Family Weekend
A Cornell family tradition, September 25–27, 2026
We can’t wait to welcome Cornell families to campus this fall for Family Weekend 2026!
Family Weekend has been a Cornell tradition since 1952, bringing students and their families together for a weekend of connection, celebration, and campus community. It is a chance to experience Cornell alongside your student, meet faculty and staff, explore campus, and make lasting memories together in Ithaca.
Throughout the weekend, families can attend programs and open houses, enjoy student performances and campus traditions, cheer on the Big Red, and spend meaningful time with their student. This year’s schedule includes signature events such as the Welcome Reception with President Kotlikoff, Family Celebration Lunch, Sunset on the Slope, the Family Weekend Comedy Show, football vs. Yale, academic and campus partner programs, and opportunities to explore Cornell’s beautiful campus.
Start Planning Your Weekend
The full schedule of events, including event descriptions, locations, and additional details, will be available on Tuesday, July 28. The Schedule Overview is available now to help you preview the weekend and begin identifying the events you may want to attend.
Before registration opens, we encourage you to visit the Plan Your Visit page for helpful information about check-in, lodging, transportation, dining, and parking.
Registration for Family Weekend will open on Monday, August 3, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. ET. Some events require advance tickets or additional fees, so reviewing the schedule before registration opens can help you feel prepared.
To learn more about the weekend and what to expect, join us for our Cornell Family Conversation on Family Weekend on Wednesday, July 29. During this session, Parent & Family Programs will walk through the weekend experience, registration process, and helpful planning tips.
Quick Links
A Few Things to Know
- Family Weekend events typically begin mid-day Friday and continue through mid-afternoon Sunday.
- Most events are included with Family Weekend registration, while some events require advance tickets or additional fees.
- A Family Weekend name badge is required for most events. Families will receive name badges at check-in.
- Hotels and accommodations in the Ithaca area fill up quickly. We strongly encourage families to make lodging reservations as early as possible.
- Your student may have other weekend commitments, so we encourage you to review the schedule together and plan your time thoughtfully.
We look forward to welcoming you to campus September 25–27 and sharing this Cornell tradition with you and your family.
💌 Questions? Contact Parent & Family Programs at families@cornell.edu.