Family Weekend
Sept. 26-27, 2026
We hope to see you at Family Weekend! Join us for a full slate of awesome activities to connect with your student, explore our campus, and experience the beauty of fall!
Get tickets for your family today!
Students need a ticket to participate. The last day to register and guarantee your T-shirt size is September 17, 2026.
After September 17, registrations will still be accepted, includig walk-in registrations during the event weekend, however, T-shirt availability and sizing cannot be guaranteed.
Reach out to [email protected] with any questions.
Helpful Information
Campus map (Parking will be in P-22)
Area lodging
Local dining
Accessibility Accommodations
Please indicate any need for accessibility accommodations by sending an
email to [email protected] and we will make sure you’re all set.
Beth's Bounty Donations
ESF’s Food Pantry serves students in need throughout the year and relies on contributions
from the ESF community.
Please consider dropping off your donation at the Family Weekend registration table.
Items that are especially helpful:
Lentils and grains
Canned proteins
Snacks
Canned fruit/vegetables
Chilis/soups
Tomato/pasta sauce
Menstrual products/toiletries
Full Schedule of Events
2026 Schedule of Events
For any questions, contact the Division of Student Affairs at [email protected] or 315-470-6660.
8:45–10:30 a.m. | Gateway
Welcome Center Concourse Check-In and Welcome Table
Check-in to receive your ESF Fall Fest t-shirt, and to meet the Division of Student Affairs and Office of Alumni & Donor Relations staff. Coffee will be provided.
8:45–10 a.m. | Gateway Center
Student Life Resource Fair
Visit with staff to learn about resources, ask questions, and discover the great things that are happening at ESF.
9:30–10 a.m. | Gateway Center
President’s Welcome Address
Join us for a Family Weekend Welcome Address from SUNY ESF President Joanie Mahoney.
11 a.m.–2:30 p.m. | Quad
Quad Party and Craft Fair
Come check out and shop with some of our amazingly talented crafters!
11 a.m.–2 p.m. | Gateway Concourse
Caricatures Time
Come get a fun drawing of you and your family to commemorate Fall Fest!
10:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m. | ESF Quad
Tie-Dye Your Fall Fest T-Shirt
We will provide materials to help you participate in a long-standing ESF tradition, to tie-dye your Fall Fest t-shirt! Make sure that you grab your shirt during check-in.
11 a.m.–2:30 p.m. | ESF Quad
Food Trucks
Enjoy Syracuse area Food Trucks with your family.
*Costs associated are not included in the Fall Fest registration fee.
Self-Guided Tour
Oakwood Cemetery
Digital maps are available on the Oakwood Cemetery Website.
Self-Guided Tour
ESF and Syracuse University
Look for historical posters in various ESF buildings for some great information. ESF Ambassadors will be available for a more personalized tour of ESF. Go to the Welcome Desk.
10:30 a.m. | Gateway Center
Tree Talk with Dr. Donald Leopold
Dr. Leopold’s talk will explore the story of the famed Robin Hood Oak and its parent, the Major Oak, along with a brief look at New York’s native oaks — their identification, ecology, and importance.
10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m. | Meet at the corner of Bray and Marshall
Hall on the upper sidewalk and walk to 102 Walters Hall
The Art and Science of Paper Making
Paper has been handmade for thousands of years. Come try this ancient technique and make your own sheet of paper! Also, perform some destructive tests to see how much force it takes to crush, punch a hole into, and pull apart different kinds of paper.
*Limited to 25 people at a time
10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. | Marshall Auditorium
Birds of Prey
Come face-to-face with some exotic birds of prey and learn about the Page Wildlife Center!
11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m. | 5 Illick Hall
Fascinating Fungi with Dr. Alex Weir
Explore the fascinating world of fungi with Dr. Alex Weir.
12:30 p.m. | Gateway Center
Return of the American Chestnut
Learn about the College’s groundbreaking work to restore this vital species with an inside look at ESF’s pioneering restoration breakthroughs and the sweeping ecological benefits these efforts could unlock across New York’s forests and beyond.
9–11:30 a.m. | Gateway Center
ESF Pancake Breakfast
Join us for a pancake breakfast featuring ESF’s very own maple syrup! Fill up on pancakes, sausage, and juice. A local vendor will have a coffee cart in the concourse, selling specialty coffee drinks.
10 a.m. | ESF Quad
ESF Timber Sports Demonstration
Staying for the pancake breakfast? Stop by the Quad after to see the Might Oaks Timber Sports team in action.
Get Your Gear
Visit the ESF College Bookstore for the latest Mighty Oak gear.
College sweatshirts, t-shirts, mugs, maple syrup, and more will be available for sale at the ESF College Bookstore.
Saturday: 8:30 a.m.–3 p.m. | Sunday: 8:30 a.m.–1 p.m.
Other places to check out!
Indulge in the culinary diversity of Syracuse at the Salt City Market.
484 S. Salina Street
Try innovative and diverse food offerings at Syracuse’s newest and fastest growing food market.
Pick apples and sample cider at America’s Best Orchard, Beak & Skiff.
2708 Lords Hill Road (Rt 80), Lafayette, NY 13084
Named the #1 apple orchard in the nation! Stop by to pick your own apples, enjoy some baked goods, or pick up some goodies.
Last Pick Your Own wagon goes out at 5 p.m.
Connect community and inspiration at The Everson Museum of Art.
401 Harrison St, Syracuse, NY 13202
The Everson Museum of Art in Downtown Syracuse, New York, is a major Central New York museum focusing on American art.
Get your fill of fall at Tim's Pumpkin Patch.
2901 Rose Hill Rd, Marietta, NY 13110
Tim's Pumpkin Patch is owned by Tim and Erica Leubner and their 3 daughters. They are a pick-your own pumpkin farm with a lot of awesome fun farm activities for the entire family