Experience Campus As a Family
Family Weekend is a great time to visit campus, to enjoy some of the great activities available on campus and to explore the day-to-day of your student’s life.
We hope you are able to enjoy good quality time with your student, and we look forward to providing you with some education, fun and the opportunity to connect with other families, staff and faculty.
REGISTER FOR FAMILY WEEKEND NOW:
https://z.umn.edu/FWRegister
Family Weekend Schedule
We Can’t Wait to Welcome You!
Clear your calendars and pack your bags, Family Weekend is approaching soon!
We’re putting the finishing touches on an unforgettable weekend showcasing the best our campus has to offer and quality time together as a family.
Friday
Welcome & Check-In
Check-In Window: 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Stop by, or send your student, to pick up your registration materials, wristbands, and kick off your Family Weekend!
Schedule of Events
12:00 pm – 4:00 pm | Kickoff & Check-In, Northrop Auditorium
12:00 pm – 10:00 pm | Bowling at Goldy's Gameroom | Coffman Memorial Union
1:00 pm – 4:00 pm | Cookies & Connection: Alumni Association Open House, McNamara Alumni Center, 2nd Floor
The Alumni Association welcomes all Gopher Families stop by our Open House! Head up to the second floor of the McNamara Alumni Center to enjoy complimentary cookies and drinks with our team and fellow families, explore ways to get connected, and learn about the perks of a Family Membership. Plus- you'll have the chance to shop at the MN Alumni Market with an exclusive Family Weekend discount!
6:00 pm – 9:00 pm | *Gopher Get-Together, Coffman Memorial Union, Campus Club
Celebrate the start of Family Weekend with tasty appetizers, desserts, games, connecting with other families, and live music from Suzy Plays Guitar at the Campus Club on the 4th floor of Coffman Union! Enjoy incredible panoramic views of downtown Minneapolis and the Mississippi River from the outdoor terrace while connecting with other UMN families. A card-only bar will also be available for drink purchases.
Cost: $15 per person (Optional add-on experience)
More Times & Details Coming Soon
College-Specific Events | Times vary by student's College of Enrollment
*Dairy Lab Tour & Tasting Experience | St. Paul Campus, Food Science & Nutrition Building (Tours scheduled based on interest)
*Pre-registration required
More events and details are being added regularly; check back prior to your arrival!
Saturday
Scheduled Events
9:00 am – 10:00 am | *Spin Class, RecWell Cycling Studio
*Pre-registration required
9:00 am – 10:00 am | *Yoga, RecWell Multipurpose 1/2
*Pre-registration required
9:00 am – 11:00 am | Pickleball Open Play, RecWell North Gym
10:00 am – 12:00 pm | Gopher Games, Coffman Memorial Union, The Whole
- Get ready for a Saturday of Gopher fun! Join us in the Whole Music Club, located on the basement floor of Coffman Memorial Union. Come enjoy:
- Tasty Treats: A selection of gourmet popcorn flavors from the local alumni owned business Remix Popcorn & Delights.
- Fun for the Whole Family: Carnival games, Gopher spirit activities, and interactive game show fun for all ages, with chances to win exciting prizes.
- Complimentary Drinks: An array of Coca-Cola beverages will be available for all to enjoy!
- Don’t miss the chance to compete, connect, and show off your Maroon & Gold spirit!
- Get ready for a Saturday of Gopher fun! Join us in the Whole Music Club, located on the basement floor of Coffman Memorial Union. Come enjoy:
10:30 am & 11:30 am | *M Food Co. Family Teaching Kitchens, Pioneer Hall Dining Center
*Pre-registration required
10:30 am – 2:00 pm | M Food Co. Tailgate Brunch, All Dining Halls
12:00 pm – 10:00 pm | Bowling at Goldy's Gameroom | Coffman Memorial Union
6:30 pm – 8:30 pm | Bingo, CMU Theatre
Football Kickoff Time Announced 10 Days Prior:
2 Hours Before Kickoff | Ski-U-Mania UMAA Tailgate, McNamara Alumni Center Plaza
Kickoff TBD | Home Football Game vs. University of Michigan, Huntington Bank Stadium
Special rate family tickets sold separately in partnership with Athletics
More events and details are being added regularly—check back prior to your arrival!
Sunday
10:00 am – 11:00 am | Morning with the First Gen Center, Beacon Room
11:00 am – 12:30 pm | Esports Open House, Esports Lounge, RecWell
11:00 am – 1:00 pm | PAWS (Pets Away Worry & Stress), Multipurpose 1/2, RecWell
More events and details are being added regularly—check back prior to your arrival!
Weekend Discounts
A variety of discounts and promotions are available across campus with your registration, and by showing your wristband.
- Athletics
- Special rate family tickets to home football game vs University of Michigan
- Bell Museum & Planetarium
- Half price admission
- Bookstore
- 15% discount (regular bookstore exclusions apply, i.e. textbooks and technology)
- Minnesota Alumni Market
- 15% discount on products, all from alumni owned businesses
- Parking & Transportation Services
- Friday: $1 per hour voucher
- University Recreation & Wellness Center
- Free access to use the facility all weekend long
Family Weekend FAQs
What You Can Expect
Programming will begin at 12:00pm on Friday and will wrap-up by 1:00pm on Sunday.
Consider what works best for your family as you plan your attendance. Some families choose to come for the entire weekend, while others may pop in for a quick visit. Whether you attend all or one of our events offered, we are excited to have you join us on campus.
Keep in mind that the U of M is a large campus, and visitors will do a lot of walking. Comfortable shoes and appropriate layers for outside activities are essential.
Athletic Events
Special Rate Family Tickets Now Available!
Take advantage of discounted ticket offers for select Gopher Athletics events during Family Weekend! Discounted tickets are available for the following matchups:
Volleyball vs. Northwestern (Thurs, 10/1) – Purchase Volleyball Tickets
Soccer vs. Maryland (Fri, 10/2) – Purchase Soccer Tickets
Football vs. Michigan (Sat, 10/3) – Purchase Football Tickets *The game's kickoff time will not be known until 10 days prior.
Be sure to secure your tickets in advance using the link above!
Here is some information many have found helpful in previous years:
- If your student has season tickets:
- They can sit in the student section while your family sits in your purchased seats.
- If you’d rather sit together, your student can transfer their ticket to a friend and you can buy them a seat with your group (students cannot bring guests into the student section).
- Football tickets are purchased separately from Family Weekend registration.
Ticket Questions? Connect with the Gopher Ticket Sales & Service Office at [email protected] or call 1-800-U-GOPHER.
Questions about Family Weekend? Please contact Gopher Family Engagement at [email protected].
Travel Plans and Hotel Reservations
We have arranged for blocks of hotel rooms for attendees at both the Courtyard Marriott and Graduate Hotel. Details and links for the hotel blocks will be shared by the end of July so that incoming, first year families also have an opportunity to access them.
Hotel blocks for Family Weekend tend to fill quickly; even as we continue to add rooms each year. Please know that vacancies do open up closer to Family Weekend as plans change for families and cancel their hotel reservations. Thank you for your patience!
Everyone is Welcome
Family Weekend is not only for families of first-year students and it’s definitely not just for parents. All families, extended families, grade school siblings and supporters are welcome to join us!
Keep in mind that the U of M is a large campus, and visitors will do a lot of walking. Comfortable shoes and appropriate layers for outside activities are essential.
Check-in With Your Student
Students are typically eager for a visit from home by this time in the semester. They may be tired, overwhelmed, or stressed and in need of some family time. By late September, students are generally settled in and have a regular routine. Ask them to take you to their favorite study spot or explore a nearby restaurant they've been wanting to try.
Make sure to discuss your student’s schedule for the weekend in advance. Classes are still in session on Friday and your student may have study group or student group activities already on their calendar.