First-Year & Sophomore Family Weekend

UP's First-Year & Sophomore Family Weekend will be held on Friday, February 16, to Sunday, February 18, 2024. We are excited to welcome you to campus to make some special memories with your Pilot!

Your Family Weekend ticket covers all events in the schedule below, unless noted. All guests 18 and over are $50; guests 17 and under are $15. Your UP student is free!

Take a look at the 2023 schedule below for an idea of all the fun you'll have in 2024!

Need lodging? Visit our Where To Stay page

If you have questions, reach out to us at parents@up.edu.

Family Weekend Schedule of Events

Friday, February 17

3:30 - 7:30 p.m. Family Weekend headquarters open (UP Bookstore)

4:00 p.m.  Campus Tour (Meet in front of the UP Bookstore)

Departmental Open Houses

• 2:30 - 5:30: UP Museum exhibit inside Clark Library
  • Wally Pilot turns 75 this year! UP's museum archivist will be on hand to share Wally memorabilia and other items from UP's vibrant history.
  • Clark Library is open for families to explore all weekend until 7 p.m.
• 3:30 - 5:00: Air Force ROTC invites you to visit their space in the Kenna Hall basement
• 4:30 - 5:30: Diversity Center (Buckley Center 102)
  • visit UP's new space for students to study, relax and meet with each other in a supporting learning environment.

Dinner on your own. 

6:00 - 7:00 p.m.  UP Jazz Ensemble and Jazz Combo concert (Mago Hunt recital hall)

• A classic and contemporary jazz repertoire will be followed by a diverse selection of big band music.

7:00 - 8:00 p.m.  President's Welcome & Root Beer Float bar (Beauchamp Recreation Center)

• Kick-off Family Weekend fun with UP's new president, floats and photo ops before the residence hall socials! President's Welcome starts at 7:20.

8:00 - 9:00 p.m.  Residence Hall 'Home Away from Home' socials

• Experience campus life at your students' residence hall! Join in their favorite hall traditions and socialize with other Pilot families: enjoy mock-tails, games, 'mailbox madness', and more! 

9:00 - 11:00 p.m.  Pilots After Dark - Karaoke Night! (Pilot House)

Saturday, February 18

8:30 - 11:00 a.m.  Family Weekend Headquarters Open (UP Bookstore)

8:30 - 10:00 a.m.  Family Weekend Coffee & Pastries (Pilot House)

• Warm up with some coffee and a bite to eat before heading to the academic showcases

9:30 - 10:45 a.m.  Academic Showcases

• College of Arts & Sciences: Brian Doyle Auditorium (Dundon-Berchtold Room 004)
• School of Nursing (Bauccio Commons - Quiet Side)
• Pamplin School of Business (Bauccio Commons - Board Room)
• School of Education (Franz Hall 120)
• Shiley School of Engineering (Shiley Hall, various open labs)

11:00 - Noon  PilotTalks, UP's new short-talk lecture series  (Buckley Center Auditorium)

• Join featured UP faculty as they share stories and insights on what brings them hope:
  • Kali Abel, PhD, Environmental Studies: Finding Hope in a Changing Climate
  • Anna Myers, PhD, School of Education: The Hope that Every Child Reads
  • Randy Hetherington, EdD, School of Education: Hope Springs Eternal--Why?
  • Fr. Patrick Hannon, CSC, English: Hope is a Thing with Feathers

Noon - 1:30 p.m.  Lunch on your own

1:30 - 2:30 p.m.  Experiential Learning Session (Buckley Center Auditorium)

• Hear how students can make the most of their time on The Bluff and how experiential learning, leadership, undergraduate research and community engagement can support their personal and professional growth both inside and outside of the classroom. 

3:00 p.m.  UP Wind Symphony concert (Chapel of Christ the Teacher)

• The Wind Symphony joins musicians from Campus Ministry for a concert of primarily sacred music. Come enjoy a familiar hymn, or maybe discover a new favorite!

3:00 p.m.  Women's Basketball vs. Pacific (Chiles Center Arena)

4:30 - 5:30 p.m.  Mid-Game Social Hour (Chiles Arena East Mezzanine, 2nd floor)

• Stay hyped for the Pilots at a private party between the double-header basketball games. Enjoy beer, wine, hot dogs, veggies, chips, gourmet popcorn and cookies with the unbeatable company of fellow Pilot families.

5:30 p.m.  Men's Basketball vs. Santa Clara (Chiles Center Arena)

7:30 p.m. UP Theater presents: The Wolves (tickets available for purchase here)

9:00 - 11:00 p.m.  Pilots After Dark (Pilot House)

• Enjoy an art gallery of student work paired with student vendors, light refreshments and craft booths for all to try some kind of art!

Sunday, February 19

10:00 - noon   Residence Life Info table (Commons Lobby)

• Get your housing questions answered from the Director of Residence Life and his team about your students' housing plans for their sophomore and junior years, and beyond!

10:30 a.m.  All are welcome for Sunday Mass (Chapel of Christ the Teacher)

11:30 a.m.  Family Weekend Brunch (Bauccio Commons, Quiet Side)

1:30 p.m.    University Singers & Bel Canto concert (Buckley Center Auditorium)

• Join the UP choirs, featuring student conducting associates Lauren Cline and Cameron Creitz for an afternoon of music by Palestrina, Sydney Guillaume, Javier Busto, Jenni Brandon, Sarah Quartel and others.

4:00 p.m.    University Chamber Orchestra concert (Buckley Center Auditorium)

• The UP Chamber Orchestra will perform a wide variety of works inspired by sights and sounds from each composers' home: Argentina, China, England and Romania. Join us for a lively concert filled with dances and serenades.