Key Points
- FSU Family Weekend 2026 will take place Sept. 25-27.
- Throughout the weekend, families can take part in campus life through activities, performances and events.
More than 700 families are expected to visit Florida State University Sept. 25-27 for Family Weekend 2026, a three-day celebration featuring campus traditions, tailgating, a football game and the return of the FSU Flying High Circus.
A Florida State tradition dating to 1958, Family Weekend gives students the opportunity to share campus life with their families and loved ones through activities, performances and other events throughout the weekend.
“As Florida State proudly celebrates its 175th anniversary, Family Weekend offers families a special opportunity to experience FSU’s vibrant spirit with their students,” said Amy Hecht, vice president for Student Affairs. “The weekend welcomes families of students at every stage — not just first-year students. We encourage them to enjoy time together on campus and create lasting memories.”
This year’s lineup features five signature events, including sold-out performances by the FSU Flying High Circus, which returns to Family Weekend for the first time since the 2024 tornadoes. Last year, the circus hosted three sold-out sessions during Family Weekend featuring tent tours, juggling and concessions, but this year they will hold two performances. The Flying High Circus was the first activity for men and women after the institution returned to co-educational status and has been a favorite Family Weekend event ever since.
In recognition of FSU’s 175th anniversary, Family Weekend also will feature something new, a student banner competition. More than 20 Registered Student Organizations have signed up to compete in the inaugural competition. The banners will be displayed in the Student Union throughout the weekend, and guest judges representing various aspects of student life across campus will vote on Friday.
Abby Cloud Langdon, program manager for New Student & Family Programs, said Family Weekend has continued to evolve since its beginnings in 1958 to reflect what students and their families want from the weekend.
“We’re in such a celebratory milestone here at FSU, and our goal is to showcase what FSU offers institution-wide with what our students and families want to experience,” Langdon said. “The goal of the banner competition being debuted in FSU’s 175th year is to allow our families to get a glimpse of why FSU means so much to our students, while offering a friendly competitive element among the submissions.”
A family member who attended Family Weekend in 2025 completed the feedback survey and said: “We really enjoyed the chance to connect as a family while also seeing what campus life is like for our student. The variety of events made the weekend fun and memorable.”
Tickets for Family Weekend signature events are on sale until Sunday, Sept. 20. Events include:
- Friday Night @ FSU
- Flying High Circus performances (sold out)
- Get Up, It’s Game Day! Fun Run & Walk
- Tailgate Brunch
- Garnet & Gold Tailgate before the FSU vs. Central Arkansas football game
For more information and to purchase tickets for Family Weekend, visit familyweekend.fsu.edu. Faculty and staff interested in volunteering during the weekend can sign up to volunteer here.