Three people are standing on a wooden platform with scenic views of a lake and forested area in the background. One wears a "Northern Michigan University" sweatshirt.

Family Weekend

Save the Date: October 16-18, 2026

People are being served food under a large white tent. Two servers wearing gloves are placing food onto the plates of individuals on the other side of the table.

What is family weekend?

Family Weekend is a time for you to feel a part of your student’s college experience at Northern Michigan University. The schedule of events includes a variety of activities for your family to enjoy, and also allows for informal time with your Wildcat. Attend some or all at your own pace!

It’s a great weekend to be a Wildcat!

Aerial view of a college campus surrounded by autumn trees showing vibrant red, orange, and yellow foliage. Various buildings and roadways are visible, with a mountainous landscape in the distance.

When is family weekend?

Family Weekend takes place every fall semester, usually in October, just in time for fall colors and comfortable temperatures. The exact dates for the weekend are announced in the early summer. 

A woman holding a smiling child stands next to a person in a green and yellow sports mascot costume. Other people are in the foreground and background.

How do we participate in Family Weekend?

We are so excited to welcome you to campus! To participate in any of the weekend's activities, all you have to do is show up. To help us plan, we kindly ask that your student registers family members through the student event calendar, The Hub, for the Sugarloaf hike or Saturday morning breakfast buffet.  You do not need to register for other events. If your plans are still undecided or your student forgets to register—don't worry! We would still love for you to join us.

If you plan to attend one of the hockey games, tickets can be purchased at tickets.nmu.edu. 

If you need overnight accommodations, we recommend booking a local hotel as soon as possible, as rooms fill up quickly.