Family Weekend offers an opportunity for families to visit with their students in the fall and experience our campus and community together. Take advantage of the myriad programs offered throughout the weekend. No registration is required to attend Family Weekend; however, some individual events may require preregistration and/or an admission fee.

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Sign up for the Panther Prowl!

Families are encouraged to sign up for the beloved annual Panther Prowl 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, Oct. 14, 2024. Families and friends can receive a 10% discount if they register for the Panther Prowl through the Panther Family Weekend website! Register as a family, and use this discount code for 10% off the registration fee at checkout: friendsfamily23.

Family Weekend Happenings

EventDescriptionDateTimeLocationMore Info
Meet UW-MilwaukeeProspective students, find out what makes UWM special! Oct. 139 a.m.-12:30 p.m.UWM Student Union, 2200 E. Kenwood Blvd.Undergraduate Admissions
Team TriviaJoin University Housing for some team trivia with prizes!Oct. 135-6:30 p.m.UWM Sandburg Hall, Flicks, 3400 N. Maryland Ave.Sandburg Flicks
Fondy Farmers MarketFarmers market with produce, plants and food.Oct. 147 a.m.-2 p.m.2200 W. Fond du Lac Ave.Fondy Farmers Market
South Shore Farmers’ MarketFarmers market with produce, plants and food. Well-socialized dogs are allowed.Oct. 148 a.m.-NoonSouth Shore Park, 2900 S. Shore Dr.South Shore Farmers’ Market
Artist FairVisit the UWM Golda Meir Library for a great selection of handmade arts and craft by UWM students and recent alumni. Hosted by the UWM Studio Arts and Craft Centre.Oct. 149 a.m.-1 p.m.UWM Golda Meir Library, West Wing, Daniel Soref Commons, 2311 E. Hartford Ave.Artist Fair
Mitchell Park Floral DomeDelve into the artistry of life while admiring the beautiful architecture of nature.Oct. 149 a.m.-4 p.m.Mitchell Park Domes,
524 S. Layton Blvd.
Mitchell Park Domes
Shopping at the Panther ShopGet your Panther gear for the family.  Show your Panther Pride!Oct. 149 a.m.-3 p.m.UWM Student Union, Panther ShopPanther Shop
Graduate Student MeetupVisit us before the Panther Prowl! The Graduate School table with be stocked with bagels at 9 a.m. Meet up with other grad students!Oct. 149-10 a.m.UWM Garland Hall Parking Lot, 2441 E. Hartford Ave.Grad Student Wellness
Panther ProwlAlumni Association’s annual 5K Run/Walk through UWM’s neighborhood. A beloved Panther family event!Oct. 149 a.m. registration; 10 a.m. startUWM Garland Hall, 2441 E. Hartford Ave.Panther Prowl
Student Union Rec CenterAll activities in the Student Union Rec Center will be free for families! Spend your spare time bowling with us before you split from campus!Oct. 1410 a.m.-10 p.m.UWM Student Union Rec Center, 2200 E. Kenwood Blvd.Union Rec Center
Dia de la Familia@ UWMThe Roberto Hernadez Center will be showcasing the center, their services and resources. Snacks and hot cocoa.Oct. 1410 a.m.-NoonRoberto Hernandez Center, Bolton Hall, Room183Roberto Hernandez Center
Explore the Rehabilitation Professions Degree ProgramsFuture college students, families and friends are invited to an open forum on the rehabilitation degree programs offered at UWM.Oct. 1410 a.m.-NoonJames and Yvonne Ziemer Clinical Simulation Center,
UWM Northwest Quad Building C,
Red Elevators – 3rd Floor
Map of the Simulation Center
Milwaukee Home Movie DayWatch other people’s home movies! Plus, bring in your VHS, Mini-DV, 8mm, Super 8 or 16mm formats to have them inspected, repaired and screened.Oct. 1410 a.m.-4 p.m.Mitchell Hall, Fine Arts Cinema Room B91,
3203 N. Downer Ave.
Home Movie Day
Gasthaus Open for Lunch and DinnerJoin us after the Panther Prowl or your other Family Weekend events. The Gasthaus has been a UWM tradition for over 50 years.Oct. 1411 a.m.-8 p.m.Basement of UWM Student Union, 2200 E. Kenwood Blvd.UWM Campus Restaurants
Treats & TriviaJoin the School of Information Studies after the Panther Prowl for treats, trivia and fun! Complete the trivia questions and win a prize.Oct. 1411 a.m.-1 p.m.Northwest Quadrant, Building D, Room 3800
2025 E. Newport Ave.
Treats & Trivia
Greene Geological Museum Open HouseCome celebrate Earth Science Week! The Greene Geological Museum will have activities for all ages.Oct. 1411 a.m.-3 p.m.Lapham Hall, Room 168,
3209 N. Maryland Ave.
Earth Science Week
Solar Eclipse Viewing PartyExperience a partial solar eclipse visible from 11 a.m.-1 p.m., and enjoy free planetarium shows from 12:30-2 p.m.Oct. 1411 a.m.-2:30 p.m.Physics Building and Cunningham Parking Lot,
1900 E. Kenwood Blvd.
Eclipse Viewing Party
Swim & Dive vs. Alumni MeetMen’s and Women’s Swim and Dive vs. Alumni meet, starting at noon.Oct. 14Noon-3 p.m.Klotsche Natatorium,
3409 N. Downer Ave.
Swim and Dive Schedule
Bark and BBQBring Fido out for an afternoon to sniff out treats and more at over 30 dog-centric vendors. Humans can enjoy a variety of food trucks and activities!Oct. 14Noon-4 p.m.Harley Davidson Museum,
400 W. Canal St.
Bark and BBQ
Dinner DetectiveAmerica’s largest true-crime, interactive comedy dinner show. Solve a hilarious mystery while you feast!Oct. 146-9 p.m.Hyatt Regency Milwaukee,
333 W. Kilbourn Ave.
Dinner Detective Info
Shorewood Farmers MarketFarmers market selling produce plants and food.Oct. 159:30 a.m.-1 p.m.Estabrook Park,
4100 Estabrook Parkway
Shorewood Farmers Market
Riverwest MarketFarmers market selling produce plants and food.Oct. 1510 a.m.-3 p.m.2700 N. Pierce St.Riverwest Market
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey presents The Greatest Show On EarthA circus with musical performances blended with aerial artistry, modern comedy and acts on high-wire, trapeze and bicycles.Oct. 1511 a.m.-4 p.m.Fiserv Forum,
1111 Vel R. Phillips Ave.
Greatest Show on Earth
Women’s Soccer vs IUPUIFree T-shirt giveaway to the first 200 students!Oct. 151-3 p.m.Laura Moynihan Field at Engelmann Stadium,
2033 E. Hartford Ave.
Women’s Soccer Tickets
Florentine OperaPerforming “Elixir of Love,” set in Sonoma’s wine country. Oct. 152 p.m.Uihlein Hall,
929 N Water St.
Find Tickets
Run Bambi RunAttend the fun and interactive musical that’s for people of all ages.Oct. 152 p.m.Quadracci Powerhouse Theater,
108 E Wells St.
Find Tickets

Frequently Asked Questions

When is Family Weekend?

Family Weekend officially takes place the weekend of Oct. 14. Join us for many fun activities on campus and in Milwaukee all 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 event 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.

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

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

Because of the Panther Prowl route street closures on N. Downer Ave. and E. Kenwood Blvd., traffic taking N. Lincoln Memorial Dr. along the lakefront will be directed north onto N. Lake Dr. Please follow N. Lake Dr. and turn left onto E. Edgewood Ave. until you reach Klotsche and Pavilion Parking.

Coming from south or west of campus (Ex: I-43 N or S, downtown):

Because of street closures, we recommend taking Locust St. to N. Oakland Ave. From Locust St. turn north onto Oakland Ave. Turn east on E. Edgewood Ave. to reach the Pavilion Parking garage.

Parking information:

Parking is available in the UWM Pavilion Parking Garage. The address is: 3409 N. Downer Ave., Milwaukee. All-day parking is $3. As you enter the Pavilion garage, take a ticket at the entrance gate. Before exiting for the day, take your ticket to one of the Pavilion garage pay stations to pay your $3 discounted rate (pay stations are located at each first-floor Pavilion entrance). Then proceed to your vehicle and use your ticket to exit the garage.

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.

If arriving after Panther Prowl events (around 1 p.m.), the UWM Student Union Parking Garage will be available.

Find a parking and transit map of campus.

Prowl Line transportation:

The Prowl Line is and will be available on Saturday, Oct. 14, for Family Weekend. The shuttles only accept guests who possess guest passes, which you can obtain from Sandburg, with your student. The hours of the Prowl Line are 9 a.m.-2 a.m.

Where can I purchase Panther gear?

You can purchase UWM merch at our Panther Shop, located on the campus level of the UWM Student Union.

Where can we find out about overnight accommodations?

Please visit our lodging page for more information about staying overnight during Family Weekend.

What is the guest pass policy in the University Housing residence halls during Family Weekend?

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 register for guest passes prior to the day of Family Weekend to ensure easiest and fastest 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.