Family and Friends Weekend

Family and Friends Weekend is an annual event that brings thousands of family members to the University of º£½ÇÉçÇø to reconnect with their Black Bear! This event is for families of all sizes, dynamics, and class years. It is the University’s time to celebrate the fall season in New England, honor our traditions, and enjoy the company of students and their families, faculty and staff, alumni, and members of the extended Black Bear community. 

Image collage with photos of Uº£½ÇÉçÇø students and their families. Includes the wording "Family & Friends Weekend October 2nd-4th 2026"

With generous support from the

University Credit Union

University Credit Union (UCU) Logo

Family and Friends Weekend is scheduled for Friday, October 2, 2026 and Saturday, October 3, 2026! Click the buttons below for more information.

Student Involvement

Online Registration will open in early July!

If you miss the deadline for registration, don’t fret! You are still able to register in person during the event.

To continue to re-imagine our Family and Friends Weekend experiences, there will be a small registration fee of $30 for all attendees. This added cost will help to create an unforgettable experience for your family! No need to register your student as they get into all of our events (with the exception of the Paint and Sip and others as noted) for free. Registration is by individual, children under 10 get in for free, just let us know at the check in table!

What’s included:

  • Discount on some Uº£½ÇÉçÇø sporting event tickets 
  • Entry to all non-ticketed events 
  • Football ticket to the Black Bear Football Game
    • Tickets are digital and require complete contact information upon registration
  • and more!

Exclusive Family & Friends Weekend Offer

As part of Family & Friends Weekend, registrants receive a ticket to the football game, but may purchase add-on tickets for children ages 10 and under and for their current Uº£½ÇÉçÇø student, making it easy to enjoy the game together.

Please note that current Uº£½ÇÉçÇø students are eligible to receive a complimentary student ticket. However, complimentary student tickets are subject to availability and seating locations may differ from your reserved seats. If you would like to ensure your student is seated with you, we encourage you to purchase the Family & Friends Weekend student add-on ticket.

*Tickets subject to availability as supplies last

Pre-Order your t-shirt to make sure you get one!  Pre-Order will end at NOON on Friday, September 11, 2026. Shirts will still be available at check-in while supplies last. We will have a limited number of shirts for purchase at check-in – make sure to arrive early and ask about them if you missed the pre-order deadline!

Below are our items for purchase for the weekend. Look through the offerings and make sure to get your items while supplies last!

Do you need to reach someone about Family and Friends Weekend? Reach out to our team at um.getinvolved@maine.edu

The Family and Friends shirts are a great way to commemorate your weekend! The shirts are $20 for pre-orders, though if you miss the deadline we will have a limited number for purchase at check-in (though the price changes to $25 per shirt). Below is this year’s design!

The ‘Class of’ shirts are a great way to show off the year your student graduates! The shirts are $20 for pre-orders, though if you miss the deadline we will have a limited number for purchase at check-in (though the price changes to $25 per shirt). We will offer shirts for the following classes:

  • Class of 2027
  • Class of 2028
  • Class of 2029
  • Class of 2030

Below is the general design, with the year changing based on your selection!

º£½ÇÉçÇø Black Bear Logo over a blue background. Text reading "Class of 202X".

Join other participants Friday night (October 2) at 7pm in a paint and sip in our Wells Central Pub. The registration fee is $20 per person, but includes all the materials you need to create a piece of art to bring home and remind you of the fun you have had! Beer, wine, and snacks are available for purchase.

We will have a limited number of commemorative Family and Friends branded steins for sale at check-in. Each stein is $15 and will only be available at check-in while supplies last! The steins hold up to 12 ounces and the design is below.

Uº£½ÇÉçÇø parent taking a picture with their phone of a family throwing axes on the University Mall.

Friday, October 2 events

  • TBD: Check back later as we update our event offerings!

Saturday, October 3 events

  • TBD: Check back later as we update our event offerings!
Uº£½ÇÉçÇø families playing cornhole on the University Mall.
Uº£½ÇÉçÇø students in hammocks on the University Mall.

Sunday, October 4 events

  • TBD: Check back later as we update our event offerings!
Still image of alien planet with an aurora over a mountain.

Versant Power Astronomy Center

The Versant Power Astronomy Center has many shows.  Please see their schedule below.  Tickets are required for all shows and can be purchased through the .

The planetarium seats 50 maximum so advanced purchase is recommended. Tickets available online at  or by calling 207-581-1341. For show
information see .

Friday, October 2

  • 7:00 PM: Time

Saturday, October 3

  • 10:00 AM: Messengers of Time and Space
  • 11:30 AM: SPARK: The Universe in Us!
  • 1:00 PM: MOONBASE: The Next Step
  • 2:30 PM: The Chemistry of Life
  • 4:00 PM: Worlds Beyond Earth
  • 7:00 PM: Dark Side of the Moon – Pink Floyd (Music Show)

Sunday, October 4

  • 11:00 AM: God, Science and Our Search for Meaning
  • 12:30 PM: The Arctic
  • 2:00 PM: 3,2,1 Liftoff!
  • 4:00 PM: Styx: Mission to Mars (Music Show)

Local Housing Accommodations

 at the University of º£½ÇÉçÇø

Click the link above for a Family and Friends discounted price!






Freqently Asked Questions

Anyone you call family (parents, siblings, that aunt who pinches your cheeks every time she sees you, your neighbor down the street who shovels your driveway when it snows, I think you get the picture) is invited! If they are your family or friend, we want them to attend!

! (registration will go live in July)
To create greater experiences, a $25 registration fee is in effect. Students do not need to register, as they get into events for free with their º£½ÇÉçÇøcard!

In addition to the additional programming and opportunity to explore our campus, Family and Friends Weekend is an excellent opportunity to connect to your Black Bear in their home away from home. It can be an opportunity to bridge the gap between their lives both on and away from campus.

Family and Friends Weekend includes two days of activities and opportunities for you to engage with your student. Family Weekend is designed so you can choose how many events or opportunities you want to participate in. Each day has many activities so you’ll be able to pick what feels most relevant to you and exciting for your family.
If you are up for traveling on Friday, we will have nighttime entertainment and a chance to check in. Saturday is the busiest. Events start mid-morning and continue into the evening. Sunday is treated as a travel day, with light programming available in the morning.

Questions?

Email um.getinvolved@maine.edu