Family Weekend FAQ's

Carolina Family Weekend is full of traditions and excitement and is a wonderful time for Carolina family members to reconnect with their student, meet other Carolina families, and connect with faculty and staff. There are wonderful programs and events to explore while enjoying the vibrant Carolina community.

Carolina Family Weekend is happening November 1-3, 2024

Carolina Family Weekend participants are responsible for their own lodging accommodations for the weekend. For a list of local hotels that we partner with, please visit our website: nsfp.unc.edu/families/local_hotels. You may find hotel accommodations from other properties in nearby towns and cities, for example Durham, NC.

Carolina Family Weekend is for the entire family! Many families will bring siblings of all ages, aunts and uncles, grandparents, cousins…everyone!

Online registration takes place via the UNC Family Experience Portal and closes Friday 10/18 at midnight ET! In-person registration is available 10/31 through 11/2 onsite.

There is a small registration per attendee (UNC students register for free!). All other ticketed events do require purchase for UNC students.

• Early bird registration is $10/person ending September 22
• Regular registration is $12/person starting September 23
• On-site registration is $15

The 2024 Registration Access Pass includes: 

• A wristband that allows you to access "Free (F)" events (registration fees support these costs) 
• Access to Campus Recreation facilities and classes 
• The Saturday Morning Coffee Break (Continental Breakfast) 
• The Coffee & Conversation with the Chancellor event 
• *New for 2024* access to Carolina on my Mind: A Showcase of Student Affairs professionals speaking on a range of topics
• Clear Stadium Bag Giveaway
• *all events are subject to being at capacity/supply limitation 

The Carolina Family Weekend schedule has a variety of event offerings that take place starting Friday and concluding Sunday. You may pick and choose the events that you are able to attend at your leisure.

Participation in any of ticketed Carolina Family Weekend events requires registration and full payment of fees, regardless of your arrival time. Outside of ticketed events, we will be offering no-cost events.

Any family member who is a UNC Family Experience user, may complete a registration. Families are expected to communicate with one another about who is purchasing tickets for which family members and for which events. We will have a check-in packet for each registration that is created.

If you do not receive or if you have lost your confirmation email, send an email to [email protected] with the email address you used to register in the UNC Family Experience, your student’s name and PID number and one of our staff members will assist you.

All Carolina Family Weekend fees are NON-refundable. Please review your own calendar and reservation carefully before completing your payment – once you submit your reservation and payment, you acknowledge that you are responsible for the associated cost and are liable for fees even if you do not attend.

Have a family discussion about potential scheduling conflicts before making a registering and buying tickets. Conflicts may include evening classes, mid-term exams, and other events that may bring family to Chapel Hill on a different weekend. You are welcome to give your event tickets to another family.

Please list any special accommodations you may need in the Carolina Family Weekend registration form (for example, sign-language interpreters, wheelchair access, dietary needs, allergies etc.) you and/or your guests may require during Carolina Family Weekend. We will report these appropriately but may not be able to make all accommodations.  

If you need disability parking spaces, please see the map linked here: maps.unc.edu/parking/accessibility-parking (Select "Visitor Disability Parking" to see spaces).

We are unable to provide wheelchair rentals on request, and encourage families to plan ahead and seek out a local medical supply company.

Email us at [email protected] or call our office at (919) 962-8304 if you have any questions! 

(This is information for the 2024 CFW Program)

Thursday: Check-In will begin at 3:00pm and end at 6:00pm in the FPG Student Union

Friday: Check-In will begin at 10:00pm (noon) and end at 7:00pm in the FPG Student Union

Saturday: Check-In will begin at 9:30am and end at noon

All check-in materials will be available for pick-up under your student’s name.

Please note: If you have more than one student included on your reservation, materials will be listed under the name of the primary student – the first student you registered on your reservation.

Yes – if you are unable to attend Carolina Family Weekend Check-In, your student may pick up your materials. Please make sure your student brings their UNC One Card (student ID) and a copy of your confirmation email.

There are many reasons for this change. We have feedback from 2021 and pre-COVID years that a football weekend caused some concerns:

• No accessible parking for events, including football
• Getting around campus was difficult or impossible
• Hotel costs were very expensive and accommodation space was hard to find
• Other events could not compete with football as an attraction, thus low participation by other campus departments
• There was interest in seeing more of campus outside of a football athletic event

Visit our Family Football Experience day webpage to learn more about a one-day tailgate experience we offer Carolina families.