This year Badger Family Fest will take place on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025
from 11 a.m. CT to 2 p.m. CT
We are excited to welcome you back to the Memorial Union Terrace to meet and mingle with your students and other UW-Madison families. For an idea on what to expect, check-out our our 2024 programming below.
1. Wheelhouse Studios
11 A.M. – 2 P.M.
Unleash your creativity with Wheelhouse Studio and craft your very own UW-Madison custom-made swag! Dive into the fun of designing personalized friendship bracelets and so much more. Whether you’re looking to make a colorful accessory for yourself or a heartfelt gift for a friend, we’ve got all the materials and inspiration you need.
2. Caricaturist, Tattoo Artist, and Balloon Artist
11 A.M. – 2 P.M.
Swing by to choose your favorite design and get ready to shine with vibrant spray-on tattoos! If you’re instead in search of the perfect souvenir from Family Weekend, take a moment to sit for a quick sketch by a professional caricature artist or a fun ballon design! You’ll leave with a one-of-a-kind keepsake that will bring joy for years to come.
3. Photos with Bucky
12 P.M- 1 P.M.
Don’t miss your chance to strike a pose with UW-Madison’s infamous mascot and capture a memory you’ll cherish forever. Whether you’re showing off your Badger pride or just want a fun photo op, Bucky’s ready to make it unforgettable.
4. Food
11 A.M.
Come hungry and grab lunch on us! First-come, first-served, with food available for the first 2,000 attendees. Enjoy a classic Wisconsin meal featuring a brat (with gluten-free and vegan options available), chips, a and refreshing beverage.
5. Live Music
11 A.M. – 2 P.M.
Terrace Stage
Hailing from Madison, Get Well Now is an indie rock band blending heartfelt lyricism with a dynamic sound shaped by influences like Pinegrove, Her’s, Modest Mouse, and early 2000s pop-punk. The group–Jake Belongia, Will Dark, Logan Romberger, Nathan Tesman, and Jeremy Wisbey–craft songs that balance emotional vulnerability with punchy, melodic energy, channeling the nostalgia of mid-2000s angst through a modern, genre-blurring lens. With raw vocals, jangly guitars, and an undercurrent of introspection, Get Well Now invites listeners into a space where catharsis and catchy hooks collide.
Get Well Now is playing 11-12:30 and WSUM is DJ’ing from 12:30-2
6. Self-Guided Alumni Tour
11 A.M. – 2 P.M.
Enjoy the exhibitions in alumni park: a park to call home and a place where alumni stories are created and shared. Alumni, students, parents, community members, and all Badgers are invited to enjoy this campus landmark.
