Panther Family Weekend

Panther Family Weekend is Oct. 10-12, 2025 — stay tuned to this page for details on additional events.

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!

Explore UWM’s campus

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

2025 Family Weekend Happenings

Event	Description	Date	Time	Location
Union Rec Center Open Weekend	The Rec Center will feature open bowling, billiards and gaming for visiting families. All activities are free.	Oct. 10-Oct. 12	10 a.m.-10 p.m.; noon-10 p.m.; noon-8 p.m.	Union Rec Center, Lower Level
Studio Arts & Craft Centre Open Hours and Project of the Week	Come 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. 11	11 a.m.-5 p.m.	UWM Student Union, Room EG30
Union Art Gallery Opening Reception	Opening reception for “Beautiful Bodies” exhibit.	Oct. 10	5 p.m.	Union Art Gallery, 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. 10	6 p.m.	Union Cinema, 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. 10	8 p.m.	Union Cinema, second floor
Milwaukee Women’s Volleyball vs. Northern Kentucky	Come cheer your Panthers women’s volleyball team as they host Northern Kentucky. Tickets starting at $7.	Oct. 10	6 p.m.	Klotsche Center
UWM Wind Ensemble Concert	Enjoy the evening with the UWM Wind Ensemble’s first concert of the season. Free for UWM students. Tickets starting at $10 for guests.	Oct. 10	7:30-9 p.m.	Zelazo Center for the Performing Arts
H.M.S. Pinafore Musical	Full 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. 10	7:30 p.m.	Theatre Building, Mainstage Theatre
UWM Panther Shop Alumni & Fan Sale	Stop down to the UWM Panther Shop for a special Alumni & Fan appreciation sale.	Oct. 10	10 a.m.-4 p.m.	UWM Panther Shop, Student Union
Gasthaus Special	Enjoy 50% off appetizers all day at the Gasthaus!	Oct. 11	11:30 a.m.-6 p.m.	Gasthaus, Student Union
Student Gerontology Association Picnic	The 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. 11	Noon-2 p.m.	Lawn between Enderis Hall and the Klotsche Center
Milwaukee Women’s Volleyball vs Northern Kentucky	Help the Panthers capture a win as women’s volleyball challenges Northern Kentucky.	Oct. 11	1 p.m.	Klotsche Center
University Housing Bingo	Join 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. 11	3-5 p.m.	Sandburg Hall, Flicks
H.M.S. Pinafore Musical	Full of wit, absurdity and sly social commentary, “HMS Pinafore” is a tale of love, honor and duty aboard a Royal Navy ship.	Oct. 11	7:30 p.m.	Theatre Building, Mainstage Theatre
Milwaukee Men’s Soccer vs. Green Bay – Chancellor’s Cup	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. 11	7 p.m.	Engelmann Stadium
UWM Panther Shop Alumni & Fan Sale	Stop down to the UWM Panther Shop for a special Alumni & Fan appreciation sale.	Oct. 11	10 a.m.-3 p.m.	UWM Panther Shop, Student Union
H.M.S. Pinafore Musical	Full of wit, absurdity and sly social commentary, “HMS Pinafore” is a tale of love, honor and duty aboard a Royal Navy ship.	Oct. 12	2 p.m.	Theatre Building, Mainstage Theatre

On Campus

Milwaukee Community

Event	Description	Date	Time	Location
Milwaukee County Zoo	Looking for adventure? Visit the Milwaukee County Zoo, the 190-acre home to over 2,100 animals and 314 species.	Oct. 10-12	9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m.	Milwaukee County Zoo
Milwaukee Art Museum	Visit Wisconsin’s largest art museum with a collection of over 30,000 works.	Oct. 10-12	10 a.m.-5 p.m.	Milwaukee Art Museum

Frequently Asked Questions

Family Weekend takes place the weekend of Oct. 10-12, 2025. Join us for many fun activities on campus and in Milwaukee all weekend!

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

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

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.

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.

Cafe Hollander, 2608 N. Downer Ave.
Canela Cafe, 2621 N. Downer Ave.
Colectivo Coffee, 2211 N. Prospect Ave.
Corner Bakery Cafe, 1305 E. Capitol Drive
Oakland Gyros, 2867 N. Oakland Ave.
Pizza Man, 2597 N. Downer Ave.
Stone Creek Coffee, 2650 N. Downer Ave.
Valentine Coffee, 3126 N. Downer Ave.

Restaurants that accept Panther Cash/Dining Dollars:

UWM Gasthaus Panther Sports Grill, 2200 E. Kenwood Blvd.
UWM Grind, *Multiple On-Campus Locations
BelAir Cantina, 2625 N. Downer Ave.
Cheba Hut, 2907 N. Oakland Ave.
Cousins Subs, 2900A N. Oakland Ave.
Fusion Poké, 1813 E. Kenilworth Place
Ian’s Pizza, 2035 E. North Ave.
Roast Coffee Company, 2132 E. Locust St.

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

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 parking and transit map of campus.

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 register for guest passes. 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.

You can purchase UWM merchandise from the online Panther Shop or in-store at the Student Union location.

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 Panther Families Preferred Hotels website for more information about overnight accommodations.

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 register for guest passes 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.

What can we help you find?