EMU’s Family Weekend is October 27-29, 2023

We welcome families of all forms to come connect with campus and gain unique insight into what it feels like to be an Eagle! After this weekend, we hope you can picture the people and places students spend so much time around and experience the value of their time here at EMU. Ultimately, we hope this weekend serves as a huge thank you for being there for our students and a celebration of the special bond you share.

Order Tickets Online

Family Weekend tickets are available for purchase online beginning September 1 through October 13. For questions or concerns, contact [email protected].

Buy Tickets

Important Information

  • Registration Expand dropdown

    Registration is required. Each group or individual planning to participate will need to register in advance and pay a registration fee online for their group (please include your student(s) in your event registrations). 

    • Registration will be live from September 1 to October 13. 
    • During registration, the ticket purchase link will navigate users to EventBrite where they will complete their registration for the entire group (including students).
    • After October 13 you can reach out to [email protected] to see if we have any open spots, however we may not be able to accommodate you based on capacity as we are required to give food counts to E|Dining in advance. 
  • What’s Included? Expand dropdown
    • The registration fee provides access to events over the weekend, a Family Weekend button which activates specials and discounts on campus and in the Ypsilanti Community throughout the weekend, and a limited edition Family Weekend souvenir. 
    • Most events over the weekend are included in the base registration cost (please register for all that you plan to attend via the "add on" section)! 
    • Some activities require additional ticket purchases such as the EMU Football Game, and Community Meet-up at BIG Entertainment. 
    • There are no limits to the number or relationship status of individuals who can register as a group to attend Family Weekend. 
  • Registration Fee Waiver Expand dropdown

    We are now offering a registration fee waiver process, designed to provide assistance to the families of those students with financial need, as demonstrated by the student’s financial aid package.

    • Any parent or guardian of a current, full-time undergraduate student receiving financial aid is eligible to apply for the Family Weekend registration fee waiver.
    • Priority will be given to those students receiving need based scholarships and aid from the institution. 
    • The Fee Waiver application will be available until September 22, 2023.

    The student of will be notified of the decision regarding their fee waiver application via email on a rolling basis. As we do not have access to which students have agreed to share their information, we will only notify the student of the decision and only via email. 

    If granted the waiver the email will also include a promo code which will render a 100% discount for a given transaction via the ticketing system. 

  • Plan Ahead Expand dropdown
    • For those needing overnight accommodations, there are a limited number of hotels available near campus so book early. Checkout our brief guide to booking local accommodations
    • Some tickets sell out fast (the Community Meet-up in particular) so don't wait to register if you know you want to attend.
    • Review the schedule of events and identify the ones you and your group most want to attend. 
    • Download and register with our event app to get the latest updates, connect with other families and ask questions to the organizers over the weekend. 
    • Check out other events happening while you’re here by visiting the EMU Today calendar and the YpsiReal website or socials.

While we do our best to plan a lively weekend for everyone, please note that we have a small team working on this (one full-time staff member and a few students) so please offer compassion and patience as we attempt to accommodate everyone’s needs. For questions and concerns please email [email protected]

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Who is Family Weekend for? Expand dropdown
    Family Weekend is for close friends, family, and partners of EMU students. We invite families of all forms to come and visit campus with us that weekend. We hope EMU students bring their #1 fans and support network to celebrate their favorite personal connections and make new memories on campus. 
  • What is there to do during Family Weekend? Expand dropdown

    A full schedule of events is listed here

    There are some self-guided activities occurring throughout the weekend: 

    • The Ypsi Road Rally competition can be completed at any time throughout the weekend. However, from 1:30pm-3:30pm on Saturday we booked free parking near Sweetwaters, a local cafe, and don’t forget to stop in for a free treat! The parking lot is also located near the Ypsi Water Tower (one of our featured landmarks and a great place for a group picture). 
    • Families can take the self-guided Art Tour anytime throughout the weekend, however the University Galleries have limited hours so please check their website ahead of time to plan your tour. 
  • What information will I need to register?  Expand dropdown
    You will need your student's name, EID, and emich email along with the events you and your student would like to participate in. Payment is also collected at time of registration. 
  • What if I have more than one student attending EMU?  Expand dropdown
    If you have more than one EMU student in your group simply select one of the students to register with and then add the other student to your group counts when registering for specific events. 
  • Where do I purchase Family Weekend tickets? Expand dropdown

    We use EventBrite for our ticket sales system but there won't be physical tickets to pick up (other than the Football Game on Saturday). 

    Please note: We have limited oversight through EventBrite. Please reach out to [email protected] if you have questions or concerns as contacting us through that system is not advised. 

  • Where do I pick up my Family Weekend tickets? Expand dropdown

    Physical tickets will not be used throughout the weekend. The Family Weekend buttons will serve as tickets to all the included events. For events requiring additional ticket purchase a guest list will be downloaded from the ticket website and registrations will be asked to show ID to confirm identity. The only exception is the Football Game - tickets purchased through our Family Weekend group will be provided at check-in (or at the first event your group attends). 

    If one guest in your group needs to be swapped for another guest at events that require additional ticket purchase please email [email protected]

  • Can my student pick up our tickets and information packets for us? Expand dropdown

    Yes. Packets will be available for pick up at the Student Center Information Desk on Friday Oct. 27 from 2-5 p.m. 

    After that, packets will be present at all Family Weekend events so families or students can meet us there (even if they aren’t attending that specific event). 

    We will also have a Family Weekend app available for download which will help us share updates and changes as well as provide an opportunity for you to ask questions and connect with other visiting families. 

  • What if we need a refund? Expand dropdown

    Registrants may request a refund through the EventBrite ticketing system at anytime. Refunds will be reviewed once a week leading up to the weekend and then the Monday after the weekend concludes. For questions and concerns please email [email protected]

    Refunds will only be granted if registrants were unable to attend due to an unforeseen circumstance (death, illness, logistical emergency, etc.). 

    Refunds for specific events (Football Game, BIG Entertainment Community Meet-up, etc.) may not be able to be refunded depending on when the refund is requested. 

    If you were unable to pick up your souvenir gifts or other items please email [email protected] with your student’s contact information and we will coordinate pickup after the weekend concludes. 

  • What if we need to add another guest to our group?  Expand dropdown

    Adjustments can be made to your order on the EventBrite ticket system. If you have any issues with this please contact [email protected] and we will assist you. 

  • Do I have to register my student for the weekend? Expand dropdown

    Yes. Please register students for Family Weekend (free of charge). 

    For Community Meet-ups students must be included in the ticket purchase due to the additional (individual) costs associated with the program. 

    Students do not need to purchase tickets for the Football Game, they can enter the game for free with their EMU Student ID card. They must have their card for entry.

  • Do I have to register children under 5 years of age?  Expand dropdown

    Yes, though you will see that children under 5 years of age are free. They will not receive the special Family Weekend souvenir but they will be able to participate in any of the activities throughout the weekend.

    For events requiring additional ticket purchase (Football Game and BIG Entertainment Community Meet-up) please include them in ticket numbers due to the additional (individual) costs associated with the program. 

  • What if I need special accommodations? Expand dropdown

    We will do our best to accommodate everyone’s access needs. Please email [email protected] to let us know how we can make your weekend smooth and comfortable. 

  • What COVID-19 restrictions still apply? Expand dropdown

    We are no longer requiring proof of vaccination or masks, however we do strongly encourage any members of your family who become ill to stay at home. If a family member is confirmed to have COVID-19 EMU has a standard 5 day quarantine practice and they should not attend the event if they are still showing symptoms. 

  • What does my Family Weekend button get me access to?  Expand dropdown

    Families will need their buttons for entry into all Family Weekend events. Events that require additional ticket purchase will use physical tickets or a guest list for verification. 

    Buttons will also gain families and students without a Rec/IM pass entry for free into the facility throughout the weekend. 

  • How does parking work?  Expand dropdown

    Parking can be tricky so we strongly encourage you to ensure you are parking in the designated lots/spaces for each day/event. We will provide these to you via email prior to the weekend.

    For Friday evening, we will have McKenny Guest Lot reserved (and paid for) so parking there will be free. 

    For Saturday morning at the Athletics Complex, there is a free tailgating parking lot for families and students across the street from Rynerson Stadium. NOTE: you may be asked to show proof of ticket (and student ID) to avoid having to pay for parking there so pick up your football tickets ahead of time.

  • What is the weather like in Ypsilanti this time of year? Expand dropdown

    Weather fluctuates this time of year. Please be prepared for a chilly and potentially wet weekend. Especially for the Football Game and other outdoor activities please dress accordingly and in layers if possible. We also recommend comfortable and warm shoes, a hat/ear covering, gloves (and handwarmers) and scarf for the game. 

Questions or Concerns?