Family Weekend Schedule of Events
Registered Family Weekend Guests: Event locations and detailed arrival information are available in the Family Weekend Support Guide, which was sent to the email address used to register for Family Weekend. Please reference your Support Guide throughout the weekend for event locations, check-in information, parking details, and other important Family Weekend guidance.
Can't find your Support Guide? Please check the inbox and spam/junk folder associated with your Family Weekend registration. If you still can't find it, please contact parents@central.uh.edu.
Friday, October 16, 2026
Let's get this weekend started!
Family Weekend Check-in and Family Headquarters
12:00 pm - 6:15 pm | Location: See Family Weekend Support Guide
All registered participants should check in to pick up your packets, including wristbands,
tickets, Family Weekend event guide, and other goodies! Stop by this location anytime
you need assistance or just want to take a break. Sponsored by the Cougar Parent &
Family Engagement Center.
Please note: Check-in must be completed by 6:15 p.m. on Friday, October 16. Your UH student may check in and pick up materials on behalf of your entire registered family.
Cougar Campus Experiences: Explore UH. Meet the Village.
1:00 pm - 4:00 pm | Various Campus Locations
Explore the University of Houston at your own pace during our Cougar Campus Experiences!
Visit participating offices and departments, meet members of the UH community, discover
campus spaces and resources, and collect stamps on your Cougar Campus Experience Stamp Card. Pick up your Stamp Card when you check in for Family Weekend!
Explore more for more chances to win!
- Visit at least 3 participating locations → Receive 1 entry into the Family Weekend Drawing
- Visit 5 or more participating locations → Receive 2 entries into the Family Weekend Drawing
Once you've finished exploring, return your completed Stamp Card to a Family Weekend Check-In location—either the Lower-Level Bookstore Check-In Station or the Cougar Parent & Family Engagement Center—to be entered into the prize drawing. Completed Stamp Cards must be submitted by 6:15 p.m. on Friday, October 16, to be eligible for the drawing. Participating locations and experiences can be found in the Family Weekend Support Guide. Grab your card, explore campus, meet your Cougar's village, collect your stamps, and you could walk away a Family Weekend winner!
UH Coog Moms Community Social
4:00 pm - 5:30 pm | Location: See Family Weekend Support Guide
Join fellow UH Coog Moms members for an afternoon of conversation, connection, and Cougar pride! Whether you're
a longtime member or recently joined, this exclusive gathering is the perfect opportunity
to meet other families and supporters, share experiences, build lasting friendships,
and celebrate the community that continues to support UH students both on and off
campus.
Not a member yet? There's still time! Join the UH Coog Moms community, where parents, grandparents, family members, chosen family, and supporters come together to build friendships, share experiences, and support one another throughout the Cougar journey. Click here today and be part of a network dedicated to supporting Cougar families and supporters throughout the student journey. This exclusive event is open to current UH Coog Moms members. Proudly sponsored by UH Coog Moms.
An Evening Under the Stars: A Celebration of Family & Cougar Pride
6:30 pm - 8:30 pm | Location: See Family Weekend Support Guide
Join us for an unforgettable evening celebrating the families, supporters, and communities
that help our Cougars thrive. Enjoy an elegant Italian-inspired dinner while taking
in the sounds of live jazz, powerful spoken word performances, and inspiring moments
that honor the impact families and supporters have on student success.
The evening will also feature the presentation of the Cougar Village Spotlight of The Year Award, recognizing a family whose encouragement, resilience, and unwavering support embody what it means to be part of the Cougar community. Come relax, connect with fellow families, celebrate Cougar traditions, and create lasting memories together.
Because every Cougar has a village.
Hosted by the Cougar Parent & Family Engagement Center.
Lights, Camera, Cougars w/ RHA!
8:45 pm | Location: See Family Weekend Support Guide
Get ready for an out of this world evening! The Cougar Parent & Family Engagement
Center and the Residence Hall Association (RHA) are rolling out the red carpet for
a family favorite installment of "Lights, Camera, Cougars!" featuring an unforgettable
Toy Story themed Family Weekend Movie Night! Here is what's in store before the main event:
- Meet the Stars: Get your cameras ready! Movie favorite characters will be making special appearances to say hello and pose for pictures.
- Picture Perfect Photobooth: Grab your family, strike a pose, and snap memorable keepsakes in our fully themed photobooth area.
- Pre-Show Keepsakes: Craft and create your very own Toy Story inspired souvenirs to remember the night.
- The Snack Bar: Fuel up for the feature presentation with a spread of delicious movie snacks and sweet treats fit for Space Rangers and Cowboys alike.
Once you've collected your treats and finished your activities, settle in for a special screening of Disney Pixar's Toy Story 5! Whether you're team Buzz or team Woody, bring your family, your favorite blanket, and your movie spirit. Reach for the sky and join us for a night to remember!
Saturday, October 17, 2026
Saturday brings together meaningful conversations, family fun, and one of the biggest
traditions at UH—Cougar Football!
Game Time Update:
The kickoff time for the UH x Oklahoma game has been scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
What Families Need to Know Now: Supporting Your Cougar Through the Semester
9:00 am - 10:30 am | Location: See Family Weekend Support Guide
Start your Saturday with an engaging conversation featuring UH campus partners who
will help families understand what students may be experiencing midway through the
semester and how supporters can help them finish fall strong and prepare for spring.
From academics and well-being to involvement, finances, career preparation, and navigating independence, we'll explore: "What does my student need from me right now?"
Keeping Our Cougars Safe
9:30 am - 10:30 am | Location: See Family Weekend Support Guide
Join representatives from the University of Houston Police Department for an informative
and reassuring conversation about how UH works together to keep our Cougar community
safe.
Learn about safety resources, after-hours assistance, emergency preparedness and notifications, campus security initiatives, and what students should do when they need help.
From College to Career: Helping Your Coog Prepare for What's Next
10:30 am - 11:30 am | Location: See Family Weekend Support Guide
College is about more than earning a degree—it's also about helping students discover
where they want to go next. Join Career Services for a family-focused conversation
about how students can begin preparing for their careers from their first year through
graduation. Families and supporters will learn about career advising, internships
and experiential learning, résumé and interview preparation, career fairs, networking,
and the skills employers are looking for beyond the degree.
The session will also explore an important question for families: How can you support your student's career journey without taking over the process? Learn when to encourage, when to offer guidance, and when to let your Coog take the lead—plus where to direct them when they feel unsure, overwhelmed, or simply don't know where to begin.
Coogs Around the World: A Family Guide to Learning Abroad
10:45 am - 11:45 am | Location: See Family Weekend Support Guide
A global experience can be an exciting part of a student's UH journey—but families
often have questions about how it all works. Join Learning Abroad for a family-focused
conversation about the opportunities available to UH students, when students should
begin exploring their options, and how an international experience can fit into their
academic journey.
Families and supporters will learn more about program costs, scholarships and financial aid, academic planning, health and safety resources, passports and visas, travel preparation, and important timelines. The session will also help families understand how they can support their Coog as they consider taking their education beyond the classroom—and beyond Houston.
You Can Help a Coog | Family & Supporter Edition: Supporting Your Coog Through the
Tough Moments
11:30 am - 12:30 pm | Location: See Family Weekend Support Guide
Sometimes your Coog may call home and you can tell something just isn't quite right.
What do you say? When should you be concerned? And what resources are available at
UH? Join Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) for You Can Help a Coog, a one-hour conversation designed to give families and supporters practical tools
for recognizing when a student may need additional support, responding with care,
and knowing when and where to refer them for help.
Coogs Know Best: UH Family Trivia Game Show
12:30 pm - 2:30 pm | Location: See Family Weekend Support Guide
Students versus supporters? Family versus family? Put your Cougar knowledge to the
test during an interactive game-show experience featuring UH trivia, traditions, campus
knowledge, friendly competition, and prizes. Come ready to laugh, compete, and find
out who really knows UH best!
Honors College Open House
1:30 pm - 3:30 pm | Location: See Family Weekend Support Guide
Spend some time getting to know the Honors College community during this casual Family
Weekend gathering. Meet Honors College Dean Heidi Appel, along with Honors faculty,
staff, and current students, while enjoying coffee and conversation. Families and
supporters will have an opportunity to connect with members of the Honors community,
hear from current students, ask questions, and learn more about the Honors College
experience at the University of Houston.
Guests will also have the opportunity to tour the Honors College, explore its spaces, and get a closer look at the community their Coog may call home during their UH journey. Whether your student is currently part of the Honors College or your family simply wants to learn more, stop by, grab a cup of coffee, and enjoy a relaxed conversation with the Honors community.
Family Weekend Football Tailgate Experience
3:00 pm - 5:45 pm | Location: See Family Weekend Support Guide
Before kickoff, join the Family Weekend community for the ultimate Cougar game-day
experience featuring food, music, entertainment, activities, and plenty of UH spirit.
Then, it's time to head to TDECU Stadium!
Houston Cougars vs. Oklahoma
6:00 pm | TDECU Stadium
Finish the day cheering on the Houston Cougars alongside your family and the Cougar
community! Family Weekend guests will receive a special in-game shoutout, celebrating
the families and supporters who make up the village behind our Coogs.
We'll also celebrate our Cougar Village Spotlight of the Year honoree and family, who will receive special on-field recognition. And get ready to bring the Cougar spirit—our honoree will help get the Family Weekend crowd prepared to answer one very important question:
"WHOSE HOUSE?!"
"COOGS HOUSE!"
Wear your Cougar red, bring your energy, and get ready to cheer alongside your student as we celebrate family, tradition, and Cougar pride on game day!
Football tickets are not included with Family Weekend registration and must be purchased separately. The link to purchase special pricing football tickets is included in the registration link. If you have any questions, feel free to email parents@uh.edu.
Sunday, October 18, 2026
One More Memory Before We Say Goodbye
Move, Stretch & Recharge: Family Weekend Yoga + Pilates
Yoga: 8:30 am - 9:30 am | Pilates: 9:45 am - 10:45 am | Location: See Family Weekend
Support Guide
Wrap up Family Weekend by moving, stretching, and recharging together! Join our amazing
Campus Recreation fitness instructors for two fun, beginner-friendly classes designed
for families, supporters, and students of all experience levels. Start your morning
with Yoga, then stick around for Pilates—or join us for whichever class works best
for you!
No previous yoga or Pilates experience is needed, and there is no additional cost to participate—both classes are included with your Family Weekend registration. Simply show up in comfortable clothing, bring your water, and be ready to move. Our instructors will bring the energy and the fun! It's the perfect way to slow down, spend a little more time with your Coog, and close out Family Weekend feeling refreshed before heading home.
These wellness experiences replace the previously scheduled Shasta's Family Fun Run & Shasta Cubs Dash, which has been postponed to Spring 2027.
Have Questions?
Email our office at parents@uh.edu or give us a call at (713)-743-4420. We look forward to seeing you all! GO COOGS!