Schedule of Events

Family Weekend 2026

Dartmouth Family Weekend 2026

Welcome to Dartmouth Family Weekend! 

We are honored and excited that you are here to share the Dartmouth experience with your student and fellow Classes of 2027 and 2030 families, incoming transfers, and Thayer’s dual-degree Bachelor of Engineering program. We invite you to connect with one another and explore the campus and Upper Valley throughout the weekend. We are happy to welcome more than 4,000 visitors this Family Weekend—so expect a fun, busy time! 
 

Get the most out of your Family Weekend visit 

Visit the Things to Do and Place to Eat section of the Family Weekend website for some fun ideas of places to explore, eat, and enjoy in Hanover and throughout the Upper Valley. The weekend is designed to be a la carte—you pick and choose the sessions and activities that interest you. Feel free to share the schedule of events with your student to plan which events they are interested in attending with you. Please note that classes are in session on Friday.      
 
Please note:  
The nametag you received at check-in is your “entry ticket” to all the Family Weekend programming, including a complimentary breakfast at Class of 1953 Commons (aka FOCO) on Saturday morning and the Family Weekend cookout on Saturday. Please be sure to wear your nametag throughout the weekend. You will see the house community your student is affiliated with on your nametag, as well as on the lanyard—be on the lookout for families with students in the same house community, so you can meet one another.    
 
Dartmouth is committed to supporting our students’ religious observances and diverse faith practices. For more information about religious observances this weekend, please visit the Tucker Center for Spiritual and Ethical Living’s listing of area houses of worship at dartgo.org/housesofworship. 

Dartmouth Family Weekend Schedule of Events

*Schedule and offerings subject to change.

Friday, September 25

Root for the Big Green

Club Sports
Club sports may be competing today. Check with your student for details.

Women’s Tennis Fall Foliage Fest
Boss Tennis Center, 6 Summer Court
Visit dartmouthsports.com/sports/womens-tennis for details
No ticket required

Field Hockey vs University of Pennsylvania
Chase Field, 3 Summer Court
3:00 p.m.
No ticket required

Check-in and Welcome Center

Tents, Lord Hall Lawn, Tuck Mall Drive

Check in and pick up your nametag, welcome bag, and materials for the weekend. Sign up for Friday’s tours on a first-come, first-served basis. Pick up your free tickets for your preferred time for the A Cappella and Dance Showcase on Saturday night. Stop by the hospitality tent throughout the day to relax and enjoy light refreshments and conversation with fellow Dartmouth families.

Drop off Food and Personal Care Items for Upper Valley Families in Need

Tents, Lord Hall Lawn, Tuck Mall Drive

Drop off your donated, nonperishable food and personal care items. The items will be donated to families in need through the Upper Valley Haven. 

  • Food items needed: canned chicken/tuna, peanut butter, macaroni and cheese, plain pasta sauce, canned fruit, white rice, hearty soups, crackers, cereal/oatmeal, jellies/jams.
  • Personal care items needed (full-sized are most helpful): deodorant, razors, shampoo, toothpaste, bar soap, toothbrushes, diapers (sizes 5 and 6), and pull-ups.

Brunch/lunch on your own

Enjoy a meal in the Upper Valley—check the Family Weekend landing page for ideas. The main on-campus dining location at the Class of 1953 Commons (aka FOCO) is open to all, and a great option for those with food allergies or dietary restrictions. Enjoy breakfast ($13.00) or lunch ($14.85); children ages 3–11 ($8.00), and children 2 years and younger eat for free. Dartmouth students will use a meal swipe on their dining card.

Campus and Special Tours

Sign-up is required for each tour daily and is on a first-come, first-served basis. For Friday’s tours, sign-up begins at 11:30 a.m. at the tent on Tuck Mall Drive. You will receive a wristband that confirms your spot on the tour. 

General Campus Tours

1–1:45 p.m. OR 2–2:45 p.m.

With your wristband, meet in front of Blunt Alumni Center, 20 North Main Street 

A Dartmouth tour guide will lead you around our beautiful campus. 

The Orozco Murals

1–1:45 p.m. OR 2–2:45 p.m. 

With your wristband, meet in front of Baker-Berry Library 

Take a tour with a docent from the Hood Museum of Art of José Clemente Orozco’s extraordinary mural cycle, The Epic of American Civilization. One of Orozco’s finest creations and one of Dartmouth’s most treasured works, the mural was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2013.  

Historic Cemetery Tours

1–1:45 p.m. OR 2–2:45 p.m. 

With your wristband, meet at the main cemetery entrance located behind Class of '53 Commons and South Fairbanks on Cemetery Lane 

Did you know Dartmouth has its own historic cemetery on campus that dates to the 1770s?  Take a tour and learn some fascinating stories about the people buried there, including eight Dartmouth presidents. (Note: Tour takes about 45 minutes on uneven ground.) 

Book Arts Workshop Open House

Baker-Berry Library Lower Level, Rooms 21-25

Explore the Book Arts Workshop in the lower level of Baker-Berry Library. Learn about methods of making books and other printed materials and try your hand at running a letterpress by printing a pre-designed souvenir to take home with you! 

Engineering Major Informational Session for ’30 Parents and Families 

Cummings Hall, Spanos Auditorium, 15 Thayer Drive  

Professor of Engineering and Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education Vicki May will provide an overview of the engineering major, academic pathways, and opportunities available to students, with time for questions from parents and families. 

Open Houses with Campus Partners

Various locations around campus 

A variety of offices and centers will have open houses. Stop by at any time during this timeframe and learn more about their offerings.  

Academic Skills Center (Berry Library)

Berry Library, Suite 178, 25 North Main Street  

Join us at the Academic Skills Center (ASC) for an open house designed to introduce you to the wide range of academic support services we offer! We help students thrive both inside and outside the classroom through personalized academic coaching, peer tutoring, skill-building workshops, and mindfulness-based programs. Drop in to meet our dedicated staff, explore our resources, and learn how we partner with students to build confidence, resilience, and effective learning strategies throughout their Dartmouth journey. 

Alumni Relations (Baker-Berry Library)

Baker-Berry Library, Reiss Hall, 25 North Main Street 

Alumni Relations is dedicated to fostering lifelong Dartmouth connections by providing the tools and resources to keep community members engaged, inspired, and deeply connected throughout every chapter of life, no matter where life leads beyond the Green. 

Campus Billing and DartCard Services (McNutt Hall)

McNutt Hall, Room 103, 10 North Main Street  

Our office is responsible for managing student accounts and campus ID cards at the College. The office oversees the billing and collection of tuition, fees, and other student charges. The DartCard team administers the official campus ID card, which enables access to campus facilities, dining, and secure building entry. Together, Campus Billing and DartCard Services play a vital role in supporting students’ financial responsibilities and daily campus life, offering customer service, guidance, and resources to help students and families navigate their accounts and campus needs effectively. Stop by the Campus Billing and DartCard Services office with your questions.  

Dartmouth Center for Career Design (McNutt Hall)

McNutt Hall, Lower Level, 10 North Main Street

The Dartmouth Center for Career Design (DCCD) empowers students to confidently pursue career goals through career coaching, expert advice, and personalized guidance. Our coaching team helps students build confidence, clarify their identities and values, and utilize their strengths for future wellbeing. We work with students to identify opportunities, apply for jobs and internships, build professional networks, prepare for interviews, and explore graduate/professional school options. Leveraging the power of the Dartmouth community and our relationships with employers, the center offers a wide range of workshops and events, including several employer fairs, law and graduate school visits, alumni panels, career design labs, and one-on-one coffee chats. Meet our staff at the Open House Expo and learn more about how we support students in developing and pursuing their career goals.

Dartmouth Center for Social Impact (South Fairbanks Hall)

6154 South Fairbanks Hall, Second Floor, 6 Cemetery Lane  

Dartmouth’s Center for Social Impact prepares students to be transformative leaders and changemakers for the common good. The center offers community-based experiential learning opportunities, including academic courses, internships, and fellowships; the chance to partner with local organizations; immersion trips around the country and the world; leadership training; mentorship; and more. The goal is to prepare students for a lifetime of learning and ethical community engagement. 

Dartmouth Climate Collaborative and Dartmouth Sustainability (Irving Institute)

Arthur L. Irving Institute for Energy & Society, 33 Tuck Mall Drive   

Explore Dartmouth’s commitment to climate and sustainability research, teaching, and learning, as well as its efforts to decarbonize campus. The Dartmouth Climate Collaborative is a cross-campus effort to foster the next generation of leaders, develop and implement solutions, and model climate action locally and globally.

Dartmouth Libraries (Baker-Berry Library)

Baker-Berry Library, Reiss Hall, 25 North Main Street 

“The library is a place [to] re-spark curiosity,” and we couldn’t agree more!    

The libraries are the intellectual home of open and collaborative enquiry where students work with library experts to grow and apply critical skills for academic success. Discover how the libraries foster research, learning, and teaching experiences powered by curiosity and questions to address the world’s greatest challenges. We do that by sparking discovery within ourselves, our community, and our world. Stop by to chat with our librarian, or visit the library to explore what we’re all about. 

Office of Equal Opportunity, Accessibility, and Title IX (Baker-Berry Library)

Baker-Berry Library, Reiss Hall, 25 North Main Street 

The Office of Equal Opportunity, Accessibility, and Title IX offers resources, support, and guidance to students, faculty, and staff with the goal of ensuring a campus environment that’s free from harassment, discrimination, and barriers and accessible to all. 

Family Support (Baker-Berry Library)

Baker-Berry Library, Reiss Hall, 25 North Main Street  

Family Support is dedicated to helping Dartmouth families empower and support their students. We are eager to partner with families to help you stay informed and connected, so that you can best guide and support your student throughout their Dartmouth journey and beyond. 

Financial Aid (McNutt Hall)

McNutt Hall, Second Floor, 10 North Main Street  

Stop by the Financial Aid office with your questions.

First-Generation Office (Sudikoff Hall)

Sudikoff Hall, First Floor, 9 Maynard Street 

The First-Generation Office supports Dartmouth’s 750 first-generation students with academic programming, opportunities to foster social belonging, and professional development. We spearhead several student-focused initiatives, including the First-Year Summer Enrichment Program, the Prepare to Launch Program, and the King Scholars Program. 

Greek Life and Senior Societies (Robinson Hall)

Robinson Hall, Suite 314, 6 North Main Street 

For more than 240 years, student societies and fraternal organizations have enriched Dartmouth College through tradition, leadership, scholarship, community, and service. The Office of Greek Life and Student Societies supports this legacy by providing leadership development, organizational guidance, and administrative oversight for values-based fraternities, sororities, and societies. From recruitment and housing to risk management and governance, the office ensures a safe, vibrant, and meaningful experience across five governing councils, 27 chapters, and 19 undergraduate and senior societies. 

Health Services (Baker-Berry Library)

Baker-Berry Library, Reiss Hall, 25 North Main Street  

Meet staff from the Health Service including representatives from primary care, counseling, pharmacy, inpatient nursing, and Dartmouth student insurance. Learn about services and resources related to well-being, mental health, physical health, pharmacy services, inpatient nursing and help line, and the Dartmouth student insurance plan. 

International Student Experience (North Fairbanks Hall)

North Fairbanks Hall, Suite 205, 8 Cemetery Lane 

The International Student Experience Office leads institutional engagement and holistic support for graduate and undergraduate international students at Dartmouth. In collaboration with campus partners, the office seeks to centralize resources, community, and belongingness for students. 

John Sloan Dickey Center for International Understanding (Haldeman Center)

Haldeman Center, 29 North Main Street  

The Dickey Center is Dartmouth’s hub for international engagement, policy, and impact. We’re home to the International Studies Minor (INTS) and fellowship programs, including the Great Issues Scholars, War & Peace Fellows, Global Health Fellows, and Arctic Innovations Scholars. We oversee globally focused student groups, host international guests and events, and offer international internships and other funded leave-term opportunities. Our staff can help you navigate international career paths and find ways to globalize your undergraduate experience at Dartmouth.  

The Literary Arts Bridge at Dartmouth (Baker-Berry Library)

Baker-Berry Library, Reiss Hall, 25 North Main Street  
7 Lebanon Street, Suite 105 (to visit the Bridge) 

The Bridge, Dartmouth’s first creative writing center, opened in fall 2025. Guided by Dartmouth’s dynamic creative writing faculty, the Bridge connects the literary arts across campus and disciplines. It’s a home for accomplished writers advancing their creative practice and for all those who aspire to join them. Stop by our table in Reiss Hall to learn more and feel free to also stop by the center to visit in person! 

Magnuson Center for Entrepreneurship (Class of 1982 Engineering and Computer Science Center)

Class of 1982 Engineering and Computer Science Center, 15 Thayer Drive, Suite 001-Ground Floor  

The Magnuson Center for Entrepreneurship serves Dartmouth students, faculty, staff, and alumni along the path from entrepreneurial thinking to entrepreneurial doing. We provide cocurricular education and experiences, funding opportunities, and connection to our world-class alumni network. Entrepreneurs, creatives, designers, engineers, coders, and general liberal arts students of all majors and disciplines are welcome at the Magnuson Center. The center brings together various programs that support entrepreneurship, invention, and innovation at Dartmouth and beyond. We leverage campus resources, human capital, and an understanding of the entrepreneurial ecosystem to achieve our mission. Our new location enhances our ability to offer interdisciplinary ventures and creative collaborations involving students and faculty from all five of Dartmouth’s schools to explore entrepreneurial opportunities.      

Office of Military and Veteran Support (Carson Hall)

Carson Hall, Suite 125, 27 North Main Street 

Dartmouth is committed to supporting undergraduate veteran students and the broader military-affiliated community throughout their transition and experience at Dartmouth. This includes students who are veterans, those from military families, students using transferred or family GI Bill benefits, and ROTC cadets. The office serves as a central resource for these students, providing community-building opportunities, programming, and connections to key campus resources, including academic support, career services, and VA certifying officials. The office also partners closely with the assigned dean for undergraduate veterans to ensure students receive coordinated academic and personal support throughout their Dartmouth experience. Led by the Director of Military and Veteran Support, the office works across campus to foster a strong sense of community and belonging for military-affiliated students and their families.  

Native American Program (Collis Center)

Collis Center, Third Floor, 2 North Main Street 

The Native American Program champions Indigenous students through holistic support, cultural programming, values-centered leadership development, and dedicated living-learning spaces, upholding Dartmouth’s founding charter. Signature student programs include pre-orientation and the Indigenous Peer Mentor Program, cultural programs and support, professional development and emergency funding, and signature events: Indigenous Peoples’ Month, Powwow, and Lū’au. Staff offices are located on the third floor in the Collis Center, along with fellow Community and Campus Life offices: Civic Expression, Engagement, and Learning, and the Office of Pluralism and Leadership. 

Nelson A. Rockefeller Center for Public Policy and the Social Sciences (Rockefeller Hall)

Rockefeller Hall, Hinman Forum (Room 115), 2 Webster Avenue  

The Nelson A. Rockefeller Center (also known as “Rocky”) is a catalyst for public policy research, teaching, and deliberation. Dedicated to providing an interdisciplinary perspective on policy-related topics, the center fosters a commitment to the ideals of public service and informed public debate exemplified by the late U.S. Vice President Nelson A. Rockefeller, Class of 1930. The center’s mission is to inspire, educate, and train future public policy leaders in all fields of endeavor through its curricular and co-curricular offerings. 

Office of Pluralism and Leadership - OPAL (Collis Center)

Collis Center, Suite 303, 2 North Main Street 

We envision a Dartmouth where all students can thrive, value difference, and contribute to the creation of a socially just world. OPAL achieves its mission by centering the values, needs, strengths, and practices of marginalized communities and by approaching leadership, community development, and personal growth through the lens of social justice.  

Outdoor Programs Office (Baker-Berry Library)

Baker-Berry Library, Reiss Hall, 25 North Main Street 

The Outdoor Programs Office (OPO) envisions bringing the outside in: into everything Dartmouth does, from academics to wellness to the first-year experience. The OPO has administrative responsibilities covering the Dartmouth Outing Club, First-Year Trips, wellness programs, and leadership opportunities. The facilities that OPO manages include the Connecticut River waterfront and the Ledyard Canoe Club, Moosilauke Ravine Lodge, recreational and educational uses of the Second College Grant, the Climbing Gym, and the Dartmouth Outdoor rentals program.   

Student Accessibility Services (Carson Hall)

Carson Hall, Suite 125, 27 North Main Street 

Student Accessibility Services (SAS) partners with disabled students, faculty, and staff to determine what reasonable accommodations and services may be needed to promote equal access. In contrast to high school, services are student-initiated, and students who are unsure if they may be eligible for services are invited to schedule an inquiry meeting with an SAS advisor. Students served by SAS most frequently have ADHD, psychological disabilities, and/or chronic health impairments as their primary condition. If students require documentation of their condition to register and are not already connected with a provider, they can usually work through Dartmouth College Health Service. 

Student Life/Involvement (Collis Center)

Collis Center, Suite 211, 2 North Main Street 

There are many ways for undergraduate students to contribute to student life at Dartmouth. Whether it’s joining a student group, working on campus, serving the broader community, or attending a leadership program, we’re here to support and empower each student to pursue the path that best supports their personal, professional, and civic goals. Meet staff from Office of Student Life, Collis Center, and Student Involvement to learn more about how undergraduate students are co-creating college traditions, developing lifelong skills, and finding their place at Dartmouth through our programs and opportunities. 

Student Wellness Center (Berry Library)

Berry Library, Suite 179, 25 North Main Street 

Our mission: Empowering our community to thrive! How? By providing opportunities 
for reflection, connection, intentionality, and purposeful action, which serve as the primary building blocks for enhancing personal wellbeing and the wellbeing of our community. We believe in working together to create a Dartmouth that fosters wellbeing and that is free from violence, prejudice, and other harmful behaviors—that means a community where everyone feels supported in taking ownership of who they want to be and the life they want to be living and are empowered to help others do the same.  

Thayer School of Engineering (Cummings Hall)

Great Hall, Cummings Hall, 15 Thayer Drive 

As one of the first engineering schools in the country, Thayer School of Engineering prepares leaders to solve complex problems through a human-centered approach to engineering, translational research, and innovation. We put human well-being and global societal needs and opportunities at the core of our engineering education. We are excited to welcome you to the Great Hall in Cummings Hall to learn more about Thayer and connect with members of our community. Enjoy a self-guided tour of Thayer’s three engineering buildings and discover what makes engineering at Dartmouth unique.  

Undergraduate Business Education at Tuck (Baker-Berry Library)

Baker-Berry Library, Reiss Hall, 25 North Main Street  

Undergraduate business programs at Dartmouth’s Tuck School offer a personal, connected, and transformative learning experience. Students engage directly with world-class MBA faculty, receive personalized career support, and tackle real-world business challenges. Programs include Tuck Pathfinders, Tuck Business Bridge, TuckLAB, Tuck Consulting Bootcamp, and for-credit courses. Learn more at undergrad.tuck.dartmouth.edu. 

Undergraduate Deans Office (Carson Hall)

Carson Hall, Suite 125, 27 North Main Street 

Come by to meet the team in the Undergraduate Deans Office (UDO)! The mission of the UDO is to support undergraduate students in their engagement with the curriculum and in their overall educational experience at Dartmouth. We enjoy meeting and getting to know students throughout the year. We meet with students to discuss academic advising, personal issues, and navigation of College policies. We provide information about College resources and make referrals as needed. If students are experiencing any academic difficulties, we encourage them to meet with a dean. 

Upper Valley Business Alliance (Baker-Berry Library)

Baker-Berry Library, Reiss Hall, 25 North Main Street  

The Upper Valley Business Alliance is your go-to resource for information on local businesses and services, activities, places to visit, and other resources. Find where you belong in the Upper Valley!  

Concurrent Sessions

We encourage you to “divide and conquer” to cover more than one session and then share information with other family members. 

Special Faculty Lecture: Stress, Health, and Human Evolution (Moore Hall, Filene Auditorium)

Moore Hall, Filene Auditorium, 3 Maynard Street 

Why are humans so stressed? And what are the consequences for our health and well-being? This talk explores how and why stress, including that experienced by your parents, can influence your mental and physical health. Thankfully, while we are predisposed to stress more than other animals, we also have tools to alleviate it. 

Presenter: 
Zaneta Thayer ’08, professor of anthropology 

Your Student’s Journey Through the Liberal Arts (Murdough Center, Cook Auditorium)

Murdough Center, Cook Auditorium, 31 Tuck Mall Drive   

Meet the first-year undergraduate deans and learn how they help your student navigate the Dartmouth experience. They will review the requirements of Dartmouth’s liberal arts curriculum, including key academic milestones, and share with you the role they play in supporting and advising students. The undergraduate deans work with your student through graduation and are a tremendous source of support and information. Time will be allotted for questions. 

Presenters: 

  • Natalie Hoyt, assistant dean of undergraduate students, director of First-Year Initiatives 
  • Britt Green, assistant dean of undergraduate students 
  • Katelyn McPherson, assistant dean of undergraduate students 
  • Justin Mueller, assistant dean of undergraduate students 
Undergraduate Business Education at Tuck (Raether Hall, Georgiopoulos Classroom)

Raether Hall, Georgiopoulos Classroom, 42 Thayer Drive   

Undergraduate business programs at Dartmouth’s Tuck School offer a personal, connected, and transformative learning experience. Students engage directly with world-class MBA faculty, receive personalized career support, and tackle real-world business challenges. Programs include Tuck Business Bridge, TuckLAB, Tuck Consulting Bootcamp, and for-credit courses. Attend our info session or learn more at undergrad.tuck.dartmouth.edu.  

Presenters: 

  • Will Conroy, associate director of business development, Tuck undergraduate education

Learn How to Preserve Cemetery Headstones: A Hands-on Lesson! 

With your wristband, meet at the main cemetery entrance located behind Class of ’53 Commons and South Fairbanks on Cemetery Lane  

Sign-up is required for this session at the tent on Tuck Mall Drive on Friday starting at 11:30 a.m., on a first-come, first-served basis. You will receive a wristband which confirms your spot.  

Learn how to properly clean and preserve headstones at this historic cemetery, then take those skills home with you and put them to work on your family’s markers, or at a local cemetery in need. Supplies provided. (Note: This activity takes about an hour on uneven ground.)  

Family Welcome Reception

Tent, Lord Hall Lawn, Tuck Mall Drive 

Enjoy light appetizers and non-alcoholic beverages, get to know fellow families, and hear brief welcoming remarks at 5:00 p.m. by Dean of Undergraduate Student Affairs John McKnight and Director of Family Support Bridget Colacchio.  

Dinner on Your Own with Family and Friends

Enjoy a meal in the Upper Valley—check the Family Weekend landing page for ideas. The main on-campus dining location at the Class of 1953 Commons (aka FOCO) is open to all and is a great option for those with food allergies or dietary restrictions. Dinner is $17.50 for adults; $9.75 for children ages 3–11; and children 2 years and younger eat for free. Dartmouth students will use a meal swipe on their dining card.

Live Band Karaoke: The Karaoke Bandstand

Collis Center, Common Ground, 2 North Main Street 

Sponsored by Collis After Dark, this event is open to all on a first-come, first-served basis, no tickets required   

Ever wondered what it would be like to be the lead singer of a band? Now is your chance! You sing the song and the band backs you up LIVE! The lyrics are displayed on a large TV monitor on stage for guest vocalists. The band can play pop, rock, country, basically anything in the American songbook spanning the 1940s to today. The band is artful and hip and can entertain a wide range of ages and musical tastes.

Saturday, September 26

Root for the Big Green 

Club Sports 
Club sports may be competing today. Check with your student for details. 

Women’s Tennis Fall Foliage Fest 
Boss Tennis Center, 6 Summer Court 
Visit dartmouthsports.com/sports/womens-tennis for details 
No ticket required  

Big Green Football vs Monmouth University Hawks 
Buddy Teevens Stadium at Memorial Field, 4 Crosby Street 
1:00 p.m. 
Tickets Required:  Purchase with discount code at https://dartmouthsports.evenue.net/promotions/FAMILYWEEKEND26  

Women’s Soccer vs University of Pennsylvania  
Burnham Field, 5 Summer Court 
3:00 p.m. 
Tickets Required:  Purchase with discount code at https://dartmouthsports.evenue.net/promotions/FAMILYWEEKEND26   

Men’s Soccer vs Princeton University  
Burnham Field, 5 Summer Court 
6:00 p.m.   
Tickets Required:  Purchase with discount code at https://dartmouthsports.evenue.net/promotions/FAMILYWEEKEND26   

Breakfast

Class of 1953 Commons, (aka FOCO), 6 Massachusetts Row 

Your Family Weekend nametag is your “entry ticket” for a complimentary breakfast. Dartmouth students will use a meal swipe on their dining card. 

Check-in and Welcome Center

Tents, Lord Hall Lawn, Tuck Mall Drive 

Check in and pick up your nametag, welcome bag, and materials for the weekend. Sign up for Saturday’s campus tours on a first-come, first-served basis. Pick up your free tickets for your preferred showtime for the A Cappella and Dance Showcase on Saturday night.   

Drop off Food and Personal Care Items for Upper Valley Families in Need

Tents, Lord Hall Lawn, Tuck Mall Drive 

Drop off your donated, nonperishable food and personal care items. The items will be donated to families in need through the Upper Valley Haven. 

  • Food items needed: canned chicken/tuna, peanut butter, macaroni and cheese, plain pasta sauce, canned fruit, white rice, hearty soups, crackers, cereal/oatmeal, jellies/jams. 
  • Personal care items needed (full-sized are most helpful): deodorant, razors, shampoo, toothpaste, bar soap, toothbrushes, diapers (sizes 5 and 6), and Pull-ups. 

Concurrent Sessions

We encourage you to “divide and conquer” to cover more than one session and then share information with other family members.  

Special Faculty Lecture: Understanding the Rate of Glacier Melt and How Clearer Forecasts Empower Action (Rockefeller Center, Room 003)

Rockefeller Center, Room 003, 2 Webster Avenue  

Glaciers and ice sheets are melting worldwide, but not all ice behaves the same way as the planet continues to warm. This talk explores why some glaciers melt at a steady, predictable pace while others can enter self-reinforcing cycles that accelerate their own demise. Understanding these different feedback mechanisms is essential for predicting how much, and how fast, sea levels will rise in the coming decades and centuries. The good news is that our projections are getting sharper, giving policymakers and coastal communities a clearer window to plan for what's coming, and a stronger case for action that can still bend the curve. 

Presenter:  
Mathieu Morlighem, Evans Family Distinguished Professor of Earth Sciences 

Dartmouth’s Center for Career Design: A Vision for Career Exploration and Lifelong Purpose (Class of 1978 Life Sciences Center, Oopik Auditorium)

Class of 1978 Life Sciences Center, Oopik Auditorium, 78 College Street  

Under the direction of Executive Director Joseph Catrino, Dartmouth is forging the way for students to engage with the new Dartmouth Center for Career Design (DCCD) to develop and design their future personal and professional trajectories. This support ranges from empowering students through skills-based approaches, leveraging personal interest areas, identifying internship opportunities, and conducting networking within career communities to learn from alumni and other experts in the field. The center uses tailored approaches to support students from pre-orientation through graduation. Please join Joe and current students to learn more about this new initiative, ask questions, and become connected. 

Presenters: 

  • Joe Catrino, executive director of the Dartmouth Center for Career Design 
  • Current students 
Oh, the Places They Will Go! Study Away Opportunities (Moore Hall, Filene Auditorium)

Moore Hall, Filene Auditorium, 3 Maynard Street   

Learn about Dartmouth’s accredited off-campus study-away opportunities coordinated by the Frank J. Guarini Institute for International Education. Offered in diverse global locations, these programs provide safe, rigorous, credit-bearing academic experiences that foster disciplinary and interdisciplinary discovery, foreign language acquisition, intercultural competency, and personal growth. These transformative, place-based experiences also help students develop workplace-ready skills employers value and foster a sensitivity for lifelong learning and ethical civic and global engagement. 

Presenters: 

  • Francine A’Ness, senior lecturer and associate director of global teaching & learning, Frank J. Guarini Institute for International Education 
  • Study-Away Mentors (SAMs) 

Campus and Special Tours

Sign-up is required for each tour daily at the tent on Tuck Mall Drive on Saturday starting at 8:00 a.m., on a first-come, first-served basis. You will receive a wristband which confirms your spot on the tour. 

Campus Tours

With your wristband, meet in front of Blunt Alumni Center, 20 North Main Street   

A Dartmouth tour guide will lead you around our beautiful campus. 

Historic Cemetery Tour

With your wristband, meet at the main cemetery entrance located behind Class of '53 Commons and South Fairbanks on Cemetery Lane 

Did you know Dartmouth has its own historic cemetery on campus that dates to the 1770s? Take a tour and learn some fascinating stories about the people buried there, including eight Dartmouth presidents. (Note: Tour takes about 45 minutes on uneven ground.) 

A Conversation with Dartmouth President Sian Leah Beilock ‘76a and Trustee Hadley Mullin ’96 P’27

Hopkins Center for the Arts, Spaulding Auditorium, 4 East Wheelock Street 

Please join Dartmouth’s 19th president, Sian Leah Beilock , and Dartmouth Trustee and parent Hadley Mullin in a lively conversation to learn more about Dartmouth’s plans for the future. Hadley will be engaging President Beilock with questions of interest to parents and families and provide her with the opportunity to share her vision and initiatives.  

Presenters:

  • President Sian Leah Beilock ’76a  
  • Trustee Hadley Mullin ’96 P’27  

Family Weekend Cookout

Tent, Lord Hall Lawn, Tuck Mall Drive 

All are welcome to gather and enjoy a New England barbeque, catered by The Refinery, while relaxing and connecting with one another.  

Featuring 12:00 p.m. Cheerleading Team Performance 

The mission of the Dartmouth Cheerleading team is to foster a welcoming community of students from all backgrounds through the sport of cheerleading. The team values inclusivity and fun, with members building a supportive and spirited environment. Together, they work toward the shared goal of cheering on fellow Dartmouth student-athletes. The team brings energy and enthusiasm to all sports throughout the year. 

Dartmouth College Marching Band Performance on the Green 

On the Green, opposite the Collis Center for Student Involvement 

The Dartmouth College Marching Band is the College’s spirited and all-inclusive musical ensemble, performing at all home football games and select campus events. Known for its humor, creativity, and student-led performances, the band is open to all regardless of musical background. From rallying fans on game day to performing original halftime shows and traveling to support the Big Green, the band proudly upholds tradition while celebrating the unique energy of Dartmouth.

Learn How to Preserve Cemetery Headstones: A Hands-on Lesson! 

With your wristband, meet at the main cemetery entrance located behind Class of '53 Commons and South Fairbanks on Cemetery Lane  

Sign-up is required for this session at the tent on Tuck Mall Drive on Saturday starting at 8:00 a.m., on a first-come, first-served basis. You will receive a wristband which confirms your spot.

Learn how to properly clean and preserve headstones at this historic cemetery, then take those skills home with you and put them to work on your family’s markers, or at a local cemetery in need. Supplies provided. (Note: This activity takes about 1 hour and is held on uneven ground.) 

Half-Day Mindfulness Retreat

Dartmouth Outing Club House on Occom Pond, 10 Hilton Field Road 

Join us for a half-day mindfulness and appreciation retreat where we will explore well-being, healthy relationships, and authentic self-awareness through meditation, reflection, and meaningful connection. In this three-hour retreat, students, families, friends, faculty, and staff are invited to a fun, experiential exploration of practices that support self-care, emotional balance, concentration, and authentic relationships with ourselves and others. 

No previous mindfulness or meditation experience is required. Participants can expect periods of guided meditation, engaging talks, and Q&A, group dialogue, and supportive breakout groups. Open to all students, families, friends, Dartmouth faculty, and staff. Individual participants and families are welcome. 

Questions? Please contact michael.krass@dartmouth.edu. 

RSVPs are requested. Retreat details will be sent via email following registration. Register here.

Football Game vs Monmouth University

Buddy Teevens Stadium at Memorial Field, 4 Crosby Street 

Cheer on the Big Green! Discounted tickets for the football game are available for attendees of Family Weekend.  Visit the purchase page with the FAMILYWEEKEND26 discount code already activated to select individual seats and purchase your tickets. Current Dartmouth students have free entry to the games by showing their Dartmouth ID and must sit in the student section at football. If you would like your student to sit with you, you will need to purchase them a separate ticket. Emailed tickets will be sent to you in the form of a mobile ticket upon purchase.   

Special Open Houses

Hood Museum of Art Community Day

Hood Museum of Art, 6 East Wheelock Street 

Free for all ages! Step into the world of Stone, Sand, and Clay for a lively afternoon exploring art made by ancient cultures. Get creative, draw inspiration from the ancient world, and make something all your own. Enjoy snacks and enter a free raffle to win surprise goodies. This is a drop-in event. No registration required. 

Book Arts Workshop Open House

Baker-Berry Library Lower Level, Rooms 21-25

Explore the Book Arts Workshop in the lower level of Baker-Berry Library. Learn about methods of making books and other printed materials and try your hand at running a letterpress by printing a pre-designed souvenir to take home with you! 

Campus Tours 

With your wristband, meet in front of Blunt Alumni Center, 20 North Main Street    

Sign-up is required for the tour at the tent on Tuck Mall Drive on Saturday starting at 8:00 a.m. on a first-come, first-served basis. You will receive a wristband which confirms your spot on the tour.  

A Dartmouth tour guide will lead you around our beautiful campus. 

Learn How to Preserve Cemetery Headstones: A Hands-on Lesson! 

With your wristband, meet at the main cemetery entrance located behind Class of '53 Commons and South Fairbanks on Cemetery Lane  

Sign-up is required for this session at the tent on Tuck Mall Drive on Saturday starting at 8:00 a.m., on a first-come, first-served basis. You will receive a wristband which confirms your spot.  

Learn how to properly clean and preserve headstones at this historic cemetery, then take those skills home with you and put them to work on your family’s markers or at a local cemetery in need. Supplies provided. (Note: This activity takes about 1 hour and takes place on uneven ground.) 

Historic Cemetery Tours 

With your wristband, meet at the main cemetery entrance located behind Class of '53 Commons and South Fairbanks on Cemetery Lane  

Sign-up is required for the tours at the tent on Tuck Mall Drive on Saturday starting at 8:00 a.m., on a first-come, first-served basis. You will receive a wristband which confirms your spot.   

Did you know Dartmouth has its own historic cemetery on campus that dates to the 1770s?   Take a tour and learn some fascinating stories about the people buried there, including eight Dartmouth presidents. (Note: Tour takes about 45 minutes on uneven ground.)  

Class of 2030: What We Wish We Had Known (Murdough Center, Cook Auditorium)

Murdough Center, Cook Auditorium, 31 Tuck Mall Drive 

Class of 2027 students and families will share tips and information they have learned during their family’s Dartmouth experience with the Class of 2030 families. 

Presenters: 

  • Bridget Colacchio, director of family support 
  • Panel of Class of 2027 students and their families 
Class of 2027: Get Ready for Commencement! (Hanover Inn, Grand Ballroom)

Hanover Inn, Grand Ballroom, 2 East Wheelock Street  

June will be here before you know it. Join us for an introduction to commencement activities and exercises. This information will help families prepare to celebrate their student during this momentous weekend event for graduating students. Tentative schedules will be shared along with tips for lodging, parking, and more. 

Presenters:  

  • EJ Kiefer, executive director of conferences and events 
  • Kathleen Cunneen, director, new student programs
  • Michelle Kermond, associate director, assistant dean of undergraduate students

Organ Recital and Q&A with Tucker Center Staff

Rollins Chapel, 29 College Street   

Enjoy 20 minutes of wonderful music by a member of the College organist team. The organ, located in Rollins Chapel, was a gift from Basil F. Austin ’31 and features 3,937 pipes. It is one of Dartmouth College’s hidden treasures. Ask a member of our team about the organ, Rollins Chapel, other sacred spaces on campus, and religious life in general. All are welcome! 

Social Time

Tents, Lord Hall Lawn, Tuck Mall Drive  

Enjoy connecting and mingling with fellow families while enjoying Mac’s Maple cotton candy and popcorn.  Bottled water will be available.

Dinner on Your Own with Family and Friends

Enjoy a meal in the Upper Valley. Check out the list of places to eat on the Family Weekend landing page. The main on-campus dining location at the Class of 1953 Commons (aka FOCO) is open to all, and a great option for those with food allergies or dietary restrictions. Dinner is $17.50 for adults; $9.75 for children ages 3–11; and children 2 years and younger eat for free. Dartmouth students will use a meal swipe on their dining card. 

Dance and A Cappella Showcase  

Spaulding Auditorium, Hopkins Center for the Arts, 4 East Wheelock Street

Tickets are required for each show. Pick up your free tickets for your preferred time at the tent on Tuck Mall Drive, Friday, 11:30 a.m.–7:00 p.m. and Saturday, 8:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.  

Enjoy Dartmouth’s a cappella and dance groups as they perform for you. 

Comedy Show

Collis Center, Common Ground, 2 North Main Street 

Sponsored by Collis After Dark, this event is open to all on a first-come, first-served basis, no tickets required    

Grab the family and come to Common Ground for a night of laughs, snacks, and memories! Elijah Nevels is a stand-up comedian known for his quick wit, sharp storytelling, and hilarious takes on family and everyday life. He headlines clubs across the country and has performed with acts like Ms. Pat, Roy Wood Jr., Adam Ray, and Chad Daniels. He has built a following of over 500,000 on social media. Don’t miss out on this rare opportunity to see one of the next up-and-coming comedians! 

Sunday, September 27

Root for the Big Green

Club Sports 
Club sports may be competing today. Check with your student for details. 

Women’s Tennis Fall Foliage Fest 
Boss Tennis Center 
Visit dartmouthsports.com/sports/womens-tennis for details 
No ticket required 

Equestrian vs College of Charleston 
Morton Farm, 10 Laramie Rd, Etna, NH 
10 a.m.
No ticket required 

Field Hockey vs University of Vermont 
Chase Field, 3 Summer Court 
1 p.m. 
No ticket required 

House Communities Breakfast Receptions

Tents, Lord Hall Lawn, Tuck Mall Drive   

Enjoy continental breakfast items with your student’s house community, meet the house professor and other members of their house team, and enjoy connecting with and meeting other students and families in the same house community. 

Choose Your Own Adventure

Here are some ideas for what to do on campus or in the Upper Valley.  Enjoy!

  • Don’t forget to ask your students to take you to some of their favorite spots on campus or in the Upper Valley!
  • 11:00 a.m. Take a “Woccom” and enjoy Pine Park
    Meet at the intersection of Clement Road, Maynard Road, and Rope Ferry Road
    All interested students and families: Go on self-guided “Woccom” together—what Dartmouth students call a walk around Occom Pond! This one-mile jaunt can be extended by adding on the trails throughout Pine Park, a beautiful outdoor space in Hanover along the Connecticut River. Both the Woccom and Pine Park trails can be done as a walk from campus, or you can find parking options by navigating to “10 Hilton Field Road, Hanover.” Pine Park does have an accessible gravel path, and the road all around the pond is paved.
    Map of Pine Park with Guided hike details
  • Play Pickleball
    The four pickleball courts located next to the Lewinstein Athletic Center will be available for open play during this timeframe. Family Weekend participants are welcome to join games and enjoy the courts on a first-come, first-served basis. Complimentary paddles and balls will be available.
  • Check out the “Things to Do and Places to Eat” section of the Family Weekend website for more ideas about places to visit, explore, and add to your adventure.
  • Deserto is a great app designed by students and sponsored by the President’s Office and DALI (Digital Applied Learning and Innovation). The app guides students, families, and community members to outdoor opportunities and fun around campus and the Upper Valley. Check out the specially curated experiences for Family Weekend! You can post pictures of your adventures over Family Weekend right in the app.
  • Enjoy a self-guided walking tour of public art on campus.
  • Complete the Campus Quest!
    Want to explore every nook and cranny on campus?  Get your walking shoes and your thinking caps on to complete “Oh, the Places You Will Go! A Dartmouth Quest.”
  • Hike to Gile Mountain Fire Tower
    One of the more popular hikes close to campus is the Gile Mountain Fire Tower trail, which is a 1.4-mile hike just 15 minutes (~8 miles) from campus. With 400 feet in elevation gain, the hike is not strenuous, and the elevation is distributed evenly. The path is well-trodden and has a mix of flat ground, steps, and elevated land. There is a fire tower at the end for an optional climb to enjoy beautiful views! Opt into a Dartmouth tradition and go at sunrise to say you experienced a “sunrike!”