With a red baseball cap shading his face, a dad throws a frisbee to his son on the Quad. Nearby, siblings reconnect over a game of cornhole. Across campus, students welcome their parents to the place they have come to call home.
Action-packed Family Weekend allows loved ones to experience Tuscaloosa and enjoy game day traditions firsthand. The weekend has something in store for every member of your family!
Clear your calendar for Family Weekend 2024 Oct. 11-13 and book tickets now.
“Family Weekend at The University of Alabama is a time of joy, anticipation and connection, bringing families together to experience the best of Tuscaloosa,” said Dr. Tre’ Finklea, assistant director of Parent and Family Programs. “From the Kickoff Concert at Government Plaza to the tailgate festivities at the Bryce Property, every moment is designed to celebrate our vibrant community.”
Ticket packages include a full roster of events on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Registration includes the Kick-off on Friday, tailgate on Saturday, brunch, and myriad optional events throughout the weekend. Family Weekend tickets do not include football tickets. Family Weekend UA vs South Carolina) football tickets are sold out, but general tickets can be purchased on seatgeek.com.
Sophomore Katelyn Green said Family Weekend never fails to create special memories. Aside from showing her own family UA’s hospitality, she also loves getting the chance to meet new people.
“It was a wonderful experience to show them the campus and all the activities that were involved, like going to the game and meeting different families and connecting with students that I never thought I would meet,” Green said. “It was a great way to network and make new friends… Overall, it was a great weekend that I will never forget.”
The Division of Student Life has worked tirelessly to organize this special weekend with the well-being of families in mind. Finklea said, “Planning it with the Parent and Family Programs office is a labor of love, where every detail is thoughtfully crafted to create unforgettable moments for families, bringing them closer to the heart of campus life and the Crimson Tide spirit.”
Family Weekend Highlights
“Families can enjoy a serene Yoga session, discover unique University of Alabama merchandise finds at the silent auction, and indulge their sweet tooth at the Chocolate Festival,” Finklea said. “It’s a weekend filled with excitement, tradition, and unforgettable experiences that unite families and showcase the heart of Tide country.”
Family Weekend Kickoff on Friday, Oct. 11
- Location: Government Plaza: 2106 SixthStreet, Tuscaloosa
- Live entertainment
- Purchase food from local restaurants and food truck vendors.
- Open to Tuscaloosa community
- Present the ticket from your check-in packet for a free picnic blanket for the first 500 families.
Family Weekend Tailgate on Saturday, Oct. 12
- Starts three hours before kickoff at 8 a.m.
- Location: Corner of Bryce Lawn, 315 Bryace Lawn Drive. Look for the balloon arches.
- Features food, goodies and lots of crimson pride!
- Family photo stations
- Tailgate meal included with your wristband.
Family Weekend Brunch on Saturday, Oct. 12
- 8 a.m.-11 a.m.
- Corner of Bryce Lawn (315 Bryce lawn Drive)
- Registration required
Family Weekend Brunch on Sunday, Oct. 13
- 8 a.m.-1 p.m.
- Location: Hosted by Bama Dining in Lakeside Dining Hall
- Family Weekend participants will use their wristbands for admission.
- Admission for those who haven’t registered can be purchased at the door for $10.50.
Family Weekend Yoga on Sunday, Oct. 13
- Two sessions: 9 a.m.-9:45 a.m. and 9:45 a.m.-10:30 a.m.
- Location: UA Student Center Lawn
- Parental supervision is required for non-student individuals under 19 years of age to participate.
- Registration required
The optional Chocolate Festival Fundraiser supports the Women and Gender Resource Center on Friday, Oct. 11, from 3 to 5 p.m. in Shelby Hall. Tickets are available through the Family Weekend ticketing system, listed as an “add-on.” Desserts are provided by local caterers and there will be a silent auction. Proceeds support the WGRC’s “free, confidential, and voluntary counseling and advocacy for survivors of interpersonal violence,” according to their website.
Several other events are scheduled for the weekend, including museum tours, a Central Mesa percentage night on Thursday, open houses for UA colleges and various offices, the Education Abroad information tent, religious services and the self-guided Tuscaloosa Civil Rights History Trail.
Make Family Memories at the Capstone
Senior Isabelle Williams said her most memorable experience during Family Weekend was from freshman year.
“Professors were at an open house in the College of Communication and Information Sciences. My mom got to meet some of my professors, which was really nice. In the rotunda of Reese Phifer, they had coffee out and it was a casual way to stop in and mingle with professors,” Williams said.
Family Weekend t-shirts are available for purchase. T-shirts will be mailed directly to the address that you enter at check-out. Purchase Family Weekend 2024 T-shirts here.
Tuscaloosa hotels can fill up quickly, so families may choose to stay in Birmingham or its suburbs. Helpful information can be found on Visit Tuscaloosa.
For more information, contact 1-800-392-2777 or parents@ua.edu. Visit their Frequently Asked Questions page. Sign up for The UA Crimson Connection to stay updated on forthcoming details.