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Cornell University

Student & Campus Life

Plan Your Family Weekend Visit

Plan Your Visit to Cornell for Family Weekend 2025

October 31–November 2, 2025

We’re thrilled to welcome you to campus this fall for Family Weekend 2025! Whether you're visiting for the first time or returning to reconnect, this is a special opportunity to spend meaningful time with your student and experience life at Cornell.

Registration & Schedule

Family Weekend events will take place from midday Friday through mid-afternoon Sunday, and will include academic open houses, fun social events, student performances, meals, and more.

  • Registration opens: Early September 2025
  • Full event schedule: Coming late August 2025

Start planning now by viewing our Schedule Overview.

Want a preview? Check out the 2024 Family Weekend Schedule to see the types of activities typically offered.

Check-In Location

Family Weekend check-in will be held in the Toni Morrison Hall Multipurpose Room. Specific check-in times will be posted later this summer and included in your registration confirmation.

Lodging & Transportation

Hotels and accommodations in the Ithaca area tend to book quickly for Family Weekend. We recommend making your reservations as early as possible.

Dining on Campus

Families are invited to enjoy meals at various Cornell Dining locations across campus:

  • Most locations are cashless and accept major credit/debit cards, Apple Pay, and Google Pay
  • Students may use guest meal swipes in dining halls for family members
  • No advance reservations are required for dining

Parking Information

During Family Weekend, standard parking rules will be in effect across campus. However, several designated lots will be made available for complimentary family parking.

More detailed parking instructions will be shared closer to the event.

Accessibility & Accommodations

Cornell University is committed to providing universal access to all of our events. If you or a family member needs accessibility accommodations—such as ASL interpretation, accessible seating, or parking—please contact us at families@cornell.edu.

Advance notice is necessary to arrange for some accessibility needs. Requests for interpreters must be made no later than Sunday, September 29, 2025.

We are unable to provide wheelchairs or transport chairs for guests. If mobility support is needed, we recommend renting a wheelchair or transport chair in advance and bringing it with you to campus.

For more information about accessibility at Cornell, visit accessibility.cornell.edu.

What to Wear

Fall in Ithaca can bring a mix of sunshine, rain, and chilly temperatures. We recommend dressing in layers and wearing comfortable walking shoes—many Family Weekend events will involve moving around campus or spending time outdoors.

Explore the Area

If you’re looking for things to do in between Family Weekend events, Ithaca offers beautiful hiking trails, waterfalls, and local shops and restaurants. Visit Visit Ithaca for ideas on how to make the most of your trip!

Still Have Questions?

We’ve got answers! Check out our Family Weekend FAQ for more details about registration, what's included, guests, and more.

We’re here to help! Contact us anytime at families@cornell.edu and be sure to check back in late August for updates.