Open House

Poster for 2026 Vet Med Open House featuring animals around a campfire
Download an image of the 2026 Vet Med Open House poster: “Camp Vet Med” Illustration of animals around a campfire.

At the 2026 Vet Med Open House, we invite you to feed your curiosity at “Camp Vet Med”!

Experience the camaraderie and learning at the state’s College of Veterinary Medicine. It’s a perfect getaway for animal and science lovers as well as for aspiring veterinarians.

Open House 2026 – October 4

Each year, thousands of people attend Open House, which has informative booths and exhibits throughout the veterinary campus, including:

  • The Large Animal Clinic
  • The Basic Sciences Building
  • The Clinical Skills Learning Center.

Most booths are open throughout the day, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Please check the program at the Welcome Booth when you arrive. (You can view the 2025 Open House program in advance as a pdf.)

Parking is free, and there are refreshments and meals available for purchase, as are veterinary-themed shirts and other apparel.

The Latin Village bus cohort pose in front of Foellinger Auditorium

Chicago Connection

Thanks to Class of 2025 alumna Dr. Naomi Esquivel, the Chicago Village Bus Program was launched in 2023 to transport youth from Chicago to the University of Illinois Vet Med Open House.

For information about participating in this program, which also hosts a summer event for youth, please email: chicagovillagebus@gmail.com

Check out the 2025 Open House

Open House 2025 took place on Sunday, October 5, and featured various demos and booths free to the public!

Demos, booth, and activities included:

  • Farrier (Horseshoeing) demos
  • “Ask a Vet Student”
  • Wildlife Medical Clinic ambassador animal talks
  • Small Animal Surgery’s teddy bear repair
  • Seeing a fistulated cow
  • Hearing from the many veterinary organizations at the University of Illinois.

See photos from the 2025 Open House.

Notice: If you will need disability-related accommodations to participate in this program/event, please contact Chris Beuoy at 217-244-1562 / beuoy@illinois.edu. Early requests are strongly encouraged to allow sufficient time to meet your access needs.

Additionally, the university plans to capture photographs and video of this event. Be aware that if you attend, you are consenting to the possibility that your image and likeness may be shared or published by the university for marketing-communications purposes.