October 24th-26th, 2025
We looking forward to seeing you there! Schedule and more information coming soon…
On this Page
Family Weekend 2025 Tentative Schedule
(more events to be added this summer/fall)
We can’t wait for everyone to join us this year for Family Weekend 2025! Explore some of the events we have lined up so far, and stay tuned for updates as we get closer to the date. Be sure to check your email for the latest updates and event for Family Weekend along with instruction on how to access the events in the Badger Family Hub where you will find the full weekend itinerary!
$ – Event requires an additional fee or purchased ticket
* – Event does not require an additional fee, but does require an advance RSVP for capacity reasons or is first come, first served
- FREE GUEST PASSES TO BAKKE RECREATION AND WELLBEING CENTER AND NICHOLAS RECREATION CENTER
Hours vary by facility – view here
1976 Observatory Dr., Bakke Recreation & Wellbeing Center
797 W Dayton St., Nicholas (The Nick) Recreation Center
Recreation & Wellbeing is offering FREE general access to Rec Well facilities for all Family Weekend participants. All participants must show their wristband to receive free access. Programs, services, and fees may apply for non-access related offerings. Additional details/requirements below.
Ages 18+: A photo ID with birthdate is required upon each entry. All attendees must check in at the Welcome Desk upon each visit.
Ages 17 and under: Youth must be accompanied by their guardian at all times. Accompanying youth is defined as being in the same activity area and under constant supervision. Youth are unable to participate in non-youth specific programming/services (group fitness classes, intramural sports, personal training, etc.). Youths in facility must abide by all facility and space policies. - OUTDOOR UW RENTALS – $
Monday-Friday: 2 – 6:30 P.M.
Saturday-Sunday: 11 A.M. – 6:30 P.M.
800 Langdon St, Memorial Union – Lower Level, Outdoor UW Office
With year-round rental equipment including snowshoes, ice skates, camping, and hiking gear, Outdoor UW has everything you and your family need to embark on your next outdoor adventure. Learn more here. Want 50% off your rentals from Outdoor UW all weekend long? Code in Badger Family Hub -
UNIVERSITY BOOK STORE FAMILY SALE
711 State Street
Stock up on Badger gear! Save 20% on one gift or clothing item (exclusions apply). Visit the University Book Store—open Friday and Saturday, 9:00 a.m. –5:30 p.m., and 10:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. on Sunday. Code in Badger Family Hub - BABCOCK DAIRY STORE – $
Hours vary – view here
1605 Linden Dr.
Grab breakfast, lunch, a snack or some legendary, university-made Babcock ice cream at the Babcock Dairy Store and Deli. The Babcock Dairy Plant and Dairy Store produce signature dairy products for the University of Wisconsin – Madison and the surrounding community. Through this, they help support the University of Wisconsin Food Science Department’s mission of research, teaching and outreach. - ARBORETUM
Hours vary – view here
1207 Seminole Highway
Bird watch, soak in changing seasons through blooming wildflowers and fall colors, or tune in to the subtleties of winter ecology. There is always something to discover at the Arboretum. Use the trail map to locate particular ecological communities and gardens. To protect the wildlife and ecological communities, please stay on trails and do not bring pets or picnics. - HENRY VILAS ZOO
Open 9:30 A.M. – 5 P.M. daily; Select exhibits open at certain times
702 S Randall Ave.
The Henry Vilas Zoo is home to over 650 animals from all over the world and features over 115 species, 20 of which are considered endangered and vulnerable. - CHAZEN MUSEUM OF ART
Hours vary – view here
800 University Ave.
Visit the Chazen Museum of Art, located in the heart of the University of Wisconsin–Madison campus. The museum is home to the second-largest collection of art in Wisconsin. - ALLEN CENTENNIAL GARDEN
Open dawn to dusk
620 Babcock Dr.
The Allen Centennial Garden is a free public garden on the grounds of the University of Wisconsin–Madison. The grounds feature the Agricultural Dean’s House, a brick Queen Anne-style home built in 1896, and the home of the first four deans of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. - MADISON CHILDREN’S MUSEUM – $
Hours vary – view here
110 N. Hamilton St.
The Madison Children’s Museum is a museum for children in Madison, Wisconsin, that contains exhibits on the arts, sciences, history, culture, health, and civic engagement. - MADISON MUSEUM OF CONTEMPORARY ART (MMoCA)
Open Thursday – Sunday, Noon – 6 P.M.
227 State St.
The Madison Museum of Contemporary Art, formerly known as the Madison Art Center, is an independent, non-profit art museum located in downtown Madison, Wisconsin. MMoCA is dedicated to exhibiting, collecting, and preserving modern and contemporary art. - WISCONSIN SCIENCE FESTIVAL
Hours and location vary by event
The Wisconsin science festival is hosting a variety of fun science themed events on campus and the Madison area. For more information about featured events check out the Wisconsin Science Festival website. - SELF GUIDED FIRST NATIONS TOUR
6 A.M. – 6:30 P.M.
1001 Observatory Dr, Madison, WI 53706- South Hall on Bascom Hill
This is an all day and self guided event, the event hours are based on recommend walking times and current dusk to dawn hours. Mąįrakere is the primary tour in the Mapping Teejop series, featuring Bascom and Observatory Hill. As such, it is meant to expose, orient, and “ground” students, faculty, staff, and visitors to the Ho-Chunk and Native history and presence of the University of Wisconsin. As a land grant institution, the University of Wisconsin has a deep history and complex history with the Ho-Chunk Nation, a history that has often been deliberately erased, ignored, and overlooked. Begin outside South Hall, on Bascom Hill.
- 8:50 A.M. – 3:15 P.M. – OPEN CLASSES
Sit in on popular UW classes across campus and get a small taste of the world-class academic experience that your Badgers are experiencing. More information coming this fall. - TBD – Babcock Dairy Tours
1605 Linden Dr, Madison, WI 53706- Babcock Dairy Store
Tour Babcock Dairy’s observation deck to learn about the making of campus’ famous ice cream and cheese! Tours are first-come, first-serve for up to 30 people, but the deck is open to the public during all store hours. Accessibility InformationThe accessible entrance to the Dairy Store is located in the basement of Babcock Hall. Please enter the doors to the left of our staircase entrance, go down the ramp and take a left. You’ll take another left before taking the elevator to the first floor. Head down the hallway, to your right and follow signs to the Dairy Store. If you have troubles accessing the Dairy Store on the day of the event, please call (608) 262-3045 for assistance. - 1 P.M. – 7 P.M. – CHECK-IN
1308 W Dayton St., Union South – 2nd Floor, TBD
We’ll get you checked in and set up for Family Weekend with the digital program and schedule of events, wristbands, maps, a welcome gift, and answer any remaining questions that you have. - TBD – FAMILY FRIDAY IN ALUMNI PARK & ONE ALUMNI PLACE
724 Langdon St.
Join us for yard games in Alumni Park, and a family-friendly scavenger hunt. Visit One Alumni Place — the Wisconsin Alumni Association welcome center adjacent to the park to pick up your scavenger hunt and enjoy family friendly activities, browse the visitor center to learn more about UW alumni, discoveries, and innovations. - 2 P.M. – 5 P.M – OFF CAMPUS LIVING EXPLORATION
Locations Listed Below
Explore off campus living by taking tours of a variety of apartments around UW’s campus. Tours are available between 2-5pm. Stop in during these times to receive a tour and learn more about living off campus! Check this event out in the Badger Family Hub for a detailed description for each location.1. Grand Central – 1022 W Johnson St
*Head to the front entrance at either building when you arrive. There is limited metered street parking nearby, otherwise parking can be found in the Grainger Hall Garage.
2. X01 – 1001 University Ave
*Head to the front entrance at either building when you arrive. There is limited metered street parking nearby, otherwise parking can be found in the Grainger Hall Garage.
3. The James – 432 W Gorham St
* For parking, there is street parking near the community as well as the State Street Campus Garage on Frances Street and the State Street Parking Ramp on Lake Street.4. Lucky Apartments – 777 University Avenue
5. The Regent Apartments – 1402 Regent Street
- TBD (Tours will be given on the half hour) – TOUR THE DESIGN INNOVATION LAB at WENDT
215 N Randall Ave, Wendt Commons – Main Floor
Come visit the Design Innovation Lab – a community of designers and builders at UW-Madison within the College of Engineering. These facilities include 25,000 ft of shop and flex space with a wide range of rapid prototyping equipment, made possible by a donation from the Grainger Foundation. Largely student run, the DI Lab strives to empower students by creating a community immersed in emerging technologies, focused on creating innovative products. Students can build anything here – from micro to macro and from virtual to the physical. Twenty-minute tours will occur on the half hour. - TBD- Chazen Museum Event
750 University Avenue – Chazen Museum of Art
Join the Chazen Museum of Art exhibition. More information coming soon. - TBD.- FREE ART FRIDAY with WHEELHOUSE STUDIOS
800 Langdon St, Memorial Union – Lower Level, Festival Room
Join Wheelhouse Studios for Free Art Friday and create your own pin-back button! - TBD- OPEN SKATE with RECWELL
1976 Observatory Drive, Madison WI 53706- Bakke Recreation and Wellbeing Center
Come visit us at the Sub-Zero Ice Center at the Bakke Recreation and Wellbeing Center. Open hockey, freestyle figure, and public skate are all offered. Make sure you protect your head! Bring your own helmet or rent one from us at the Rink Services desk. Skates will be provided for free. - TBD – WUD movie showing
1308 W Dayton St, Madison WI 53706- Marquee Cinema
Join us for a free viewing of a movie (coming this fall) in Union South’s Marquee Cinema located on the second floor. All are welcome and seating is first-come first serve. - 6 P.M.-8 P.M.- WSUM TOURS
333 East Campus Mall, Suite 4100 Madison, WI 53715
Come tour WSUM the campus radio station on Friday October 18th and Saturday October 19th any time from 6pm-8pm. Tours will be happening at 333 East Campus Mall on the 4th floor. Please feel free to call the station in case you need any help getting let up or finding your way! 608-261-9786 - 9 P.M.- 12 A.M. – Crafts in the Residence Hall
640 Elm Drive, Dejope Residence Hall: Lake Mendota Room
It’s time to pumpkin-spice up your weekend! Join us and pick out a cute little pumpkin to paint and take home with you.
- 6:15 A.M. – 1 P.M. – FARMERS’ MARKET: SATURDAY ON THE SQUARE
Capitol Square, Downtown Madison
Experience the country’s largest producer-only farmers’ market and iconic Saturday on the Square. Bring a tote bag to store any cheese curds, flowers, vegetables, fresh fruit, or other goods that you can’t resist bringing home (or giving to your Badger)! - 9:00 A.M. – 2 P.M. – CHECK-IN
1308 W Dayton St., Union South – 2nd Floor, TBD
We’ll get you checked in for Family Weekend with the digital program and schedule of events, wristbands, maps, a welcome gift, and answer any questions that you have. - 9 A.M., 10 A.M., 11 A.M., 1 P.M., 2 P.M., and 3 P.M. – WISCONSIN STATE CAPITOL TOURS
2 E Main St- Information Desk on the First Floor
Visit the Wisconsin State Capitol, an architectural marvel. These tours, which last 45 to 55 minutes, start at the information desk, located at the center of the rotunda as you walk in. - 9:30 A.M. – 10:45 A.M. – CHANCELLOR’S WELCOME RECEPTION – *
In-person event: 800 Langdon St, Memorial Union – 4th Floor, Great Hall
Streaming/overflow seating: 800 Langdon St, Memorial Union – 1st Floor, Der Rathskeller
Join us for a formal welcome to Family Weekend from our UW-Madison Chancellor Jennifer Mnookin. She will be speaking directly to you – the parents and family members of current Badgers. Come enjoy coffee and pastries, a jazz band performance, photo-ops with Bucky Badger, and more. Doors open at 9:30 a.m. and remarks begin at 10:15 a.m. Capacity of 400, seating is first-come, first-served. Remarks will be streamed to Der Rathskeller. - 11 A.M. – 2 P.M. – BADGER FAMILY FEST
800 Langdon St, Memorial Union Terrace
Meet and mingle with other UW-Madison families at this spirited event on the iconic Memorial Union Terrace. Enjoy live music, a free cookout lunch, photo-ops on the iconic Big Terrace chairs, Bucky Badger and Booky appearances, activities from Wheelhouse Studios and more! First-come, first-served, food available for the first 2,000 attendees. Lunch includes brat (GF and vegan options available), chips, beverage and Babcock ice cream. - TBD – BADGER FOOTBALL WATCH PARTY
800 Langdon St, Memorial Union- 1st Floor, Rathskeller
Come cheer on the UW-Madison football team for their away game against Oregon in the Rathskeller. - 1 P.M. – 4 P.M. – WISCONSIN SPECIALTY CHEESE WALK
Participating businesses along State Street – See map at check-in
Explore downtown retail businesses and shops in a new and authentic way — with Wisconsin cheese. In partnership with Fromagination, enjoy Wisconsin cheese samples and meet-and-greet opportunities with Wisconsin cheesemakers at participating downtown businesses. Participating businesses will also offer sales, specials, and featured items offered exclusively to Family Weekend participants. Please show your wristbands that you receive at check-in at participating locations. - TBD – Babcock Dairy Tours
1605 Linden Dr, Madison, WI 53706- Babcock Dairy Store
Tour Babcock Dairy’s observation deck to learn about the making of campus’ famous ice cream and cheese! Tours are first-come, first-serve for up to 30 people, but the deck is open to the public during all store hours. Accessibility InformationThe accessible entrance to the Dairy Store is located in the basement of Babcock Hall. Please enter the doors to the left of our staircase entrance, go down the ramp and take a left. You’ll take another left before taking the elevator to the first floor. Head down the hallway, to your right and follow signs to the Dairy Store. If you have troubles accessing the Dairy Store on the day of the event, please call (608) 262-3045 for assistance. - 2 P.M. – 5 P.M – OFF CAMPUS LIVING EXPLORATION
Locations Listed Below
Explore off campus living by taking tours of a variety of apartments around UW’s campus. Tours are available between 2-5pm. Stop in during these times to receive a tour and learn more about living off campus! Check this event out in the Badger Family Hub for a detailed description for each location.1. Grand Central – 1022 W Johnson St
*Head to the front entrance at either building when you arrive. There is limited metered street parking nearby, otherwise parking can be found in the Grainger Hall Garage.
2. X01 – 1001 University Ave
*Head to the front entrance at either building when you arrive. There is limited metered street parking nearby, otherwise parking can be found in the Grainger Hall Garage.
3. The James – 432 W Gorham St
* For parking, there is street parking near the community as well as the State Street Campus Garage on Frances Street and the State Street Parking Ramp on Lake Street.4. Lucky Apartments – 777 University Avenue
5. The Regent Apartments – 1402 Regent Street
- TBD – CAMP RANDALL PHOTOS ON THE FIELD
1440 Monroe St. – Enter by Gate 1 and Bucky’s Locker room, Camp Randall
Make a dream come true: step foot on the home turf of the Wisconsin Badgers football team. Take photos on the 50-yard line, by the goal post, and other areas on the field with your family. Come dressed for the weather, and please no food, beverages, or footballs on the field. - TBD.- OPEN SKATE with RECWELL
1976 Observatory Drive, Madison WI 53706- Bakke Recreation and Wellbeing Center
Come visit us at the Sub-Zero Ice Center at the Bakke Recreation and Wellbeing Center. Open hockey, freestyle figure, and public skate are all offered. Make sure you protect your head! Bring your own helmet or rent one from us at the Rink Services desk. Skates will be provided for free. - 6 P.M.-8 P.M.- WSUM TOURS
333 East Campus Mall, Suite 4100 Madison, WI 53715
Come tour WSUM the campus radio station on Friday October 18th and Saturday October 19th any time from 6pm-8pm. Tours will be happening at 333 East Campus Mall on the 4th floor. Please feel free to call the station in case you need any help getting let up or finding your way! 608-261-9786 - TBD.- WUD PRESENTS: Movie coming this fall
1308 W Dayton St, Madison WI 53706- Marquee Cinema
Join us for a free viewing of (movie coming soon) in Union South’s Marquee Cinema located on the second floor. All are welcome and seating is first-come first serve. - 6:30 P.M. – 8:00 P.M. – BADGER FAMILY BINGO – * First come, First Serve Seats 180
800 Langdon St, Memorial Union – 4th Floor, Great Hall
Whether you’re with grandma, dad, your roommates, or yourself, all are welcome at this friendly, competitive Badger Spirit Bingo night. - 7:30 P.M. – WISCONSIN SINGERS 57TH SHOW
800 Langdon St, Memorial Union – Shannon Hall
Nationally-renowned as the very first collegiate pop music ensemble that features song, dance, and live instrumentals, Wisconsin Singers has been touring the country since 1967 with brand new shows each year, created to engage audience members of any age. Featuring the top talents from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, Wisconsin Singers entertains more than 50,000 annually with stellar vocals, stunning choreography and spectacular big band sound from the past forty years. The box office outside will open at 7 p.m. the night of the show. If you purchase tickets for this event they will be sent to you by email from the Wisconsin Singers that you will show at the door. - 9 P.M.- 12 A.M. – FAMILY GAME NIGHT
770 W Dayton St, Gordon Dining and Event Center, Upper Level
A spooky twist on a WLN classic; come by and test your knowledge of all things Halloween! Movies, monsters, music, and fun facts… bring the whole fam to compete in the spookiest trivia you’ve ever been to!
- ALL MORNING – BRUNCH AROUND – $
Restaurants across the city of Madison
Ask your Badger for their favorite brunch recommendation around Madison, or discover a new favorite together! For local favorites and insider tips, check out their Restaurant Finder tool here, or find tips in the Visit Madison’s Visitors Guide.
- 10 A.M.- 12:00 P.M. – CHECK-IN
800 Langdon St., Memorial Union – 4th Floor, Great Hall
If you missed check-in earlier in the weekend and still want to pick up your welcome gift, this is the final place to do so. Stop by on your way out of town and say ‘bye!’ - 10 A.M.- 11:00 A.M. – Recreation Class (Coming soon)
797 W Dayton St., Nicholas Recreation Center – 4th Floor, Elevation Studio
Join us for a workout. Come feel the music, join the fun, and forget you’re working out! - TBD – PAINTING AND PASTRIES WITH WHEELHOUSE STUDIOS
800 Langdon St., Memorial Union – 4th Floor, Great Hall
Join us for coffee, pastries and watercolor Bucky! All ages welcomed. No experience necessary. Mat board included - 10 A.M. – 12 P.M. – SUNDAY STROLL
800 Langdon St, Memorial Union – Lower Level, Outdoor UW Office and Great Hall 4th Floor
Stop by the Great Hall for cider and trail mix before enjoying a self-guided Sunday Stroll on the LakeShore Nature Preserve‚ a historic walking path along the shore of Lake Mendota. An interpretive self-guided map available at the Outdoor UW office will help families navigate and enjoy the natural landscape and history around them, as well as allow participants to take the morning on their own schedule. Event will go on rain or shine! Come dressed for the weather.
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Where can I park? Campus parking and transportation Information
Many campus lots are free on the weekends. View the campus parking map and take note of the lots in green as these will free**. Please note that event parking***, including volleyball and hockey, can impact lot availability including green lots. Please check posted signage at each lot before parking.
The interactive campus map shows public parking locations, as well as information on bus stops (and real-time schedule info), B-cycle kiosk locations, and more. Click on the P for Public parking to see how many spots are available in each lot. Most of these lots you will have to pay for.
Additionally, the visitor parking availability page has a live count of parking available in campus gated lots.
Many Family Weekend activities are within a short walk of one another. The free campus buses—80 and 84 (daytime), and 80, 81, and 82 (nighttime)—circulate throughout campus each day, allowing you to hop on and off near different events. Look for the blue bus-stop signs around campus.
Please note: parking availability and access is subject to change. Please be aware of all signs and notices posted at parking locations and follow all displayed parking regulations.
Downtown Madison City Lots
The City of Madison also has a number of lots near campus. View a map.
Accessible Parking
Accessible stalls are within many lots on campus. UW–Madison Transportation Services outlines DOT Accessible parking. Please note, by law, we cannot reserve accessible stalls as they are all on a first-come, first-served basis. With any lot, please obey the posted signage and notices.
Building Accessibility
View a comprehensive list of accessibility information by building.
Additional Questions
Contact UW–Madison Transportation Services or Campus Information at 608-263-2400.
What are my hotel options for Family Weekend?
We understand that some families may already have lodging plans for Family Weekend. However, if you have not made lodging accommodations yet, we welcome you to consider making accommodations through our Family Weekend 2025 hotel block. Our hotel block opens Monday, June 9 at 11 a.m. CT. We understand if you would like to book outside of our hotel block, and recommend you make sure any booking is refundable in case your plans change.
When is Family Weekend 2025?
This annual, signature event will take place Friday, October 24, 2025 – Sunday, October 26, 2025.
Is financial assistance available for Family Weekend?
Yes! If you are in need of a Family Weekend registration fee waiver, please contact the Parent and Family Program at parent@uwmad.wisc.edu before registering for instructions.
Is a football game part of Family Weekend?
No — we intentionally do not schedule Family Weekend during a home football game due to decreased hotel and parking options as well as programming limitations.
We do partner with Wisconsin Athletics to offer tickets to select football games before general single-game tickets go on sale to the general public. For more information on our Football pre-sale for Badger Parents and Family members visit https://parent.wisc.edu/parent-events/football-game-days/.
Please note: these football games are on separate days and are separate events from Family Weekend. There is no additional programming on these days. More information on these football game day offerings for parents and families can be found here.
Do we need to be registered for Family Weekend to attend events?
Yes, all events are reserved for Family Weekend participants. Our registration link will be available TBD.
Do we need to attend all three Family Weekend days?
We designed Family Weekend to be an a-la-carte event where guests and family members are able to pick and choose the events they are most interested in attending. We encourage you to come to our signature events such as the Chancellor’s Welcome Reception, Badger Family Fest, Photoshoots at Camp Randall, and many more which will be taking place on Saturday, October 26th, 2025. If you are interested in learning more about what is typically offered at Family Weekend, feel free to sift through our 2024 Family Weekend Schedule below.
Will I miss anything if I can't book a hotel right on campus?
The Family Weekend hotel block includes many hotels at a variety of walking, commuting and driving distances from campus. While it may be easy to think that staying at a hotel further from campus means missing out on the full Family Weekend experience, we have found that is not the case! Hotels in the block that are further from campus tend to result in more affordable rates with the same or even expanded amenities than hotels closer to campus or downtown. Many families that stay at hotels “closer” to campus or downtown can still have anywhere from a 30-75 -minute walk/commute to some on-campus events, depending on which hotel they are at. A number of these families also choose to drive and park to Family Weekend events if the walking/commuting those distances is more than they are used to or comfortable with. In order to help with parking, some on-campus parking lots and ramps will be free during the Saturday and Sunday of Family Weekend, so families can have a shorter distance to commute between events no matter where they are staying.
Who do I contact if I have a question?
Please contact the Parent and Family Program at 608-262-3977 or parent@uwmad.wisc.edu for any questions regarding Family Weekend events and programming. If you have question with your Family Weekend registration or hotel block please contact conferences@union.wisc.edu or call 608-890-1077.
Registration
Registration opens TBD.
If you have issues with submitting your registration or need to make changes to your registration, contact conferences@union.wisc.edu or (608) 262-6696.
For all other questions reach out to parent@uwmad.wisc.edu or call 1-877-262-3977.
Pricing
TBD
This cost includes most events, activities and receptions throughout the weekend.
**If you are in need of a Family Weekend registration fee waiver, please contact the Parent and Family Program at parent@uwmad.wisc.edu before registering for instructions.
You can also choose to purchase add-on tickets to additional, a-la-carte events, such as the Wisconsin Singers Show and discounted Badger athletics events. More information on these will be shared in future communications.
Hotel Block
Our hotel block opens Monday, June 9 at 11 a.m. CT.
We understand that some families may already have lodging plans for Family Weekend. However, if you have not made lodging accommodations yet, we welcome you to consider making accommodations through our Family Weekend 2025 hotel block.
To receive discounted hotel rates for the 2025 UW Family Weekend, you must book through our official online system. Reservations will not be accepted directly through the hotels.
Need to modify or cancel your reservation?
- Please do not contact the hotel directly unless it is within 72 hours of your arrival.
- To modify or cancel an existing reservation, please refer to the “Request for Change” link provided at the bottom of your confirmation email. If you need your confirmation resent, please contact services@visitmadison.com.
If you have any questions about the hotel block, please email services@visitmadison.com for assistance.
