Family Weekend General Event Passes Now Sold Out
Registration for Family Weekend General Event Passes is now closed. Registration opened on Wednesday, August 26 at 6:30 PM EST pm on the UC Family Portal. If you are not registered for Family Weekend, there will still be opportunities for your family to be a part of campus celebrations that weekend. As usual, we will share an abbreviated calendar of events that you and your family can attend without being registered. Be on the lookout for this calendar to be shared during the week prior to Family Weekend 2026.
Family Weekend
Family Weekend is held each fall to give you the opportunity to spend time with your student, experience life at UC, and explore our city of Cincinnati. We have activities for all ages from 0 to 100! This year, Family Weekend will be held October 9-11, 2026 during BLINK Festival of Light & Art – the nation’s largest immersive arts event. Exploring BLINK's interactive art installations across the city is completely free! Families can look forward to a dynamic, action-packed schedule that includes many of your favorite traditional Family Weekend events on campus. With Blink Cincinnati in town, we also look forward to this incredibly unique opportunity to showcase Cincinnati in a new light. Whether you engage with Family Weekend on-campus, off-campus, or both, we know you will have a memorable experience celebrating the UC journey with your student and building your family connections.
We can’t wait for you to experience UC and the city of Cincinnati at its brightest! Family Weekend registration is $20 per person. Each guest attending Family Weekend will need to be registered, including your student. Passes sell fast and Family Weekend does sell out. All sales are final and we are unable to process late registrations, so please register for your general event passes early!
Check-In Information
Check-in will be held at the Family Weekend Hub (located just off UC MainStreet in the Parent & Family Programs Office in Steger Student Life Center, suite 455).
There are several options for your family to get checked-in for the weekend's festivities. Have your QR code ready! You can find it in your confirmation email. At Check-In, you will receive:
- Your nametag (which each guest is required to wear as it serves as your ticket to access Family Weekend events)
- Events schedule
- Fun swag and giveaways
- The 2026 Family Weekend t-shirt for the first 4,000 guests!
You or your student may check in for your entire group. If you send your student, make sure to send them your QR code and t-shirt sizes in advance! You do not need to have your entire group present. We are not able to accommodate check-in outside of the options listed below, so please make arrangements for someone in your group to check-in at one of the following times.
- Early Check-In: Monday, October 5 (11am-4:30 pm) and Tuesday, October 6 (11am-4:30 pm)
- Regular Check-In: Friday, October 9 (1-7pm)
- Late Check-In: Saturday, October 10 (9am-12pm)
Premium Add On Events
Some events have a limited capacity and require an additional fee to purchase when you register for Family Weekend. All participants in add-on events must also be registered for UC Family Weekend. Secure your spot early as these events will sell out!
- Riverboat Brunch Cruise ($50 per person)
- Bearcats Canvas: UC-themed Painting Class with Soul Palette ($20 per person)
- Cincy Night Lights at the Roebling Event Center ($22 per person)
2026 Schedule of Events
The full schedule of events will be shared with exact dates and times as we get closer to this year's event - we are adding more events each week through October 9! Our events range from family games, sporting events, musical entertainment, arts and crafts, Cincinnati attractions, and more. Each year we provide a mix of our traditional signature events like Bingo and Donuts with the Dean, and new events to keep the weekend exciting. Most events are included with your Family Weekend general event pass; however some of our add-on events, like our Riverboat Cruise, Bearcats Canvas, or Cincy Night Lights at the Roebling Event Center have an additional cost. All events are subject to changes as we finalize plans for this fall. We look forward to welcoming you and your family to campus!
College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning (DAAP) Self-Guided Audio Tour
Tour begins outside the DAAP Student Affairs Office (Aronoff 5470)
8am - 8pm
The QR code for the Self-Guided Audio Tour can be found outside the DAAP Student Affairs Office (Aronoff 5470). The programs within DAAP are ranked among the very best in both a world and national class. During the self-guided tour, you’ll see some of our labs, studios, and other spaces that help make DAAP a top-notch place to study. All you need is a smart phone to scan the QR code to begin the tour of DAAP’s facilities. Log onto the university guest wi-fi. Headphones are recommended.
Screenprint Mini-Poster
DAAP Printmaking Lab (Wolfson 6335)
11am - 1:30pm
Print the final layer of a family weekend-themed mini poster in the DAAP Printmaking Lab (Wolfson 6335). No experience necessary!
Family Weekend Check-In
455 Steger Student Life Center, Parent & Family Programs Lobby
1 - 7pm
Check in to receive your Family Weekend materials and badges to access events. If you're one of the first 4,000 to check-in, you will also receive our 2026 Family Weekend t-shirt! Look for the signs on UC MainStreet to find your way to Check-in!
Off-Campus Housing Fair
Tangeman University Center, 3rd Floor Atrium
1 - 4pm
Explore off-campus housing options for next school year and resources all in one place! Students and families can meet housing providers, ask questions, grab giveaways, and learn more about living off campus or commuting to campus. Hosted by UC’s Off-Campus & Commuter Student Engagement team, this event is all about helping Bearcats feel connected, supported, and at home—wherever they live.
Oesper Collections in the History of Chemistry
Rieveschl Hall 520 and 521 (west side of the 5th floor)
1 - 4pm
Drop-in to see the nationally-recognized Oesper Collections in the History of Chemistry, one of the world’s largest curated collections of scientific artifacts, books, journals, photos, and prints related to the history of chemistry. On display, you’ll find an exhibit highlighting trailblazing women in chemistry, a period room of an 1890s chemist’s lab, rare books dating back to the 16th century, and unique treasures like our portrait of Marie Curie signed to the students of the University of Cincinnati. Librarians will be available to discuss the collection. Enter Rieveschl (6th floor) from the Zimmer Rooftop on the side nearest Old Chem and take the stairs down one floor to the 5th floor and you will be right by the entrance to the Oesper Collections.
Bearcats Canvas with Soul Palette*
Arts & Sciences Hall, Room 53
3 - 4:30pm
Soul Palette art coaches will guide you in creating your UC-themed canvas masterpiece! Advance ticket purchase required.
MakerLab Family Fun
CECH Library MakerLab (Teachers-Dyer Complex 300)
Back by popular demand! Stop by for hands-on family fun! Enjoy crafts, coloring, and games!
SoulCollage
Tangeman University Center
4:30 - 7:30pm
SoulCollage® is focused on making a personalized deck of collaged cards, much like tarot, one card at a time. Get creative by collaging self-selected images to represent aspects of yourself, your community, or other meaningful themes in your life!
Floats With Your Lazy River Float
Campus Recreation Center Pool (lower level)
5 - 7pm
Join us Friday evening and enjoy a float with your float – rootbeer and other soda ice cream floats available on the pool deck for a chill hang. Don't forget your suit!
Team Tune Trivia
Tangeman University Center, 400ABC
5 - 6:30pm
It will take every generation of the family to win this trivia game! Team Tune Trivia presents trivia across the decades (80s, 90s, 00s, 10s, and today)! May the most musical family win!
Family Game Night
Tangeman University Center, 3rd floor Atrium
6 - 10pm
Challenge your family to a little friendly competition with family game night. Take on your student or find a fellow Bearcat family to square off in your favorite family board games!
Dessert Reception with Vice Provost for Student Affairs Dr. Nicole Mayo
Tangeman University Center, 3rd floor atrium
6 - 8pm
Join us for a dessert bar and meet UC's Vice Provost for Student Affairs Nicole Mayo, EdD. If you're heading to our evening events, feel free to grab some treats before you head over!
UC Clermont Family Weekend Event - BLINK Cincinnati
Depart/Return from UC Clermont Student Activities Lot. Travel to Downtown Cincinnati for BLINK!
6:15 - 11:45pm
Join UC Clermont as we travel to downtown Cincinnati for BLINK! Bus transportation will be provided to and from the event for those who wish to travel to/from campus. If you would like to take the bus, the fun starts at 6:15 p.m. in the parking lot of the Student Activities Center. If you would like to meet us downtown, we will communicate the meeting location and time at a later date. You will have the option to walk around and see the exhibits and installations with a larger group or set out on your own. We will meet back at our drop-off location at 10:45 p.m. for the return trip to UC Clermont. RSVP on GetInvolvedUC.
This event is prioritized for students and families registered for UC Family Weekend. Students can bring up to 2 guests. Any space available as of Monday, October 5 will be opened to the larger UC Clermont community.
Team Tune Trivia
Tangeman University Center, 400ABC
7 - 8:30pm
It will take every generation of the family to win this trivia game! Team Tune Trivia presents trivia across the decades (80s, 90s, 00s, 10s, and today)! May the most musical family win!
"Echoes of Light" BLINK installation created by CCM Lighting Design & Technology students
100 W. 5th St. at the Elm Street Plaza
7 - 11pm
CCM Lighting Design and Technology students Jacob Kaplan, lighting designer; Lia Lubinsky, assistant designer; Lucy Dunn, assistant designer; and Jack Walter, programmer; with faculty advisor Sharon Huizinga, CCM Associate Professor of Lighting Design and Technology will illuminate the largest continuous mural in Ohio, created by artist Tristan Eaton in 2022. The mural honors the rich spectrum of music history in Cincinnati, honoring 10 music legends in a larger-than-life representation — standing at an estimated 18,000 sq ft. The project will honor these musicians by creating a dynamic lighting spectacle through a mashup of their music.
Family Bingo Night
Tangeman University Center, Great Hall
WIN BIG with Bearcats Bingo! Be first to get five in a row to win prizes! Don't miss this out of this popular event hosted by the Center for Student Involvement (CSI). Limited to the first 500 guests.
Concert on the Lawn: The Karate Girls Band, sponsored by Enrollment Management
Bearcat Commons
8:30pm - 10:30pm
Join us on the lawn for a live concert from Cincinnati's infamous Karate Girls Band! With music covered through the ages, everyone in the family will have a reason to dance! Bring your blankets and chairs for food trucks and a performance you won't want to miss!
BLINK Cincinnati: Dimensions of Wonder Drone Show
Viewing Locations from Both Sides of the Ohio River, including Smale Riverfront Park, the Banks, and Covington, KY
8pm & 10pm Showings
Don't miss the BLINK Cincinnati drone show "Dimensions of Wonder - a free, signature event on BLINK Cincinnati. The show is held Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights at 8pm and 10pm during the festival.
Additional Events (Time and Details TBA)
- Academic College events
Family Weekend Late Check-In
455 Steger Student Life Center, Parent & Family Programs Lobby
9am - 12pm
Check in to receive your Family Weekend materials and badges to access events. If you're one of the first 4,000 to check-in, you will also receive our 2026 Family Weekend t-shirt! Look for the signs on UC MainStreet to find your way to Check-in!
College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning (DAAP) Self-Guided Audio Tour
Tour begins outside the DAAP Student Affairs Office (Aronoff 5470)
8am - 8pm
The QR code for the Self-Guided Audio Tour can be found outside the DAAP Student Affairs Office (Aronoff 5470). The programs within DAAP are ranked among the very best in both a world and national class. During the self-guided tour, you’ll see some of our labs, studios, and other spaces that help make DAAP a top-notch place to study. All you need is a smart phone to scan the QR code to begin the tour of DAAP’s facilities. Log onto the university guest wi-fi. Headphones are recommended.
Donuts with the Dean of Students Office
Steger 5th Floor (outside Dean of Students Office, Suite 555)
10am - 12pm
Join us to enjoy some of Cincinnati's favorite donuts and coffee while you hang out with Dean of Students Shaka Sydnor and the team from UC's Dean of Students Office. The DOS team serves as the primary student advocates for our campus and delivers timely support through a variety of programs, including crisis management, conflict resolution, and emergency response.
Lindner College of Business Net Impact Small Business Market
Sigma Sigma Commons
11am - 3pm
Shop 'til you drop at the Net Impact Small Business Market! Come find handmade jewelry, crochet and knit goods, vintage and retro finds, art prints, and other one-of-a-kind creations from student and local small businesses. Enjoy music and soak up the Family Weekend energy right on Sigma Sigma. Whether you're hunting for a unique find or just want to support Bearcat entrepreneurs, this is one stop you won't want to miss!
Poppi & Pilates
Bearcat Commons
11am - 12pm
Bring your family to an outdoor pilates class! Bring your own mat and prepare for a traditional, body weight-based Mat Pilates in the sun. Enjoy a refreshing Poppi water and hang out with other Bearcat families after class.
Bearcat Bolt
Sigma Sigma Commons
Earn your bumper sticker and participate in our .5K run (yes, that says point five). See who can dash through Sigma Sigma the fastest (or the slowest!). Sure to bring laughs to the whole family!
4 vs. 4 Sand Volleyball Tournament
Sand Volleyball Court outside of Dabney Hall
2pm - 4pm
Join the fun on our sand courts and compete with other Bearcat families for a coveted Championship shirt! Space is limited for this event. Sign up coming in the UC Family Portal!
Residence Hall Socials
Various Residence Hall Lobbies & Commuter Student Lounge (6th floor Steger)
3pm
Come hang out with fellow families and get to know your Bearcat's community.
Family Game Night
Tangeman University Center, 3rd floor Atrium
6 - 10pm
Challenge your family to a little friendly competition with family game night. Take on your student or find a fellow Bearcat family to square off in your favorite family board games!
Cincy Night Lights at the Roebling Event Center*
Roebling Event Center, 140 Marian Spencer Way, Cincinnati, OH 45202
6:30 - 8pm, 8:30 - 10pm
Join us downtown in the heart of Cincinnati for an unforgettable evening where music, celebration, and the beauty of the riverfront come together. At this premium add-on event, we will offer a place to launch your BLINK experience. Enjoy delicious bites, a cash bar, music, glow accessories, a photobooth, and scenic views during the largest festival of light and art in the nation. Advance ticket purchase required.
"Echoes of Light" BLINK installation created by CCM Lighting Design & Technology students
100 W. 5th St. at the Elm Street Plaza
7 - 11pm
CCM Lighting Design and Technology students Jacob Kaplan, lighting designer; Lia Lubinsky, assistant designer; Lucy Dunn, assistant designer; and Jack Walter, programmer; with faculty advisor Sharon Huizinga, CCM Associate Professor of Lighting Design and Technology will illuminate the largest continuous mural in Ohio, created by artist Tristan Eaton in 2022. The mural honors the rich spectrum of music history in Cincinnati, honoring 10 music legends in a larger-than-life representation — standing at an estimated 18,000 sq ft. The project will honor these musicians by creating a dynamic lighting spectacle through a mashup of their music.
BLINK Cincinnati: Dimensions of Wonder Drone Show
Viewing Locations from Both Sides of the Ohio River, including Smale Riverfront Park, the Banks, and Covington, KY
8pm & 10pm Showings
Don't miss the BLINK Cincinnati drone show "Dimensions of Wonder - a free, signature event on BLINK Cincinnati. The show is held Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights at 8pm and 10pm during the festival.
Additional Events (Time and Details TBA)
- Academic College events
- Afternoon Party on Sigma Sigma
- Evening signature events
College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning (DAAP) Self-Guided Audio Tour
Tour begins outside the DAAP Student Affairs Office (Aronoff 5470)
8am - 8pm
The QR code for the Self-Guided Audio Tour can be found outside the DAAP Student Affairs Office (Aronoff 5470). The programs within DAAP are ranked among the very best in both a world and national class. During the self-guided tour, you’ll see some of our labs, studios, and other spaces that help make DAAP a top-notch place to study. All you need is a smart phone to scan the QR code to begin the tour of DAAP’s facilities. Log onto the university guest wi-fi. Headphones are recommended.
Riverboat Brunch Cruise*
BB Riverboats (101 Riverboat Row, Newport, KY, 41071)
10am - 1pm
A Family Weekend tradition! Join us for brunch and breathtaking city views from the Belle of Cincinnati! Advance ticket purchase required. Riverboat guests will not receive tickets. Arrive at BB Riverboats from 10-11am to board. The boat sails at 11am, so do not be late. We will return by 1pm.
Bearcats Canvas with Soul Palette*
Arts & Sciences Hall, Room 53
12 - 1:30pm
Soul Palette art coaches will guide you in creating your UC-themed canvas masterpiece! Advance ticket purchase required.
UC Volleyball vs. Iowa State*
Fifth Third Arena
1pm
Cheer on the Bearcats as they take on Iowa State in Volleyball for the Breast Cancer Awareness Game! Separate ticket purchase required.
Gen-1/1MPACT House Annual Induction & Awards Ceremony
Tangeman University Center Great Hall
2pm
Families of students in Gen-1 and the Chaudry Scholars Program are invited to celebrate their students' official induction into the program.
"Echoes of Light" BLINK installation created by CCM Lighting Design & Technology students
100 W. 5th St. at the Elm Street Plaza
7 - 11pm
CCM Lighting Design and Technology students Jacob Kaplan, lighting designer; Lia Lubinsky, assistant designer; Lucy Dunn, assistant designer; and Jack Walter, programmer; with faculty advisor Sharon Huizinga, CCM Associate Professor of Lighting Design and Technology will illuminate the largest continuous mural in Ohio, created by artist Tristan Eaton in 2022. The mural honors the rich spectrum of music history in Cincinnati, honoring 10 music legends in a larger-than-life representation — standing at an estimated 18,000 sq ft. The project will honor these musicians by creating a dynamic lighting spectacle through a mashup of their music.
BLINK Cincinnati: Dimensions of Wonder Drone Show
Viewing Locations from Both Sides of the Ohio River, including Smale Riverfront Park, the Banks, and Covington, KY
8pm & 10pm Showings
Don't miss the BLINK Cincinnati drone show "Dimensions of Wonder - a free, signature event on BLINK Cincinnati. The show is held Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights at 8pm and 10pm during the festival.
BLINK Cincinnati
Various Locations
October 8-11, 7 - 11pm nightly
Arts Wave Cincinnati is hosting BLINK 2026 throughout the city of Cincinnati! This event is free to everyone. Explore 35 city blocks of illuminated art in a one-of-a-kind experience. Wear your glowing gear and dress for the weather! Don't miss it - plan your BLINK experience today!
Cincinnati Zoo & Botanical Garden*
3400 Vine Street
Cincinnati is home to the #1 zoo in the country! The Cincinnati Zoo has over 400 animal species and 3,000 plant species. During your visit, don't miss local celebrity hippos Fiona and Fritz.
Campus Recreation Center Open Hours
Campus Recreation Center
- Friday - 6am-9pm
- Saturday - 8am-9pm
- Sunday - 10am-9pm
Registered families can show their nametag and photo ID for access to the Campus Recreation Center's facilities, including the track, cardio and weight equipment, group fitness classes, swimming pools, climbing wall, and more! Guests will have to sign a waiver. If any family members are under 18 years old, please review our Minors Policy for facility expectations listed under the “general facility rules & regulations” section. Interested in joining for a group fitness class? Check out the schedule and sign-up on the app for classes throughout Family Weekend!
Dining Centers
Marketpointe, CenterCourt, and On the Green Dining Centers
Visit UC's dining centers throughout Family Weekend for a discounted rate or use your student's guest meal swipes.
UC Bookstore Open Hours
Tangeman University Center, 2nd and 3rd Floor
- Friday 8am-5pm
- Saturday 10am-4pm
Students can show their UC ID for 15% off, so stock up on UC gear and goodies!
2026 ITA Wheelchair Individual National Championships
Trabert-Talbert Tennis Center (2906 O'Varsity Way, near the Richard E. Lindner Athletics Center)
Come out and cheer on the Bearcats as Student Affairs and UC Adaptive Athletics welcomes some of the nation’s top collegiate wheelchair tennis players to Cincinnati! This tournament is a great opportunity to support the Bearcats, experience wheelchair tennis up close, and watch some of the best collegiate players in the country compete right here on UC’s campus. Matches will take place throughout the day on Friday and Saturday with the tournament concluding on Sunday. Check back the week of the tournament for scheduled match times!
Campus Scavenger Hunt
Various Locations
Download the Goosechase app! Log in or create an account. You will enter our experience code which we will post on Friday of UC Family Weekend. Then, join as a guest or register as a user and you're on your way! Complete missions to earn points! The top scoring teams receive prizes!
RecRe Locker Activities
Various Locations
Over 15 RecRe lockers across campus and in residence halls are stocked with outdoor activities and games your family can enjoy during your time on campus. The 3rd Floor TUC locker has disc golf discs available, which can be used at the nearby Burnet Woods 18-hole disc golf course. Simply scan the QR code on the set of lockers containing the item you want to rent. On your first use, you'll need to create an account, but after that, it’s simple! Just scan and go.
Parking
After completing your Family Weekend purchase, you will receive a confirmation email. That confirmation email will contain a link to purchase your parking pass for the weekend. Parking passes cost $15 per vehicle. Parking passes are good for the duration of UC Family Weekend (Friday-Sunday) and offer in and out privileges. If you need an ADA parking pass, please contact Parking Services directly to make your arrangements. Your parking pass will allow you to edit which vehicle you will drive, and vehicle information can be changed at a later date.
Bearcat Family Football Days
Bearcat Family Football Days will be held September 5, 12, and 26. These events have now sold out. We hope you can join us next year!
