Event Descriptions
enjoycrcEnjoy the CRC with Your Student
Stop by the Campus Recreation Center on East Campus and enjoy the facility with your student! Use the workout equipment or enjoy a game of pickleball or tennis! There’s a lot to explore and experience at the CRC! Family members must be 18+ and be accompanied by their UMass Lowell student. Stop by the front desk to check in and sign a waiver. The guest fee is waived for Family Weekend.
shopShop at the River Hawk Shop
Make your Family Weekend visit complete with a stop at the River Hawk Shop! Browse UML apparel, gifts, accessories, and River Hawk gear for the whole family. Whether you're looking for a new sweatshirt, a keepsake from your visit, or the perfect way to show your River Hawk pride, the River Hawk Shop has something for everyone. Stop by, stock up on UML gear, and show your River Hawk spirit!
hqwelcomeFamily Weekend Headquarters (HQ): Welcome and Information
Make River Hawk Family HQ your first stop during Family Weekend! Stop by to check in, pick up your Family Weekend giveaway, ask questions, and connect with the Parent and Family Engagement team. Whether you're looking for directions, event recommendations, or just want to say hello, we're here to help you make the most of your weekend on campus.
hockeysocialUMass Lowell Men's Hockey vs. Providence with Pregame Social
Kick off Family Weekend with fellow River Hawk families before cheering on UMass Lowell Hockey as they take on Providence at the Tsongas Center! Gather in the Club Rooms inside the Tsongas Center for a casual pregame reception featuring great food and plenty of River Hawk spirit. When it's game time, simply make your way to your seats and enjoy the excitement of one of UMass Lowell's favorite traditions. Whether you're a longtime hockey fan or attending your first game, it's the perfect way to celebrate Family Weekend together.
boottmillsOpen Admission at the Boott Cotton Mills Museum
The Boott Cotton Mills Museum at Lowell National Historical Park is the best place to learn about Lowell’s industrial past. Explore the stories of the workers, engineers, inventors, and investors who made Lowell the first successful planned industrial city in the United States. Learn more about the city’s role as a cutting-edge developer of technology and hub of social and economic change in the American Industrial Revolution.
walkingtourHistoric Lowell Walking Tour with Robert Forrant
Join Professor Robert Forrant, Distinguished University Professor and Emeritus Professor of History at UMass Lowell, for a guided walking tour exploring the history of UMass Lowell and the City of Lowell. Beginning at University Crossing, you'll stroll through the surrounding area and the historic Acre neighborhood while learning about Lowell's rich history, including the former Little Canada neighborhood that once occupied much of what is now East Campus. It's a great opportunity to experience the city's unique character and learn more about the community that surrounds the university.
fieldtripField Trip for Families
Explore Lowell’s rich industrial history with a Family Field Trip during Family Weekend! Choose from two engaging experiences at the Boott Cotton Mills Museum and Tsongas Industrial History Center. Weaving Through Time brings Lowell’s textile past to life with a historic weave room demonstration, a look at how raw fiber became finished cloth, and a hands-on opportunity to create your own woven piece. Power to Production explores how flowing water powered Lowell’s mills through a weave room demonstration, an interactive Water Power Workshop, and a trolley ride to the Suffolk Mill/Wannalancit Mills to see historic turbine technology up close.
honorslunchHonors Family Connection Lunch
Join the Honors College for a fun and informative afternoon at the Honors Family Connection during Family Weekend! Meet Honors faculty, staff, and students, and learn about the exciting research, creative projects, and global opportunities that Honors students are pursuing. Enjoy a casual lunch and lawn games while connecting with other families. This is a great opportunity to experience the vibrant Honors community and celebrate your student’s achievements.
TastetheAcreTaste the Acre Food Tour
Join us for a lively afternoon at Taste the Acre, a guided food tour celebrating Lowell's vibrant local food scene. The tour meets at the Meehan Student Center before heading out to explore the Acre neighborhood. Along the way, attendees will sample a variety of dishes, connect with local vendors, and experience the rich cultural flavors that make this community unique. Please note: This event includes approximately two miles of walking throughout the tour.
hivemarketExperience Lowell at the Hive
Experience the creativity, culture, and community that make Lowell unique at the Hive Public Market! Join us for a relaxed afternoon featuring local artisans, small businesses, food vendors, and live acoustic music in one of the city's most vibrant gathering spaces. Browse a variety of handcrafted goods, discover unique gifts, sample delicious local treats, and connect with the people and businesses that help make Lowell feel like home. Whether you're shopping, enjoying live music, or simply spending time together, the Hive Public Market offers a fun and welcoming way to experience the city beyond campus.
bingoFamily Bingo
Join us for an afternoon of laughter, friendly competition, and River Hawk spirit at Family Bingo! Gather with fellow UMass Lowell families for a fun-filled bingo event featuring great prizes, plenty of excitement, and opportunities to connect throughout Family Weekend.
triviaFamily Trivia
Put your knowledge to the test at Family Weekend Trivia! Students and their families are invited to team up for a fun and friendly trivia competition during Family Weekend.
witchswoodsWitch's Woods Haunted Hayride and Halloween Screampark
Witch’s Woods is a favorite local Halloween destination that is sure to guarantee a scary good time for your family! Tickets are available at a discounted rate. Be advised, this experience will likely be too intense for small children.
dragbrunchDrag Brunch and Bingo
Join us for one of Family Weekend's most popular traditions! Enjoy a delicious brunch while playing a few lively rounds of bingo hosted by fabulous drag performers. With plenty of laughs, audience interaction, and chances to win prizes, this high-energy event is a fun and welcoming experience for families, students, alumni, and guests alike.
