CU Museum of Natural History
9 a.m.-5 p.m. | Henderson Building
The University of Colorado Museum of Natural History has five exhibition galleries where visitors can explore natural and human history through engaging and interactive displays. Drop by any time during open hours to check out the current exhibits. The Museum is free but appreciates donations.
CU Art Museum
10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Visual Arts Complex
The University of Colorado Art Museum's growing collection and diverse exhibitions and public programs promote, inspire and generate interdisciplinary scholarship and cultural expression. Drop by any time during open hours to check out the current exhibits, including Lush: Prolific Nature and Faculty Exhibition: 2023. The Museum is free, but donations are welcome.
Bouldering at The Rec
12-4 p.m. | Rec Center Climbing Gym
Drop in to the Climbing Gym at the Rec Center for free bouldering. You'll find a variety of bouldering and route climbing terrain for all skill levels. Show your Family Weekend luggage tag for access. Must be 12 or older to enter the gym, and anyone under 15 must also be accompanied by an adult.
Check-in and Information Tent
12-5 p.m. | UMC South Terrace Tent
Pick up your Family Weekend agenda, t-shirt, clear game day bag, CU giveaways, a campus map and other registration package information.
Open Rec
12-11:30 p.m. | Rec Center (Main Campus or Williams Village)
Show your Family Weekend luggage tag at the Rec Center to get in for free and take advantage of their facilities, including free fitness classes. Find a list of the class offerings on the Rec Center schedule.
History and Traditions Tour
1-2 p.m. or 2-3 p.m. | UMC South Terrace Tent
Explore our campus while learning fun facts and history about CU Boulder on this student-led walking tour. Meet at the UMC South Terrace Tent.
Student Experience Panel
3-4 p.m. | UMC Aspen Rooms
Ask questions and hear from a group of student leaders about their CU Boulder journey!
Architecture Tour
3-4 p.m. | UMC South Terrace
Tour CU Boulder’s campus while learning more about the historical development of the architectural style, campus design principles and the current practice and future vision for the institution. Please note: Space for this will be first-come, first-served and the number of participants will depend on the number of architects available at the time of the tour. If you aren't able to join the tour, you can learn more by checking out the book, "Body & Soul" by William R. Deno, one of our former campus architects. Purchases of the book at the CU Boulder Bookstore directly benefit students in the Planning, Design & Construction mentorship program.
Pre-Stampede Family Reception (Gold Package registrants only)
4:30-6:30 p.m. | Embassy Suites & Hilton Garden Inn
Join New Student & Family Programs for our annual Pre-Stampede Reception. Mix and mingle with other families, CU administrators and staff over heavy appetizers and a cash bar. Families can walk, take the bus or get on the Spirit Shuttle from the reception venue to Pearl Street in time for the Stampede.
Pearl Street Stampede
7-8 p.m. | Pearl Street
Cheer on the CU football team at the Pearl Street Stampede and get excited for the football game. This has been the kickoff celebration for CU Boulder home football games for more than a decade. This event is open to the public.
Fiske Planetarium Show: Seeing Shadows: Shining a Light on Astronomical Alignments (Tickets sold separately)
7-8 p.m. | Fiske Planetarium
Join Dr. John Keller, Fiske Planetarium Director for this special talk. Planets, moons, asteroids, and comets throughout our Solar System (and other solar systems!) follow predictable Keplerian orbits around their host star. Through both orbital resonances and chaos perturbations, these planetary bodies dance a choreographed ballet through our night sky. In this talk, we'll learn about special occasions when cosmic alignments result, including extrasolar planets transiting their home stars, asteroids and comets within our Solar System occulting distant stars, and our neighboring moon eclipsing (and being eclipsed by) our Sun. Dr. Keller will feature work associated with Fiske's NASA Science Activation project, Science through Shadows and answer your questions about the upcoming annular eclipse on October 14 and total eclipse of the Sun on April 8.
Tickets: $12 General Admission & FREE for CU Students showing a current Buff Card (only applies to this show). CU students must call ahead (303-492-5002) to reserve a ticket + tickets must be picked up the day of the event. Tickets not picked up by 6:30pm on Thursday, Oct. 12 will be released to the public.
The Revolutionists: A Play by Lauren Gunderson (Tickets sold separately)
7:30 p.m. | Loft Theatre
Four fearless women lose their heads in this irreverent, female-powered comedy set during the French Revolution’s Reign of Terror. Playwright Olympe de Gouges, assassin Charlotte Corday, former queen Marie Antoinette and Haitian rebel Marianne Angelle fight for freedom, justice and sisterhood while trying to hold back the extremist insanity of 1793 Paris. It’s a true story. Or total fiction. Or a play about a play. Or a raucous resurrection…that ends in a song and a scaffold.
Presented by the CU Boulder College of Arts and Sciences Department of Theatre & Dance. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at tickets.cupresents.org.
Buffalo Nites: Guided Painting Class
8-10 p.m. | UMC 235
Join your fellow art aficionados to create a work of art even the beginning painter can be proud of! Take some time to relax, learn from a pro, and create a painting you can’t wait to show off. All supplies included.
This event is hosted by the Center for Student Involvement. Families must be accompanied by a current CU Boulder student with a valid Buff OneCard. Space for this event is limited.
Ice Skating
8:15-10:45 p.m. | Rec Center Ice Rink
Take a spin on the only ice rink in Boulder during this open skating session. Skate rental is included for Family Weekend package holders. Show your Family Weekend luggage tag for access.
Laser Taylor Swift (Tickets sold separately)
8:30-9:30 p.m. | Fiske Planetarium
Taylor Swift is one of the biggest pop stars on the planet. With over 200 million records sold, a shelf full of Grammys, and millions of fans, she is an inspiration for generations. This show features her biggest hits and brings them to life with dazzling laser lights. If you can’t score tickets to her concert --- this is the next best thing.
This is not your parent's laser show! Our cutting edge projection system from Laser Fantasy mesmerizes your eyes with vibrant colors cutting their way through the fog to our 360-degree wrap around screen – all while our laser engineers fly you through the universe in beat to your favorite jams!
Tickets: $12 General Admission (no student discounts). Seating should be reserved in advance (payment is required) by calling the Fiske Planetarium ticket office at 303.492.5002 or emailing us at fiske@colorado.edu. Tickets must be picked up at least 30 minutes in advance of showtime. You can also purchase tickets online via our website.
Fiske Planetarium Show: Laser Depeche Mode (Tickets sold separately)
10-11 p.m. | Fiske Planetarium
One of the most popular and creative bands of the 1980s and early 90s, Depeche Mode and their dark, synthesized music is realized in one of the finest laser tributes ever. Our cutting edge projection system from Laser Fantasy mesmerizes your eyes with vibrant colors cutting their way through the fog to our 360-degree wrap around screen – all while our laser engineers fly you through the universe in beat to your favorite jams!
Tickets: $12 General Admission (no student discounts). Seating should be reserved in advance (payment is required) by calling the Fiske Planetarium ticket office at 303.492.5002 or emailing us at fiske@colorado.edu. Tickets must be picked up at least 30 minutes in advance of showtime. You can also purchase tickets online via our website.
Open Rec
6 a.m.-11:30 p.m. | Rec Center (Main Campus or Williams Village)
Show your Family Weekend luggage tag at the Rec Center to get in for free and take advantage of their facilities, including free fitness classes. Find a list of the class offerings on the Rec Center schedule.
Check-in and Information Tent
8 a.m.-4 p.m. | UMC South Terrace Tent
Pick up your Family Weekend agenda, t-shirt, clear game day bag, CU giveaways, a campus map and other registration package information.
Pre-Business Open House
8:30-9:30 a.m. | Andrews Hall
The Pre-Business program is excited to welcome parents and family of our Class of 2027! Please join us for light refreshments and conversation. You’ll have the opportunity to meet key partners in your students’ success at CU including Academic Advisors, Faculty, and staff. We look forward to seeing you there!
Leeds RAP Open House
8:30-9:30 a.m. | Cheyenne Arapaho Hall
The Leeds RAP is excited to welcome parents and family of our Class of 2027! Please join us for light refreshments and conversation. You’ll have the opportunity to meet key partners in your students’ success at Leeds including Academic Advisors, Faculty, and staff from the Leeds First-Year Experience Team. We look forward to seeing you there!
Leeds LLC Open House
8:30-9:30 a.m. | Kittredge Central
The Leeds LLC is excited to welcome parents and family of our Class of 2027! Please join us for light refreshments and conversation. You’ll have the opportunity to meet key partners in your students’ success at Leeds including Academic Advisors, Faculty, and staff from the Leeds First-Year Experience Team. We look forward to seeing you there!
Coffee and Community: School of Education Family Weekend Breakfast Open House
9-11 a.m. | Miramontes Baca (Fleming) 105
Coffee and breakfast pastries with School of Education advising and faculty. A chance for families to see the building where their students are taking their education courses and meet the people who they are working with.
College of Engineering & Applied Science Buff Family Reception
9-11 a.m. | Williams Village North, Suite 145
Visit the Engineering Connections in Williams Village North, Suite 145, to learn more about the Engineering Residential Community! This will be an informal time to chat with leaders of the College of Engineering & Applied Science and the staff and faculty that make up the Engineering Connections team. We’ll be offering short Engineering Connections tours and light refreshments.
CU Museum of Natural History
9 a.m.-5 p.m. | Henderson Building
The University of Colorado Museum of Natural History has five exhibition galleries where visitors can explore natural and human history through engaging and interactive displays. Drop by any time during open hours to check out the current exhibits. The Museum is free but appreciates donations. (As part of the Hellems renovation project, a construction fence currently encircles the building, but the Museum remains open and accessible during this time.)
Off-Campus Living: Tips on Finding Housing & Living Off-Campus
9:30-10:30 a.m. | UMC Glenn Miller Ballroom
It's time to start exploring off-campus housing options for your student, and Off-Campus Housing & Neighborhood Relations is here to help! This session will cover the ins and outs of finding housing, roommates, exploring budgets and will dive into what it means to live off-campus as a CU student.
CMCI Family Welcome
10-11 a.m. | NEST, CASE West 2nd Floor
CMCI Family Welcome is a time for students, staff, faculty and families to connect. We will have snacks and refreshments. Community members across the college will greet and welcome students and families.
Leading Students to the Library: Much More than Books!
10-11 a.m. | Norlin E113
Join to learn more about the University Libraries! We’ll guide parents through library spaces and collections, share details about learning opportunities and offer multiple ways for students to connect with us for research consultations. We’ll also give you a sneak peek of community activities and supports that we offer.
CU Art Museum
10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Visual Arts Complex
The University of Colorado Art Museum's growing collection and diverse exhibitions and public programs promote, inspire and generate interdisciplinary scholarship and cultural expression. Drop by any time during open hours to check out the current exhibits, including Lush: Prolific Nature and Faculty Exhibition: 2023. The Museum is free, but donations are welcome.
Leeds Business School Sessions
10-11 a.m. | Koelbel
- Intra University Transfer to Leeds (KOBL 127): Is your student already a CU Boulder student and thinking of becoming a business major? Join Leeds Academic Advising to learn about the Intra-University Transfer (IUT) process and learn a few things that they will need to do first in order to qualify for a transfer.
- Partnering with Leeds for Student Success (KOBL 100): A student’s transition to college is filled with new levels of intellectual, personal and social challenge, and the Leeds School of Business supports this transition in many ways both in and outside of the classroom. In this session, Associate Dean Laura Kornish will share her advice about how you can best support your student. Please join us for this “Leeds Essential Experience” and bring your questions!
- Pre-Business as a Pathway to Leeds (KOBL 125): Transitioning into Leeds is a journey and the Pre-Business Residential Academic Program is here to help guide the way. If your student is a current Pre-Business student living in Andrews or Kittredge Central Hall, join Pre-Business Academic Advising to learn about the transfer process and learn a few things that they will need to do first in order to qualify for a transfer.
Important Conversations to Have With Your Student About Relationships & Sex
11 a.m.-12 p.m. | UMC West Ballroom
At the start of college, making friends and creating social connections is a top priority for students. Having the skills to form healthy relationships, address concerning behaviors and look out for others can make all the difference. Learn how to continue to support your student in navigating these aspects of life in college.
Environmental Design Open House
11 a.m.-1 p.m. | ENVD Building
Families are welcome to come in and take a self-guided tour of the ENVD Building. Studios will be in session as 8-week studios wrap up for our first and second year students. Explore the building, engage with our gallery and enjoy the design space with your student.
Ice Skating
11:15 a.m.-1:15 p.m. | Rec Center Ice Rink
Take a spin on the only ice rink in Boulder during this open skating session. Skate rental is included for Family Weekend package holders. Show your Family Weekend luggage tag for access.
Intra-University Transfer & PES Information Session
12-12:45 p.m. | UMC Aspen Rooms
Join the Program in Exploratory Studies to learn more about the Intra-University Transfer (IUT) process.
Supporting Your Student's Academic Success
12-1 p.m. | UMC East Ballroom
Representatives from Advising, ASAP Tutoring, the Writing Center and Disability Services will joins us for a panel to answer your questions and discuss ways their offices can help your student be successful in the classroom.
PES Open House
12-1:30 p.m. | UEAC Lobby in CASE
Join the Program in Exploratory Studies for an Open House!
Bouldering at The Rec
12-4 p.m. | Rec Center Climbing Gym
Drop in to the Climbing Gym at the Rec Center for free bouldering. You'll find a variety of bouldering and route climbing terrain for all skill levels. Show your Family Weekend luggage tag for access. Must be 12 or older to enter the gym, and anyone under 15 must also be accompanied by an adult.
Arts & Sciences Open House
12:30-2 p.m. | UMC 247
Please join us at the College of Arts & Sciences Family Weekend Open House. Enjoy desserts and conversation with staff and faculty from across the college.
Intra-University Transfer & PES Information Session
12:55-1:40 p.m. | UMC Aspen Rooms
Join the Program in Exploratory Studies to learn more about the Intra-University Transfer (IUT) process.
Architecture Tour
1-2 p.m. | UMC South Terrace
Tour CU Boulder’s campus while learning more about the historical development of the architectural style, campus design principles and the current practice and future vision for the institution. Please note: Space for this will be first-come, first-served and the number of participants will depend on the number of architects available at the time of the tour. If you aren't able to join the tour, you can learn more by checking out the book, "Body & Soul" by William R. Deno, one of our former campus architects. Purchases of the book at the CU Boulder Bookstore directly benefit students in the Planning, Design & Construction mentorship program.
Fraternity & Sorority Life 101: Ins and Outs of FSL at CU Boulder
1-2 p.m. | UMC West Ballroom
This presentation will provide students and families information on the Fraternity & Sorority community at CU Boulder including the joining process, the membership experience and how the CU supports the University affiliated organizations.
Take Care Street Fair
1-3 p.m. | VAC Plaza
Join us for all things health and wellness! The Take Care Street Fair will include a variety of activities to help manage stress and promote both physical and mental wellness.
Office of Pre-Health Advising Open House
1-4 p.m. | Woodbury Arts & Sciences 105
Stop by the Office of Pre-Health Advising to see our student study space, chat with Pre-Health Advising representatives and grab some handouts and fun items! We’re excited to welcome Buff Families to our office and will have light refreshments available as well.
What to Know Before Signing a Lease
2-3 p.m. | UMC East Ballroom
This is a presentation for students and their parents covering the provisions of leases that tend to be the most problematic for students. The presentation is offered by Student Legal Services.
History and Traditions Tour
2-3 p.m. | UMC South Terrace Tent
Explore our campus while learning fun facts and history about CU Boulder on this student-led walking tour. Meet at the UMC South Terrace Tent.
Education Abroad
3-4 p.m. | UMC Middle Ballroom
The world is your classroom! Make Education Abroad part of your degree and build your résumé with the international experience. Come learn about CU Boulder’s diverse options, including international study, internship, research and service-learning programs. We offer hundreds of programs in over 70 countries. With programs available for ALL majors and ALL budgets, where will you go?
Health Professions RAP Open House
3-4 p.m. | Kittredge West Hall
Stop in to meet faculty and staff in the Health Professions RAP.
Global Studies RAP Open House
3-4 p.m. | Arnett Hall
Stop in to meet faculty and student leaders in the Global Studies RAP.
Family Weekend Tailgate
5-8 p.m. | Norlin Quad
Join us for a tailgate with fun for the entire family! Inflatables, a DJ, a visit from special CU guests, lawn games, food and drinks!
Arts & Sciences Family Weekend Tent
5-8 p.m.| Benson Lawn
Stop by the College of Arts & Sciences tent at the Benson Lawn tailgate before the football game! Come chat about opportunities in the college, and spin the wheel for A&S prizes small enough to bring to the game!
The Revolutionists: A Play by Lauren Gunderson (Tickets sold separately)
7:30 p.m. | Loft Theatre
Four fearless women lose their heads in this irreverent, female-powered comedy set during the French Revolution’s Reign of Terror. Playwright Olympe de Gouges, assassin Charlotte Corday, former queen Marie Antoinette and Haitian rebel Marianne Angelle fight for freedom, justice and sisterhood while trying to hold back the extremist insanity of 1793 Paris. It’s a true story. Or total fiction. Or a play about a play. Or a raucous resurrection…that ends in a song and a scaffold.
Presented by the CU Boulder College of Arts and Sciences Department of Theatre & Dance. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at tickets.cupresents.org.
Football Game
8-11 p.m. | Folsom Stadium
Cheer on the Buffs in a game against the Stanford Cardinal!
Tickets for this event are sold out.
Check-in and Information Tent
9 a.m.-5 p.m. | UMC South Terrace Tent
Pick up your Family Weekend agenda, t-shirt, clear game day bag, CU giveaways, a campus map and other registration package information.
CU Museum of Natural History
9 a.m.-4 p.m. | Henderson Building
The University of Colorado Museum of Natural History has five exhibition galleries where visitors can explore natural and human history through engaging and interactive displays. Drop by any time during open hours to check out the current exhibits. The Museum is free but appreciates donations. (As part of the Hellems renovation project, a construction fence currently encircles the building, but the Museum remains open and accessible during this time.)
Open Rec
9 a.m.-11 p.m. | Rec Center (Main Campus or Williams Village)
Show your Family Weekend luggage tag at the Rec Center to get in for free and take advantage of their facilities, including free fitness classes. Find a list of the class offerings on the Rec Center schedule.
Solar Eclipse Viewing Party and Space Resource Fair
9 a.m.-12 p.m. | Norlin Quad
View the partial solar eclipse with the Fiske Planetarium! Each attendee will receive special eclipse-viewing glasses.
CU Art Museum
10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Visual Arts Complex
The University of Colorado Art Museum's growing collection and diverse exhibitions and public programs promote, inspire and generate interdisciplinary scholarship and cultural expression. Drop by any time during open hours to check out the current exhibits, including Lush: Prolific Nature and Faculty Exhibition: 2023. The Museum is free, but donations are welcome.
As part of the Second Saturdays program, you'll also have the opportunity to get creative by making paper flowers in the lobby.
Lunch on the Lawn (Gold and Silver Package registrants only)
11 a.m.-2 p.m. | Norlin Quad
Enjoy a delicious lunch, live music, lawn games and special guests on Norlin Quad while you get to know other Buff families.
Bouldering at The Rec
12-4 p.m. | Rec Center Climbing Gym
Drop in to the Climbing Gym at the Rec Center for free bouldering. You'll find a variety of bouldering and route climbing terrain for all skill levels. Show your Family Weekend luggage tag for access. Must be 12 or older to enter the gym, and anyone under 15 must also be accompanied by an adult.
Ice Skating
12-4 p.m. | Rec Center Ice Rink
Take a spin on the only ice rink in Boulder during this open skating session. Skate rental is included for Family Weekend package holders. Show your Family Weekend luggage tag for access.
History and Traditions Tour
2-3 p.m. | UMC South Terrace Tent
Explore our campus while learning fun facts and history about CU Boulder on this student-led walking tour. Meet at the UMC South Terrace Tent.
Buff Family Trivia
2-3:30 p.m. | UMC 235
Share your random knowledge with us in this fun trivia competition.
Connect at the Connection
3-6 p.m. | UMC, The Connection
Stop by the Connection in the University Memorial Center to enjoy free bowling, billiards, ping pong and video games with the family! Refreshments will be available for purchase.
Buff Family Bingo
4-5:30 p.m. | UMC 235
Grab a card and play some bingo with us!
Ice Skating
6:45-8:45 p.m. | Rec Center Ice Rink
Take a spin on the only ice rink in Boulder during this open skating session. Skate rental is included for Family Weekend package holders. Show your Family Weekend luggage tag for access.
Fiske Planetarium Show: The Science of Eclipses + Solar Superstorms (Tickets sold separately)
7-8 p.m. | Fiske Planetarium
Join us on a solar adventure! Why do we have eclipses? How is an annular eclipse different than a partial eclipse? When is the next total solar eclipse? Did you know the Sun is becoming super active as it reaches solar maximum? Our experts will pull back the curtain on these phenomena and reveal the geometry that makes it all happen.
We'll also treat you to Solar Superstorms, narrated by Benedict Cumberbatch takes viewers into the tangle of magnetic fields and superhot plasma that vent the Sun's rage in dramatic flares, violent solar tornadoes, and the largest eruptions in the solar system, coronal mass ejections. Witness a fury building on the surface of the Sun – high-velocity jets, a fiery tsunami wave that reaches 100,000 kilometers high, rising loops of electrified gas. What's driving these strange phenomena? How will they affect planet Earth? Find the answers as we venture into the seething interior of our nearest star.
Tickets: $12 General Admission & FREE for CU Students showing a current Buff Card (only applies to this show). CU students must call ahead (303-492-5002) to reserve a ticket + tickets must be picked up the day of the event. Tickets not picked up by 6:30pm on Saturday, Oct. 14th will be released to the public.
The Revolutionists: A Play by Lauren Gunderson (Tickets sold separately)
7:30 p.m. | Loft Theatre
Four fearless women lose their heads in this irreverent, female-powered comedy set during the French Revolution’s Reign of Terror. Playwright Olympe de Gouges, assassin Charlotte Corday, former queen Marie Antoinette and Haitian rebel Marianne Angelle fight for freedom, justice and sisterhood while trying to hold back the extremist insanity of 1793 Paris. It’s a true story. Or total fiction. Or a play about a play. Or a raucous resurrection…that ends in a song and a scaffold.
Presented by the CU Boulder College of Arts and Sciences Department of Theatre & Dance. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at tickets.cupresents.org.
Sommers-Bausch Observatory Telescope Open House
8-10 p.m. | Sommers-Bausch Observatory
Sommers-Bausch Observatory has been exploring the night sky since 1953. Come see our twin 20” telescopes and let us show you the universe! The open houses are free and everyone is welcome. Sessions typically last 1-2 hours, depending upon the weather and the quality of the night. If it's cloudy, check our social media (Twitter/X: @SommersBausch, Facebook: CUObservatory) at 7 p.m. on Saturday or call us at 303-492-2020 after 7:45 p.m. for an observing status.
Buffs After Dark: Family Game Night
8-10 p.m. | Kitteridge Multipurpose Rooms
Stop by for some family game time! Games and snacks will be provided.
This event is hosted by the Center for Student Involvement. Families must be accompanied by a current CU Boulder student with a valid Buff OneCard and are limited to 3 guests per student. Space for this event is limited, so families are asked to please RSVP in advance.
Fiske Planetarium Show: Laser Van Halen (Tickets sold separately)
8:30-9:30 p.m. | Fiske Planetarium
Lead singers may change, but Eddie Van Halen’s genius guitar playing is constant. JUMP in with us and take a tour through the eras of the legendary Southern California band turned global gods of rock.
This is not just another laser show! Our cutting edge projection system from Laser Fantasy mesmerizes your eyes with vibrant colors cutting their way through the fog to our 360-degree wrap around screen – all while our laser engineers fly you through the universe in beat to your favorite jams!
Tickets: $12 General Admission (no student discounts). Seating should be reserved in advance (payment is required) by calling the Fiske Planetarium ticket office at 303.492.5002 or emailing us at fiske@colorado.edu. Tickets must be picked up at least 30 minutes in advance of showtime. You can also purchase tickets online via our website.
Fiske Planetarium Show: Liquid Sky Floyd Dark Side of the Moon (Tickets sold separately)
10-11 p.m. | Fiske Planetarium
Immerse yourself in a liquid version of a musical-visual-planetarium classic.
Fiske’s mind-melting Liquid Sky is a musical, all-you-can-eat eye candy buffet. The beats & rhythms of your favorite artists coupled with the trippiest visuals digitally rendered live, all on our new 8K dome and in full surround audio. Let our Liquid Engineers take you on a live-mixed journey in Fiske Planetarium’s unique immersive theater!
Tickets: $12 General Admission (no student discounts). Seating should be reserved in advance (payment is required) by calling the Fiske Planetarium ticket office at 303.492.5002 or emailing us at fiske@colorado.edu. Tickets must be picked up at least 30 minutes in advance of showtime. You can also purchase tickets online via our website.
Buffalo Stampede 5K Fun Run (Tickets sold separately)
9-11 a.m. | UMC South Terrace Tent
Join us for the annual Buffalo Stampede 5K Fun Run through CU Boulder’s beautiful campus. On-site registration required. All proceeds support future family and parent programs at CU Boulder through New Student & Family Programs.
Reminder: This is a fun run so walking, skipping and jogging are all welcome! We will not have an official timer, but we will have a race clock with an ongoing time. On-site registration is available Sunday morning. The registration fee is $20 and must be paid in cash.
Open Rec
9 a.m.-11 p.m. | Rec Center (Main Campus or Williams Village)
Show your Family Weekend luggage tag at the Rec Center to get in for free and take advantage of their facilities, including free fitness classes. Find a list of the class offerings on the Rec Center schedule.
Buff Family Yoga
9:30-10:30 a.m. | Rec Center Studio 2
Join us for morning yoga with one of CU Boulder’s Rec Center yoga instructors. We will have a limited number of yoga mats available; feel free to bring your own mat if you have one.
CU Museum of Natural History
10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Henderson Building
The University of Colorado Museum of Natural History has five exhibition galleries where visitors can explore natural and human history through engaging and interactive displays. Drop by any time during open hours to check out the current exhibits. The Museum is free but appreciates donations. (As part of the Hellems renovation project, a construction fence currently encircles the building, but the Museum remains open and accessible during this time.)
Buff Family Sendoff Brunch
10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. | UMC Glenn Miller Ballroom
Enjoy a delicious brunch with your family to celebrate the conclusion of Family Weekend.
Bouldering at The Rec
12-4 p.m. | Rec Center Climbing Gym
Drop in to the Climbing Gym at the Rec Center for free bouldering. You'll find a variety of bouldering and route climbing terrain for all skill levels. Show your Family Weekend luggage tag for access. Must be 12 or older to enter the gym, and anyone under 15 must also be accompanied by an adult.
Ice Skating
12:15-2:15 p.m. | Rec Center Ice Rink
Take a spin on the only ice rink in Boulder during this open skating session. Skate rental is included for Family Weekend package holders. Show your Family Weekend luggage tag for access.
Fiske Planetarium Show: Double Feature: Solar Superstorms & Black Holes (Tickets sold separately)
1-2 p.m. | Fiske Planetarium
Join us for an epic Double Feature!
- Solar Superstorms - Narrated by Benedict Cumberbatch, Solar Superstorms takes viewers into the tangle of magnetic fields and superhot plasma that vent the Sun's rage in dramatic flares, violent solar tornadoes, and the largest eruptions in the solar system, coronal mass ejections. Audiences will witness a fury building on the surface of the Sun – high-velocity jets, a fiery tsunami wave that reaches 100,000 kilometers high, rising loops of electrified gas. What's driving these strange phenomena? How will they affect planet Earth? Find the answers as we venture into the seething interior of our star.
- Black Holes - Narrated by Liam Neeson, black holes are among the most mysterious and exotic objects in the Universe. These dark beasts are one of a few phenomenon out in the cosmos where the known laws of physics and general relativity break down. Black Holes: The Other Side of Infinity explores the power and grace of these cosmic beasts.
CU's own Dr. Andrew Hamilton was the science advisor for the program. "Black Holes: The Other Side of Infinity is for me the culmination of a dream many years in the making," said Hamilton. "The show marries science and art in a new way that compromises neither. In particular, the show breaks new ground in visualizing accurately what Einstein's equations predict about what really happens inside black holes. What actually happens looks nothing like, but is at least as fantastic as, any Hollywood rendering."
Tickets: $12 General Admission, $8 Students. Seating should be reserved in advance (payment is required) by calling the Fiske Planetarium ticket office at 303.492.5002 or emailing us at fiske@colorado.edu. Tickets must be picked up at least 30 minutes in advance of showtime. You can also purchase tickets online via our website.
The Revolutionists: A Play by Lauren Gunderson (Tickets sold separately)
2 p.m. | Loft Theatre
Four fearless women lose their heads in this irreverent, female-powered comedy set during the French Revolution’s Reign of Terror. Playwright Olympe de Gouges, assassin Charlotte Corday, former queen Marie Antoinette and Haitian rebel Marianne Angelle fight for freedom, justice and sisterhood while trying to hold back the extremist insanity of 1793 Paris. It’s a true story. Or total fiction. Or a play about a play. Or a raucous resurrection…that ends in a song and a scaffold.
Presented by the CU Boulder College of Arts and Sciences Department of Theatre & Dance. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased at tickets.cupresents.org.
Fiske Planetarium Show: Stars & Galaxies (Tickets sold separately)
2:30-3:30 p.m. | Fiske Planetarium
Many civilizations have looked at the night sky and envisioned constellations to tell stories important to their culture. We can use the planetarium to look at some common patterns of stars in the night sky tonight so that you can find them on your own! But in the blackness between those stars there are an unimaginable number of distant wonders. We are located around just one star of many in an entire galaxy called the Milky Way. And if we look even further, we find billions of other galaxies out there in the universe, each holding billions of stars. Join us in this live talk to explore other galaxies and get a sense for the size of our universe!
Tickets: $12 General Admission, $8 Students. Seating should be reserved in advance (payment is required) by calling the Fiske Planetarium ticket office at 303.492.5002 or emailing us at fiske@colorado.edu. Tickets must be picked up at least 30 minutes in advance of showtime. You can also purchase tickets online via our website.
Doctoral Student Recital: James Morris, Piano
4:30 p.m. | Grusin Music Hall (Imig Music Building C112)
The stars of tomorrow are on stage today at CU Boulder. The students of the College of Music present degree qualifying recitals which are free and open to the public for in-person attendance.
Join us for a piano performance by doctoral student James Morris.