Friday around 12:30 p.m. – One of the strangest yet most enjoyable football weekend experiences is watching the Alumni Dawgs have a dance party in front of their dorm on South Quad. Take a break from your walk from class to South Dining Hall to admire the random mix of costumes, dance moves and upbeat songs.
Friday 6 p.m. – The Dillon Pep Rally, held before the first home game each year, always provides plenty of laughs as it satirizes campus events and the football program. The rest of the pep rallies will most likely continue to disappoint this year, which gives students even more reason to come to South Quad to laugh and get excited for Saturday's game.
Friday Midnight – For first timers, the Drummer's Circle in front of Main Building is a can't-miss event. After listening to the beats of classic Notre Dame songs with a mix of students and other fans, everyone comes away feeling even more pumped for the game the next day. And for all you freshmen, it's a great chance to perfect some of those cheers.
Saturday 1:45 p.m. – For the biggest of football fans, line up to watch and cheer on the players as they walk over from mass to the stadium. Catch a glimpse of your favorite players just a few hours before they (hopefully) make plays to remember all season.
Saturday 2:30 p.m. – If you miss the trumpets standing on their seats and playing in South Dining Hall during lunch, catch them playing band classics under Notre Dame's most iconic landmark, the Dome.
Saturday immediately after the game – Join the rush after the game to get to the dining halls as soon as possible to avoid the long lines for the candlelight dinners (here's an insider tip: there's no escaping the lines). They are all worth it though, for the rare treat of a more intimate ambience and food of much higher quality than the day-to-day dining hall provisions.
