SUNY Oswego’s annual Family and Friends Weekend returns Oct. 17 through 19, providing students and their loved ones three days of fall-themed events, performances and community activities to showcase Laker spirit.

Kate Donaghue, student family transitions coordinator in the Office of Student Life and Engagement, said the weekend gives families a glimpse into their students’ lives while offering students a chance to recharge.

“The main point of Family and Friends Weekend is community, but we also look at it from a retention standpoint,” Donaghue said. “It’s kind of close to midterms, and students might be stressed. Sometimes just seeing a familiar face from home — a sibling, a parent, or a friend — can make a big difference.”

The weekend kicks off Friday with a trivia night from 7:30 to 9 p.m. and a student talent showcase from 6 to 8 p.m., hosted in partnership with the Digital Music Association, Mu Beta Psi and Octavia. Donaghue said the showcase highlights student talent and gives families a sneak-peak into how Oswego supports its performing arts community. The popular Festival of Fire, melding art and sculpture, will run 1 to 5 p.m. Campus Recreation will host the Splash-in Movie, where attendees can watch "Hocus Pocus" while floating in the Lee Hall pool, at 7 p.m.

Saturday’s schedule features some of the weekend’s biggest activities, including the Fall Festival from 1 to 3 p.m. with live music and the Great Pumpkin 5K Run/Walk hosted by Campus Recreation from noon to 2 p.m. Families can also enjoy Laker Luck, a trivia shuttle inspired by the TV show “Cash Cab,” which takes riders across campus and has them answer questions for prizes from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. 

Student creative showcases will include first theatre production of the season, "Silent Sky", will have showings throughout the weekend, and the annual Music Department concert at 11:30 a.m.

Athletic competitions will include the men's (7 p.m.) and women's (3 p.m.) hockey teams kicking off their seasons with games against St. John Fisher on Saturday. Women's soccer hosts Plattsburgh at 1 p.m. on Saturday. Field hockey welcomes Cortland at 4 p.m. Saturday. The women's tennis team will play Daemen College at 11 a.m. on Saturday and noon on Sunday, with men's tennis facing the same school at 11 a.m. Saturday.

Variety of events

Several departments and organizations are also working together with the Student Leadership and Engagement to add fun activities to the event. Rice Creek Field Station will host a Pollinator Party from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday with shuttle service from campus, and Auxiliary Services will elevate the Sunday brunch menu at Cooper Dining Hall to make the end-of-the-weekend meal extra special. 

Along with returning favorites, this year’s schedule features several fresh additions designed to engage families in new ways. Guests can write postcards to students through the Letters From Home initiative or donate $15 to the Student Emergency Fund in exchange for a Family and Friends Weekend T-shirt. 

To add to the community connections, Sunday will feature a Fall-iday craft fair with local vendors from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Donaghue said this year’s programming is flexible, allowing families to pick events that fit their interests and schedules. 

“It’s really chill,” she said. “You just pick what works best for you and your guests. We want everyone to feel welcome.” 

In addition to providing a sense of connection, Family and Friends Weekend serves as a reminder to students that their support system extends beyond campus, and their families and friends back home have their back.

“Quality time goes a really long way,” Donaghue said. “A sense of belonging starts with knowing that the people at home support you. When students feel that, they’re more confident and excited to get involved here.”

The full schedule and event details are available on the Family and Friends Weekend webpage.

-- Written by Emma Kerl of the Class of 2026