Arriving early? Check out these event on the Harborside Campus:  

11am–3pm / Taste of the Ocean State / Bayside Terrace (behind the Athletic Practice Facility/adjacent to the athletic fields)  

Help us celebrate Rhode Island’s unique culinary landscape at this year’s Taste of the Ocean State! Campus Dining & JWU’s culinary clubs team up to share Ocean State staples with a JWU twist. Join your student for this fun, educational food experience that will feature local vendors, live music, demos and more. No advance ticket is required; cash or credit accepted at the door -  $10.50 per person. Students can use a meal swipe for entry.  

12pm–5pm / Culinary Arts Museum / Friedman Center 

Stroll through our collection at your leisure and learn more about this hidden JWU gem.

All of the below activities are on the Downcity Campus! 

2–7pm  / Check-in / Gaebe Commons

Kick off the weekend with some music and outdoor games. Stop by to check in and pick up your wristband that allows you in to most activities. You can also purchase Family Weekend commemorative tees – or pick up any you purchased in advance – and chat with members of the Family Weekend planning team.

4pm / Weybosset Historical Walking Tour / Starts @ Abbott Park

Learn about the arts, entertainment and historic architecture scene along Weybosset Street, adjacent to JWU’s Downcity Campus. Faculty from the Colleges of Arts & Sciences and Hospitality & Business will lead the conversation during an easy stroll starting at Abbott Park, traveling toward the Providence River, and back to Abbott Park via Westminster Street. Tickets not required, but group size is limited to approximately 50 and will be monitored on the day of the tour.

6pm–7:30pm / Wildcat Family Trivia / Downcity Library, The Yena Center

Are you tired of showing off all that knowledge only to receive a letter grade? Would you rather show off that knowledge for the pursuit of glory, bragging rights, and PHYSICAL PRIZES?!?! Head to Pepsi Forum for some group trivia! Hosted by Jaimie Stone, Associate Professor of Arts & Sciences. No charge, but note that seating is limited!

8-9pm  / e-BINGO / Schneider Auditorium, Xavier Academic Complex

We're back for a third year of Family Weekend e-card BINGO! Join us for some fun and a chance to win a gift card prize. Participants must have their own device (phone or tablet; make sure it's charged) to access the internet. Ten rounds of play = ten chances to win! No charge, but note that seating is limited!

9:30pm / Fun with the JWU Players / Pepsi Forum, Wales Hall  

Our theater-focused student organization, the JWU Players, is excited to present a one-act play. Prepare to be entertained as you watch the Players show off their talent. Optional donations toward the Players' spring musical accepted at the door. 

All activities on the Harborside Campus! 

3 sessions - 9-10:30am, 12-1:30pm & 3-4:30pm / Zwilling Knife Classes for Families / CCCE 101 (Free ticketed event. Max 20 participants per session)

Workshop for family members led by Zwilling Knives.

10am–4:00pm / Check-in / Wildcat Center Lobby

If you missed us on Friday, stop by to check in to get your wristband that allows you in to most activities. You can also pick up or purchase Family Weekend commemorative tees, and chat with members of the Family Weekend planning team. 

10am - 12pm / Family Weekend Brunch / Bayside Terrace (behind the Athletic Practice Facility/adjacent to the athletic fields) (ticketed event; $40/JWU student, $50/guest, $25/children under 12)

Join us for Family Weekend Brunch, crafted by JWU’s own Catering Department. Enjoy a delicious spread featuring multiple food stations, a variety of local ingredients, and something for everyone to enjoy. Gather with fellow Wildcats and their families to share great food, warm company, and lasting memories.

 10am–3pm / Culinary Arts Museum / Friedman Center 

Stroll through our collection at your leisure and learn more about this hidden JWU gem.

10-11am / Walking Tour of the JWU Green Initiatives / Meet at the Chicken Coop (Net to the Harborside Academic Center)

Explore JWU’s sustainability efforts on a guided walking tour led by Russ Zito, Associate Professor - CFIT. Along the way, visit the Wildcat Meadows raised beds, JWU Hive, Community Garden and Orchard, greenhouse, mushroom-growing facility and other green initiatives across campus. Tickets are not required but space is limited to 40 participants.

11am–2pm / Outdoor Crime Scene Demo / Bayside Terrace (behind the Athletic Practice Facility/adjacent to the athletic fields)

Join James Desmarais, Professor of Arts and Science, as he gives a demonstration of crime scene processing, such as using a grid, screens/digging for items, documentation etc.

11am–5pm / Wildcat Wahoo / Lot F (across from the CCCE Building)

We're excited to combine one of our favorite annual traditions – Wildcat Wahoo – with Family Weekend. The whole family can enjoy unlimited carnival rides and other surprises at Wahoo. Note this activity is weather dependent and may be postponed to Sunday in the event of heavy rain.

11am–5pm / Food Trucks / Lot F (across from the CCCE Building) 

Take a break and enjoy cuisine from some of Rhode Island's most popular food trucks. All food truck vendors accept cash and/or credit cards.

11:30am–4:30pm / Wildcat Spirit Zone / Lot F (across from the CCCE Building) 

Pumpkin painting, music, games, and more. Visit the Spirit Zone throughout the day.

2 sessions - 1-1:30pm & 2:30pm-3:00pm / Cake Creations / Bayside Terrace (behind the Athletic Practice Facility/adjacent to the athletic fields) (ticketed event; $50 per family (up to 5 participants))

The Time Starts NOW! You will have thirty minutes to gather your team, show your Wildcat pride, and get creative! Decorate your personalized cake together in a fun, hands-on experience that’s as sweet as it is memorable. Perfect for team bonding, celebrating as Wildcats, or just letting your imagination run wild—because every cake tells a story!

1–4pm / Culinary Showcase / Cuisinart Center for Culinary Excellence 

This is when students and chefs from our College of Food Innovation & Technology shine. Visit our state-of-the-art academic labs and enjoy complimentary samplings of sweet and savory foods. Learn about some of our culinary-focused clubs & orgs, which may have their popular goodies for sale. Don't miss our JWU artisans at work.

2–3pm / Wine Tasting / Cintas Dining Room, HAC Building (ticketed event; $15/person) 

Attention wine aficionados or casual fans: Enjoy an interactive experience and lively discussion led by CFIT faculty. Registration is open to all but participants must be 21 or older to sample wine.

 2–4pm / Animal Health Demo / Lot F (across from the CCCE Building)

Join Christopher Holland, Associate Professor of Arts & Science as he leads a heart rate activity with stuffed animals and stethoscopes; practice bandaging placement.

12–1:30pm / Field Hockey / Scotts Miracle-Gro Athletics complex

Cheer on your Wildcats during the Field Hockey game. No registration is necessary. 

Glow on Gaebe: A Walk to WaterFire

Gather with fellow JWU families on Gaebe Commons before heading to one of Providence’s most celebrated traditions: WaterFire. Pick up a complimentary lighted wand and help us light up the Commons before we walk together to the Providence River.

WaterFire brings residents and visitors to downtown Providence for an evening of art, culture and community. Featuring dozens of bonfires illuminating the city’s rivers, along with music and activities throughout the route, it is an experience you will not want to miss during Family Weekend.

Following our group walk, families may explore WaterFire at their own pace. Complimentary parking in JWU’s Downcity Garage is available to registered Family Weekend guests. Please remember that the garage closes at 11 p.m.

Learn more by visiting the WaterFire website.

All activities on the Harborside Campus! 

1pm / Family Movie / Wildcat Center Lounge

TBD

Cheer on our Wildcat Filed Hockey team!athletes during intercollegiate competition. 

Saturday, Oct. 4 @ 12pm / Field Hockey / Scott's Miracle-Gro Athletics Complex