Experience the best of Binghamton at Family Weekend 2025

Binghamton University Parent and Family Programs is welcoming students and their families to Family Weekend 2025, kicking off Friday, Oct. 10. This annual tradition offers a dynamic lineup of events designed to showcase the University’s spirited campus life, academic excellence and tight-knit community.

Registration for Family Weekend is open online until Oct. 3. Families may also register in person on Friday, Oct. 10 or Saturday, Oct. 11. For full details, visit the Family Weekend website.

Registration unlocks a new “Build My Schedule” feature, allowing users to tailor their own digital itinerary for Family Weekend. Notifications regarding this new feature will be sent to registered participants via email.

Upon arrival to campus, families must check in at the Mandela Room inside the University Union. Check-in hours are 4–7 p.m. Friday and 7:30–11:30 a.m. Saturday. Once checked in, families can dive into festivities across campus, including interactive activities, tasty treats and entertainment in residential communities and student spaces. Some events require advance registration or ticket purchase.

Families can begin their weekend on Friday evening by visiting the family bonfire at the Newing College Fire Pit or visiting Mountainview Amphitheatre, where Dawson Hollow will perform live music from 8–9:30 p.m.

Co-authors of How to Navigate Life, Belle Liang and Timothy Klein will give the weekend’s keynote speech on Saturday morning and hold a book signing after the event, sponsored by B-Healthy. Books are available for purchase online and at the Binghamton University Bookstore.

Make sure to grab your tickets to Baxter’s Lunch and Spirit Celebration! This event usually sells out quickly and will be held from 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. on Saturday at the Events Center. Join Baxter the Bearcat for a celebration full of Binghamton University spirit, music, tabling, activities, a T-shirt toss, contests, prizes and more! Tickets are required to attend this event, and early registration is encouraged. There will be special performances by the dance team, cheer team, spirit squads, pep band, Binghamton University athletes and, of course, Baxter!

Families can also test their athletic mettle and trivia knowledge at the Grit ’N’ Wit challenge 11 a.m.–3 p.m. Saturday on the Peace Quad. On Saturday night, the Family Weekend Carnival will run 8 p.m.–midnight in the University Union Tillman Lobby.

With more than 85 events planned — including concerts, open houses, campus tours, and student showcases — Family Weekend 2025 promises something for everyone.