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 Schedule Overview is available now to help you preview the weekend and begin identifying the events you may want to attend. It includes a link to the full schedule of events, including event descriptions, locations, and additional details, and you can build your own personalized itinerary for the weekend.
Before registration opens, we encourage you to visit the Plan Your Visit page for helpful information about check-in, lodging, transportation, dining, and parking.
Some events require advance tickets or additional fees, so reviewing the schedule before registering can help you feel prepared.
Registration is now closed. Please reach out to families@cornell.edu for late registration options.
To learn more about the weekend and what to expect, check out the recording of our 2026 Family Weekend Cornell Family Conversation. During this session, Parent & Family Programs walked through the weekend experience, registration process, and helpful planning tips.
Join us for our Know Before You Come to Family Weekend Cornell Family Conversation on Monday, September 21 at 12 pm ET to learn more about the weekend and how to best prepare. Register here.
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.