Carolina Family Weekend is October 30 – November 2, 2025!
Click the links below to view the schedule for each day of Carolina Family Weekend. Some events required advanced registration, ticket purchase, or fee. These events will be marked with an “$” and/or an “R”. Some events are free to attend and/or do not require additional registration. These events are marked with “F”. Events that are led by New Student & Family Programs are marked with “NSFP”.
Continue to check back as events continue to be added!
Key
- F – Free to attend with Family Weekend registration
- R – RSVP required by the event sponsor
- $ – Fee or Ticket purchase required
- *NSFP – New Student & Family Program SIGNATURE event
Thursday, October 30
Carolina Family Weekend Check-In (*NSFP, R)
3:00-6:00pm
Check-in with New Student & Family Programs staff to pick up any NSFP registration purchases.
Location: West Lounge, F.P.G Student Union, 209 South Rd, Chapel Hill, NC
Friday, October 31
Carolina Family Work Outs (F)
Carolina families enjoy free access to Campus Recreation Facilities for Carolina student families and members of the Campus Recreation family (student employee alumni).
Family members can join students to work out for free in one of the Campus Recreation facilities during the entirety of Family Weekend. (Family members must be accompanied by a current UNC student and will be asked to sign a participation waiver at check-in.)
Facilities include the Student Recreation Center, Rams Head Recreation Center, Fetzer Hall, Woollen Gym, and Bowman Gray Memorial Pool. Visit: campusrec.unc.edu for all facility hours.
Carolina Family Weekend Check-In (*NSFP, R)
10:00am – 7:00pm
Check-in with New Student & Family Programs staff to pick up any NSFP registration purchases.
Location: West Lounge, F.P.G Student Union, 209 South Rd, Chapel Hill, NC
SIGNATURE EVENT: Carolina on my Mind (A Student Affairs Mini Conference (*NSFP, F)
11:00am-1:00pm
We’re bringing the experts to you for a mini conference covering topics we know are on the mind of Carolina families! Showcasing Student Affairs professionals present on Navigating Internships, On-Campus & Off-Campus Housing, and Fraternity & Sorority Life. General Family Weekend registration gets you access to all sessions.
Location: Various locations in F.P.G Student Union, 209 South Rd, Chapel Hill, NC
SIGNATURE EVENT: Cheerwine & Design ($, R, *NSFP)
7:00pm – 9:00pm
Enjoy an evening where YOU become the artist! A professional instructor will lead all participants in an engaging 2-hour class where you can leave with your very own painting.
- 6:30 pm Doors Open
- 7:00 pm Class Starts
Each ticket includes:
- Access to the event and instructor-guided process
- All materials (pre-sketched canvas and paints)
- Cheerwine & Cheerwine floats (a staple of North Carolina!) and snacks
Location: The Great Hall, F.P.G Student Union, 209 South Rd, Chapel Hill, NC
Saturday, November 1
Carolina Family Work Outs (F)
Carolina families enjoy free access to Campus Recreation Facilities for Carolina student families and members of the Campus Recreation family (student employee alumni).
Family members can join students to work out for free in one of the Campus Recreation facilities during the entirety of Family Weekend. (Family members must be accompanied by a current UNC student and will be asked to sign a participation waiver at check-in.)
Facilities include the Student Recreation Center, Rams Head Recreation Center, Fetzer Hall, Woollen Gym, and Bowman Gray Memorial Pool. Visit: campusrec.unc.edu for all facility hours.
Carolina Family Weekend Check-In (*NSFP, R)
9:00am – 12:00pm
Check-in with New Student & Family Programs staff to pick up any NSFP registration purchases.
Location: West Lounge, F.P.G Student Union, 209 South Rd, Chapel Hill, NC
SIGNATURE EVENT: Conversation with the Chancellor (*NSFP, F, R)
10:00am – 11:00am
This annual tradition invites ALL Carolina families together for an event with Chancellor Lee H. Roberts and UNC leadership. Chancellor Roberts will provide remarks and updates on all things UNC! Expect an opportunity for Q&A with University Leadership. Registration for Carolina Family Weekend is required to attend this event.
Location: The Great Hall, F.P.G. Carolina Union, 209 South Rd, Chapel Hill, NC
SIGNATURE EVENT: The Carolina Family Weekend Coffee Break (*NSFP, F)
11:00am – 12:00pm
Join us for coffee and light breakfast refreshments after the Carolina Family Weekend Annual Conversation with the Chancellor, featuring Chancellor Lee H. Roberts. Registration for Carolina Family Weekend is required to attend.
Location: The Great Hall Lobby F.P.G. Carolina Union, 209 South Rd, Chapel Hill, NC
Sunday, November 2
Carolina Family Work Outs (F)
Carolina families enjoy free access to Campus Recreation Facilities for Carolina student families and members of the Campus Recreation family (student employee alumni).
Family members can join students to work out for free in one of the Campus Recreation facilities during the entirety of Family Weekend. (Family members must be accompanied by a current UNC student and will be asked to sign a participation waiver at check-in.)
Facilities include the Student Recreation Center, Rams Head Recreation Center, Fetzer Hall, Woollen Gym, and Bowman Gray Memorial Pool. Visit: campusrec.unc.edu for all facility hours.
SIGNATURE EVENT: Sunday Biscuit Brunch & Live Music! (*NSFP, $, R)
10:00am-1:00pm
Start a new Carolina Family Weekend tradition and bring the whole family to our laid-back brunch featuring biscuit sandwiches, fresh fruit, oj, coffee & tea and enjoy a showcase of homegrown Carolina student musicians!
Location: The Great Hall, West Lounge, Plaza F.P.G. Carolina Union, 209 South Rd, Chapel Hill, NC
Maps
Here are two resources that can help you navigate UNC-Chapel Hill:
- An interactive and searchable map – maps.unc.edu
- A printable map – Click HERE
Places of Interest
The National Panhellenic Council (NPHC) Legacy Plaza
The Fraternity and Sorority Life Office invites everyone to visit the newly constructed UNC NPHC Legacy Plaza celebrating the nine National Pan-Hellenic Council fraternities and sororities. Of the nine, eight have chartered on Carolina’s campus and have been positively impacting UNC and the surrounding communities since 1973.
- Location: 101 S. Columbia Street, Chapel Hill, NC 27514
- Friday – Saturday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
- Sunday: 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
- ackland.org/
Since 1958, Ackland has been one of North Carolina’s most important cultural resources. Located on the edge of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s campus, the Ackland provides experiences that spark insight into ourselves, each other and the world. Explore the museum’s permanent and temporary exhibits on your own or on a guided tour, and check out the museum’s numerous special events and public programming.
The Carolina Basketball Museum (F)
- Location: The Ground Floor of the Ernie Williamson Athletic Center
- Monday – Friday: 10:00am – 4:00pm
- Saturday: 9:00am – 1:00pm
- Sunday: Closed
- goheels.com/sports/2021/12/10/carolina-basketball-museum.aspx
The Carolina Basketball Museum, located on the ground floor of the Ernie Williamson Athletic Center, celebrates the rich history of the University of North Carolina men’s basketball program.
UNC Visitors Center self-guided tours (F)
- Location: Coker Arboretum is located on the corner of Cameron Avenue and Raleigh Street in Chapel Hill. Click here for Google Maps directions. Metered parking is available nearby and around downtown Chapel Hill.
- Open everyday dawn to dust, 365 days each year
- ncbg.unc.edu/visit/coker-arboretum
Serene walking paths take you past wildflowers and trees in this 5-acre gem on the UNC campus. Rest on one of several open lawns, or take a seat on a shady bench. Coker Arboretum changes with the seasons: from spring blooms to summer greenery and fall color to winter trees, there’s always something to see.
- The UNC Visitors Center has many resources to help guests learn about our campus, including self-guided tours.
- Explore campus at your own pace using the online, interactive Visitors Guide: visitorsguide.unc.edu/unc-visitors-guide
Chapel Hill’s Murals & Public Art – Self-Guided Tours (F)
- Location: Downtown Chapel Hill
- Click HERE for the Walking Map
- Click HERE for more information about Chapel Hill Arts and its Murals
Take a self-guided walking tour of the colorful murals painted by artist Michael Brown and other artists with the Chapel Hill Downtown Walking Map created by Go! Chapel Hill Active Living by Design (click the website above). The town of Chapel Hill has a growing indoor and outdoor permanent collection now totaling over 150 works of art in a variety of media. Visit Chapel Hill Arts for details. To learn more about Michael Brown and his work, see the video HERE.
