Family and Friends Weekend

Family and Friends Weekend is an annual event that brings thousands of family members to the University of Maine to reconnect with their Black Bear! This event is for families of all sizes, dynamics, and class years. It is the University’s time to celebrate the fall season in New England, honor our traditions, and enjoy the company of students and their families, faculty and staff, alumni, and members of the extended Black Bear community. 

UMaine family in front of the LL Bean bootmobile. Text on photo reads: "Register Now! Family and Friends Weekend September 26-27, 2025"

With generous support from the

University Credit Union

University Credit Union (UCU) Logo

Family and Friends Weekend is scheduled for Friday, October 2, 2026 and Saturday, October 3, 2026! Click the buttons below for more information.

Registration Student Involvement Umaine Athletics

Online Registration will open in early July!

If you miss the deadline for registration, don’t fret! You are still able to register in person during the event.

To continue to re-imagine our Family and Friends Weekend experiences, there will be a small registration fee for all attendees. This added cost will help to create an unforgettable experience for your family! No need to register your student as they get into all of our events (with the exception of the Paint and Sip and others as noted) for free. Registration is only $25 per person, children under 10 get in for free, just let us know at the check in table!

What’s included:

  • Discount on some UMaine sporting event tickets 
  • Entry to all non-ticketed events 
  • and more!

Pre-Order your t-shirt to make sure you get one!  Pre-Order will end at NOON on Friday, September 11, 2026. Shirts will still be available at check-in while supplies last. We will have a limited number of shirts for purchase at check-in – make sure to arrive early and ask about them if you missed the pre-order deadline!

Below are our items for purchase for the weekend. Look through the offerings and make sure to get your items while supplies last!

Do you need to reach someone about Family and Friends Weekend? Reach out to our team at um.getinvolved@maine.edu

The Family and Friends shirts are a great way to commemorate your weekend! The shirts are $15 for pre-orders, though if you miss the deadline we will have a limited number for purchase at check-in (though the price changes to $20 per shirt). Below last years design!

Family of bears next to a sign that reads "Welcome to MAINE, the way life should be". Underneath this is the text: "Family and Friends Weekend".

The ‘Class of’ shirts are a great way to show off the year your student graduates! The shirts are $15 for pre-orders, though if you miss the deadline we will have a limited number for purchase at check-in (though the price changes to $20 per shirt). We will offer shirts for the following classes:

  • Class of 2027
  • Class of 2028
  • Class of 2029
  • Class of 2030

Below is the general design, with the year changing based on your selection!

Maine Black Bear Logo over a blue background. Text reading "Class of 202X".

Join other participants Friday night (October 2) at 7pm in a paint and sip in our Wells Central Pub. The registration fee is $20 per person, but includes all the materials you need to create a piece of art to bring home and remind you of the fun you have had! Beer, wine, and snacks are available for purchase.

We will have a limited number of commemorative Family and Friends branded steins for sale at check-in. Each stein is $15 and will only be available at check-in while supplies last! The steins hold up to 1 liter and the design is below.

White stein image on a grey background. The logo on the stein is a family of black bears next to a sign reading "Welcome to MAINE, the way life should be". Underneath this are the words "Family and Friends Weekend"
UMaine parent taking a picture with their phone of a family throwing axes on the University Mall.

Friday, October 2 events

  • TBD: Check back later as we update our event offerings!
Registration

Saturday, October 3 events

  • TBD: Check back later as we update our event offerings!
Registration
UMaine families playing cornhole on the University Mall.
UMaine students in hammocks on the University Mall.

Sunday, October 4 events

  • TBD: Check back later as we update our event offerings!
Registration
Still image of alien planet with an aurora over a mountain.

Versant Power Astronomy Center

The Versant Power Astronomy Center has many shows.  Please see their schedule below.  Tickets are required for all shows and are $7 for adults, $6 for UMaine students or senior citizens, and $5 for children 12 and younger. MUSIC SHOWS are $9 general admission.

The planetarium seats 50 maximum so advanced purchase is recommended. Tickets available online at http://astro.umaine.edu or by calling 207-581-1341. For show
information see https://astro.umaine.edu/visit/planetarium-programs/.

Friday, October 2

  • TBD: Check back later as we update our event offerings!

Saturday, October 3

  • TBD: Check back later as we update our event offerings!

Sunday, October 4

  • TBD: Check back later as we update our event offerings!
Versant Astronomy center

Local Housing Accommodations

Hotel Ursa at the University of Maine
Black Bear Inn

Bangor Aviator Hotel Click the link above for a Family and Friends discounted price!
Country Inn at the Mall
Hampton Inn
Hilton Garden Inn
Courtyard Marriott
Comfort Inn
Residence Inn
Fairfield Inn

Milford Motel on the River

Freqently Asked Questions

Anyone you call family (parents, siblings, that aunt who pinches your cheeks every time she sees you, your neighbor down the street who shovels your driveway when it snows, I think you get the picture) is invited! If they are your family or friend, we want them to attend!

Register at this link! (registration will go live in July)
To create greater experiences, a $25 registration fee is in effect. Students do not need to register, as they get into events for free with their Mainecard!

In addition to the additional programming and opportunity to explore our campus, Family and Friends Weekend is an excellent opportunity to connect to your Black Bear in their home away from home. It can be an opportunity to bridge the gap between their lives both on and away from campus.

Family and Friends Weekend includes two days of activities and opportunities for you to engage with your student. Family Weekend is designed so you can choose how many events or opportunities you want to participate in. Each day has many activities so you’ll be able to pick what feels most relevant to you and exciting for your family.
If you are up for traveling on Friday, we will have nighttime entertainment and a chance to check in. Saturday is the busiest. Events start mid-morning and continue into the evening. Sunday is treated as a travel day, with light programming available in the morning.

Questions?

Email um.getinvolved@maine.edu