UC Family
Weekend

Visit UC's dining centers throughout Family Weekend for a discounted rate ($6.99 per meal) or use your student's guest meal swipes.

Say cheese! Visit your student's residence hall for a fun photo opportunity in the lobby presented by Resident Education & Development!

Show your Family Weekend wristband for access to the Campus Recreation Center's facilities. You will need to sign a waiver upon entry.

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 a QR code to see DAAP’s facilities. Log onto the university wi-fi. Headphones are recommended. 

Students save 15% on all in-store purchases of apparel, gifts and supplies at the UC Bookstores! Show your Bearcats Pride with the latest styles from the store with the largest selection of UC apparel & gifts! Discount valid in all five store locations: TUC, DAAP, Medical Center, UC Blue Ash, and UC Clermont. UC ID required at checkout. Excludes course materials, Apple products, computer hardware and software, gift cards and purchases at campus convenience stores.

Get ready for your close up! The Bearcats Promise Career Studio is offering free, professional headshots to all family members and students. Drop-in anytime between 9am-3pm.

This curated exhibition showcases the talent and diversity of production within the art, craft, and design professions from DAAP Alumni. Participants represent five decades of graduates (1970-2021) from a variety of programs. 

“What We Brought with Us" delves into the profound significance of the belongings people have carried with them when forced to flee persecution, suffering, and war. These personal objects hold immense symbolic weight, representing the intricate web of human relationships that constitute a settled life. However, beyond their material value, these items also embody hope—a seed that must take root in unfamiliar soil. When individuals are uprooted from their homes, the selection of their possessions may be hasty and chaotic, driven by urgency and confusion. Plus, along the journey to a new home, objects may be lost, traded, stolen, or abandoned due to their impracticality. What remains may acquire new meaning and be a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. “What We Brought with Us" invites us to question our relationship with possessions and each other. It prompts us to reflect on what truly matters to us and what we consider most precious. Does a single object have the power to represent a lost world?

Join UC Athletics, RallyCats, and the Bearcat Bands on UC MainStreet for Bearcat Friday! Get hyped for the game on Saturday!

Join CECH for a meal prepared by Dean Larry Johnson. Advance RSVP is encouraged, but not required. This event is limited to students in CECH and their families.

Become a life saver! The College of Nursing invites all Bearcat families to learn important life-saving skills including the use of AED equipment, CPR administration, STOP THE BLEED intervention, and overdose response. Participants will walk away more confident to save a life in emergency situations. We’ll also have family friendly activities, such as healthy hand washing and Bearcat Nurse coloring pages.

Visit identity centers in Steger Student Life Center for a unique arts and crafts activity in each space. Participants include Women's Center (Suite 571), LGBTQ Center (Suite 565) affirmation friendship bracelets, and Ethnic Programs & Services (Suite (539) mosaic coasters.

Join CEAS engineering students and GE Next Engineers Program staff for a fun, engaging opportunity for students to build awareness about what engineers do through an engineering design challenge. Families will be tasked with building a windmill using limited materials that can lift an object using only wind! Families of all ages can work together to complete this fun challenge. Students from all colleges are welcome!

Test your skills and enjoy the fall weather as you check in for Family Weekend. Campus Rec will treat you to a leisurely game of cornhole, ladder golf or Kan Jam to help you practice before it really counts during Saturday's tailgates and Football Watch Party.

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 16^th 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 the Old Chem Building construction. Take the stairs down one floor to the 5th floor and you will be right by the entrance to the Oesper Collections.

Check in to receive your Family Weekend materials to access events. If you're one of the first 4,000 to check-in, you will also receive our 2023 sweatshirt!

Join Academic Advisors and the Student Success team from the College of Arts & Sciences for light refreshments and Q&A to learn more about how this team supports student success all year long. 

Visit Lindner Hall for guided tours, refreshments, and the chance to meet Dean Marianne Lewis, faculty and staff from Career Services, Undergraduate Programs, Lindner Business Honors, and more. This event is limited to College of Business majors and their families.

This session will unveil the methods, processes, and scopes to untap creative potentials at DAAP. From footwear to urban and building designs, and commercial to speculative interventions, the audience will have a glance at past and current innovative and research projects happening at DAAP. This session presented by Dr. Claudia B. Rebola, Associate Dean for Research and Graduate Programs, and Professor, Industrial Design, The Myron E. Ullman, Jr. School of Design, DAAP. This event is limited to the first 90 guests.

Soul Palette art coaches will guide you in creating your UC-themed canvas masterpiece! Advance ticket purchase required. Enter the Campus Recreation Center classrooms hall from the staircase or elevator on UC MainStreet. This event is NOT in the Campus Recreation Center.

Explore UC's College of Allied Health Sciences' Health Sciences Building through participating in three health demos that showcase the hands-on nature of our programs. Learn more about the world of health care as a family and win a prize after completing the scavenger hunt. This event is limited to College of Allied Health Sciences majors and their families only.

All are invited to join UC's TAP program staff, students, and families to kick off Family Weekend.

Compete with other Bearcat families to sink each other's canoes using just water buckets to become champion! Come out with your Bearcat to compete ship-to-ship. All participants must be 12 or older and all that participate will get wet. 

Get ready to see UC like never before! Guided by current students, you'll take a 45-minute walking tour of campus to explore the history, haunts, and traditions of UC and learn which libraries are haunted, where to go for good luck on exams, and where it is rumored that a prominent alumnus is buried on campus. This event is limited to the first 50 guests.

Habari Gani! Join us at the African American Cultural & Resource Center (AACRC) to meet center staff, connect with other families, and enjoy refreshments, line dancing, games, and more. Discover why the AACRC is a treasured community and educational space at UC. All are welcome!

Snap a family portrait in our photobooth to commemorate Family Weekend 2023 and make a custom frame to display your memory when you get home!

Soul Palette art coaches will guide you in creating your UC-themed canvas masterpiece! Advance ticket purchase required. Enter the Campus Recreation Center classrooms hall from the staircase or elevator on UC MainStreet. This event is NOT in the Campus Recreation Center.

Join UC's Money Management team to test your money smarts in this interactive, life-size "Game of Life." See if you have what it takes to survive life after UC. Every participant wins a prize!

Join us for a dessert bar and meet our Dean of Students team! The Dean of Students provides a variety of services and resources to support your student's safety, well-being, and success at UC. If you're heading to our evening events, feel free to grab some treats before you head over!

WIN BIG with Bearcats Bingo! Be first to get five in a row and win UC apparel, gear, and other cool swag! Don't miss this out of this popular event hosted by the Center for Student Involvement (CSI) and Residence Hall Association (RHA). Limited to the first 200 guests.

Join us for movie night! We're screening Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem (2023), rated PG. Raphael, Leonardo, Donatello, and Michelangelo are four turtle brothers with a unique set of skills and a penchant for mischief, which runs them afoul of New York City. Yet when a horde of sinister mutants begins to wreak havoc, the city must learn to rely on the turtles if they are to be saved. Popcorn provided while supplies last. This event is limited to the first 200 guests.

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! Enjoy light refreshments and snacks. Beer and wine may be purchased (credit cards only).This event is limited to the first 200 guests.

Soul Palette art coaches will guide you in creating your UC-themed canvas masterpiece! Advance ticket purchase required. Enter the Campus Recreation Center classrooms hall from the staircase or elevator on UC MainStreet. This event is NOT in the Campus Recreation Center.

This showing is offered at a discount for Family Weekend students and families. Enter discount code "UCFAMILY" on the ticket site above. 

Presented in collaboration with Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, an enchanting, brutal vampire myth and coming-of-age love story adapted from the bestselling novel and award-winning film. Oskar is a bullied, lonely teenage boy living with his mother on a housing estate at the edge of town when a series of sinister killings rock the neighborhood. Eli is the young girl who has just moved in next door. She doesn’t go to school and never leaves the flat by day. Sensing in each other a kindred spirit, the two become devoted friends. What Oskar doesn’t know is that Eli has been a teenager for a very long time. 

By Jack Thorne and based on the novel by John Ajvide Lindqvist.
Guest Director Brian Isaac Phillips from Cincinnati Shakespeare Company
Featured CSC actors Barry Mulholland, Kelly Mengelkoch, Geoffrey Barnes II, and Billy Chace

Join Veterans Programs & Services staff for boot camp! All fitness levels are welcome!

Check out UC's "GRID" tailgate music, marching band, the CATwalk, food for purchase, and more prior to kickoff.

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 a QR code to see DAAP’s facilities. Log onto the university wi-fi. Headphones are recommended. 

Show your Family Weekend wristband for access to the Campus Recreation Center's facilities. You will need to sign a waiver upon entry.

Meet UC's 30th President Neville G. Pinto and fuel up before the football game with some decadent donut treats.

The College for Engineering and Applied Science (CEAS) Tribunal presents a showcase of student organizations, fun activities, informational booths, and demos of student projects! Students and families from all colleges welcome!

Check in to receive your Family Weekend materials to access events. If you're one of the first 4,000 to check-in, you will also receive our 2023 sweatshirt!

Soul Palette art coaches will guide you in creating your UC-themed canvas masterpiece! Advance ticket purchase required. Enter the Campus Recreation Center classrooms hall from the staircase or elevator on UC MainStreet. This event is NOT in the Campus Recreation Center.

Join us in Fifth Third Arena to cheer on the Bearcats as they take on Baylor! We'll have the game on the big screen, as well as fun games and activities for the whole family. Younger siblings should stop by to grab a free  Future Bearcats t-shirt! This event is co-sponsored by Enrollment Management. UC has a clear bag policy for Fifth Third Arena.

Wear RED to cheer on the Bearcats as they take on Baylor at Nippert Stadium! Tickets required. UC has a clear bag policy for Nippert Stadium.

Visit the Hospitality Suite to ask questions, grab water or snacks, and take a bathroom break. We will also be giving away FREE Family Weekend t-shirts from prior years, while supplies last. If you're arriving late, you can also grab your check-in materials here.

This showing is offered at a discount for Family Weekend students and families. Enter discount code "UCFAMILY" on the ticket site above. 

Presented in collaboration with Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, an enchanting, brutal vampire myth and coming-of-age love story adapted from the bestselling novel and award-winning film. Oskar is a bullied, lonely teenage boy living with his mother on a housing estate at the edge of town when a series of sinister killings rock the neighborhood. Eli is the young girl who has just moved in next door. She doesn’t go to school and never leaves the flat by day. Sensing in each other a kindred spirit, the two become devoted friends. What Oskar doesn’t know is that Eli has been a teenager for a very long time. 

By Jack Thorne and based on the novel by John Ajvide Lindqvist.
Guest Director Brian Isaac Phillips from Cincinnati Shakespeare Company
Featured CSC actors Barry Mulholland, Kelly Mengelkoch, Geoffrey Barnes II, and Billy Chace

Join us for a UC scavenger hunt! Find some unique campus spots, capture some memorable photos of your family, and make it back to the starting point! Every family who completes the challenge gets a prize!

In this family favorite, Mike and Sulley attend Monsters University and develop a heated rivalry that puts their education in danger in this prequel set before they were both star employees at Monsters, Inc.! We'll also have kids activities, including character coloring sheets and make your own monster stickers!

Chill out with College of Arts & Sciences Dean and chemist James Mack, PhD, as he demonstrates how to make ice cream using chemistry! Several audience members will get the chance to taste his recipe. Following the demonstration, Cincinnati favorite Graeters Ice Cream will be shared while supplies last. Students and families from all colleges are welcome.

Join us for Fall Fest! We have activities for the whole family to celebrate the season, including the haunted hunt, mini golf, caricaturists, cookie decorating, and a variety of crafts (create your own fall sugar scrub, bracelet making, and more)! Get cozy with tasty fall treats and our coffee bar! This event is co-sponsored with Resident Education & Development.

Join us for movie night! Free Halloween-themed popcorn bags while supplies last! We're screening Haunted Mansion (2023), rated PG-13. The narrative tells the story of mother-son tandem Gabbie and Travis as they try to get rid of the mansion's resident ghosts. They enlist the help of a priest while a paranormal tour guide and a psychic are also in on the ride for this exorcism purge. But with the presence of entities like the Hatbox Ghost, it's going to be a big challenge. This film is a theatrical adaptation of The Haunted Mansion Disney theme park attraction.This event is limited to the first 350 guests.

Presented in collaboration with Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, an enchanting, brutal vampire myth and coming-of-age love story adapted from the bestselling novel and award-winning film. Oskar is a bullied, lonely teenage boy living with his mother on a housing estate at the edge of town when a series of sinister killings rock the neighborhood. Eli is the young girl who has just moved in next door. She doesn’t go to school and never leaves the flat by day. Sensing in each other a kindred spirit, the two become devoted friends. What Oskar doesn’t know is that Eli has been a teenager for a very long time. 

By Jack Thorne and based on the novel by John Ajvide Lindqvist.
Guest Director Brian Isaac Phillips from Cincinnati Shakespeare Company
Featured CSC actors Barry Mulholland, Kelly Mengelkoch, Geoffrey Barnes II, and Billy Chace

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 a QR code to see DAAP’s facilities. Log onto the university wi-fi. Headphones are recommended. 

Visit the Hospitality Suite to ask questions, grab water or snacks, and take a bathroom break. We will also be giving away FREE Family Weekend t-shirts from prior years, while supplies last. If you're arriving late, you can also grab your check-in materials here.

Join our Counseling & Psychological Services (CAPS) staff for a mindfulness walk through Burnet Woods, UC's neighboring city park. In addition to physical activity, mindful walking reduces stress and boosts your mood. Join with or without your Bearcat for an early morning refresher!

Join us for Outdoor Morning Yoga & Coffee to celebrate Family Weekend! This slow-paced flow will take you through physical dynamic movements focused on proper alignment and breathing. This type of practice is great for all fitness levels, helping ease anxiety, improve balance and improve energy flow. Note: Bring water and a yoga mat, blanket or towel, if you have one. We will have a limited quantity of mats available for use that will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. 

A Family Weekend tradition! Join us for live jazz, brunch, and breathtaking city views from the Belle of Cincinnati! Advance ticket purchase required. This event is sold out. 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. 

Join us in a game of Twister on the wall. This is a classic game that has been transformed into a fun activity on the climbing wall that requires great listening and problem-solving skills. Note: Children must be at least 5 years old or fit into a climbing harness to climb. Anyone under the age of 18 will need a parent or guardian signature on a waiver and they must be present for the duration of their visit.

Find and visit designated spots around UC! Photograph your family completing the activities at each spot to win exciting prizes! 

This curated exhibition showcases the talent and diversity of production within the art, craft, and design professions from DAAP Alumni. Participants represent five decades of graduates (1970-2021) from a variety of programs. 

“What We Brought with Us" delves into the profound significance of the belongings people have carried with them when forced to flee persecution, suffering, and war. These personal objects hold immense symbolic weight, representing the intricate web of human relationships that constitute a settled life. However, beyond their material value, these items also embody hope—a seed that must take root in unfamiliar soil. When individuals are uprooted from their homes, the selection of their possessions may be hasty and chaotic, driven by urgency and confusion. Plus, along the journey to a new home, objects may be lost, traded, stolen, or abandoned due to their impracticality. What remains may acquire new meaning and be a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. “What We Brought with Us" invites us to question our relationship with possessions and each other. It prompts us to reflect on what truly matters to us and what we consider most precious. Does a single object have the power to represent a lost world?

Show your Family Weekend wristband for access to the Campus Recreation Center's facilities. You will need to sign a waiver upon entry.

Join H20 Cincy for their weekly Sunday services.

Cincinnati Women's Basketball is hosting its inaugural Fan Fest. The open practice will provide fans an exclusive opportunity to hear from Coach Merriweather and watch the team take the court ahead of the program's first Big 12 season. Doors will open at 1pm. The first 500 fans in attendance will receive ice cream, and giveaways will be distributed throughout the event. An autograph session will take place following the event. You don't want to miss it!

This showing is offered at a discount for Family Weekend students and families. Enter discount code "UCFAMILY" on the ticket site above. 

Presented in collaboration with Cincinnati Shakespeare Company, an enchanting, brutal vampire myth and coming-of-age love story adapted from the bestselling novel and award-winning film. Oskar is a bullied, lonely teenage boy living with his mother on a housing estate at the edge of town when a series of sinister killings rock the neighborhood. Eli is the young girl who has just moved in next door. She doesn’t go to school and never leaves the flat by day. Sensing in each other a kindred spirit, the two become devoted friends. What Oskar doesn’t know is that Eli has been a teenager for a very long time. 

By Jack Thorne and based on the novel by John Ajvide Lindqvist.
Guest Director Brian Isaac Phillips from Cincinnati Shakespeare Company
Featured CSC actors Barry Mulholland, Kelly Mengelkoch, Geoffrey Barnes II, and Billy Chace

Called “contemporary chamber trailblazers” by the Boston Globe, Hub New Music is a “nimble quartet of winds and strings” (NPR) forging new paths in 21st-century repertoire. The ensemble’s ambitious commissioning projects and “appealing programs” (New Yorker) celebrate the rich diversity of today’s classical music landscape. Learn more at hubnewmusic.org. 

Don't miss your chance to meet Cincy's most famous animals -- Lucille the Bearcat and Fiona and Fritz the Hippos. Family Weekend guests get discounted tickets all weekend (adults $16.50, children $12.50, parking $8). Purchase discounted tickets here!

Prepare thyself for a grand Renaissance Festival! Step back in time to this 30-acre recreated 16th Century English village and enjoy over 400 years of fun with food and entertainment, including jousting, music, dancing, juggling, sword-fighting, storytelling, and more! Open Saturday and Sunday.

Roller coasters won’t be the only attractions conjuring up screams during the fall at Kings Island. 2022's "Best Theme Park Halloween Event" in the country as voted on by USA TODAY readers, Halloween Haunt is the most immersive and haunting Halloween attraction in Greater Cincinnati, with a combination of unimaginable scares, chills and thrills that can’t be found anywhere else. Halloween Haunt is intended for mature audiences and is not recommended for children under 13.

Take a walk and enjoy over 180 public art installations around the city. With over 40 in the downtown area alone, this is a great place to start your masterpiece tour. View the map of murals here.  ArtWorks provides a public art program that enriches our region while providing job opportunities to youth apprentices and professional artists.