Family Weekend

Reservation Cut-Off Date: September 11, 2026

Address: 600 Commonwealth Place, Pittsburgh, PA 15222

Click here to reserve

Reservation Cut-Off Date: September 9, 2026

Address: 530 William Penn Place, Pittsburgh, PA 15219

Click here to reserve or call 1-800-THE-OMNI (1-800-843-6664) and reference Family Weekend 2026 for your stay.

Reservation Cut-Off Date: September 9, 2026

Address: 177 40th Street, Pittsburgh, PA, 15201

Click here to reserve

Reservation Cut-Off Date: September 14, 2026

Address: 2950 South Water Street Pittsburgh, PA 15203

Click here to reserve

• 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., Early On-Site Check In, WPU Lower Lounge. Students can check their families in early before your arrival to campus to receive your welcome bags, and housing access wristbands.

• 4 p.m. - 8 p.m., Early On-Site Check In, WPU Lower Lounge. Students can check their families in early before your arrival to campus to receive your welcome bags, and housing access wristbands.

• 11 a.m. - 3 p.m., Early On-Site Check In, WPU Lower Lounge. Students can check their families in early before your arrival to campus to receive your welcome bags, and housing access wristbands.

• 9 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12 p.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 3 p.m., 3:30 p.m. Cathedral of Learning Nationality Room Tours, Cathedral of Learning Visitor Center. 30-minute tour: Join us for a Nationality and Heritage Rooms Mini Tour—A condensed look into a selection of rooms. Meet 5-10 minutes prior to tour start time at the Visitor Center located on the first floor of the Cathedral of Learning just inside the Fifth Avenue entrance. Registration link available on Pitt Family Connection Family Weekend page.
• 10 a.m, 12 p.m., 2 p.m. Pitt Eats - Eatery Tour, Unmind by the Eatery. Join Pitt Eats to tour The University of Pittsburgh’s award-winning dining facility, The Eatery. Led by a Pitt Eats team member, these tours will cover the dining hall’s unique model and 11 distinctive stations, with time to ask questions and learn about the program. Each tour will meet by Unwind and take about 45 minutes. Register for an Eatery Tour
• 10:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m. Library Lounge: Coffee and Conversation, Carnegie Library, Oakland. Join us for a fun and engaging social program! This event will take place in the Graphic Novels Room. 
• 10:30 a.m. - 2 p.m. Pitt Public Market, Gallagher Plaza, in front of William Pitt Union. The Pitt Public Market features small businesses that offer a variety of local, fresh, and handmade items. Come shop the local vendors - all vendors accept Dining Dollars, Pitt Ca$h, Panther Funds, cash, credit, and debit. Bring a reusable bag to carry your new goods home!
• 11:45 a.m. - 1 p.m. School of Pharmacy Meet and Greet, Salk Hall, School of Pharmacy. Join the Dean for a School of Pharmacy Meet and Greet and tour. 
• 12 p.m. - 5 p.m. On-site Check In, William Pitt Union Lower Lounge. Families can check in to receive their welcome bags, and event and housing access wristbands.
• 12 p.m. - 5 p.m. Family Lounge, William Pitt Union Lower Lounge. Take a break from your travels and check out the family lounge to enjoy snacks and relaxation. 
• 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m., 4 p.m. Recreation and Wellness Center Tour, Recreation and Wellness Center. Tour the new state of the art Recreation and Wellness Center. Registration link available on the Pitt Family Connection Family Weekend page. 
• 1 p.m. - 4 p.m. Family Photos, Millennium Panther. Stop by the Millennium Panther outside of the William Pitt Union with your family and say cheese! Family Weekend volunteers will be there to snap your photo with your cell phone.  
• 2 p.m. - 4 p.m. Fraternity and Sorority Life Family Gathering, O'Hara Student Center, Dining Room. The Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life welcomes families of Fraternity and Sorority life students. Families will be able to enjoy light refreshments, get to know FSL staff, and ask any questions they may have on how the office supports their student. 
• 3 p.m. Trivia and Tours with the School of Nursing, Victoria Building, Room 125. Test your knowledge with a fun-filled game of TRIVIA!  Registration for trivia will take place from 3:00 to 3:30 p.m. The game will begin at 3:30 p.m. Win the coveted trivia trophy! Everyone will receive a participation prize. You will also be able to tour the building and meet members of the nursing student groups. 
• 3 p.m. Hillman Library Tour, Hillman Library. See your child's home away from home, Hillman Library! Get a guided tour of the newly renovated Hillman Library. See 3D printing, scanning, and virtual reality in our OpenLab, get hands-on with a working 19th century printing press, and explore unique materials from August Wilson, George Romero, and others on our large-scale digital interactive media wall. Can't attend the guided tour but still interested? Stop at the Donald S. Wood Service Desk on the Ground Floor any time during the weekend and pick up a self-guided tour Passport to lead the way!  Learn more
• 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. Family Happy Hour, University Club. 
• 4 p.m. - 6 p.m. Frederick and Flannel, Cathedral Lawn.  Bundle up for a golden-hour gathering full of fall flavor and Frederick fun on the Cathedral Lawn! Warm up with hot apple cider and seasonal fall treats while digging into dips and walking tacos. Grab a lawn game and mingle with fellow parents, families, and advocates who make up our close-knit circle of passionate supporters shaping the future of Frederick Honors College. We look forward to welcoming you! RSVP Required through Frederick Family Newsletter -  Sign Up for the newsletter
• 5 p.m. Hillel JUC Shabbat Services and Dinner, Hillel JUC Building, 4607 Forbes Avenue. Families are welcome to visit Hillel JUC with your student .  Shabbat schedule - 5pm Reception, 5:45pm Shabbat Services, 6:30pm Shabbat Dinner
• * 6 p.m. - 8 p.m., Welcome Reception, Cathedral of Learning Commons Room.

  Join us for the official kickoff to Pitt Family Weekend 2026! Enjoy time with other families, students, and staff from around campus. Student Affairs administrators and staff will be at the reception to welcome you to campus and answer your questions about campus life. Light refreshments will be served.

  Due to the large numbers of anticipated visiting Pitt families, we may have to pause entry to the Commons Room if capacity is reached and will allow additional entry once people have departed.

• * 8 p.m. - 11 p.m., Late Night Family Fun, William Pitt Union Assembly Room, Ballroom, and Kurtzman Room. Join us for some late night family fun! Choose your own adventure and select from mini golf, glow dance party, or create a beaded craft! Even better, try out all three options throughout the evening. Insider tip - this is a great event to meet your students roommates families and have a chat while enjoying a fun activity.  

* Family Weekend Registration Wristband Required for entrance 

• Pitt Family Tailgate (ticket holders only), The Great Lawn outside of Acrisure Stadium. Ticketed tailgate will take place 3 hours prior to kickoff. 
• 8 a.m. - 10 a.m. Frederick Fuel Up & Go, Frederick Honors College, Dean's Suite. Make a "Pitt Stop" and experience the Dean's Suite like never before as you start (or continue) your Family Week adventures! Swing by for a quick grab n’ go bite on your way to the day's game day festivities and say good morning to our Frederick Faculty/Staff before you head out. Grab a hot cup of coffee, a fresh pastry, and a few other goodies to fuel you up for whatever Family Week has in store on game day. Let’s Go Pitt! RSVP Required through Frederick Family Newsletter -   Sign Up for the newsletter here.
• 9 a.m. - 10:30 a.m., Swanson School of Engineering Family Breakfast and Meet and Greet, Benedum Hall, Room 157. Join us on Saturday morning in Benedum Hall! You will hear from Senior Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Mary Besterfield-Sacre, PhD, and engineering academic advisors. Coffee and light refreshments will be served, we'll be giving away Swanson swag and tours of Benedum Hall from Swanson Ambassadors will be available after the discussion. Space is limited and registration fills quickly, so please register at your earliest convenience! Questions? Contact Liz Ward at liz.ward@pitt.edu or 412-389-1394. Registration
• 9 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12 p.m., 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., 2 p.m., 2:30 p.m., 3 p.m., 3:30 p.m. Cathedral of Learning Nationality Room Tours, Cathedral of Learning Visitor Center. 30-minute tour: Join us for a Nationality and Heritage Rooms Mini Tour—A condensed look into a selection of rooms. Meet 5-10 minutes prior to tour start time at the Visitor Center located on the first floor of the Cathedral of Learning just inside the Fifth Avenue entrance. Registration link available on Pitt Family Connection Family Weekend page.
• 10 a.m, 12 p.m. Pitt Eats - Eatery Tour, Unmind by the Eatery. Join Pitt Eats to tour The University of Pittsburgh’s award-winning dining facility, The Eatery. Led by a Pitt Eats team member, these tours will cover the dining hall’s unique model and 11 distinctive stations, with time to ask questions and learn about the program. Each tour will meet by Unwind and take about 45 minutes. Register for an Eatery Tour
• 10 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m. Historic Library Tour, Carnegie Library, Oakland. Join us as we take you on a guided tour through Andrew Carnegie’s Main Library. You’ll get a look at the wonderful architecture that created this historic landmark, as well as how the building’s interior has changed over time. No registration required.
• 1 p.m. - 3 p.m. Share Your Stories: Family, Carnegie Library, Oakland. Connect with neighbors by sharing photos, memorabilia, and stories of a different monthly theme. This program takes place in the 3rd floor conference room. 
• 2 p.m. - 2:30 p.m., Global Snacks and Global Opportunities, Global Hub, Posvar Hall. Join us for a chance to sample snacks from around the world and learn about all things global, including study abroad and study away programs, professional development opportunities, area and global studies certificates and the Global Distinction, and scholarships for global experiences. 

• * 9 a.m. - 11 a.m., Farewell Grab and Go Brunch, William Pitt Union Assembly Room. Breakfast is on us. Grab and go breakfast options will be provided to fuel your trip home and ease your goodbyes from campus.
• 10 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m. Historic Library Tour, Carnegie Library, Oakland. Join us as we take you on a guided tour through Andrew Carnegie’s Main Library. You’ll get a look at the wonderful architecture that created this historic landmark, as well as how the building’s interior has changed over time. No registration required.
• 11 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12 p.m., 12:30 p.m., 1 p.m.  Cathedral of Learning Nationality Room Tours, Cathedral of Learning Visitor Center. 30-minute tour: Join us for a Nationality and Heritage Rooms Mini Tour—A condensed look into a selection of rooms. Meet 5-10 minutes prior to tour start time at the Visitor Center located on the first floor of the Cathedral of Learning just inside the Fifth Avenue entrance. Registration link available on Pitt Family Connection Family Weekend page. 
• 1 p.m., 2 p.m., 3 p.m. Recreation and Wellness Center Tour, Recreation and Wellness Center. Tour the new state of the art Recreation and Wellness Center. Registration link available on the Pitt Family Connection Family Weekend page. 

* Family Weekend Registration Wristband Required for entrance 

10 a.m. & 1 p.m., Burgh Bits & Bites “Strip District Market Tour.” The Strip District tour is a late morning/early afternoon weekday tour featuring a behind-the-counter look at a variety of eateries in Pittsburgh's historic market district. This tour links local history with the eating establishments peppered along Penn Avenue with taste samples from around the world including Italian pastries, Mediterranean and Latin American specialties, European meats, and cinnamon bread. Purchase tickets here and use code PITT10 for 10% off!

1:30 p.m., Burgh Bits & Bites “Downtown/Market Square Tour.” Experience the heart of downtown on a food tour centered around Market Square, one of the city’s vibrant and historic gathering places. This guided restaurant tour takes you through a mix of iconic 'Burgh spots and hidden gems surrounding the Square. Along the way, you’ll sample a variety of local flavors while hearing the stories behind the chefs, buildings, and culture that make this area unique. On the tour you’ll discover how Market Square has transformed from a historic marketplace into a community hub of restaurants and events. Tastings on the tour include Primanti's sandwich, pasta, ice cream, cocktail and more! Purchase tickets here and use code PITT10 for 10% off!

12:00 – 10:00 p.m., Oktoberfest Pittsburgh. Experience Downtown Pittsburgh at its fullest during Pitt Family Weekend at Oktoberfest Pittsburgh on Friday, October 9, and Saturday, October 10! Head Downtown on Friday to kick off Family Weekend, or make your way to Market Square after the Pitt vs. UNC game at Acrisure Stadium on Saturday. Located in the heart of Downtown at Market Square, Oktoberfest brings together Bavarian tradition and Pittsburgh spirit with something for everyone in the family. Ride the Ferris wheel on the bridge for incredible views of the city, enjoy live music and games at the Karneval, try your hand at axe throwing, and grab a bite and a drink in the Biergarten—including one of Oktoberfest’s famous giant pretzels. Families can also cheer on the Dachshund (Weiner Dog) Races and Stein Holding Competition before exploring everything Market Square and Downtown Pittsburgh have to offer. Friday, October 9 is College Night — with your college ID, get $1 off pretzels and drinks, and get 5 free Karneval tickets when you buy 10! During Pitt Family Weekend, you can also ride the Ferris wheel for free with the purchase of a pretzel. Bring the whole family and make Oktoberfest part of your Pittsburgh experience! More details here!

• 1:30 p.m., Burgh Bits & Bites “Lawrenceville Tour.” Lawrenceville is a walking tour rich in American history and replete with creative and unique businesses owners that are pursuing their artisan dreams. Both the historic content and the food on this tour represent Lawrenceville's past history as a blue-collar working community and its recent up-scale and artistic renaissance into the hip, urban neighborhood it has become.​ Tastings include Greek specialties, lasagna, ice cream and one of the 'Burgh's best sausage sandwiches. This tour is a must for those who enjoy visiting eclectic boutiques and galleries while tasting food specialties from local small businesses. Purchase tickets here and use code PITT10 for 10% off!

  12:00 – 10:00 p.m., Oktoberfest Pittsburgh. Experience Downtown Pittsburgh at its fullest during Pitt Family Weekend at Oktoberfest Pittsburgh on Friday, October 9, and Saturday, October 10! Head Downtown on Friday to kick off Family Weekend, or make your way to Market Square after the Pitt vs. UNC game at Acrisure Stadium on Saturday. Located in the heart of Downtown at Market Square, Oktoberfest brings together Bavarian tradition and Pittsburgh spirit with something for everyone in the family. Ride the Ferris wheel on the bridge for incredible views of the city, enjoy live music and games at the Karneval, try your hand at axe throwing, and grab a bite and a drink in the Biergarten—including one of Oktoberfest’s famous giant pretzels. Families can also cheer on the Dachshund (Weiner Dog) Races and Stein Holding Competition before exploring everything Market Square and Downtown Pittsburgh have to offer. Friday, October 9 is College Night — with your college ID, get $1 off pretzels and drinks, and get 5 free Karneval tickets when you buy 10! During Pitt Family Weekend, you can also ride the Ferris wheel for free with the purchase of a pretzel. Bring the whole family and make Oktoberfest part of your Pittsburgh experience! More details here!