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  • Grab Food/Coffee On CampusWaiting on your student to get out of class or looking for a place to meet up with your student? Check out all the amazing dining options JMU has to offer! Explore Coffee Shops/Restaurants »
  • Visit the JMU bookstoreCheck the website for hours »
  • Visit the Edith J. Carrier ArboretumThe Edith J. Carrier Arboretum, a woodland sanctuary on the James Madison University campus, is a public urban garden and forested greenspace that preserves native plant species, provides opportunities for research, and promotes knowledge of the botanical and natural world for people of all ages. More information »
  • Visit the Duke Hall Gallery of Fine ArtMore information »

Events and activities are added as they are made available - stay tuned!

Family Weekend Tickets are available now!


Friday, September 29

9 AM - 3 PM
Fall Plant & Bulb Sale
(Edith J. Carrier Arboretum; Parking: Arboretum lots, R5 Lot on Univ. Blvd)
The plant and bulb sale will be held at the Frances Plecker Education Center in the arboretum.

More information »


11 AM - 5 PM
Duke Hall Gallery of Fine Arts (Duke Hall, Room 1022, Free; Parking: Mason St Deck levels 3-5)
The Duke Gallery of Fine Art is excited to open the 2023 – 2024 academic year with the SADAH Faculty exhibit.

More information »


2:30 - 6 PM
General Education Student Conference
 (Rose Library / Festival Conference and Student Center; Parking: D3 Lot across from Festival, Ballard Deck)
Meet inspirational professors and learn more about the JMU General Education Program while experiencing outstanding student work in subjects from the natural sciences, humanities, and the social sciences. Some of the most creative, exciting and noteworthy work produced by students in General Education classes will be presented. Multiple conference sessions are available, so you are welcome to attend multiple sessions or just one.

More information »


3:30 - 6:30 PM
JMU-OTCES Presents “Let’s Play D-U-U-K-E-E-S”
 (131 W. Grace Street; Parking: Chesapeake Ave Deck)
JMU-OTCES (JMU Occupational Therapy Clinical Education Services) is hosting an event for students and family members of ALL ages and abilities on Friday afternoon. This event includes a variety of stations with competitive activities where Dukes and their families can go head-to-head in unique challenges that highlight the distinct value of occupational therapy! Come grab some purple and gold beads for the game and take a photo in our #JMUFamilyWeekend photo booth!

  • Sensory-Friendly!
  • Parents to accompany children/teens at ALL times throughout the events
  • Check out our clinic website
  • Please call 540-568-4980 or email otces@jmu.edu if you would like additional information

4 - 6 PM
College of Business Learning Complex Open House and Tours
(Hartman Hall; Parking: G Lot)
Join College of Business faculty, staff, and students for an Open House and Tours of the CoB Learning Complex. Tours will begin in Hartman Hall every 30 minutes starting at 4 pm. Stop by to see the space and have a refreshment! Parking will be available in P Lot until 6:30 pm by entering at the north entrance. No pre-registration required.


5 PM
Haynes Family Picnic (Private Event)
(Village Volleyball Courts; Parking: C4 Lot)
For current and former Haynes Scholars, family and friends.


6 PM
JMU Women's Volleyball vs. Texas State 
(Convocation Center, Free Admission; Parking: Convocation Center Lots)
Grab your whole family to cheer on the Dukes at the Convocation Center!


6 - 10 PM
University Recreation Family Hours
(UREC and UPARK; Parking: Convocation Center Lots, and Sentara Park Lots U5)
Families are welcome and encouraged to avail themselves of the wide assortment of UREC and UPARK’s facilities and amenities. Please be sure to bring a photo ID, and students must accompany family members.


6:30 - 8 PM
Indie Rock Concert 
(The Union, Taylor Down Under Stage, Free; Parking: Mason St Deck levels 3-5)
Come down to TDU to hear the underground sounds of JMU with two student bands, Beach Tub and Shady Trace!


7:00-10:00 PM
Friday Night Flights (Bridgeforth Stadium)
Join Dukes fans for Friday Night Flights under the lights at Bridgeforth Stadium on Friday, September 29 from 7:00-10:00 p.m. This premier Duke Club fall season event will include beer and wine tasting from local breweries and wineries across the valley. (Advanced registration required)

Learn more and purchase your tickets today at JMUDukeClub.com/FNF.
Questions? Contact the Duke Club at dukeclub@jmu.edu or (540) 568-6461.

More information & Purchase Tickets »


7:30-10:00 PM
UPB Movie: Spider Man: Across the Spider-Verse (Free, Grafton-Stovall Theatre; Parking: Grace St Deck)
Students and families are welcome to watch the movie and enjoy free popcorn!


8:00 PM
JMU POPS! Stage and Screen With the Marching Royal Dukes and other JMU Ensembles (Atlantic Union Bank Center, Tickets $17; Parking: Ballard Deck)

Enjoy this one-of-a-kind musical extravaganza with JMU’s finest music ensembles – the Marching Royal Dukes, JMU Wind Symphony, JMU Chorale, and JMU Brass Band in this upbeat Stage and Screen Pops Concert. Instruments and harmonies come alive to bring you an uplifting, unforgettable performance with music from your favorite movies, musicals, and ballets. As one of JMU’s favorite Family Weekend traditions, this music celebration is great entertainment!  

All sales final. No refunds or exchanges. Box Office opens one and one half hour prior to the performance at AUBC. Tickets will be mailed or held at will call.

Patrons can park for free in the Ballard Parking Deck (649 University Boulevard) one and a half hours prior to the performance. Access from East Campus Drive. Exit on mail level toward the main Plaza entrance. 

Tickets Available at jmuforbescenter.com»

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Saturday, September 30

8:30 AM - 12:30 PM
SOLD OUT - Family Weekend Canoe Trip (Meet at UREC Adventure Center)
Includes the equipment, leaders, transportation and snacks | dress in layers in clothes than can get wet (just in case) and wear shoes with straps that can get wet (no flip-flops) | please bring a small backpack, 2 liters of water, sunblock and a hat | $20 per person, internet processing fees may apply.

Enjoy the beauty of the valley as we canoe on the South Fork of the Shenandoah River. Paddle “Lake Shenandoah,” a flat-water-section in northeastern Rockingham County about 30 minutes from JMU. Basic canoeing and safety instruction will be covered. All you need to bring are your paddling clothes and shoes. Students can register themselves and their families through the JMU Ticket Office at www.jmutickets.com or (540) 568-3853. Please register for ticketed events by September 22, 2023. Contact UREC's Coordinator for Adventure & Camp Specialist with questions.


8:30 AM - 12:30 PM
SOLD OUT - Family Weekend Hike (Meet at UREC Adventure Center)
Includes leaders, transportation and snacks | dress in layers and wear closed toed shoes, and a rain jacket is always a good idea | please bring a small backpack, 2 liters of water, sunblock and a hat | $25 per person, internet processing fees may apply

We will meet at UREC then travel to the border of West Virginia for a scenic hike to the historic High Knob fire tower. This moderate 3-mile round-trip trail hike includes some uphill hiking. Your efforts will be rewarded with a 360-degree view of the Allegheny and Blue Ridge mountains from the top of a fire tower. Students can register themselves and their families through the JMU Ticket Office at www.jmutickets.com or (540) 568-3853. Please register for ticketed events by September 22, 2023. Contact UREC's Coordinator for Adventure & Camp Specialist with questions. 


9 AM - 10 PM
University Recreation Family Hours
(UREC and UPARK; Parking Map)
Families are welcome and encouraged to avail themselves of the wide assortment of UREC and UPARK’s facilities and amenities. Please be sure to bring a photo ID, and students must accompany family members.


9 AM - 3 PM
Fall Plant & Bulb Sale
 (Edith J. Carrier Arboretum; Parking: Arboretum lots, R5 Lot on Univ. Blvd.)
The plant and bulb sale will be held at the Frances Plecker Education Center in the arboretum.

More information »


9:30 - 11:30 AM
University Outpost FanZone
 (Godwin Patio, Free; Parking Map)
The Fan Zone is a family-focused pre-game festival that features inflatable games, music, and much more! The Fan Zone opens two and a half hours prior to kickoff and remains open until 30 minutes before game time - join JMU Volleyball from 10:30-11:30am for a pregame autograph session to celebrate their 2022 Sun Belt Championship! Come out and show your Madison spirit while having fun with the whole family.


10 AM - Noon
SOLD OUT - Family Weekend Downtown Bike Ride (Meet at UREC Adventure Center)
Includes leaders and adult sized bikes only | Helmets (provided) required | $10 per person, internet processing fees may apply

We will meet at UREC then ride a short distance to the Harrisonburg Farmers’ Market where you can purchase great local breakfast items. After enjoying the Farmers’ Market, you are welcome to explore downtown before riding back as a group to UREC. Students can register themselves and their families through the JMU Ticket Office at www.jmutickets.com or (540) 568-3853. Please register for ticketed events by September 22, 2023. Contact UREC's Coordinator for Adventure & Camp Specialist with questions. 


10 AM - 1 PM (NOTE TIME CHANGE DUE TO GAME TIME)
SOLD OUT - Family Weekend Picnic On Hanson Field (Parking Map)

Reservations required - no walk ins. (print off tickets) $17 plus tax, children (6-12 years), 5 and under free (JMU students free with meal plan and must have their JACard at the event to deduct 1 punch)

Menu: 

  • Seasonal Salad - mixed baby greens, shaved carrots, cranberries, pickled red onions, tortilla strips, balsamic vinaigrette & ranch dressings
  • Pasta Salad
  • Redskin Potato Salad
  • Vegetable crudité & hummus
  • Traditional beef chili, white bean vegetarian chili, cheese, onions
  • sour cream, jalapenos, corn chips and hot sauce
  • Hot dogs & vegan hot dogs, ketchup, mustard, relish
  • House smoked pulled pork, BBQ sauce & potato rolls
  • Valley style chicken
  • Assorted craveworthy cookies & dessert bars
  • Assorted canned beverages and bottled water

10 AM - 1:00 PM
JMU Family Photobooth
 (Hanson Field, Free; Parking Map)
Visit the JMU Family Photobooth to take a fun photo with your JMU Family and pick up some free purple and gold beads and pom-poms!


11 AM
Football Watch Party (Taylor Down Under, Free; Parking: Grace St Deck)
Experience the ultimate game day at Taylor Down Under with the Student Activities Office's live stream coverage of JMU vs. South Alabama. Join fellow sports enthusiasts and proud fans virtually as we bring the stadium atmosphere to your screens with high-definition coverage. Have fun with JMU-themed trivia. Light refreshments and drinks will also be provided. Go Dukes!

More Information »


11 AM
One World One Sky: Big Bird's Adventure (John C. Wells Planetarium, Free; Parking: Mason St Deck Levels 3-5)
Follow Sesame Street's Big Bird and Elmo as they explore the night sky with Hu Hu Zhu, a Muppet from Zhima Jie, the Chinese co-production of Sesame Street. Together, they take an imaginary trip from Sesame Street to the moon, where they discover how different it is from Earth. This show is designed for families with young children (ages 4 to 8) in mind. (27 minutes)


11 AM - 5 PM
Duke Hall Gallery of Fine Arts (Duke Hall, Room 1022, Free; Parking: Mason St Deck Levels 3-5)
The Duke Gallery of Fine Art is excited to open the 2023 – 2024 academic year with the SADAH Faculty exhibit.

More information »


Noon Kickoff
SOLD OUT - JMU Dukes Football vs. South Alabama (Bridgeforth Stadium/Zane Showker Field; Parking Map)
Join us for our annual Family Weekend football game as your Dukes host South Alabama! Click here to purchase season tickets or call (540) 568-3853. (If you wish to sit with your student during the game, you will need to purchase a General Admission ticketFamilies can no longer reserve a JMU student ticket as part of their Family Weekend ticket order.Student tickets can be reserved at Student.JMUTickets.com the Monday two weeks prior to each home game starting at 9 a.m.

Game Day Info »


12 - 5 PM
JMU Flea Market
 (The Union Patio 1, Free; Parking: Mason St Deck levels 3-5)
Come to the Union Patio and check out student and local venues selling clothes, accessories, handmade goods, and more!


1 PM
One World One Sky: Big Bird's Adventure (John C. Wells Planetarium, Free; Parking: Mason St Deck Levels 3-5)
Follow Sesame Street's Big Bird and Elmo as they explore the night sky with Hu Hu Zhu, a Muppet from Zhima Jie, the Chinese co-production of Sesame Street. Together, they take an imaginary trip from Sesame Street to the moon, where they discover how different it is from Earth. This show is designed for families with young children (ages 4 to 8) in mind. (27 minutes)


2 PM - 6 PM
Open Climbing
(UREC, Free; Parking Map)
No registration necessary. If you want to add a challenge to your Family Weekend, then look no further. Immediate family members are welcome to join us for an afternoon of fun in UREC’s Adventure Center, complete with a freestanding climbing tower and expansive bouldering wall. We will cover all you need to know for your first climb. Students will need to bring their JACard. Contact UREC's Interim Coordinator for Adventure & Camp Specialist with questions. 


2:15 & 3:30 PM
Black Holes: The Other Side of Infinity (John C. Wells Planetarium, Free; Parking: Mason St Deck Levels 3-5)
There's a place from which nothing escapes, not even light, where time and space literally come to end. It's at this point, inside this fantastic riddle, that black holes exert their sway over the cosmos ... and our imaginations. Zip through other-worldly wormholes, experience the creation of the Milky Way Galaxy, and witness the violent death of a star and subsequent birth of a black hole. Mathematical equations, cutting-edge science, and Einstein's theories fill in holes along the way, providing the most complete picture yet on this mysterious phenomenon. Can you feel the pull? (25 minutes)  View Trailer This show is great for middle/high school students and adults.


7 PM
JMU Men's Soccer vs. South Carolina (Sentara Park, Harrisonburg, Free Admission; Parking: Sentara Park Lot U5)
Grab your whole family to cheer on the Dukes at Sentara Park!


4 - 8 PM
D-Hall
Fan Favorites (Parking Map)

No reservations required. (Those with reservations will print off tickets $15 tax included)
$15.75 (plus tax if purchased at the door), kids 5 and under free 
(JMU students free with meal plan and must have their JACard at the event to deduct 1 punch)

All-you-care-to-eat dining stations include:

  • Pulled Pork Sandwiches with three cheese macaroni and coleslaw
  • Beef tacos with cilantro rice and chipotle black beans, chips & queso
  • Italian Sandwich on homemade footlong rolls and Martin’s BBQ Chips
  • Deep Dish Chili Fritos cheddar pizza, cheese, and pepperoni Pizza
  • Kung Pao Tempura Cauliflower, rice, Asian Slaw
  • Rotisserie chicken with roasted potatoes and corn on the cob
  • Tailgate Pasta Salad with salami, olives, tomatoes, mozzarella cheese and roasted red peppers, Bread Bar w/ Spreads
  • Grilled and Fried Chicken Sandwiches with sides
  • Create your own Stir-fry!
  • Assorted Gourmet Desserts
Purchase Tickets »

4:30 - 8 PM
SOLD OUT (Both seatings) - E-Hall Fantastic Feast (Parking: Ballard Deck)

Reservations required - no walk ins. (print off tickets) Early seating 4:30-6:00pm, late seating from 6:15-8:00pm. $27 plus tax, children (6-12 years) $17, 5 and under free (JMU students free with meal plan and must have their JACard at the event to deduct 1 punch)

All-you-care-to-eat dining stations include:

  • Steamed Crab Legs: Served with drawn butter and fresh lemon
  • Gourmet Shrimp Cocktail: Chilled Jumbo Shrimp served with classic cocktail sauce, cilantro lime tomatillo cocktail sauce, creamy Cajun cocktail sauce
  • Smoked Salmon Bar: Smoked Salmon served with capers, tomato, onion, boiled egg, and an assortment of flavored cream cheeses
  • Grilled Pear and Goat Cheese Salad: A bed of field greens topped with warm grilled pears, chilled toasted quinoa, acorn squash, pomegranate seeds, herbed goat cheese, pepitas, and drizzled with a caramelized strawberry balsamic vinaigrette
  • Butternut Squash Bisque: Velvety spiced roast butternut squash soup topped with maple crème fraiche, and apple-ginger relish
  • Ancho Grilled Chicken: Grilled Ancho-Lime Chicken topped with black bean and corn salsa, served atop Spanish rice and grilled zucchini squash
  • Smoked Beef Brisket: Slow Smoked Dry Rubbed Beef Brisket drizzled with maple barbeque sauce, served with creamy asiago macaroni and cheese, sauteed green beans with caramelized onions
  • Roasted Salmon: Dijon Herb Crusted Salmon Fillet topped with arugula gremolata served over crispy fingerling potatoes, confit rainbow carrots
  • Artisan Charcuterie: Gourmet meats, cheeses, bread & fresh seasonal fruit, served with assorted jams, jellies, mustards
  • Chimichurri Chicken: Marinated Chicken Skewers roasted in our tandoor oven topped with chimichurri served over chorizo potato bravas, grilled sweet peppers and wild mushrooms, Argentinian white sauce
  • Tofu Tikka Masala: Marinated Grilled Local Tofu in a creamy tomato and pepper sauce served over garlic basmati rice with fried onions, served with vegan raita, mango chutney, and fresh baked naan bread
  • Seasonal Fruit and Dessert: Fresh seasonal fruit display and house made gourmet desserts
Purchase Tickets »

8 PM
Mike Super, Magic & Illusion! (Wilson Hall, Tickets: $35 - $49; Parking: Warsaw Deck, A Lot for accessible permits)

As the winner of NBC’s hit show Phenomenon, a finalist on America’s Got Talent, and a featured magician on Penn & Teller’s: Fool Us, Mike Super is the only magician in history to win a live magic competition on primetime U.S. network TV and be voted American’s Favorite Mystifier. Imagine mind-blowing illusions with the hilarity of a headline comedian. Enjoy this family-friendly performance filled with intrigue, danger, anticipation, and excitement. Mike Super has taken the performance of magic to new levels that will reach out and touch you! “Wow! What a show…more smiles, more laughs, and more gasps than we could possibly count!” (Townsend Center for the Performing Arts). Mike Super Magic and Illusion is a show you will not want to miss!  Watch the video

All sales final. No refunds or exchanges. Box opens one and one half hour prior to the performance at Wilson Hall. Patrons can park for free in Warsaw Parking Deck behind the Forbes Center one and a half hours prior to performances. A free shuttle will run from the Warsaw Parking Deck to Wilson Hall starting one hour prior to performances and returning immediately following.

Tickets Available at jmuforbescenter.com»

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Sunday, October 1

9:00 - 11:00 AM
Study Abroad Reception
(D-Hall 3rd floor, Hall of Presidents, Free; Parking: Warsaw Deck, A Lot for Accessible Permits)
This is a drop-in event where students, parents, family, and friends will be able to meet with the Study Abroad Staff, Global Dukes (study abroad alums), and Semester Program Directors to talk about our 90+ JMU study abroad programs. Breakfast items and coffee will be available. All are invited!


11 AM - 6 PM
University Recreation Family Hours
(UREC and UPARK, Parking: Convocation Center Lots)

Families are welcome and encouraged to avail themselves of the wide assortment of UREC and UPARK’s facilities and amenities. Please be sure to bring a photo ID, and students must accompany family members.


Hours Vary By Location
Family Brunch at E-Hall or D-Hall
($10 + tax/person | No tickets necessary; Parking: Ballard Deck, Grace St Deck)
Choose from a selection of breakfast and lunch items. If your student has a meal plan, there is no additional charge. They just punch their JACard at the door as usual. And even better, if they have FLEX or Dining Dollars, they can pay for your meal.


2 PM
A Cappella Thon Concert (Memorial Hall Auditorium | $5/person Cash or Check; Parking: C8 Lot)
JMU’s student-led a cappella groups come together in a concert of tight harmonies and blended sounds. JMU is proud to present some of the finest collegiate groups of this genre.

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