UMass Amherst Family Weekend 2025
Hello UMass Families! We are thrilled to extend a warm invitation to you for our upcoming Family Weekend at University of Massachusetts Amherst! This special event is designed to celebrate the unique bond between families and the university community while providing you with a deeper insight into your student's journey.
We are excited to welcome you to our campus and provide you with a firsthand glimpse into the world your student calls home. Family Weekend promises to be a memorable experience, filled with connections, insights, and shared moments. For any questions or assistance, please don't hesitate to reach out to our New Student and Family Programs team or 413-577-4444.
We look forward to celebrating Family Weekend with you!
Save the date for Family Weekend 2025, October 17-19! Registration will open in Summer 2025!
What to Expect: Family Weekend offers a diverse range of activities and experiences that will allow you to immerse yourselves in the vibrant life of our campus. Here’s a glimpse of what's in store:
- Family Fest: Check-in for Family Weekend, pick up your merch, enjoy a snack, play games, and take a celebratory photo.
- Campus Tours: Explore our beautiful campus through guided tours and discover the various academic and recreational facilities available to your student.
- Informative Sessions: Attend informative sessions covering topics such as student resources, career development, and campus life.
- PondFire: Connect with other families, share experiences, and participate in a campus tradition.
General Information
Click on the text below to get information about Family Weekend schedule, UMass Athletics events, accommodations, parking, and how you can help a student.
2025 Schedule available Summer 2025
Friday, October 25, 2024
NOTE: Schedule is subject to change.
| 3:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. |
Check-In & Family Fest |
Student Union North Lawn Metawampe Lawn |
| 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. | Off-Campus Housing Fair | Campus Center Auditorium |
| 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. |
Art Walk |
Hampden Gallery University Museum of Contemporary Art Augusta Savage Gallery |
| 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Spooky Skating | Mullins Community Ice Rink |
| 3:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. |
Isenberg Induction Ceremony |
Student Union Ballroom Cape Cod Lounge |
| 4:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. |
Windows on UMass: Campus Walking Tour |
Olver Design Building |
| 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. | PondFire | Campus Pond |
| 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. |
Isenberg Induction Ceremony |
Student Union Ballroom Cape Cod Lounge |
| 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. | The Hypnotist Dale K | Student Union Ballroom |
| 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. |
Welcome Reception with UMass Dining |
Old Chapel |
| 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. | Family Fun Night | Student Union Ballroom |
| 5:30 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. | Family Fest at Massachusetts Hockey | Mullins Center |
| 7:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. | Hockey vs. UConn* | Mullins Center |
| 8:00 p.m. |
Max Roach Centennial Celebration Featuring Makaya McCraven* |
Frederick C. Tillis Performance Hall |
Saturday, October 26, 2024
| 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Check-In | Student Union North Lawn |
| 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. | Flu & COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic | Campus Center, Room 165 |
| 10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m. | Supporting Your Students Mental Health |
Campus Center, Marriott Center |
| 10:00 a.m.–10:45 a.m. |
Supporting Adopted UMass Students |
Campus Center, Hadley Room 10th Floor |
| 10:00 a.m.–11:00 a.m. |
Navigating Off Campus Life |
Student Union Ballroom Cape Cod Lounge |
| 12:00 p.m. | Men's Soccer vs. Duquesne | Rudd Field |
| 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. | Wagon Rides | Student Union North Lawn |
| 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. | A Capella Concert | Campus Center Auditorium |
| 3:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. | Football vs. Wagner* | McGuirk Alumni Stadium |
| 7:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m. |
Family Game Night |
Student Union Ballroom Cape Cod Lounge |
Sunday, October 27, 2024
| 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. | Jazz Brunch | All Campus Dining Commons |
| 7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. | Dropkick Murphy’s Concert* | Mullins Center |
*Requires additional ticket.
And While You're Here!
Experience Award Winning UMass Dining! Family Weekend attendees can enjoy meals at the four residential dining commons, compliments of Dining Services, when accompanied by a UMass Amherst student who is on a meal plan. For those without a student on a meal plan, cash and credit card are accepted.
Get Fit! Attend a group fitness class with you student at the RecWell.
Visit the UMass Amherst Makerspace, an interdisciplinary makerspace open to students, staff, and faculty from all majors and disciplines. The makerspace provides access to tools and training and connects individuals to facilitate the sharing of knowledge. Equipment areas within the makerspace include: 3D printing, sewing, electronics, woodworking, metal working, machining, and laser cutting. The makerspace is located in Agricultural Engineering Building North, Rooms 120 and 122. During Fall and Spring semesters, open hours are 10:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. every day including weekends.
Visit the Durfee Conservatory on campus.
Visit the UMass Cold Spring Orchard in Belchertown, MA.
Shop at the UMass Store during the special Family Weekend Hours:
- Friday 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.
- Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
- Sunday 8:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.
2025 Athletics information coming soon!
Massachusetts Athletics is pleased to invite Family Weekend visitors to UMass hockey and football games! On the night of Friday, October 25, UMass hockey hosts the UConn Huskies. On Saturday, October 26, enjoy a beautiful fall New England afternoon at McGuirk Alumni Stadium as the Minutemen take on Wagner. Friday night's hockey game is expected to sell out, as it did last year. You won’t want to miss out!
Hockey Game: UMass vs. UConn
Mullins Center
200 Commonwealth Ave., Amherst, MA 01003
Friday, October 25 @ 7:00 p.m.
Soccer Game: UMass Men's vs. Duquesne
Rudd Field
Amherst, MA 01003
Saturday, October 26 @ 12:00 p.m.
Football Game: UMass vs. Wagner
McGuirk Alumni Stadium
Stadium Dr., Amherst, MA 01003
Saturday, October 26 @ 3:30 p.m.
2024 UMass Athletics Family Weekend Package includes discounted tickets for both games.
Click Here to Purchase Athletic tickets, and call 1-866-UMASS-TIX with any questions or concerns
Note: If you want to sit with your student, you must purchase a ticket for them as well. Otherwise, students attend the games for free, but must sit in the student section. Packages are limited. We recommend that you purchase your tickets as soon as possible. Tickets must be purchased no later than 6:00 p.m. Sunday, October 20 to ensure timely delivery.
Accommodation and Travel: If you require accommodations during your visit, we recommend booking early to secure the best options. The following options are available for Fall 2024:
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Hotel UMass: Families staying overnight for Ready for the U sessions can contact the hotel directly at 1-877-822-2110 to make reservations.
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Off Campus: For information on additional area lodging at hotels, bed & breakfasts, and Airbnb visit Places to Stay.
Parking During Family Weekend: Parking at UMass will be affected during Family Weekend due to the football game. Some lots will have parking restrictions. For more information about parking availability during Family Weekend, please visit the Football Game Day Lot Closures page on the UMass Transportation Services website.
As part of our Family Weekend activities, we will be collecting gifts for the Student Care and Emergency Response Fund (SCERF). SCERF is a vital campus resource that helps students cover expenses associated with food and housing, medical and basic health needs, childcare, technology, and more. If you are interested in supporting our Family Weekend fundraising efforts with a gift to SCERF you can make your gift as part of the registration process or online anytime here.
UMass Amherst Foundation | Family Weekend SCERF Fundraising | Donate
Still Have Questions? View Family Weekend FAQs Below
Please read the FAQs below, but if you still have questions, then please contact our New Student and Family Programs team or call our office at 413-577-4444.
When is Family Weekend?
The 2025 Family Weekend dates will take place October 17-19. Activities will be held on campus.
When is check-in and what if I won't be on campus in time?
Check-in takes place Friday from 3:00 – 7:00 p.m. and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon. If you are arriving after 12 noon on Saturday, please encourage your student to check-in on behalf of your family. We will happily give them enough materials for everyone in your group.
Will there be programming on Friday through Sunday of Family Weekend?
Yes, there will be events from Friday to Sunday.
When will the schedule of events be available online?
The 2025 Family Weekend schedule of events will be available in summer 2025.
When will we be able to register for the weekend?
Registration will open in summer 2025
What's the Family Weekend registration fee?
The Family Weekend Registration fee is $40/person. Children under 12 are $10/person.
Does my UMass Amherst student need to be registered?
No, students do not need to be registered with their families. Families will be asked to enter their students umass.edu email address during registration.
Is there a late registration fee?
Yes, a late registration fee is added starting September 30.
What is included in the Family Weekend fee?
The Family Weekend fee covers registration logistics, materials, refreshments, wagon rides, performances, and other activities. Tickets to UMass athletics events must be purchased separately.
If I registered for Family Weekend, but some unforeseen reasons I can't attend, will I get a refund?
No, the fee is non-refundable regardless of the reason(s).
Are there other things to do in town that weekend if I decide to visit the area?
Yes, town of Amherst and surrounding areas offer plenty sights to see and things to do from arts & culture to exploring outdoors!
Can we make hotel reservations now?
You can make reservations once a date has been selected and announced. To help you plan your visit, we've put together information on places to stay throughout Western Massachusetts. We coordinate with Hotel UMass and host a booking day in August.