2022 Family Weekend Events

Wednesday, September 21, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Thursday, September 22, 12 p.m. - 2 p.m.

Gatton Student Center Ballroom Coat Check

All Family Weekend registrants must check in for Family Weekend to receive important schedule information, event entry wristbands, and other swag items. If you do not think you will arrive to campus in time for check-in, send your student by with a copy of your registration confirmation to pick up your Family Weekend Check-in packet. 

Registrants must wear Family Weekend event wristbands for entry to all Parent and Family Association-hosted events. T-shirts will not be given out during check-in. They will be available only during the Family Weekend Tent Party. 

Alumni Gym Open to Families

6 a.m. - 12 p.m., Gatton Student Center Alumni Gym

The historic Alumni Gym, located adjacent to the Gatton Student Center on Avenue of Champions, is a state-of-the-art fitness center designed to provide choices and opportunities for healthy living. The appealing‚ open environment encourages participation and development of a healthy lifestyle. It is a great place to gather‚ make new friends‚ and take a positive step towards lifelong health and fitness habits. Families are invited to work out with their students (valid UK student ID required; guests must be at least 14 years old and show a photo ID). 

Johnson Student Recreation Center Open to Families

6 a.m. - 12 p.m., Johnson Student Recreation Center

Families are welcome to tour UK’s state-of-the-art recreation facility, which features a climbing wall, multi-purpose gymnasium, four-lane elevated jogging track, aerobics studios, racquetball courts, and more. Families are invited to work out with their students (valid UK student ID required; guests must be at least 14 years old and show a photo ID). 

UK Visitor Center Open

8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Gatton Student Center

During Family Weekend, stop by the Visitor Center to get information about campus and Lexington. All are welcome to take a guided tour while visiting campus, but reservations for tours are required. Call 859-257-3595 or visit www.uky.edu/VisitorCenter for a tour schedule and more information.   

Open Swim in the Lancaster Aquatic Center

10 a.m. - 1 p.m., Lancaster Aquatic Center, next to the Johnson Student Recreation Center

Opened in 1989 and located adjacent to the Johnson Center‚ the Lancaster Aquatic Center offers indoor swimming to the UK community and eligible BCTC students. Families are invited to swim with their students (valid UK student ID required; guests must be at least 6 years old, and guest must complete our waiver).  The aquatic center is a lap facility (18 lanes available), water is 80 degrees, 1 mtr diving board, 6’-15’ pool depth.

Family Weekend Check-in

2 p.m. - 8 p.m., Gatton Student Center, top of the Social Staircase

All Family Weekend registrants must check in for Family Weekend to receive important schedule information, event entry wristbands, and other swag items. If you do not think you will arrive to campus in time for check-in, send your student to an earl check-in on Wednesday, September 21, or Thursday, September 22, with a copy of your registration confirmation to pick up your Family Weekend Check-in packet. 

Registrants must wear Family Weekend event wristbands for entry to all Parent and Family Association-hosted events. T-shirts will not be given out during check-in. They will be available only during the Family Weekend Tent Party. 

Blue & White Swim/Dive Meet

3 p.m., Lancaster Aquatic Center, next to the Johnson Student Recreation Center

Cheer on UK's Men and Women's Swim/Dive teams in their Blue/White meet in the Lancaster Aquatic Center at 3 p.m ET. Admission is free to all.

Tour Alumni Gym

5:30 p.m. - 7 p.m.

Take a tour of Campus Recreation's historic Alumni Gym, a state-of-the-art fitness center designed to provide choices and opportunities for healthy living. The appealing‚ open environment encourages participation and development of a healthy lifestyle. It is a great place to gather‚ make new friends‚ and take a positive step towards lifelong health and fitness habits.

Family Weekend Welcome Reception

6 p.m. - 7:30 p.m., Gatton Student Center (inside and outside)

All UK families of undergraduate students are invited to start Family Weekend off right at the Family Weekend Welcome Reception! Enjoy refreshments, music, and giveaways. Take a family photo in one of our photo booths, and learn more about resources available to your students.

The Cornerstone Parking Garage on S. Limestone St. and most E lots will be open during this event. 

Family Weekend registration and wristbands required. 

Parking: The Cornerstone Parking Garage on S. Limestone St. and most E lots will be open during this event. 

Menu:

• Nacho bar (GLUTEN FREE): Tortilla chips and salsa, nacho cheese, jalapenos, refried beans, guacamole, sour cream, beef or chicken
• Cookies
• Sodas and water

Circus Club Demonstration

7:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m., Barker Hall/Buell Armory

Drop in to Buell Armory in Barker Hall, next door to the Gatton Student Center, to check out the talented members of UK’s Circus Club as they demonstrate their skills in tumbling and aerial silks.

Free for all students and guests. Family Weekend registration NOT required to participate. 

ThinkFast Trivia

8 p.m., Gatton Student Center Ballrooms

Join in with your family and friends for this interactive trivia competition to win cash prizes and UK swag! Limited seating and number of teams available; first-come, first-served. Doors open at 7:30 p.m.

Family Weekend registration and wristbands required. 

MacAdam Student Observatory

8 p.m. - 10 p.m., top of the Rose Street Parking Garage

Take a tour of the $1 million MacAdam Student Observatory. Families will have a chance to gaze at stars and planets through the observatory’s robotic 20” telescope (weather permitting). Images of galaxies, star clusters, and nebulae (taken from the center of a city of 200,000+), along with information about our outreach programs can be found at www.pa.uky.edu/observatory.

Free for all students and guests. Family Weekend registration NOT required. 

Movie on Main: Lightyear

9 p.m., Main Lawn off Administration Drive

Experience a night under the stars at the Family Weekend outdoor movie, Lightyear, co-sponsored by Student Organizations and Activities and the Parent and Family Association. Kona Ice provided. Limited chairs and picnic blankets will be provided for ground seating. If you would prefer to bring your own chairs, you are welcome to set them up behind the blankets.

Free for all students and guests. Family Weekend registration NOT required to attend. 

Alumni Gym Open to Families

9 a.m. - 9 p.m., Gatton Student Center Alumni Gym

The historic Alumni Gym, located adjacent to the Gatton Student Center on Avenue of Champions, is a state-of-the-art fitness center designed to provide choices and opportunities for healthy living. The appealing‚ open environment encourages participation and development of a healthy lifestyle. It is a great place to gather‚ make new friends‚ and take a positive step towards lifelong health and fitness habits. Families are invited to work out with their students (valid UK student ID required; guests must be at least 14 years old and show a photo ID). 

Johnson Student Recreation Center Open to Families

9 a.m. - 9 p.m., Johnson Student Recreation Center

Families are welcome to tour UK’s state-of-the-art recreation facility, which features a climbing wall, multi-purpose gymnasium, four-lane elevated jogging track, aerobics studios, racquetball courts, and more. Families are invited to work out with their students (valid UK student ID required; guests must be at least 14 years old and show a photo ID). 

Tent Party: Bluegrass Biscuit Bash

9:30 a.m. - 11:30 a.m., South Lawn behind The 90 (10 minute walk to Kroger Field)

Start your game day off right at our outdoor Tent Party: Bluegrass Biscuit Bash! Enjoy a delicious biscuit breakfast bar, music, inflatables, kettle corn, games, giveaways, and more! There will be something for Wildcat fans of all ages! This is the only place to get the official Family Weekend 2022 t-shirt! Gluten-free options will be available.

Family Weekend registration and wristbands required. No on-site ticket sales. 

Parking: The Cornerstone Parking Garage on S. Limestone St. and most E lots will be open during this event. Additional gameday parking options can be found here.

Menu:

• Build your own biscuit bar: eggs, sausage, bacon, cheese, sausage gravy, jelly, honey
• Breakfast sandwiches 
• Egg muffin cups (GLUTEN FREE): egg, cheese, spinach, ham, or bacon
• Hash brown bar (GLUTEN FREE): cheese, bacon, ketchup, fried jalapenos, sour cream, salsa
• Fresh cut fruit, cinnamon rolls, acai bowls, and avocado toast
• Kettle corn 
• Assorted fruit juices, coffee, water, Powerade

Participating food vendors include: Thompson’s Catering & Special Events, DV8 Kitchen, Old Kentucky Kettle Corn, Brevede Coffee Co., Toasties Gourmet on Wheels, UK Dining.

Cats Got Game!

2 p.m. - 5 p.m., The Cornerstone and Esports Lounge

Cats Got Game in The Cornerstone! Enjoy a fun afternoon of family games, prizes, and UK’s very own Esports lounge! Food and drinks will be available for purchase from many of the local vendors from the Cornerstone Exchange. Whether you plan to attend the UK football game, volleyball match, or just spend your time getting to know the local Lexington scene, this is a great way to spend the afternoon with your Wildcat! Family Weekend registration is NOT required to participate.

UK Volleyball vs. LSU

4 p.m., Memorial Coliseum

Cheer on the volleyball team as they take on LSU! As a special treat for Family Weekend guests, any UK student wishing to bring their family to the game can get four guests in for free in addition to the regular free student admission (with a valid UK student ID). Additional tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for youth and seniors. Tickets are general admission and may be purchased by calling the Wildcat Ticket Office at 1-800-928-2287 or at the ticket office prior to, or on the day of, the game. Visit www.ukathletics.com for more information. 

UK Football vs. Northern Illinois

7 p.m., Kroger Field (recommend arriving by 6 p.m. to enjoy the pregame fun)

Cheer on our Top 10 Cats as they take on the Northern Illinois Huskies! Tickets available through Ticketmaster.

MacAdam Student Observatory

8 p.m. - 10 p.m., top of the Rose Street Parking Garage

Take a tour of the $1 million MacAdam Student Observatory. Families will have a chance to gaze at stars and planets through the observatory’s robotic 20” telescope (weather permitting). Images of galaxies, star clusters, and nebulae (taken from the center of a city of 200,000+), along with information about our outreach programs can be found at www.pa.uky.edu/observatory.

Free for all students and guests. Family Weekend registration NOT required.

A Taste of the Kentucky Doughnut Trail

(See times below), Gatton Student Center Ballrooms

In 2012, The New York Times article “Twists and Turns along the Kentucky Doughnut Trail” brought well-deserved publicity to many of the region’s fine doughnut purveyors and introduced the country to one of Kentucky’s sweetest secrets. Now we are bringing those sweet treats to you! Drop in to sample doughnuts and baked goods from some of our favorite local bakeries; then vote for your favorite! Limited gluten-free options available.

Family Weekend registration and wristbands required. No on-site ticket sales. 

Due to the unprecedented number of Family Weekend participants this year, we ask guests to arrival during the following designated times:

9:30 a.m. - Guests with last names beginning A - G

10:15 a.m. - Guests with last names beginning H - O

11:00 a.m. - Guests with last names beginning P – Z

Parking: The Cornerstone Parking Garage on S. Limestone St. and most E lots will be open during this event. 

Menu:

• Assorted doughnuts from Magee's Baking Co., North Lime Coffee & Doughnuts (GLUTEN FREE AVAILABLE), Dough Daddy's Doughnuts, Donut Days Bakery, Parlor Doughnuts, and Frank's Donuts
• Smoothie station (GLUTEN FREE)
• Coffee, hot tea, milk

Open Swim in the Lancaster Aquatic Center

12 p.m. - 2 p.m., Lancaster Aquatic Center, next to the Johnson Student Recreation Center

Opened in 1989 and located adjacent to the Johnson Center‚ the Lancaster Aquatic Center offers indoor swimming to the UK community and eligible BCTC students. Families are invited to swim with their students (valid UK student ID required; guests must be at least 6 years old, and guest must complete our waiver).  The aquatic center is a lap facility (18 lanes available), water is 80 degrees, 1 mtr diving board, 6’-15’ pool depth.

UK Volleyball vs. LSU

12 p.m., Memorial Coliseum

Cheer on the volleyball team as they take on LSU! As a special treat for Family Weekend guests, any UK student wishing to bring their family to the game can get four guests in for free in addition to the regular free student admission (with a valid UK student ID). Additional tickets are $8 for adults and $5 for youth and seniors. Tickets are general admission and may be purchased by calling the Wildcat Ticket Office at 1-800-928-2287 or at the ticket office prior to, or on the day of, the game. Visit www.ukathletics.com for more information. 

UK Women's Soccer vs. UT-Knoxville

1 p.m., The Bell Soccer Complex

Cheer on the women’s soccer team as they take on the University of Tennessee! Admission is free!