Wheaton is excited to welcome our families and friends to campus this fall!
We’re looking forward to celebrating Family and Friends Weekend in conjunction with Wheaton’s Alumni Fall Fest October 3-4, 2025. Schedule will be posted in June!
Please save the date for Family and Friend Weekend October 2-3, 2026!
These two events will be combined to provide our alumni, students, families, and friends with an all-encompassing weekend of Wheaton activity and connection. We hope you are able to join us!
LODGING: Please review for area hotels.
Local Restaurants and Things to Do!
Weekend Schedule
Friday, October 4, 2024:
12:30 p.m. – Internship Poster Showcase Ι Filene Center, Kollett Hall
You will hear from students who received funding to support their experiential learning last summer and academic year. The Internship Showcase will include a series of pre-recorded student panels and student blog posts. Please tune and to celebrate and learn from our students’ incredible accomplishments!
12:30 p.m. – White Coat Ceremony Ι Cole Memorial Chapel
The white coat ceremony is a ritual in some nursing schools that marks the transition from preclinical to clinical health sciences and symbolizes a commitment to the nursing profession. The ceremony typically involves students being formally “coated” in white coats, which represent purity, professionalism, and the trust patients and their families place in the students.
2:00 – 5:00 p.m. – Check-In Ι Balfour-Hood Center
4:00 – 6:00 p.m. – ARTS Quad Party Ι Hood Courtyard located outside Watson Fine Arts Center
Join us to kick off Family & Friends Weekend with arts@wheaton and the Innovation Spaces. Come get a taste of what the arts at Wheaton can offer, there will be live performances, a food truck, screen printing, apple pressing, pumpkin painting and more!
7:30 p.m. Bingo! | Emerson Dining Hall
Bring your family and friends some rousing rounds of bingo with great prizes! Featuring live music provided by student-run Wheaton Jazz Combo. Sponsored by the Student Activities, Involvement & Leadership (SAIL) Office.
8:30 p.m. Dimple Divers Improv Show | Chapel
Join Wheaton’s student improv group, The Dimple Divers, for a night of family friendly-(ish) comedy.
Saturday, October 5, 2024:
9:00 a.m. – Check-In Ι Balfour-Hood Center
9:00 a.m. – Parents & Friends Coffee Reception Ι Balfour-Hood Cafe I Light Refreshments will be served
10:00 a.m. – Welcome with President Whelan Ι Cole Memorial Chapel
10:30 a.m. 1:00 p.m. – Tours of the Permanent Collection Ι Watson Fine Arts Center
10:40 a.m. – Resilience and Student Success Ι Cole Memorial Chapel
Join the Dean of Students Office team as they discuss the first six weeks on campus and what to expect next in your student’s transition through college. The staff will review common challenges, campus resources, and coping strategies as we continue to partner for your student’s success.
12:00 p.m. – Life and Career Design Presentation Ι Cole Memorial Chapel
12:00 p.m. – Fall Fest
Families are invited to participate in Fall Fest. Our annual Fall Fest is a day of friends, food and fun! Join us on campus for our community tailgate. Enjoy the flavors served up by our local food trucks. Plus, the fall foliage on campus makes a great background for photos.
3:00-6:00 p.m. – Wheaton Renaissance Faire | Chapel Field
(Rain Location: Haas Field House)
Join the Wheaton Events Board for renaissance themed games, crafts, food and activities. Featuring performers from Wheaton’s own Kresge Theatre Company! Family and friends are invited and costumes are encouraged.