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Family Weekend
Family Weekend is an important UMKC tradition. Spend time with your student, enjoy signature events, explore our diverse Kansas City community, and take part in the UMKC student experience. Family and friends of all ages are invited to participate in UMKC Family Weekend.
Family Weekend 2026 | September 25-27, 2026
Family Weekend celebrates parent, family and supporter involvement in our UMKC community. We hope to connect you to campus resources, help you meet faculty/staff, and welcome you into our UMKC family.
2026 Schedule
Friday, September 25
- MSA Family Game Night | 4PM-6PM, MSA Village, Student Union Room 319
- Kick off Family Weekend with the UMKC MSA staff, students, and families! Come ready to enjoy free food, music, play exciting games, and enter to win amazing raffle prizes. Don't miss the fun—everyone is invited!
Saturday, September 26
- Family Weekend Check-In | 9AM-12PM, UMKC Bookstore
- Urban Hikes KC | 9:00 AM-12:00 PM, UMKC Bookstore
- Join UMKC alumna-owned Urban Hikes KC for an urban hike exploring the area around UMKC. This urban hike includes the Kauffman Gardens, the interesting homes on Printer's Row, the iconic shuttlecocks on the Nelson Atkins's Museum's lawn, the South Plaza and Mill Creek Park area. This is a ticketed event and has a capacity of 20. Register & purchase tickets for this event on Roogroups under Urban Hikes KC Tour
- Parent, Family and Supporter Learning Sessions | 10:00 AM-12:00PM, Miller Nichols Library
- Financial Wellness - 10AM -12PM
- Peer Academic Leadership - 10-12PM
- Lunch on your Own | 12PM-2PM
- The UMKC Foodiverse will be open, providing an array of options like pizza, burgers, and allergen friendly meals. See more about the Foodiverse here.
- Want to explore options nearby? Check out this food and drink guide from Visit KC
- First Generation Roo Scholars Luncheon | 11AM-1PM, First Gen Den 4th Floor MNL
- Be in community with other first-gen families and check out our space on the 4th floor of the Miller Nichols Library! This event has a capacity of 50. Advanced Registration is required to attend.
- Register here: 2026 Family Weekend - First Gen Roo Luncheon Registration
- Kansas City Roos Volleyball Game | 1:00PM-3:00PM, Swinney Center
- Join us for UMKC Volleyball during Family Weekend and cheer on the Roos! Gather with fellow students, families, and supporters to enjoy an exciting match and show your Roo pride as our student-athletes compete. A special Family Weekend ticket discount code is available.
- Purchase tickets here: https://kcroos.evenue.net/promotions with promo code: WEEKEND
- Paint and Sip with Pinot's Palette | 2PM-4PM, SU 401
- Follow along as you are guided through painting a KC inspired masterpiece by a skilled local artist. Light refreshments will be provided.
- This event has a capacity of 50. Tickets will be distributed on a first come first served basis at Family Weekend Registration Check-In on Saturday, September 26 beginning at 9AM.
- School of Medicine Tour and Social | 2PM, School of Medicine Entrance, 2411 Holmes Road
- Sponsored by Friends of UMKC School of Medicine
- Calling all SOM parents, families, and supporters! Please join us for an in-depth tour of the School of Medicine. Our student leaders will show you classrooms, offices, and libraries, among other sites, to highlight renovated spaces in the building. This is a great opportunity to ask questions and connect with other SOM families. The tour will end with a SOM social at the Diastole Scholars Center at 2501 Holmes.
- This event is for SOM parents, families, and supporters only.
- Trivia hosted by UMKC Honors | 4PM-6PM, SU 401
- Join Honors Trivia during UMKC Family Weekend for a fun afternoon of friendly competition! Test your knowledge while connecting with Honors ambassadors, students, families, and supporters. Bring your team and your Roo spirit for a chance to win prizes.
- You do not have to be a student or a family/supporter of the UMKC Honors Program to attend.
- Kansas City Roos Men's Soccer Game, and Family and Supporter of the Year Award Half-Time Recognition | 6:00PM-10:00PM, Durwood Stadium
- Cheer on the Kansas City Roos Men's Soccer team at Durwood Stadium during Family Weekend! Enjoy family-friendly activities, such as a balloon decorator and face painter, games, photobooth and giveaways for all ages on the Roo Patio before kickoff at 7:00 p.m. During halftime, we'll recognize the UMKC Family and Supporter of the Year with a special award presentation. Stay after the match for a chance to meet players and collect autographs. A special Family Weekend ticket discount code is available.
- Purchase tickets here: https://kcroos.evenue.net/promotions with promo code: WEEKEND
More Information and Events
The UMKC Family and Supporter of the Year Award celebrates the supportive role parents, families, and supporters play in the lives of our students. Honoring outstanding supporters serves as a reminder that parents, families, and supporters are essential to the success of our students, the prosperity/viability of our institution, and to the connection with our larger campus community.
Award Nominations are open through August 26th!
Join us at the Kansas City Roos Men's Soccer game half-time show on Saturday the 26th during Family Weekend for the award presentation.
Who doesn't love a sweet treat? The UMKC Honors Program and UMKC Family Program invites you to stop by French Custard, a small-batch custard shop in Brookside serving scratch-made frozen custard with more than 42 rotating flavors, along with pints and custard cakes.
Visit their storefront: 5905 Main St., Kansas City, MO 64113 on Saturday September 26th, and be sure to let them know you're with UMKC Family Weekend. French Custard will donate 20% of the proceeds back to our very own UMKC Kangaroo Pantry, whose mission is to support members of the UMKC community experiencing food insecurity.
Celebrate Blue & Gold Week During Family Weekend!
Family Weekend kicks off the beginning UMKC Blue & Gold Week, which is a celebration uniting alumni, students, families and the Kansas City community for a variety of spirited events that celebrate Roo pride, UMKC traditions, and the start of a new academic year.
While you're on campus for Family Weekend, be sure to check out the Blue & Gold Week schedule and take part in the celebrations that make UMKC a vibrant and welcoming place.
More information about Blue and Gold Week and a full schedule here.
If you're looking to explore more of Kansas City during UMKC's 2026 Family Weekend, consider visiting the 18th & Vine Arts Festival. Although this is not an official Family Weekend event, it's a fantastic way to experience the city's rich artistic and cultural heritage while you're in town.
Held in the historic 18th & Vine Jazz District, the festival celebrates Kansas City's creative spirit through live performances, visual arts, local vendors, food, fashion, and interactive experiences.
Festival Hours
Friday, September 25: 5:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Saturday, September 26: 10:00 a.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Sunday, September 27: 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
The Museum extends free admission to the whole family! UMKC students can always enjoy free admission with a UMKC Roo Card and are encouraged to sign up for a free membership, which includes a 20% off discount at the Museum Store. Family Weekend registrants also receive complimentary admission with their Family Weekend badge.
Find more information about The Museum by visiting their website.
Help us gather hygiene items for the Dr. Raj Bala Agrawal Care Center!
Donation bins will be located at Family Weekend check-in, and: outside Student Union Room 401, near the UMKC Bookstore, and at Durwood Stadium for the Kansas City Roos Men's Soccer Match on 9/26.
Needed items include:
- Menstrual products
- Travel and full size deodorant
- Toothbrushes
- Travel and full size toothpaste
- Travel and full size shampoo
- Travel and full size conditioner
- Travel and full size body wash
- Travel and full size bar soap
Family Weekend parking will be available on the 5th and 6th floors of the Cherry Street Parking Garage, beginning at 3:00 PM on Friday 9/25 through 10:00 PM on Sunday 9/27.
Families may park in any space that is not reserved, such as 24/7 Faculty/Staff, UMKC plates only, handicap, etc). Parking in a reserved space, or one that is not open to guests will result in a parking ticket.
No UMKC parking permits, visitor passes, etc., will be required.