One weekend, countless memories

James Madison University welcomed families to Harrisonburg to celebrate Family Weekend 2026. Organized by the Office of Family Engagement, the weekend offered opportunities for families to spend time together, explore campus and create lasting memories with their students.

Family Weekend began with a press conference celebrating The JMU Guarantees, a cornerstone initiative of The Madison Promise strategic plan. Members of the JMU Parents Council joined university leaders and community members to mark the occasion and recognize its significance for students and families.

Among the weekend’s highlights, Grammy-winning pop-rock band Train and special guest Moon Taxi took the stage at Atlantic Union Bank Center on Oct. 2, delivering a high-energy performance as part of Train’s Drops of Jupiter: 25 Years in the Atmosphere Tour.

The celebration continued on the field Oct. 3, where James Madison defeated Marshall 45-17 before a sold-out Family Weekend crowd of 25,034 at Bridgeforth Stadium. The Dukes scored 28 unanswered points in the second quarter, improving to 5-0 and securing their 10th consecutive Sun Belt Conference regular-season victory.

At halftime, JMU recognized Greg Six as the 2026 Family Member of the Year. Nominated by his daughter, Addison Six, he was honored for the support and encouragement he has provided throughout her college journey.

While these marquee moments drew large crowds, they were just part of a weekend filled with programs and celebrations across campus that provided an economic boost to Harrisonburg and the Shenandoah Valley through increased support of local hotels, restaurants and businesses.