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 Family Photo Challenge, Family 360° Photo Booth, Game room, Historic Walking Tour, Glow Mini Golf and more.
Registration for Family Weekend 2025 is CLOSED
Families who still would like to visit campus for Family Weekend are welcome to purchase tickets to the football game, tailgate prior to the football game, visit campus and explore the Kalamazoo area.
In addition to the football game and other events listed above, there are a limited amount of events that families can attend/participate in without having registered. Those events can be found below with the label "Registration not needed to attend." Some examples are the Movie at Miller, the Student Center Scavenger Hunt, and the Bronco Family Photo Challenge.
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.
Bronco Family Photo Challenge
5:00 p.m. until Saturday 8:00 p.m.
Show off your Bronco pride in our Bronco Family 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.
Registration not needed to attend
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.
Registration not needed to attend
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.
W Plaza/Sangren Mall
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.
Registration not needed to attend
WMU Football Game
3:30 p.m.
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
11:00a.m.-1:00p.m.
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.
People who are NOT attending the football game
11:00a.m.-12:00p.m. Skate Time
People who ARE attending the football game
12:00p.m.-1:00p.m. Skate Time – please note parking will be $15 in the Lawson Arena parking lot for the football game, a shuttle will be available to take you to the game, and families are welcome to tailgate in the Lawson parking lot (there are also lots nearby for tailgating purposes)
**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!
Registration not needed to attend
Sponsored by WMU Alumni Association
Bronco Family Photo Challenge Winners Announced
8 p.m.
Winners Emailed - Pick-up location for prizes – Student Center Information Desk
Sunday, Sept. 21
Family Breakfast
9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Valley Dining Center
Join us at the Valley Dining Center for breakfast from 9 – 11 a.m. to start off the last day of Family Weekend! Featuring pancakes, chicken sausage patties, scrambled eggs, cheddar potato puffs, fresh fruit, yogurt parfaits and more! Buster will be making a special appearance at the Family Breakfast. Buy your tickets in advance and get $1 off the door rate! (Pre-order tickets for the Family Breakfast end Sept. 12th)
Students who have a WMU meal plan do not need to purchase a ticket.
Open Rec: Student Recreation Center Open to Families
12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
SRC
The Student Recreation Center is Open to families to enjoy! Families will need to sign in with their student in the lobby upon arrival. Get exercise, shoot some hoops, or participate in some friendly competition on the volleyball courts.
*Included in registration
Area Hotels
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