert
Celebrate Linfield’s Homecoming Weekend with the Concert Choir and Wildcat Glee! Selections from classic musical theatre and school spirit will be included. The free event starts at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 10 in the Richard and Lucille Ice Auditorium in Melrose Hall. Open to the public. Save your seat at https://events.linfield.edu/musicevents.
Oct. 10-11: Homecoming Weekend
The annual celebration brings approximately 30 events to McMinnville throughout the weekend. In addition to the football game against Pacific University, there are men’s and women’s soccer games, volleyball and alumni baseball and swim meets.
Other highlights include the Linfield’s Finest alumni award event; first light parties for the Linfield telescope; milestone reunions for the classes of 1975, 1985, 1995, 2005 and 2015, a wine tasting at Acorn to Oak Wine Experience, campus tours and more. Many events are free, while some require advance RSVP and ticket purchases. See the full schedule.
Oct. 12: Second Sunday Pop-Up Wine Tasting
Enjoy wine direct from the winemakers! Acorn to Oak Wine Experience, Linfield’s student-run wine bar on Third Street, hosts pop-up tasting events from 12-6 p.m. every second Sunday of the month, featuring different partner wineries. The event is free, but bottles are available to purchase and take home from the wineries. Check out Acorn to Oak’s social media the week leading up to the event to see what partners will be pouring. Reservations are appreciated but not required.
Oct. 15: Wildcat Wine Chat with Tiquette Bramlett
Join Maria Ponzi, director of the Center for Wine Education at Linfield, for a conversation with Tiquette Bramlett on passion, progress and paving the way in the wine industry. Bramlett is a winemaker and founder of Our Legacy Harvested. The Wildcat Wine Chat runs from 2-3 p.m. Oct. 15 in Riley Campus Center. The public and guests under the age of 21 are welcome. Registration is required at linfield.edu/wine.
Oct. 17-18: Fall Family Weekend
Families of Linfield’s current students descend upon the McMinnville campus Oct. 17-18 for Fall Family Weekend. A range of activities allow guests to explore Linfield and McMinnville, including wine tastings, mini-faculty lectures, games night and more. See the full schedule.
Oct. 18: Celebración 2025
Join Linfield University’s LULA for an evening honoring Latine Heritage Month from 5-9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18 at the McMinnville Community Center. For only $5 per person, guests can enjoy an evening of live music, student performances, delicious food, vendors and more. Children under the age of 5 are free. Tickets are available at the door or online at https://events.linfield.edu/studentevents. This year’s event is sponsored by Visit McMinnville and the City of McMinnville.
Oct. 18: Wildcat Harvest Haunt
Join the Associate Students of Linfield University (ASLU) for some Halloween fun from 4-9 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 18 on Linfield’s Intramural Field along Linfield Ave. Come enjoy carnival games, dinners and a spooky haunted house. The scares are not-too-spooky from 4-5 p.m., perfect for kids and families. After 6 p.m., the scares get real and guests may enter the haunted house … if they dare! Free for Linfield students. Community tickets are available at $10 for adults and $5 for children. Each ticket is good for one meal voucher, five game tickets and one haunted maze/house ticket Purchase in advance at https://events.linfield.edu/studentevents.
Oct. 22: “Holler and Stomp”: A performance by Thunder Egg Consort
Join Linfield in welcoming back Thunder Egg Consort to McMinnville at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 22 in Delkin Recital Hall. The ensemble is comprised of (pictured on right, from top-left, clockwise) Jason Duckles, Monica Ohuchi, Kenji Bunch and Anthea Kreston. “Holler and Stomp” features music inspired by dance from German composer Johannes Brahms, Bunch, Linfield associate professor and composer Bill Campbell, and Japanese jazz composer Hiromi. Presented through the Lacroute Composer Readings and Chamber Music Mentorship Program. Save your free seat at https://events.linfield.edu/musicevents.
Oct. 23: Worship Night with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes
The Linfield University branch of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes hosts a public night of singing, community and the word of God. This free event runs from 7:30-9:30 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 23 in the Richard and Lucille Ice Auditorium in Melrose Hall. Scott Brosius, Linfield’s vice president for athletics/athletic director, will provide a message for the night. Open to the public; all are welcome.
Oct. 29: “Toward a More Perfect Union: How can America Revitalize Democracy?”
Join the Department of Political Science for “Toward a More Perfect Union: How Can America Revitalize Democracy?” from 5:30-7 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 29 in Graf 120. During this event, political science seniors take the stage to pitch their ideas for revitalizing democracy and creating a more perfect union in the United States. Hear from the next generation of leaders as they deliver powerful, persuasive speeches offering innovative solutions to the pressing issues facing our democracy today.
Oct. 30-Nov. 9: Linfield Theatre presents “Macbeth”
The day before Halloween, Linfield Theatre opens the most haunted and haunting of all of Shakespeare’s classics: “Macbeth.” A fast–paced, intimate tragedy, “Macbeth” careens through a world of magic, war, and violence in many forms. This production reveals the way human greed and lust for power ravages the land, our communities, and our sense of self. Between witches chanting, battles, and assassination, this production will immerse audiences in a medieval Scotland that has deep resonances to today. Directed by Lindsey Mantoan. Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Oct. 30, 31 and Nov. 1, Nov. 6–8, 2025, and at 2 p.m. Nov. 9. Seating is reserved and tickets will go on sale noon Oct. 15 at www.linfield.edu/arts. Special thanks to Damian Lillard Toyota and the Lacroute Art Series, generous sponsors for the 2025–26 theatre season.
See more Linfield events at linfield.edu/calendar.html or view the comprehensive athletic schedule of events at golinfieldwildcats.com/calendar.
