Family Weekend offers a glimpse into a student’s daily life through academic and recreational events. Families are invited to attend specialized model classes, taught by world-renowned faculty, participate in gameday traditions and explore all Coral Gables has to offer. Parents and students alike can find the full schedule of events in the UMiami App, under Family Weekend.
Family Weekend has grown tremendously throughout the years. From 2018 to 2025, there has been a 91% increase in the number of families who have attended. Michael Baumhardt, senior director of Orientation and Commuter Student Involvement, credits this improvement to the effort that Canes families provide. “I’ve had the honor of coordinating Family Weekend and leading its tremendous growth over the past nine years,” said Baumhardt. “Family Weekend bridges home and campus, creating meaningful opportunities for families to experience firsthand the community, traditions, and transformative experiences that shape our students.”
Check-in and on-site registration begin Thursday, September 24 at the Shalala Student Center, and the fun continues from there. Families are able to participate in a variety of fitness classes at the Herbert Wellness Center, attend a religious event of their choosing, or simply enjoy live music and good food at the Rathskeller. The events have been creatively crafted for students and their families to enjoy time together.
The excitement continues throughout Friday with a special event taking place in the Shalala Student Center, Grand Ballroom. Best-selling author Elin Hilderbrand and current UM junior Shelby Cunningham, authors of The Academy and The Thoroughbreds, will be discussing and signing their new novel for attendees. A Family Weekend Pep Rally powered by Boost Mobile, will commence at Lakeside Patio at 5:30 p.m., followed by a block party and food truck rally along Stanford Circle. Come show your school spirit and what it looks like to be a Cane.
On Saturday at 6:30 p.m., students and their families are welcome to enjoy a Miami Hurricanes football game as the Canes play Central Michigan at Hard Rock Stadium. For students and their families attending the game, tickets must be purchased and claimed prior to game day. As noted during the Family Weekend registration process, if you would like your student to sit with you during the game, you must have purchased the same type of ticket for your student.
A watch party is being held at the Rathskeller for all those not wanting to attend the game in person, starting at 6 p.m. Entry is free, but a ticket is required as the venue has limited seating.
Students and families are encouraged to utilize the University-provided transportation, UBus, to get to the game. Students must have their claimed ticket and Cane Card, and families must have registered and paid to ride the bus with their student. Students and families can also enjoy an additional HurryCanes shuttle stop from Kearns Sports Hall of Fame to Pavia Garage to utilize UBus as well. The first bus departs for Hard Rock Stadium at 2:30 p.m. from Lakeside Village Plaza along Stanford Drive, and the final bus departs at 5:45 p.m., 45 minutes before kickoff.
The coordination of Family Weekend would not be possible without the campus-wide collaboration. Making it her mission to create a positive experience and transition for students, senior Caitlyn Babyak began as an Orientation Fellow, then an Orientation Leader and concluded her mission as a Student Program Coordinator of Training and Morale/Communications. “For me, I love seeing families get the opportunity to come together for a weekend that’s all about them, while also celebrating their student(s),” Babyak shared. “All our families get the chance to embrace what it means to be a Cane, and there’s something so special about watching them become part of the Canes community.”
Families who are not registered yet are still welcome to attend and register in person on September 24 and 25, while supplies last. For more information on Family Weekend, check out the OCSI website here.
