EVENT SCHEDULE

This page outlines all events offered during Family Weekend and details events that require advance registration or additional fees. While a majority of on-campus events are free and included in your registration, you can also purchase tickets to premium Family Weekend events and off-campus opportunities. Links to purchase tickets are provided below. 

Keep track of the events that you register for! We do not have access to information regarding individual event registration. Any questions about specific events should be directed to the host of the event itself. For general Family Weekend questions, you can contact our office. 

Keep checking back, more events will be added as Family Weekend approaches! The final Family Weekend schedule will be posted by September 6. 

Friday, October 18

Time Event Cost Registration/link
7:30 AM- 10 PM

Visit James Branch Cabell Library At Your Leisure
Take a break from the hustle and bustle of Family Weekend at Cabell Library! Enjoy free Wi-Fi and order your favorite Starbucks drink, available from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Take a moment for prayer or meditation in our new Reflection Room. A private lactation room is available upon request. If you have any questions or need directions, our friendly staff at the information desk is here to help. If you’re interested in learning more about Cabell Library, take a self-guided tour provided at the information desk. Don’t miss our Special Collections and Archives Open House from 10 a.m. to noon on the fourth floor!

Cabell Library
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9 AM- 5PM

Flourish: Celebrating our garden and its beauty
2024 marks the Garden’s 40th Anniversary and to celebrate our horticulturists have created new, dazzling displays throughout the Garden. This year’s summer plantings will become lush as the season progresses through fall, with surprises and vignettes to discover in four iconic areas.

Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
Included in regular garden admission
Learn more about the exhibition here
10:00 AM James River Hiking Tour
Discover the best spots in the James River Park System with Discover Richmond Tours. Visit old train bridge ruins, Class IV rapids, Civil-War era infrastructure, and unique features found only in Richmond, all while feeling lost in nature right in the heart of downtown!
Location provided after booking
$25/pp (not including discount)
Book a tour here and use code "VCUFAMILY" for 10% off that weekend
10-11 AM

Sips and Support for your Graduate/Professional Ram
Zoom
Sip and Support - Join Assistant Dean Noel Cortez, PhD, for a virtual coffee hour where we'll focus on how your family can support you during your graduate or professional student journey. Continuing your education alongside life's challenges can be strenuous, and as a graduate or professional student,

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12-4PM

Ascend RVA Family FAQ and Open House
Come and tour our community and gain all the knowledge you need for your off-campus housing decisions. Light refreshments provided.

 

  RSVP here
12-7 PM Check-In
Let us know you are here! Swing by the Commons for check-in, pick up materials, and ask any questions you might have about Family Weekend! You can find us in front of the P.O.D. Market.
Commons, first floor
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1-3 PM

The CHiPper Experience: CHP Building & Lab Tour
Interested in knowing where your student's favorite study spot is? We are opening our doors and welcoming our families to enjoy a building and lab tours within the College of Health Professions. Light refreshments to follow!

VCU College of Health Professions (900 East Leigh Street, Richmond, VA 23298) in Rm. 1003.
-- Reserve your spot here
1-3 PM Paint and Pops
Pop in and get this Family Weekend started with a painting that will get you in the spirit! Local artist John Price will guide you step-by-step through this VCU-themed painting while you enjoy a sweet treat from our very own Richmond favorite, King of Pops!
MCALC 1201
$25/pp Reserve your spot here
2:00 PM

Arts District Food Tour
Join Discover Richmond Tours to explore Richmond’s revitalized Arts District as an insider. Spanning parts of Jackson Ward and Monroe Ward, the Arts District will capture your imagination with a mix of historically-significant architecture, under-the-radar restaurants, and inspiring art galleries.

Location provided after booking
$75/pp (not including discount)
Book a tour here and use code "VCUFAMILY" for 10% off that weekend
2:00 PM Scott's Addition Booze & Bites Tour
Join Discover Richmond Tours to explore Richmond’s rapidly evolving Scott's Addition as an insider. Scott’s Addition is quickly becoming Richmond’s go-to for food, drink, and fun. This one-time industrial neighborhood just west of downtown is now home to more breweries, cideries, and entertainment venues that you can count. And we haven’t even started talking about food yet!
Location provided after booking
$80/pp (not including discount)
Book a tour here and use code "VCUFAMILY" for 10% off that weekend
3-4:30 PM

VCU Field Hockey Game against St Louis
We hope that you come out and support our field hockey team as they take on St Louis!

Cary Street Field
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3-4 PM

VCU School of Pharmacy Open House
Calling all Pharm Sci students, families and anyone interested in pharmacy or pharmaceutical sciences! Join VCU School of Pharmacy for an open house where you can tour the school, learn more about our programs, and mingle with faculty, staff and current students.

Smith Building (MCV Campus) Lobby (410 N 12th Street, Richmond VA 23298)
-- Reserve your spot here
3-5 PM

You First at VCU Memory Jars
First-generation college students and their guests will decorate and fill a memory jar for the student to have when they miss home or want a boost of motivation. First-gen faculty and staff will be in attendance to meet and chat with students and their guests.

University Student Commons, Virginia Rooms

   
3-5 PM

BINGO with the School of Social Work
Come join the School of Social Work for a fun, family friendly game of BINGO!

MCALC Room 4100
-- RSVP here (40 person capacity)
3-5:30 PM

Honors Family Weekend
Please join us from 3:30-5:30, during this time you will be able to check out the Honors facilities, and meet the wonderful advisors and faculty at the Honors college.

Honors College - 701 West Grace St
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3-5 PM RecWell Family Field Day
Your Place is Here. RecWell welcomes VCU families to our Cary St. Gym facility on 10/18 from 3p.m.-5p.m. for an evening of fun & games. Challenge each other to a basketball shoot-out, or see who can climb to the top of our new state-of-the-art climbing wall. Play lawn games or relax in one of the pools in our Aquatic facility. The event is free for all registered Family Weekend participants. Please note that some age restrictions apply to certain areas or activities. Can't make it to this event? RecWell is offering free access to Cary St. Gym on 10/19 & 10/20 during our regular hours of operation for all registered Family Weekend participants. Please note that some age restrictions apply to certain areas or activities. Learn more about all RecWell has to offer at recwell.vcu.edu.
Cary St. Gym
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4-6 PM

First-Year Family Reception
First year families and students! Join Orientation and Transition Programs to reconnect with other families and staff from this summer's Orientations. Mix and mingle with leadership from Strategic Enrollment Management and Student Success to get your questions answered and learn about next steps for your student as they progress in their first year. This is a drop-in event. Heavy hors d'oeuvres and refreshments will be served.

University Student Commons, Richmond Salons

  RSVP here
4-6 PM

Around the World with VCU: Global Learning Mixer
Join VCU's Global Learning team to learn how you can engage globally at VCU! Connect with Global Learning's staff, as well as other Rams, about things like studying abroad, international internships, scholarships and other on-campus opportunities with the student organization GIA (Global Intercultural Association). Family & friends are welcome to socialize and learn over light afternoon snacks and refreshments. We look forward to seeing you there!

Rodney's Lounge on the first floor of Shafer
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4:30-6 PM Forest Hill Hike and S'mores with RecWell
Share a slice of Richmond with your loved ones for Family Weekend. We will be exploring the trails of one of RVA's local parks before indulging in s'mores! We can't think of many better ways to wrap up a week than with a campfire and roasted marshmallow with those we love! This program is free for students and $25 for guests. Cost includes transportation, trip leaders, and s'mores supplies.
Location provided after booking
$25/pp (free for students) Book with RecWell here
5:00 PM Spooky Lights Tour
Join Discover Richmond Tours to see Richmond's best halloween displays! You and your family will ride in a climate-controlled, spooky bus to see the creepiest, zaniest, and biggest displays all over town.
Location provided after booking
$30/pp (not including discount)
Book a tour here and use code "VCUFAMILY" for 10% off that weekend
7-8:40 PM Haunts of Richmond Ghost Tours
Come join Haunts of Richmond to discover the haunted and creepy history surrounding Monroe Park. This tour includes Altria Theater, a one-time hospital turned housing, homes of Richmond's gilded age, and more! These 60-minute tours are offered every 20 minutes, with the last tour leaving at 8:40 PM. Visit the booking page for more information!
Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, 823 Cathedral Pl
$13/pp Book a discounted tour here
7-9 PM Cinema in the Courtyard
Gladding Residence Center (outdoor space)
Join Residential Life and Housing for a fantastic evening of cinematic delight at our Family Weekend Movie Night! Gather your loved ones and prepare for a fun-filled evening under the stars as we bring you an unforgettable movie experience.
-- Join Residential Life and Housing for a fantastic evening of cinematic delight at our Family Weekend Movie Night! Gather your loved ones and prepare for a fun-filled evening under the stars as we bring you an unforgettable movie experience. Showing Inside Out 2
8:00 PM Spooky Lights Tour
Join Discover Richmond Tours to see Richmond's best halloween displays! You and your family will ride in a climate-controlled, spooky bus to see the creepiest, zaniest, and biggest displays all over town.
Location provided after booking
$30/pp (not including discount)
Book a tour here and use code "VCUFAMILY" for 10% off that weekend
8-10 PM

Paint and Pie
Paint the night away as you recreate Van Gogh's Starry Night with a little Richmond twist! Local artist John Price will guide you step-by-step through the painting while you have the opportunity to sample the best pie in Richmond from Proper Pie Co.

MCALC 1201

$25/pp Reserve your spot here