Location / Transportation

All 2026 Festival events will take place at Illinois State University.  Transportation is the responsibility of the individual high schools.

Festival Headquarters Location
Illinois State University - Bone Student Center
200 N. University St.
Normal, IL 61761

Parking

Tentative Parking Instructions - Final Instructions will be posted on August 18, 2025
As a general rule, please follow all University parking signs and permits very carefully, and make sure this information is passed on to all drivers. Neither the Festival nor the University will pay for parking tickets/fines.  Parking regulations will be strictly enforced.  Please make sure your bus drivers know that you cannot block any intersections.  Buses parked illegally will be required to move immediately.  Cars parked illegally will be ticketed.

Thursday, January 8:  During registration Thursday night (4:00 pm - 8:30 pm), buses/vans will be allowed to stop on University Street only long enough (5 minutes) to drop off one sponsor who is picking up registration materials.  ISU Campus Police will be on-site.  All bus drivers will need to follow their instructions.  After picking up materials, you will need to go back to your bus and move to a parking lot to unload students.

Friday, January 9 & Saturday, January 10:  During the Festival buses/vans will NOT be allowed to park or drop off students on University St, Locust St, or College Ave.  Buses/vans are to park in Lot G85E, G85W, or G86.  There is no charge for buses to park in these lots.  Students should load and unload buses in these three parking lots.  Students will exit the Bone Student Center via the North entrance (near Barnes & Noble) and walk through the Bone Student Center Visitor parking lot to the bus/van location.  This will be monitored closely in order to alleviate concerns expressed by ISU and Normal Police departments.

ISU 2026 Parking Map - posted on August 18

Parking Rates - posted on August 18

Food / Beverage

Meal Tickets (Advanced Purchase during School Registration)

Meal tickets to eat at Watterson Dining Commons must be purchased in advanced when filling out the school registration form.  Watterson Dining Commons is open for Theatre Festival participant's lunches.  A $24.20 meal tickets provides lunch for one person on both Friday and Saturday.  One price provides the participant with an all-you-can-eat lunch for both days.  This includes items such as pizza, hamburgers, hot dogs, a salad bar, home-style hot entrees, and more!  There are gluten free, vegetarian, and vegan options.  The dining center will be open from 11:00 am until 2:30 pm on Friday and Saturday.

On-Campus Dining

There are several dining options on campus!  View the Guide below for eateries that includes the hours of operation.

On-Campus Eateries Guide- posted on August 18

Located inside the Bone Student Center:  Starbucks, McAlister's Deli, Qdoba, The Landing, and Timbers Grille 

Restaurants near ISU's Campus:  Medici, The Rock, Jimmy John's, Potbelly's, Buffalo Wild Wings, and more!

Lodging / Hotel List