Schedule of Events
Pre-registration is NOT required to attend Family Weekend. Everyone is welcome to join this free celebration!
Don't forget to check in and pick up your two FREE Family Weekend 2023 t-shirts at "The Bonnie" Hurlburt Student Center when you arrive on campus.
While most events are free and open, there are some events that are ticketed. Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis and can be secured at The Ticket Hub beginning August 1st at 5:00p.m.
And check out the Radford University Bookstore to get your Radford swag!
Friday, September 15, 2023- Events in Radford
12:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. | Registration and Check In Location: "The Bonnie" Hurlburt Student Center lobby Come by "The Bonnie" Hurlburt Student Center to register and pick up your free 2023 Family Weekend t-shirt! Campus and city maps, discount coupons, and other free gifts available for pick up. Hosted by the Division of Student Affairs |
7:00 a.m. -10:00 p.m. | Student Recreation and Wellness Center Complimentary family admission to all spaces and services. Hosted by Student Recreation & Wellness |
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. | Radford University Bookstore Location: Dalton Hall (lower level) Stop by to replenish your Radford University wardrobe or get a new Highlander coffee mug. Don't forget the discount coupon from check-in! Hosted by The Radford University Bookstore |
8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. | Open Office Hours Financial Aid Office - Heth Hall 169 Bursar - Heth Hall 2nd floor Housing & Residential Life - Heth Hall 226 Alumni Relations - Russell Hall 150 |
10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. | Taubman Museum of Art Location: 110 Salem Avenue SE, Roanoke, VA 24011 Free admission to all families and students visiting during Family Weekend 2023. Stop on your way into or out of town! Sponsored by the Taubman Museum |
2:00 p.m. | CDI Open House Location: Heth Hall 157 Come vist the CDI and bring the Family! Hosted by Center for Diversity and Inclusion |
3:00 p.m. - 5:00p.m. | Family Scavenger Hunt Location: Russell Hall Admissions Lobby Stop by to accept the Family Scavenger Hunt challenge! You'll receive your mission, complete the hunt, and receive a prize! Hosted by University Admissions |
4:00 p.m.- 6:00 p.m. | Family Photo Shoot Location: Fountain on Heth Lawn Our photographers are offering family portrait sessions at the Fountain on Heth Lawn. Swing by with your family and your smile. You will recieve your image digitally the following week! This event is free and requires no pre-registration. Hosted by Student Affairs |
4:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. | Premium Dinner at Dalton Location: Dalton Dining Hall Check out one of your student's many campus dining options at one of our most popular dining facilities. It's Premium Night at Dalton Dining Hall. Enjoy a full buffet! Students may swipe in with a meal plan. Guests may pay at the door or pre-order a ticket at the Ticket Hub. Regular dinner price is $15.19 in advance, $16.38 at the door. Premium ticket (additional) is $8.00 in advance, $8.86 at the door. Sponsored by Dining Services |
7:00 p.m. | Movie Night - Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse Location: "The Bonnie" Hurlburt Student Center Auditorium Free showing. Popcorn provided. All ages welcome. Sponsored by R-SPaCE |
7:00 p.m., 8:00 p.m, and 9:00 p.m. | Planetarium Show "Dark Side of the Moon" Location: Center for the Sciences, Planetarium This amazing show is produced by Michigan State University’s Abrams Planetarium and is their vision of the classic 1973 rock album. This is not a laser show, but rather a full-dome visualization of the entire 43 minutes of the Pink Floyd masterpiece. Sit back and enjoy our 5.1 Surround Sound system as it takes you on a journey that can only be described as "trippy"! These are free but ticketed shows. Please visit The Ticket Hub to secure your seats. SOLD OUT Sponsored by the Physics Department |
7:00 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. | Meet Before it Melts Location: First Gen Center Create a customized water bottle and enjoy an ice cream sundae with us! Hosted by First-Gen Center |
7:30 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. | Family Time in the Game Room Location: Hurlburt Student Center Family and friends are invited to play during family time in the game room. It's free fun for all ages! Hosted by Student Involvement |
Friday, September 15, 2023 - Events in Roanoke
12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. | RUC Check in and Registration Location: 3rd Floor Lobby Come by to register and pick up your 2023 Family Weekend t-shirt! Campus and city maps, discount coupons, and other free gifts available for pick up. Sponsored by RUC Student Affairs |
8:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. | RUC Bookstore Open Stop by to replenish your Radford University wardrobe or get a new Highlanders coffee mug. Don't forget the 15% discount coupon from check-in! |
8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. | Open Office Hours Student Affairs- 4th Floor |
10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. | Taubman Museum of Art Location: 110 Salem Avenue SE Free admission to all families and students visiting during Family Weekend 2023. Stop on your way into or out of town! Sponsored by the Taubman Museum |
12:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. | Fitness Center Complimentary access to the Fitness Center on the 1st floor |
12: 30 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. | Games and Activities (Highlander House, 4th floor) Join others for video, board and yard games and a paint party, snacks will be provided. Sponsored by Student Affairs |
1:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. | Wellness Break (room 401) Join us for a session on guided imagery Sponsored by Student Affairs |
1:30 p.m.-2:00 p.m. | Tour of the Care Corner (Highlander House, 4th floor) Take a gander at the new care corner in the Highlander House which includes sand tray, foot massagers, relaxation tips, and more Sponsored by Student Affairs |
2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. | Family Photo Scavenger Hunt (Library, 5th floor) Stop by anytime between 2 to 4 p.m. to accept the Family Scavenger Hunt challenge! You'll receive your mission, complete the hunt, and receive a prize! Sponsored by the RUC Library |
2:30 p.m.-4:30 p.m. | Family Photos (3rd floor Lobby) Sign up for a time to have your family photo taken: |
3:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. | Wellness Break (room 401) Join us for a session on gentle stretching and square breathing Sponsored by Student Affairs |
5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. | Dinner in Downtown Roanoke Grab a bite to eat before heading back to campus! |
7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. | Family Fun Night (Highlander House, 4th floor) Join other families for a night of friendly competition, prizes will be awarded Sponsored by Student Affairs |
Saturday, September 16, 2023 - All Events in Radford
8:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. | Registration and Check In Location: "The Bonnie" Hurlburt Student Center lobby Come by "The Bonnie" Hurlburt Student Center to register and pick up your 2022 Family Weekend t-shirt! Campus and city maps, discount coupons, and other free gifts available for pick up. Hosted by the Division of Student Affairs |
8:00 a.m. - 10 a.m. | Donuts with the Dean Location - around campus Look out around campus for Bruce Hayden, Interim Associate Vice President of Student Affairs and Dean of Students, on his special, decorated golf cart and enjoy a sweet treat! Enjoy a donut and juice, learn about the Dean of Students Office, or discuss a question or challenge you are facing! Hosted by the Dean of Students Office |
9:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. | Radford City Farmers Market Location: 402 West Main St., Radford, VA Enjoy some local treats, pick up a bouquet of flowers, plants, crafts, meats, and more! Hosted by the City of Radford |
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | Early Bird Special Location: Honeycomb Commons Pick up a drink and a snack at the Honeycomb Commons. Special Family Weekend discount of 10% off before noon! Hosted by Dining Services |
9:00 a.m. -5:00 p.m. | Radford University Bookstore Location: Dalton Hall (lower level) Stop by to replenish your Radford University wardrobe or get a new Highlanders coffee mug. Don't forget the 15% discount coupon from check-in! |
10:00 a.m. -11:00 a.m. | School of Nursing Open Labs Location: Waldron Hall 363 and 366 Join the School of Nursing for refreshments in Waldron Hall 363 and 366. |
10:00 a.m. -11:00 a.m. | Bridge Program Breakfast Location: Moffett Lawn at Ingles Hall Current and alumni members of the Bridge Program are invited to attend and bring their families to a light breakfast during Family Weekend. Share stories, connect in community, and enjoy goodies ahead of the Festival! |
10:30 a.m. | Planetarium Kids Show "Beyond the Sun" Location: Center for the Sciences, Planetarium Come fly with us and see our own planet, and then fly to other planets in our solar system, seeing them as they really are. Then, enjoy the full-dome show "Beyond the Sun" in which our young heroine Celeste and her new friend Moon learn about life on our planet, and then the possibility of us living on other planets outside of our solar system. This is a free show. Tickets not required, however seating is limited. Hosted by the Physics Department |
11:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m. | School of Nursing Simulation Center Tours Location: Cook Hall, 3rd floor Join the School of Nursing for tours of the Simulation Center. |
11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. | Family Weekend Festival & Campus Cookout Location: Heth Lawn The Family Weekend Festival will feature live music, a kids games area, bingo, olympics, inflatables, City of Radford vendors, and lots of fun! Chartwells will host an incredible cookout to enjoy the festivities. The festival will feature live music from the Seph Custer & the Flatbreaks! Seph Custer & The Flatbreaks are an improv-based band from Roanoke, VA. The trio is well versed in all manners of music to the point of never rehearsing or making a set list! From rock to jazz, funk to blues, and hip hop to alternative music, The Flatbreaks offer a unique experience that can’t be replicated - even by themselves! The festival is free to attend. Students can use a meal plan swipe to eat. You may pay with card on-site or prepurchase your meal ticket. Please visit The Ticket Hub to secure your meal tickets. Tickets are $12.79 in advance and $14.17 on site. |
11:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. | First-Gen Cookout Ticket Giveaways Location: Heth Lawn See us under the blue tent on Heth Lawn to get cookout ticket - limited number available on a first-come, first serve basis. Hosted by First-Gen Center |
11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. | Student Recreation and Wellness Center Complimentary family admission to all spaces and services. Sponsored by Student Recreation and Wellness |
12:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. | Mini Golf in the Stacks Location: McConnell Library Come to McConnell to play through a game of miniature golf library-style! Sponsored by the McConnell Library |
12:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. | ESports Center Open Hours Location: Cook 131 Visit the brand new, state-of-the-art ESports Center in Cook Hall. You don't have to be a gamer - you'll still have fun and you'll definitely be impressed! Staff will be present to talk about the esports minor, student success efforts, and how we're building community! Sponsored by Student Recreation & Wellness |
1:00 p.m. | Annual Family Weekend Dog Show Location: The Heth Lawn Bring the four-legged members of the Highlander family and join us for one of the weekend's most popular events. Every pup is a winner! Pre-registration is at 12 p.m. Look for the check-in tent at the Family Weekend Festival on Heth Lawn! Hosted by Student Involvement |
1:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. | Muse Rooftop Tour Location: Muse Hall elevators Take a “tour” of Radford University from the rooftop of Muse Hall. This picturesque opportunity will discuss the past growth and future development of Radford University from a birds eye view! This is a free event and guests can arrive to the Muse elevators to participate in the tour! Sponsored by Facilities Management |
1:00 p.m., 2:00 p.m., 3:00 p.m., and 4:00 p.m. | Planetarium Show "James Webb Space Telescope Greatest Hits (So Far)" Location: Center for the Sciences, Planetarium The James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is our latest and greatest eye on the universe, orbiting 1 million miles away from Earth and following us in our own journey around our sun. Join us as we see the images that the JWST has brought us, telling us more about how our universe works, the locations of Earth-like planets, and giving us glimpses into the earliest ages of our universe. These are free but ticketed shows. Please visit The Ticket Hub to secure your seats. SOLD OUT Sponsored by the Physics Department |
2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. | Fall Fashion Show Location: "The Bonnie" Hurlburt Student Center Auditorium A Family Weekend tradition! The annual Fall Fashion Show will display the works of Radford University design students. You won't want to miss it! Sponsored by: the Design Department |
2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. | It's all Greek to Me - Fraternity and Sorority Life Information Location: Heth Hall 022 Fraternity and Sorority Life can offer a lifetime of friendship, support, and professional networking to your student’s life. Come join the professional staff from the FSL Office to learn more about the history of Fraternities and Sororities, how they started at Radford, and the process for joining an organization. This event is free and requires no pre-registration. Hosted by Fraternity and Sorority Life |
6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. | Farm-to-Table Dinner Location: Selu Conservancy This special event will surely provide a unique experience and fantastic memories. Enjoy food and drink from local farmers and prepared by our world-class chefs. Cash bar available on site. Seating is limited to 70 persons. Tickets can be purchased at the Ticket Hub for $68 per person. Student meal plans cannot be used for this event. Sponsored by Dining Services |
8:00 p.m. | FEATURE PERFORMANCE: Magician Ran'D Shine Location: Covington Auditorium Ran’d considers magic as much more than just entertainment. He wants to expand your mind . . . get you to look at things from a different angle . . . and explore a bit of what the term “diversity” truly means. This show is free for students and only $5 for family members. You won't want to miss this "Real Magic for Real People!" Sponsored by: R-SPaCE |
7:30 p.m. - 11:00 p.m. | Family Time in the Game Room Location: Hurlburt Student Center Family and friends are invited to play during family time in the game room. It's free fun for all ages! Hosted by Student Involvement |
Sunday, September 17, 2023
9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. | First-Gen Family Send-off Location: Center for Opportunity and Social Mobility, "The Bonnie" Hurlburt Student Center 115 Visit the Center for Opportunity and Social Mobility in the Hurlburt (Bonnie) Student Center, room 115. Families can stop by, see the center space, ask questions, and meet some of our student staff. For the first 50 first-gen families to stop in, we will have a gift for you to take home. |
9:00 a.m.- 3:00 p.m. | Radford University Bookstore Location: Dalton Hall (lower level) Stop by to replenish your Radford University wardrobe or get a new Highlanders coffee mug. Don't forget the 15% discount coupon from check-in! |
9:30 a.m. - 2:00 pm. | The Highlander Family Weekend Brunch Location: Dalton Dining Hall Have brunch with your student before you head home. Enjoy a variety of items, including a carving station, made-to-order omelets, breakfast and lunch entrees. Students can swipe their meal plan. Guests can pay at the door or order tickets in advance at the Ticket Hub. Tickets are $12.79 in advance and $14.17 at the door. Hosted by Dining Services |
11:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. | Student Recreation and Wellness Center Complimentary family admission to all spaces and services. Sponsored by Student Recreation and Wellness |
9:00 am | Catholic Mass 1024a Clement Street Join the Catholic Campus Ministry for Mass before leaving town. Sponsored by the Catholic Campus Ministry |
10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. | Taubman Museum of Art Location: 110 Salem Avenue SE Free admission to all families and students visiting during Family Weekend 2023. Stop on your way out of town! Sponsored by the Taubman Museum |
Explore on Your Own!
Radford
- Check out the Radford University Art Galleries (Friday 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Saturday noon - 4:00 p.m.):
- Visit Randolph Park just next door in Dublin!
- Visit the Mary Draper Ingles Monument and learn about the history of the City of Radford.
- Download the Geocache app and enjoy the area treasure hunt.
- Check out area attractions!
Roanoke
- Church services around town
- Hike or drive to the Roanoke Star and enjoy the view of downtown and the Roanoke Valley
- Hike McAfee Knob, the most photographed spot on the Appalachian Trail
- Walk or bike the greenway, making sure to stop for ice cream at Blue Cow or get a bite to eat at the Green Goat
- Catch a play at Mill Mountain Theatre
- Shop and dine at Valley View Mall
- Take in a matinee at the historic Grandin Theater
- Grab some coffee at Sweet Donkey before heading home
- Visit the downtown farmer’s market, boutiques, and restaurants