Badger Family Spring Visit
Event Overview
Bring your students some springtime cheer and enjoy the beauty of Madison in April during our annual Badger Family Spring Visit (BFSV)! BFSV is an opportunity for you to visit your student any weekend in April and attend free, low-cost, and classic springtime events* in Madison that our team of local pros has compiled for you.
How to register:
- You must create an account in the Badger Family Hub prior to registration. After you decide on your weekend visit, please register for Badger Family Spring Visit.
- Download the UW Events (Webex) App and search UW-Madison Parent and Family Spring Event to view all activities offered each weekend in April. Once in the UW Events app, you can click on a variety of events and create your own schedule.
- Check out the Campus and Visitor Relations page (click on Plan Your Visit) for travel information, parking, and lodging. Click here for a variety of other lodging options. Also, it may be helpful to go to UW-Madison’s Transportation Services for information on parking.
Featured Events
Wisconsin Film Festival*
The Wisconsin Film Festival is presented by the University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Communication Arts, offering a variety of fun entertainment for all!
University of Wisconsin Arboretum
Go on a Nature Walk and explore the natural world, or attend a variety of Science Expeditions and Explorations Stations.
Dane County Farmers’ Market on the Square
Grab your family, friends, and your reusable shopping bags and enjoy a Madison tradition!
Chazen Art Museum Exhibitions
Check out Exhibitions. There are also several events happening during this time, as well as drop-in tours to attend.
Varsity Band Concert*
The April 2026 UW Varsity Band Spring concert will appeal to Badger Band fans of all ages. Highlights include “Music of Lady Gaga,” “Wicked,” “Music of Rihanna,” and longtime favorites like “Space Badgers,” “If You Want To Be A Badger,” and our signature Badger Band Finale.
Frequently Asked Questions
Badger Family Spring Visits take place every weekend in April. Please only sign up for a single event:
- April 3-5
- April 10-12
- April 17-19
- April 24-26
Register to attend a Badger Family Spring Visit through the Badger Family Hub. Pick a weekend that works best for you, and get ready to experience all that Madison has to offer. After registering, you will receive emails leading up to Badger Family Spring Visit detailing each weekend’s events and how to download our Badger Family Spring Visit app!
A list of events to consider will be posted soon. Families will also have access to the Badger Family Spring Visit app, which acts as a helpful interactive schedule to guide you during your visit. Details on accessing the app and all information can be found on the website.
Our team handpicked and compiled events for all different types of Badger families so that you can browse through the springtime offerings of Madison with ease. Find locations, timing, prices and more for your favorite events all in one place. Build your very own schedule for the weekend. Share your experiences on social media with the hashtag #BadgerFamilySpringVisit to find other #BadgerFamilies in the area.
Check out this page for hotel bookings near campus and around the greater Madison area!
If you are driving a vehicle while visiting, please plan for a few extra minutes to locate parking. The city of Madison has more than 5,000 public parking spaces downtown, including 1,300 on-street metered spaces. For additional parking information, visit Transportation Services (Visitor Parking) or Destination Madison (parking).
If you park in UW–Madison parking lots, please pay a meter, pay a parking attendant, or observe lot enforcement times posted at all lot entrances. Many UW–Madison parking lots have availability during evening hours but are not available during the day due to staff parking needs. A limited number of surface parking permits for certain UW–Madison lots are available; visitors can stop by Transportation Services’ drive-through office at 21 North Park Street during business hours (7:15 a.m.– 4:30 p.m., Monday–Friday) to inquire about parking availability.
Absolutely! Every event included in a Badger Family Spring Visit is designed to be family-friendly.
Questions?
You can call us toll-free at 877-262-3977 or email parent@uwmad.wisc.edu for any questions regarding Winter Family Weekend.
If you need support with any of the athletics events, you can call the Athletic Ticket Office at 608-262-1440 or email tickets@uwbadgers.com.
Thank you to our presenting Sponsor:
Thank you to our signature sponsors:
