Family Weekend: October 18-20, 2024
Please check back periodically for updates on more events taking place on-campus during Family Weekend!
If you have questions, email families@gmu.edu or call (703) 993-2475.
2024 Schedule of Events
| Event Title | Location | Time (ET) | Description | Virtual Option Available | Additional Cost? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Family Weekend Check-In | Johnson Center, Dewberry Lobby | 1:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. | Check-in and get your Family Weekend Pass to enjoy all the events of the weekend! | No | N/A |
| Fun Friday | Overlook Room, Recreation and Athletic Complex | 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. | Join us for Fun Friday! This is a great opportunity to meet others in the Mason community. There will be plenty of games such as giant Connect 4, UNO, checkers and more. | No | No |
| Family Weekend Welcome Ceremony | Dewberry Hall | 4:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. | Join us for the official kick-off welcome for the 2024 Family Weekend!! | No | No |
| Faculty Spotlight | Dewberry Hall | 5:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. | Engage with Dr. Mary Ellen O’Toole who served as an FBI agent for nearly 28 years. For more than half of that time, she worked in the Bureau’s prestigious Behavioral Analysis Unit, which is the unit featured in the hit TV series, Criminal Minds. | No | No |
| Family Weekend Shabbat | Johnson Center, George’s | 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. | Mason Hillel and GMU Chabad join together to welcome all Jewish students and their families to bring in Shabbat with the Jewish community at Mason. We will start with an egalitarian prayer service and a Kosher dinner to follow. Services begin at 6pm and Dinner will begin at 6:45pm. | No | No |
| Mason Madness | Eagle Bank Arena | 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. | Make EagleBank Arena rock by kicking off our Basketball season with opportunities to win prizes! | No | No |
| Event Title | Location | Time (ET) | Description | Virtual Option Available | Additional Cost? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Family Weekend Check-In | Side Pocket | 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. | If you didn’t checkin Friday, check-in Saturday and get your Family Weekend Wristband to enjoy all the events of the weekend! | No | N/A |
| Mason Nation Thriving Together 5K | Merten Hall Lawn | 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. | Interested in participating in our annual 5K or 1-mile walk/run to help fundraise for a special cause here at Mason? Participate in the annual Mason Nation Thriving Together 5K! | No | Click Here for More Information |
| Mason Families Give Back | The HUB | 8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. | Give back to the Mason community by participating in a variety of service activities hosted by campus and community partners! | No | No |
| Great Falls Hike (morning session) | HUB 3rd floor | 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Buses to leave promptly at 8:45 | Join us and Outdoor Adventures for a beautiful fall hike at the incredible Great Falls. Hike along the Potomac with your family and enjoy some beautiful views along with it. | No | Yes |
| Historic Fairfax Bus Tour (morning session) | HUB 3rd floor | 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Buses to leave promptly at 8:45 | Join us for our historic Fairfax Bus Tour led by a historical tour guide to the Fairfax Historic Courthouse, Fairfax Museum, and Historic Blenheim Estate! Group will be split into separate rotating timed tours. | No | Yes |
| Gunston Hall Tour (morning session) | HUB 3rd floor | 8:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. Buses to leave promptly at 8:45 | Go visit George Mason’s historical home, Gunston Hall. Learn about the history of our namesake and enjoy the property in the peak of fall. | No | Yes |
| 75 Years in 30 minutes: The History and Development of George Mason University | Fenwick Library Room 2400, 2nd Floor (Special Collections Seminar Room) | 10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. | Join University Archivist Robert Vay on a journey through the history of George Mason University. Trace Mason’s development from its humble beginnings in the 1950s to its place as the largest and most divers public university in the Commonwealth of Virginia. | No | No |
| Mason Observa-Tour-Y | Research Hall | 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. | Experience the GMU observatory with the College of Science. We will be offering tours of the observatory located in Research Hall as well as filtered telescopes for participants to observe the Sun! | No | No |
| Mason Family Blood Drive With INOVA | HUB 3rd floor | 12:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. | You don’t have to be a doctor to save a life! Donate blood during Mason Families Give Back. | No | No |
| Success Coaching: Patriot Families Edition | The HUB, Rooms 3-4-5 | 12:00 p.m. – 1:30 p.m. | Come join this interactive with Student Success Coaching to learn strategies for having intentional success-driven conversations with your students as well as resources to help support them while they’re in college. | No | No |
| Gunston Hall Tour (afternoon session) | HUB 3rd floor | 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Buses to leave promptly at 1:15 p.m. | Go visit George Mason’s historical home, Gunston Hall. Learn about the history of our namesake and enjoy the property in the peak of fall. | No | Yes |
| Great Falls Hike (afternoon session) | HUB 3rd floor | 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Buses to leave promptly at 1:15 p.m. | Join us and Outdoor Adventures for a beautiful fall hike at the incredible Great Falls. Hike along the Potomac with your family and enjoy some beautiful views along with it. | No | Yes |
| Historic Fairfax Bus Tour (afternoon session) | HUB 3rd floor | 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Buses to leave promptly at 1:15 p.m. | Join us for our historic Fairfax Bus Tour led by a historical tour guide to the Fairfax Historic Courthouse, Fairfax Museum, and Historic Blenheim Estate! Group will be split into separate rotating timed tours. | No | Yes |
| Faculty Spotlight | Johnson Center, Dewberry Hall | 1:30 p.m. – 2:15 p.m. | Engage with faculty member Dr. Jennifer Victor and take part in a mock class! | No | Yes |
| Carter School Family Feud | The HUB, Rooms 3-4-5 | 2:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. | Join the Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution for a fun afternoon of Family Feud! Prizes and food will be provided. | No | Yes |
| Mark Morris Dance Group | Center for the Arts (CFA) | Start time: 2:00 p.m. | Welcome back the Mark Morris Dance Group (MMDG) for a radiant program of must-see dance, accompanied by live music by the MMDG Music Ensemble. Founded in New York City in 1980, the company has received “highest praise for their technical aplomb, their musicality, and their sheer human authenticity” (Bloomberg News). Over the years, choreographer Mark Morris has created more than 150 dance works that have earned him the title of “the most successful and influential choreographer alive, and indisputably the most musical” (New York Times). This program features audience favorites and rare gems, including Pacific (1995), “a beautiful, contemplative piece” (Dancetabs), set to music of Lou Harrison; Going Away Party (1990), which Critical Dance dubbed “thoroughly enjoyable, a little risqué and laugh-out-loud funny at times;” Rock of Ages (2004), set to music by Franz Schubert; and Castor and Pollux (1980), which the New York Times called “breathtaking” and “ferocious, raw yet precise and in possession of an unquenchable wildness.” | No | No |
| Faculty Spotlight | Johnson Center, Dewberry Hall | 2:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. | Engage with faculty member Dr. Daigo Shishika and take part in a mock class! | No | No |
| Laurie Berkner Band | Center for the Arts (CFA) | Start time: 3:00 p.m. (Run Time: approximately 80 minutes) | As part of the Center for the Arts Family Series, welcome “the undisputed queen of kindie rock” (USA Today), Laurie Berkner and her band, in a concert event for the whole family. One of the most popular children’s entertainers in the United States, her music shines a light on what it means to be a kid, and the kids can’t get enough of her folk-pop melodies made especially for them. “Laurie Berkner does what Fred Rogers did: respect, validate, and reassure young children” (Los Angeles Times). | No | Yes |
| Mason’s Got Talent: Student Performance Showcase | HUB Ballroom | 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m. | Enjoy an evening full of live performances from Mason students! | No | Yes |
| Mason by Moonlight | The HUB, Corner Pocket Patio | 7 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. | Experience Mason under the stars with an assortment of activities hosted by the College of Engineering and Computing and the College of Visual and Preforming Arts. | No | No |
| Mark Morris Dance Group | Center for the Arts (CFA) | Start time: 8:00 p.m. | Welcome back the Mark Morris Dance Group (MMDG) for a radiant program of must-see dance, accompanied by live music by the MMDG Music Ensemble. Founded in New York City in 1980, the company has received “highest praise for their technical aplomb, their musicality, and their sheer human authenticity” (Bloomberg News). Over the years, choreographer Mark Morris has created more than 150 dance works that have earned him the title of “the most successful and influential choreographer alive, and indisputably the most musical” (New York Times). This program features audience favorites and rare gems, including Pacific (1995), “a beautiful, contemplative piece” (Dancetabs), set to music of Lou Harrison; Going Away Party (1990), which Critical Dance dubbed “thoroughly enjoyable, a little risqué and laugh-out-loud funny at times;” Rock of Ages (2004), set to music by Franz Schubert; and Castor and Pollux (1980), which the New York Times called “breathtaking” and “ferocious, raw yet precise and in possession of an unquenchable wildness.” | No | No |
| Event Title | Location | Time (ET) | Description | Virtual Option Available | Additional Cost? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Stay Connected: Breakfast and Bingo | The HUB Ballroom | 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. | Enjoy breakfast on your final day of Family Weekend with opportunities to win prizes and learn how to stay involved in the Mason community post Family Weekend. | No | Yes |
Frequently Asked Questions
General
What is Family Weekend?Since 2003, Mason has welcomed students, faculty, staff, alumni, parents, families and chosen families, and supporters to campus for Family Weekend. At Mason, we believe family is made up of many different people – parents, siblings, cousins, roommates, classmates, best friends, significant others, children, and more. Family Weekend is an opportunity to come together to connect, have fun, celebrate, and make new memories, which is why our schedule includes events for people of all ages. Family Weekend features several events that showcase the best of Mason and all it has to offer, including a signature athletic event, faculty spotlights, student performances, bus tours, service opportunities, and much more!
Family Weekend is October 18-20, 2024. Events begin Friday afternoon, so make plans to arrive early so you don’t miss out on the fun!
Pricing
How much does it cost to participate in Family Weekend?Mason student admission is FREE! Pricing for family members and guests has not yet been released for 2024.
- Entrance to all indicated (no-additional fee) on-campus Family Weekend activities (excludes Mason on Location area tours)
- Free parking on the Fairfax campus for the weekend
- Family Weekend T-Shirt for ALL participants
- A Family Weekend Mug (1 per family)
At least three Mason on Location area tours will be offered over Family Weekend. Pricing will vary among the different tours. To be announced.
Yes! Arrive early to the bus tour check-in that you hope to attend. If there are open spots, we will be able to take Visa and Mastercard payments on-site.
Registration
How do I register for Family Weekend?Registration will open on Monday, June 10th at 10am. Registration will be done through the Mason Family Connection. Please note that the Mason on Location area tours fill up quickly and tickets are sold on a first-come, first-served basis.
The on-campus Family Weekend activities are free for Mason students, but they must register online in advance. They can register on their own or you are able to register them as part of your family by adding a “Mason Student Ticket” to your cart. If they want to attend a Mason on Location area tour or any of the other additional cost events, those fees apply.
Mason faculty/staff tickets can be purchased through the Mason Family Connection. Visit gmu.CampusESP.com, scroll to the bottom of the page, click “Are you faculty? Log in here” and sign in with your Mason credentials. For detailed pricing information, please review the FAQs above.
Yes! You can log back in any time before Family Weekend registration closes. Once registration closes, you will no longer be able to make changes to your registration. However, you will be able to register additional people as walk-ins when you arrive for the weekend. Please note that Family Weekend fees are non-refundable.
All Family Weekend fees are non-refundable.
Yes! We will be completing walk-in registrations and can accept Visa or Mastercard payments.
There is an accommodation question on the Family Weekend registration form. Please mark the type of accommodation you are requesting, provide specific details in the open text box, and we will do our best to meet your needs.
Visiting Campus
Where can I find information about COVID protocols?All campus visitors are expected to follow the University’s public health and safety precautions and guidelines, as outlined on our Safe Return to Campus website at https://www2.gmu.edu/Safe-Return-Plan.
There are multiple ways to get to the Fairfax campus. Visit https://masonfamily.gmu.edu/where-to-stay/ for directions, entrance locations, and a campus map.
We encourage you to arrive on Friday so you can enjoy the many welcome events planned for that day. Events are scheduled for Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, so we invite you to stay for the entire weekend! If you need overnight accommodations, take advantage of the discounted rates offered by our Marriott partner hotels in Fairfax by visiting MasonFamilyEvents.gmu.edu/Where-To-Stay.
Lot K and the Rappahannock Parking Deck will be available to park in throughout the weekend. We will have staff and signage on-site to direct you. A parking pass is required, which you can download for free! You must print it and display it on your vehicle’s front dashboard throughout the weekend. You also have the option to park in the other parking decks on campus at your own expense. If you have an ADA decal or license and display the Family Weekend parking pass, you can park in any ADA parking spot on campus throughout the weekend.
GMU is growing and construction is happening in and around our Fairfax campus. Keep up with the latest traffic news by following @MasonParking on Twitter or visiting building.gmu.edu.
If you need overnight accommodations, take advantage of the discounted rates offered by our Marriott partner hotels in Fairfax by visiting MasonFamilyEvents.gmu.edu/Where-To-Stay.
Check-In opens on Friday, October 18 at 1pm in the Johnson Center, Dewberry Hall Lobby. Check-In will also be available on Saturday morning. Your Mason student may pick up your registration materials at any point during the Check-In period.
Check-In will reopen at on Saturday, October 19 in the HUB 3rd Floor. Your Mason student may pick up your family’s registration materials for you at any point during the Check-In period.
Yes! All Mason students are welcome to attend Family Weekend events regardless of if their family is registered to attend. The on-campus Family Weekend activities are free for Mason students, but they must register online. If they want to attend a Mason On Location area tour or any of the other additional cost events, those would not be free.
Yes! If you and your family wish to attend Family Weekend but are not registered, we will be opening on-site walk-in registration during both our check-in times (Friday afternoon and Saturday morning). We accept Visa and Mastercard payments.
Events
Are there attendance limits for Family Weekend events?Yes, some of our on-campus activities and Mason on Location area tours will be limited. If tickets for a program you are interested in run out, you may arrive early to inquire about last-minute open spots or a waitlist. Additionally, view our activity guides on our Mason Family Website to see what else there is to do in the area.
When your party was registered for Family Weekend, you were able to purchase tickets to events until they hit capacity. The list of events you are pre-registered for can be found in your confirmation email/receipt. If you pre-registered for an event such as Mason’s Got Talent, Breakfast and Bingo, or one of the Mason On Location Tours, that simply means that you and your family are guaranteed admission. There may be extra tickets to these specific events available for purchase on the day of. Either way, other events are open events for you and your family to enjoy!
If your family is not pre-registered for one of the ticketed events, you may still show up. Those present who were able to pre-register will be admitted first and everyone else will be placed on a waitlist as our staff manages event capacity. You are not guaranteed admission for an event that you did not pre-register for, as the waitlist admission will be on a first-come, first-served basis. We will take payment on-site for these events.
Yes! All events that do not indicate an additional ticket purchase are open and do not require you to pre-register.
Doors will open at 6:30 p.m. at EagleBank Arena, and Mason Madness will begin at 7 p.m.
EagleBank Arena is committed to the well-being of fans, guests, employees, players, and performers. Please review the new health and safety protocols prior to your first visit to the arena at www.eaglebankarena.com.
- A to Z guide: www.eaglebankarena.com/article/eaglebank-arena-a-to-z
- Security policy: www.eaglebankarena.com/article/security-policy
- COVID-19 safety: www.eaglebankarena.com/article/safe-return-to-eaglebank-arena
Accessibility
Is there accessible parking?Yes. If you display your Family Weekend Parking Pass AND ADA parking decal/tag/plate, you can park in ANY accessible parking spot on campus during Family Weekend.
Yes. Visit https://www.eaglebankarena.com/article/accessible-seating for information on accessible services at EagleBank Arena.
The New Student and Family Programs team is hard at work and can be reached Monday-Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Eastern Time. If your family has a question or needs assistance, reach out to us via email at Families@gmu.edu, phone at (703) 993-2475, or our live chat at MasonFamily.gmu.edu.