10 Fun Things To Do This Family Weekend at Binghamton

Meet President Stenger and an award-winning author

Head to the Anderson Center to see President Stenger and Parents Leadership Council Chair David Cohan as they welcome everyone to the beginning of Family Weekend! Right after, critically acclaimed author of How to Raise an Adult, Real American and How to Be An Adult Julie Lythcott-Haims will take the stage as this year’s guest speaker.

Celebrate your school spirit and enjoy a picnic-style lunch

The annual Family Weekend Lunch and Baxter’s Spirit Celebration are great ways to enjoy the company of your family while watching some of Binghamton’s best performers. Baxter will be there, of course, so come by and take a picture together! Check out the timing and menu options here.

Take family photos

It can be hard to get the whole family together for a picture, so make sure to come get one taken by a professional photographer! You can have your portrait taken for free on both Saturday and Sunday. Get access to your original photo on the Bearcat Family Facebook page!

Tour the on-campus Art Museum

The Binghamton University Art Museum welcomes families to join them for a tour! First, you’ll visit the main gallery, which currently features a display by Ed Wilson titled “The Sculptor as Afro-humanist.” Wilson was a former member of the studio faculty at Binghamton and an innovator in sculpture, public artwork and accessible art that promotes activism. Afterward, check out highlights from our permanent collection, art that has been curated for decades.

Join the rubber duck hunt

I had to include this one — it’s my favorite event of the weekend! The Apartments Community comes together to create a massive search for hundreds of rubber ducks. Whatever you find can be turned in for small candy prizes or, if you’re lucky, some larger prize baskets!

Attend residential community festivals

Family Weekend is a special time for our on-campus living communities to get together and host some super-fun events. Play lawn games at CIW, enjoy fall-themed activities and refreshments at Mountainview, or play board games and watch performances at Dickinson!

Experience performance art like never before

Are you interested in hearing refined music, enjoying a capella or opening your mind to hypnotism and improv? Binghamton’s musical highlight events this year provide all these opportunities.

Comedian Colin Mochrie from Whose Line Is It Anyway? and famed hypnotist Asad Mecci will present “Hyprov,” a hybrid performance of improv, hypnosis and music. This is a high-octane, audience-interactive performance you can’t miss!

There are performances from the University Symphony Orchestra, University Wind Symphony, Harpur Chorale and Treble Chorus on Saturday!

Come see our many a capella groups come together to perform for free at the Anderson Center.

Take a guided tour of the Nature Preserve

This guided tour is the perfect opportunity if your family has never explored the Nature Preserve. Even if you’ve walked the trail many times, our guides can show you things you might have never seen, so take a tour and experience it together!

Wind down at the Family Fun Bonfire

After a long day exploring campus, head to Newing for a family bonfire! Fall has officially started, so get in the spirit, toast some marshmallows and enjoy one of the first evenings of the season. #PumpkinSpiceBing

Head to the Union for the Late Nite Carnival

Ride a mechanical bull, play carnival games, and enjoy popcorn, pizza, and snow cones at the Late Nite Carnival! This is definitely the best event to end a great Family Weekend.

For a full list of events and to register, go online!

Jillian McCarthy is an intern for the Office of Media and Public Relations, and a junior majoring in English. She hopes to become an entertainment journalist. In her free time she loves to play guitar, watch movies and read.

Stephen Folkerts is an intern for the Office of Public Media and Relations, and a senior majoring in English. He hopes to work in ministry and publishing. In his spare time, he enjoys jazz drumming, poetry and basketball.