Panther Family Weekend 2024

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.

SAVE THE DATE: Panther Family Weekend 2024 is Oct. 11, 12 and 13. Check back in mid-August for a full listing of events and activities.

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Save the Date: Oct. 12
2024 Panther Prowl!

Save the date for fall 2024 — Celebrate the 20th year of the beloved Panther Prowl 5K Run/Walk on Saturday, Oct. 12, 2024. Make it a whole weekend of family activities at UWM!

2024 Family Weekend Happenings

EventDescriptionDateTimeLocationMore Info
Fondy Farmers MarketFarmers market with produce, plants and food.Oct. 127 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. 128 a.m.-NoonSouth Shore Park, 2900 S. Shore Dr.South Shore Farmers’ Market
Mitchell Park Floral DomeDelve into the artistry of life while admiring the beautiful architecture of nature.Oct. 129 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. 129 a.m.-3 p.m.UWM Student Union, Panther ShopPanther Shop
Panther ProwlAlumni Association’s annual 5K Run/Walk through UWM’s neighborhood. A beloved Panther family event!Oct. 129 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. 1310 a.m.-10 p.m.UWM Student Union Rec Center, 2200 E. Kenwood Blvd.Union Rec Center
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. 1311 a.m.-8 p.m.Basement of UWM Student Union, 2200 E. Kenwood Blvd.UWM Campus Restaurants
Shorewood Farmers MarketFarmers market selling produce plants and food.Oct. 139:30 a.m.-1 p.m.Estabrook Park,
4100 Estabrook Parkway		Shorewood Farmers Market
Riverwest MarketFarmers market selling produce plants and food.Oct. 1310 a.m.-3 p.m.2700 N. Pierce St.Riverwest Market

2024 Frequently Asked Questions

When is Family Weekend?

Family Weekend officially takes place the weekend of Oct. 12. 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.