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Family Weekend

Family Weekend: Oct. 17 - 19, 2025

Every fall, Family Weekend provides a chance for families to visit students for a fun-filled weekend on the Cortland campus. This is a great time to experience college through their student's eyes, and for students to show them why they love Cortland.

You'll have the opportunity to:

  • Enjoy a meal with University President Erik J. Bitterbaum.
  • Cheer on the Red Dragon athletic teams.
  • Explore campus and partake in local fall activities.

The weekend is designed to help you discover what SUNY Cortland has to offer and learn about the organizations, people and places that have become home to your student.  

Registration for Family Weekend 2025 is now open.
Registration will close on Friday, October 3, 2025.

Information on lodging in the Cortland area can be found through the restaurants and lodging information page

Friday, Oct. 17

6 a.m. - midnight Student Life Center open
Student Life Center
Free access to the fitness center including pool, track, and workout equipment. Please let front desk staff know you are a parent of a SUNY Cortland student and complete the guest waiver daily.

9 a.m. – 6 p.m. College Bookstore open
Neubig Hall
Opportunity to purchase Cortland apparel, school supplies, and more. 

10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Dowd Gallery open
Dowd Fine Arts Center; Free admission.
Check out the selected works in the campus art gallery. 

4 - 7 p.m. Check-In
Corey Union Lobby
Welcome! Check-in and pick up your Family Weekend packet containing your pre-paid tickets and updated event schedule. 

6:30 p.m.  Women's Volleyball vs. Ithaca
Park Center, Corey Gymnasium; Free admission.

7 p.m. Student Activities Board Comedy Night
Corey Union Function Room; Free admission.
Two comedians. One hilarious night. Join us for an evening of laughs with Ryan Kelly and Dewayne White.  Gather your friends and family and head on over to the Function Room on the third floor of Corey Union.  Free appetizers and beverages will be available.

Saturday, Oct. 18

8 a.m. - midnight Student Life Center open
Student Life Center
Free access to the fitness center including pool, track, and workout equipment. Please let front desk staff know you are a parent of a SUNY Cortland student and complete the guest waiver daily.

9 – 11 a.m. Check-In
Corey Union Lobby
Welcome! Check-in and pick up your Family Weekend packet containing your pre-paid tickets and updated event schedule.  

9 a.m. – 6 p.m. College Bookstore opens
Neubig Hall
Opportunity to purchase Cortland apparel, school supplies, and more.

11 a.m.  Women's Volleyball vs. Stevens
Park Center, Corey Gymnasium; Free Admission.

11 a.m. Presidents’ Brunch
Corey Union Function Room
Join us for a morning brunch, a popular tradition with families and students, with remarks by University President Erik J. Bitterbaum and Student Government President Parker Arenas as well as performances by A Capella groups.  Enjoy scrambled eggs w/ cheese, scones, bacon, home fries, chicken & biscuits, french toast w/ syrup, cut fruit, mini cannoli, coffee, and orange juice.
General Admission (adults and SUNY Cortland students, children 6 and up) - $20. Advance registration required.  Click here to buy.  Note:  This event is limited to 300 participants. If there is a high enough demand, we will open a second seating which would happen earlier at 9:30 a.m.

1 p.m. Football vs. Alfred University
Stadium Complex Grady Field
SUNY Cortland students admitted free with their college ID card.  All others can purchase tickets to the game by clicking here.  The game is not anticipated to sell out.

1 p.m. Men's Soccer vs. Morrisville
Holloway Field; Free admission.

1 p.m. Women's Ice Hockey vs. Nazareth (Exhibition Game)
Park Center Alumni Arena; Free Admission

2 - 5 p.m. Beak & Skiff Apple Orchard is open for Apple Picking
Beak and Skiff Apple Orchard, 2708 Lords Hill Road (Rte. 80), Lafayette, NY.
Take a drive and experience apple picking first hand. The apple orchard is open 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. with the last wagon departing at 5 p.m.

3 p.m. Women's Volleyball vs. Bard 
Park Center, Corey Gymnasium; Free Admission

3 - 5 p.m. Planetarium Shows 
Bowers Hall
Planetarium Director and Physics Lecturer, Sean Nolan will present planetarium shows every 30 minutes from 3 p.m. – 5 p.m. Free admission but seating is limited, and advance registration is required.  Click here to reserve your spot

8 p.m. TOTAL TRIVIA NIGHT!
Corey Union Function Room
Calling all trivia buffs, the competition is on! This fast-paced trivia game includes multiple-choice questions covering a wide variety of topics. From movies, pop culture, sports, geography, math, history, science, food, and more, there's a category for everyone!

Players are competing for points and leaderboard spots - score the most points at the end of each round and you win! in Total Trivia, every audience member participates! There are four rounds to each game and multiple chances to win $200 in CASH PRIZES!

Sunday, Oct. 19

8 a.m. - midnight Student Life Center open
Student Life Center
Free access to the fitness center including pool, track, and workout equipment. Please let front desk staff know you are a parent of a SUNY Cortland student and complete the guest waiver daily.

9 a.m. – 3 p.m. College Bookstore open
Neubig Hall
Opportunity to purchase Cortland apparel, school supplies, and more.