Family Weekend

With over 70 events, there is something for everyone. We will begin posting events in August and add events throughout the fall.

Special tours will include Old Main and Beaver Stadium (tickets are limited for the Beaver Stadium tour), housing sessions, student performances, academic events, and more, hosted throughout the weekend. There will also be varsity athletic competitions and theater performances. You will see Penn State students' incredible talent and skills at almost every event hosted during the weekend. We will share ticketing, reservation, and other details throughout the summer. 

Students are typically ready for a visit from home by this time in the semester. They may be tired and overwhelmed and in need of a little TLC (and, maybe cookies). They are also somewhat settled into their new "home" at Penn State and may be excited to share what they have discovered with you!

It's also a chance to experience something new at Penn State. Many of the events offered during Family Weekend are not frequently open to families and guests including tours of Old Main, the Student Farm, and the Breazeale Nuclear Reactor.

Registration is required. 

• The $25 per family registration fee* includes:
  • Campus buses at no extra charge.
  • Events including the Ice Cream Social, Welcome Breakfast, Football Game Watch Party, academic events, Old Main Bell Tower Tours, and more
  • Registration packet with lanyards, nametags, and special Penn State family gifts
  • Opportunity to purchase Beaver Stadium Tour tickets (these sell out quickly; ticket sale begins September 9 at 12:00 pm EST; link provided after completing registration in the confirmation email)
  • After you complete your registration, you will receive a confirmation email with additional instructions on how to register and/or purchase tickets to these events. Please note these events may fill up or sell out quickly.
  • Onsite registration is available for $40 per family.
• Parking is NOT included. Parking reservations will open October 10 at 12:00 pm ET. We will provide additional information prior to that date. There is plenty of parking for all families. 

Yes, we charge a fee to register your family.. This fee allows us to:

• Enhance the experience for families by improving the guest experience and enriching non-ticketed events.
• The registration fee includes a registration packet for each family.

You will register yourself and your family in the Parent and Family Experience portal. Please be sure that you have an account created in the portal (psu.campusesp.com). 

Yes, we will be offering fee waivers for up to 50 families. The fee waivers are designed to assist families of students with financial need as demonstrated by their student's financial aid package. 

Parking details will be shared in September.

Yes, but we prefer that you register online prior to the registration deadline. This allows us to better plan for every family and ensures you receive email communications with important information regarding Family Weekend. Pre-registered guests will also receive information about events that require additional registration or ticket purchase. Many of these events sell out very quickly. 

There may be a limited number of registration packets available for onsite registrants. These will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Registering by the deadline ensures a registration packet for your family.

Late registration is $40 per family. 

Yes, check-in is required. You will receive nametags and lanyards at check-in. These will be required to enter certain events hosted during the weekend. You will also receive a registration bag for your family filled with Penn State family items. 

Divorced parents/families have the option to submit together under one registration form or submit their registration forms separately.  Please note, the $25 registration fee is applied to every registration submission. Therefore, if registering separately, each party will be charged the $25 registration fee.  Students only need to be included on one registration form if registering separately.

• If registering as one family:
  • There will only be one registration fee. 
  • If you register separately:
    • There will be a separate registration fee for each party registering. Your student only needs to be registered under one party, not both.

Events begin at 2:00 p.m. on Friday and end at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday. Many families choose to come for the entire weekend, while others may drive in for a day (in that case, we recommend Saturday). Some events only happen once, while other events such as the Beaver Stadium Tours are held multiple times throughout the weekend. The Housing Fair where you can explore off-campus housing options is hosted on Sunday only.

The complete schedule will be posted online by late-August.

• If you cancel before September 26 at 5:00 p.m. ET, we can offer a 75% refund of your registration fee ($19.00)
• We are not able to provide a refund for cancellations after September 26.

Should your guest count change, updating your registration or contacting the Parents Program is unnecessary. Please let our staff/volunteers know how many are in your party when you check in. 

Yes, everyone is welcome. Family-friendly events will be hosted throughout the weekend. Keep in mind that Penn State is a large campus and you will be doing a lot of walking. There is ADA-compliant parking in all reservable parking locations. In most situations, you will not be able to park next to a building that is hosting the event and walking will be required. Comfortable shoes are a must. 

Students also love a visit from their dogs, but unless they are service animals, pets are not allowed in campus buildings. Dogs are allowed outside of campus buildings. 

University Park and the surrounding areas are popular places to visit and stay, especially on event weekends. Reserve accommodations early, especially for busy weekends including move-in and move-out, football games, Family Weekend, and Commencement.

Accommodations

• Penn State's hotel:  The Penn Stater
• Happy Valley Adventure Bureau
• Bellefonte Lodging (30 minutes)
• Altoona Lodging (45 minutes)

Suggestions for busy times such as Parents and Families Weekend:

• Keep checking for availability. Schedules change and many families will cancel reservations prior to the weekend.
• Try non-traditional rentals including Airbnb, VRBO, and StateCations.
• Contact the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau: happyvalley.com or 814-231-1400
• Search outside of the State College area:
  • From I-80 East (Northern New Jersey, New York, Long Island, etc.)
    • Try Lock Haven, Lamar, and Bellefonte
    • Camping/cabins: Bellefonte KOA; The Nature Inn at Bald Eagle
  • From 322 South (Harrisburg, Philly Area, Lancaster, MD/VA/DC, etc.)
    • Try Lewiston, Reedsville, Mifflintown, Boalsburg
    • Camping/cabins: Aikens Cabins at Bear Meadows
  • From 99 North (Pittsburgh, Ohio, etc.)
    • Try Altoona, Philipsburg, Clearfield

Family Weekend focuses on you and your student's Penn State experience. The crowds and other activities during a football weekend would prevent us from hosting many of the events families enjoy each year. There would also not be enough lodging and accommodations for both families and football fans. 

We recommend planning at least one meal in your student’s favorite dining commons. Penn State typically offers family meal deals at all-you-care-to-eat buffets in many of our locations throughout the weekend. 

Downtown State College and the surrounding areas offer a wide variety of wonderful restaurants. Parent volunteers in the bright green shirts may be able to provide recommendations or you can visit the Happy Valley Adventure Bureau for options.

You won’t want to leave without getting ice cream at the Berkey Creamery.

Yes, the University does not cancel classes for Family Weekend. However, you are welcome to enjoy the campus and any scheduled activities while they are in class.

Students may have exams and due dates the week following Family Weekend.  Encourage your student to plan ahead so they can enjoy your visit. 

We love weather at Penn State. Our meteorology department is one of the best in the country! 

The weather is typically beautiful with cooler days and lots of sunshine. Daily temps average in the low 60s. We don't usually see snow until November or December, but bring an umbrella. 

Here's a link to the Campus Weather Service to check out the forecast for the weekend. 

Family Weekend Blue Buses

• The Family Weekend Blue Buses will be available to transport you and your family. Please refer to the schedule of events for trolley stop locations. After the shuttle service has ended, we encourage family members to utilize the free CATABUS Blue and White Loops and Campus Shuttle to get around campus.

Free Buses: Blue and White Loops

• Guests are encouraged to use the FREE Blue and White Loops to get around. The Blue and White Loops can get you most places on campus and we have increased the number of buses so you should not have to wait more than about 10 minutes.
• The Campus Shuttle is free for all. 

Prior to the event, please contact the Parents Program at parents@psu.edu or 814-863-1313.