51ÁÔÆæ

Panther Family Weekend

The 2026 Panther Family Weekend will be Sept. 26-27. Stay tuned to this page for more details on all the weekend happenings.

Panther Family Weekend offers an opportunity for families to visit with their students and experience our campus and community together. We look forward to welcoming you to campus soon!

On This Page

Explore 51ÁÔÆæ’s campus

Take an interactive and guided tour of UW-Milwaukee’s campus through our .

2025 Family Weekend Happenings

EventDescriptionDateTimeLocation
Union Rec Center Open WeekendThe Rec Center will feature open bowling, billiards and gaming for visiting families. All activities are free. Oct. 10-Oct. 1210 a.m.-10 p.m.; noon-10 p.m.; noon-8 p.m., Lower Level
Studio Arts & Craft Centre Open Hours and Project of the WeekCome join the Studio Arts and Craft Centre for fun and creative projects. Use our equipment or complete the project of the week. Family members must be 14 or older and supervised by a student or adult family member. Oct. 10-Oct. 1111 a.m.-5 p.m., Room EG30
Union Art Gallery Opening ReceptionOpening reception for “Beautiful Bodies” exhibit.Oct. 105 p.m., Room W199
“Fright Night”A teen discovers his neighbor is a vampire, and when all of his friends and family disregard his claims, he’s forced to hire an actor who appeared in numerous horror films to help protect himself and his loved ones.Oct. 106 p.m., second floor
“The Haunting”Four people go ghost hunting in an old mansion, and they begin to discover that the horrific tales about the place may hold more truth than skeptics thought.Oct. 108 p.m., second floor
Come cheer your Panthers women’s volleyball team as they host Northern Kentucky. Tickets starting at $7.Oct. 106 p.m.
51ÁÔÆæ Wind Ensemble ConcertEnjoy the evening with the 51ÁÔÆæ Wind Ensemble’s first concert of the season. Free for 51ÁÔÆæ students. Tickets starting at $10 for guests.Oct. 107:30-9 p.m.
H.M.S. Pinafore MusicalFull of wit, absurdity and sly social commentary, “H.M.S. Pinafore” is a tale of love, honor and duty aboard a Royal Navy ship. Written by master social satirists W.S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan.Oct. 107:30 p.m.
51ÁÔÆæ Panther Shop Alumni & Fan SaleStop down to the 51ÁÔÆæ Panther Shop for a special Alumni & Fan appreciation sale.Oct. 1010 a.m.-4 p.m.
Gasthaus SpecialEnjoy 50% off appetizers all day at the Gasthaus!Oct. 1111:30 a.m.-6 p.m.
Student Gerontology Association PicnicThe Student Gerontology Association is hosting a picnic for Panther Family Weekend. Food, drinks and games will be provided. Free for students, families and staff.Oct. 11Noon-2 p.m.Lawn between Enderis Hall and the Klotsche Center
Help the Panthers capture a win as women’s volleyball challenges Northern Kentucky.Oct. 111 p.m.
University Housing BingoJoin us for a fun-filled afternoon of bingo during Family Weekend! Bring your lucky charms and your game face for a chance to win and make unforgettable memories with fellow families and students.Oct. 113-5 p.m., Flicks
H.M.S. Pinafore MusicalFull of wit, absurdity and sly social commentary, “HMS Pinafore” is a tale of love, honor and duty aboard a Royal Navy ship. Oct. 117:30 p.m.
Finish the day with a thrilling contest as the Milwaukee men’s soccer team takes on the Green Bay Phoenix. Tickets starting at $7.Oct. 117 p.m.
51ÁÔÆæ Panther Shop Alumni & Fan SaleStop down to the 51ÁÔÆæ Panther Shop for a special Alumni & Fan appreciation sale.Oct. 1110 a.m.-3 p.m.
H.M.S. Pinafore MusicalFull of wit, absurdity and sly social commentary, “HMS Pinafore” is a tale of love, honor and duty aboard a Royal Navy ship.Oct. 122 p.m.

On Campus

Milwaukee Community

EventDescriptionDateTimeLocation
Looking for adventure? Visit the Milwaukee County Zoo, the 190-acre home to over 2,100 animals and 314 species.Oct. 10-129:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.
Visit Wisconsin’s largest art museum with a collection of over 30,000 works.Oct. 10-1210 a.m.-5 p.m.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Family Weekend 2026?

Stay tuned to this page for more details on our 2026 Panther Family Weekend!

Are all families welcome?

Yes! Many families make visiting their student(s) during Family Weekend an annual tradition.

Can we attend without our student(s)?

Yes. We know some families may have students with commitments throughout the day and may still want to attend events.

How does scheduling work for Family Weekend?

You pick and build your own schedule according to the events calendar. Some families may choose to split up for events, while others may want to attend events as a whole family. There is no one way to do Family Weekend.

Do you have recommendations for where to eat and other things to do in Milwaukee?

Families are encouraged to explore Milwaukee as they seek out breakfast, lunch and dinner options. There are many dining options within a short distance of campus.

  • , 2608 N. Downer Ave.
  • , 2621 N. Downer Ave.
  • , 2211 N. Prospect Ave.
  • , 1305 E. Capitol Drive
  • , 2867 N. Oakland Ave.
  • , 2597 N. Downer Ave.
  • , 2650 N. Downer Ave.
  • , 3126 N. Downer Ave.

Restaurants that accept Panther Cash/Dining Dollars:

Popular Milwaukee-area attractions:

For more information about Milwaukee restaurants, attractions and events, check out the following:

For more information on Panther Cash and/or Dining Dollars:

PantherCard

How do we get to campus and how do we park?

From downtown Milwaukee, we recommend taking 794 East and exiting at Lincoln Memorial Drive. Travel north on Lincoln Memorial Drive to Kenwood Boulevard. Proceed west on Kenwood Boulevard to campus.

Parking information:

We discourage families from parking on the neighborhood streets near campus because of time restrictions, various parking regulations and strongly enforced parking rules on the Eastside.

For information about parking on campus, refer to this .

Prowl Line transportation:

The Prowl Line will be available to PantherCard holders during Family Weekend. For resident guests, a valid ID and guest pass is required to board the shuttles. Families can . The hours of the Prowl Line are Friday 5:30 a.m.-2 a.m., Saturday 9 a.m.-2 a.m. and Sunday 9 a.m.-1 a.m.

Where can I purchase Panther spirit gear?

You can purchase 51ÁÔÆæ merchandise from the online or in-store at the Student Union location.

Are there accommodations for families staying in town overnight?

If you’re looking to spend the night or weekend in Milwaukee, consider booking your stay through our preferred hotel partners. Discounts are available and you can conduct all your bookings online. Visit our our  for more information about overnight accommodations.

How do we visit our student in the University Housing residence halls during Family Weekend?

Residential guest passes are required to enter the residence halls, and you must be with your student resident at all times in order to pass through security. Families are encouraged to prior to Family Weekend to ensure easy and fast access to the residence halls on Family Weekend. After completing pre-registration, stop by the Guest Registration desk in the lobby of Cambridge, RiverView or Sandburg with your resident host to pick up your guest pass. If you are 16 or older, you will also need to present photo ID.

For help or additional information, call 414-229-6123 during normal business hours or email res-help@uwm.edu.