Family Weekend

Family Weekend 2025 will take place September 19 - 21, 2025. This year in order to provide as many options for families as possible, registration for Family Weekend will be required for many of the events.

The cost is $35 per family (up to six people), and will provide you admission to all events marked “Included in Registration” on the WMU Family Weekend website. You will also receive one (1) exclusive WMU Family Weekend welcome bag and access to the Bronco Photo Challenge, Family 360° Photo Booth, Game room, Historic Walking Tour, Glow Mini Golf and more.

Friday, Sept. 19

Welcome Check-In & Bag Pickup

5:00 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Student Center

Kick off Family Weekend by stopping by the Student Center to check in and receive your official welcome bag, which includes the event program. Our friendly staff will be there to greet you, answer questions, and help you get ready for a fun weekend on campus.

For families not arriving until Saturday, you can pick-up your welcome bag and check in at the Student Center Info Desk from 10:00a.m.-12:00p.m.

Family Bronco Photo Challenge

5:00 p.m. until Saturday 8:00 p.m.

Show off your Bronco pride in our Family Bronco Photo Challenge! Submit your most spirited or most creative family photo/selfie (or both!) for a chance to win a WMU-themed gift basket. Winners will be emailed Saturday at 8:00 p.m. with instructions on how to pick up their prize. 

Family 360° Photo Booth

5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Student Center Upper Landing

Capture the moment with your family at our 360° photo booth! Stop by to take a fun family photo that is perfect for sharing and remembering your Family Weekend experience.

**Included in registration 

Live Music

5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Gathering Stairs

Gilmore musicians

Virtual Reality and Flight Simulator Open Play

5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Waldo Library

Take your Family Weekend adventure to new heights! Come to Waldo Library to “fly” planes using our Motion Simulator or Microsoft Flight Simulators. Additionally, participants will have a menu of virtual reality experiences to try out.

**Included in registration 

Game On! - game room open to families

5:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Student Center 1st Floor: Game On! Room

Check out WMU’s interactive game room! Whether you enjoy classic arcade games, video games, billiards, table tennis, board games, or card games, there is something for everyone to enjoy in this vibrant space!

**Included in registration

Postcards to Loved Ones

5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Student Center 2208

Write postcards to your loved ones! Swing by and chat with the Graduate Student Association and International Student Council and write a letter to your family, friends, or anyone else in your life! The Graduate Student Association will send the postcards free of charge.

**Included in registration 

Stuff-a-Plush Activity

6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Student Center

Have some family fun by creating your own stuffed animal - first come, first serve while supplies last!

**Included in registration 

Trivia Night

6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Student Center

Gather your family and join other Broncos in a lively evening of friendly competition, laughs, and prizes. See if you can claim the title of Family Weekend Trivia Champion!

**Included in registration 

Glow Mini Golf and More!

8:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
TBD

Light up your night with glow experience you won’t want to miss! Test your skills on a 9-hole glow inflatable mini-golf course, try your hand at the thrilling glow axe throwing inflatable, and create a one-of-a-kind keepsake of glow wax hands to take home. Create some unforgettable memories under the neon lights!

**Included in registration 

Hosted/Sponsored by the Campus Activity Board

Saturday, Sept. 20

Historic Walking Tour

10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
The Oaklands

Lynn Houghton, regional history curator for the University Libraries, will lead a walking tour of West Michigan Avenue and share the rich history about this area of campus. From farms and golf courses to dorms and classrooms, this area played an important role in Western’s expansion and growth into the thriving campus community it is today. 

Meet at The Oaklands (1815 W. Michigan Ave) at 10:00 a.m. to join the walking tour. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended. The tour will continue, rain or shine, unless severe storms are forecasted.

Tour lasts 45-60 minutes

**Included in registration

Around the World with the Haenicke Institute for Global Education and WMU’s internationally-focused student groups

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Student Center Rooms: 2209/2211/2213

Embark on an international journey right on campus! Visit travel-themed stations with games and prizes to explore cultures and hear real stories from Broncos who have gone global. WMU assists more than 2,500 international students and recent alumni at home and abroad with immigration support, student success and post-graduation job training. The University hosts 80+ study abroad programs and brings students, faculty and staff to 30 countries, on average, each year. Come travel with us.

**Included in registration 

Student Center Scavenger Hunt

12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Student Center

Western Student Association invites you to participate in a scavenger hunt in the Student Center! Learn more about what WMU’s Student Center has to offer in this engaging activity.

 **Included in registration 

WMU Football Game

TBD
Waldo Stadium

Fire up, Bronco Nation! Come cheer on the football team for the Family Weekend game against University of Toledo. 

All football tickets are general admissions within the student section so families can sit together. 

Family Skate

TBD
Lawson Ice Arena 

Lace up your skates and hit the ice at Lawson Ice Arena! Whether you are a seasoned skater or stepping on the ice for the first time, take this opportunity to make memories on the ice, Bronco-style.

**Included in registration 

Movie at Miller – The Sandlot

7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Miller Auditorium

Doors of Miller will open at 7 p.m. for a 7:30 p.m. movie start.

Step back into the summer of 1962 with The Sandlot, a heartwarming and hilarious story about friendship, baseball, and growing up. Perfect for all ages, this nostalgic classic will remind families of the magic of childhood adventures, teamwork, and making memories that last a lifetime. Don’t miss this feel-good favorite that’s sure to bring smiles to the whole Bronco family!

** Included in registration.

Sponsored by WMU Alumni Association 

Bronco Photo Challenge Winners Announced

8 p.m.

Winners Emailed - Pick-up location for prizes – Student Center Information Desk 

Sunday, Sept. 21

Discover Kalamazoo Mobile Savings Passport

Explore the vibrant city of Kalamazoo while you are visiting! There is lots to do and see – learn more at discoverkalamazoo.com 

Sign up here for exclusive deals and savings through Discover Kalamazoo. Sign up is free – just use the promo code KZOO in the checkout.