Family Weekend

Once a year we welcome our extended Bulldog family to come get a taste of life at Drake. It’s your chance to show off your university and let your family experience everything from athletics to arts, all in one weekend.

Thursday, October 2

• Bulldog Shop Hours: 9am - 5pm
• Stadium Centennial Exhibit
  
  • 7:30am-midnight
  • Cowles Library, Collier Heritage Room
  • Drake Stadium celebrates its centennial this year, marking a century as the heart of Drake University’s athletic and community life. The exhibit, curated by University Archives & Special Collections, explores the stadiums rich history through historical photographs, vintage programs, and unique memorabilia from our collections. University Archives & Special Collections will also be open from 8AM-4PM to view other items from the history of Drake University!
• Student Activities Board Carnival 
  • 3:30 - 6:30pm
  • Helmick Commons 
  • An afternoon of excitement at the Student Activities Board Fall Carnival! Bring your friends and enjoy a campus-wide celebration filled with games, food, music, and more. Test your skills on inflatable obstacles, groove to live music, and indulge in delicious carnival treats.
• Hoops Fest
  • 6:00 - 8:00pm
  • Brenton Skating Plaza
  • Students/Families can catch the Safe Ride Bus down to Brenton Skating Plaza. The bus will pick up Sammon's Plaza in front of Johansen Student Center  at 5:30, 6:00 and 6:15. Enjoy the kickoff to the Drake basketball season, food trucks and a drone show over the Des Moines River. Buses back to campus will start at 8:30pm.
  • Bulldog Shop set up from 5:00 - 8:00pm
• Turner Center Jazz Orchestra - Kansas City, Here We Come: Ticket link
  • 7:30 pm
  • Patty and Fred Turner Jazz Center
• Unfurling Garden Exhibit - Featuring the work of Nikki Renee Anderson, artist and Drake University alum

  • Anderson Gallery (open hours are on their website)
  • September 4 - October 17
• CABARET: Ticket link
  • October 2-5: 7:30pm Thursday - Saturday; 2:00pm on Sunday
  • Coleman Studio Theatre

Friday, October 3

• Bulldog Shop Hour: 9am - 5pm
• Stadium Centennial Exhibit
  
  • 7:30am - 7:00pm
  • Cowles Library, Collier Heritage Room
  • Drake Stadium celebrates its centennial this year, marking a century as the heart of Drake University’s athletic and community life. The exhibit, curated by University Archives & Special Collections, explores the stadiums rich history through historical photographs, vintage programs, and unique memorabilia from our collections. University Archives & Special Collections will also be open from 8AM-4PM to view other items from the history of Drake University!
• Dogtown Tour 
  • 4:30pm - 5:30pm
  • Front entrance of Old Main 
  • Learn all about the Drake neighborhood in this walking tour of Dogtown! You’ll get the chance to stop in some of the shops/restaurants and meet some business owners as well. The tour is led by Drake’s Chief of Staff, Nate Reagen who is also in charge of community relations. 
• BINGO 
  • 7:30pm - 9:00pm
  • Olmsted Center Parents Hall
  • Get ready for a night full of laughter, excitement, and friendly competition at Family Bingo Night! Bring the whole crew and enjoy an evening of fast-paced fun with music, lights, and our very own campus celebrity bingo callers. With delicious food, awesome prizes, and plenty of chances to shout BINGO! You don’t want to miss it!
• Let's DU Drinks: Rally with the Bulldogs
  • Friday, October 3, 2025
  • Event starts at 5:30 p.m. I Match starts at 6:00 p.m.
  • Knapp Center
  • $15, Register Here
  • Get ready for a night of volleyball, cold drinks, and Bulldog pride on Friday, October 3, as Drake battles Murray State! For just $15, you’ll enjoy admission to the match plus a drink ticket to kick off the evening. Our group will take over the Corner Club with Loge Box seating — the perfect spot to rally together, celebrate every point, and soak in the atmosphere. Life-long fan or new to volleyball, don’t miss a chance to connect with alumni and friends, while cheering on the Bulldogs!
• Drake Women’s Volleyball vs. Murray State – 6:00pm, Knapp Center
  • Click here for tickets! 
  • Promo Code: FAMILY25

Saturday, October 4

• Bulldog Shop Hours: 9am - 6pm
• President Martin Address
  • 9:00am
  • Parents Hall in Olmsted Center
• Check-in:
  • 9:00am – 11:00am
  • Olmsted Center Breezeway
  • Pick up your Bulldog walk/run t-shirt - Click here to register! 
• Little Free Pantries Donations, collections will be accepted between 9am - 11am
  • Our live mascot, Griff II, is partnering with the Parent & Family Advisory Council over Family Weekend on October 3 to collect non-perishable food and personal hygiene items to benefit the Little Free Pantries in the Drake Neighborhood. Stop by the Olmsted Center to make a contribution to this cause and to see Griff II! Griff II will be present between 9 - 10am. 
• Cheer Clinic 
  • 9:00am-10:00am Clinic runs in the Shivers Practice Gym
  • Cheer clinic participants will be able to cheer on the track with the team during the first quarter.
  • Registration included clinic and game for participants-Kindergarten through 6th grade.
  • There is also an option to purchase additional tickets for any parents/guardians.  
• Drake Campus Tour
  • 10:00am 
  • Meet in Olmsted Breezeway 
  • Join members of Drake’s University Advancement staff for a walking tour of campus. During the tour attendees will learn the rich history of campus and surrounding neighborhood as well as the numerous ways both have changed over the years. This tour will also include a look to the future, highlighting significant campus and neighborhood development projects that have been recently completed and are slated to begin.
• Dogtown Tour 
  • 10:30am  
  • Front entrance of Old Main
  • Learn all about the Drake neighborhood in this walking tour of Dogtown! You’ll get the chance to stop in some of the shops/restaurants and meet some business owners as well. The tour is led by Drake’s Chief of Staff, Nate Reagen who is also in charge of community relations. 
• Breakout Session Options: Sessions offered at 10:00am and 10:30am.
  • Career Exploration for your Student(s) - Parents Hall South, Timm Pilcher, Student Professional & Academic Support Specialist
    • Career development begins the first year of college and builds with each internship, research study, service project or part-time job. With satellite locations across campus, PCDS is tailored to Drake’s individual colleges and schools to help students define their career aspirations and reach their professional goals.  
  • Study Abroad, Committing to Drake’s Mission to Prepare Students for Responsible Global Citizenship – Upper Olmsted Conference Rooms 310 - 311, Emily Erschen, Education Abroad Coordinator
    • Study Abroad is an important part of the Drake experience and one way we are delivering on Drake’s mission statement – preparing students for responsible global citizenship.In an increasingly interconnected world, a global mindset is more important than ever as students enter the workforce. Through diverse program and location options, varied course offerings to keep students on track for graduation, and a desire to make study abroad as affordable as a semester on campus, we hope all Drake students expand their worldview by studying abroad. We are here to help you along this journey. Attend to learn about programs, finances, timelines and more.
• Family Weekend Photo Booth
  • 10:30am - 12:00pm
  • Olmsted Center, near the Bulldog Shop
  • Stop by our Photo Booth to take a photo with your student! 
  • If you are a Drake Alumni, please grab your student and stop by to say hi to our Alumni Relations team. 
• Drake’s Tailgate Cookout
  • 11:00am – 12:30pm
  • Hubbell Dining Hall
  • Lunch will be held at Hubbell Dining Hall for $8.25 per person. Payment will be taken upon arrival by cash or credit card. If students have a meal plan, they will not need purchase a meal. Click here to register. 
• Stadium Centennial Exhibit
  
  • 11:00am - 7:00pm
  • Cowles Library, Collier Heritage Room
  • Drake Stadium celebrates its centennial this year, marking a century as the heart of Drake University’s athletic and community life. The exhibit, curated by University Archives & Special Collections, explores the stadiums rich history through historical photographs, vintage programs, and unique memorabilia from our collections.
• Drake Football v. Valparaiso
  • 12:00pm
  • Drake Stadium
  • Click here for tickets! 
  • Promo Code: FAMILY25
• Flowers for Family presented by Residence Hall Association 
  • 12:30pm - 2:00pm
  • Olmsted Breezeway
  • Stop by and celebrate your loved ones by writing them a card and gifting them a flower.
• Sweetheart Sing - CANCELLED

Sunday, October 5

• Bulldog Shop Hours: 9am - 12pm
• Bulldog Run/Walk (Drake’s 5k or one-mile fun run/walk around campus!)
  • Click here to register! 
  • 8:30am, check-in at north side entrance of the Olmsted Center.
  • Races will start at 9am!
• Stretch & Restore
  
  • 9:30am and 10:30am
  • Helmick Commons
  • Take a break from the busy Parent’s Weekend schedule with a relaxing stretch class designed to ease tension, improve mobility, and leave you feeling refreshed. This gentle, guided session is perfect for all fitness levels and offers a chance to slow down, breathe deeply, and recharge together.
• Hubbell Brunch 
  • 11:00am - 12:30pm
  • Hubbell Dining Hall 
  • Brunch will be in Hubbell Dining Hall for $8.25 per person. Payment will be taken upon arrival by cash or credit card. If students have a meal plan, they will not need purchase a meal. 
• Stadium Centennial Exhibit
  
  • 11:00am - Midnight
  • Cowles Library, Collier Heritage Room
  • Drake Stadium celebrates its centennial this year, marking a century as the heart of Drake University’s athletic and community life. The exhibit, curated by University Archives & Special Collections, explores the stadiums rich history through historical photographs, vintage programs, and unique memorabilia from our collections.
• Women’s Soccer vs. Indiana State
  • 1:00pm
  • Mediacom Stadium
  • Click here for tickets! 
  • Promo Code: FAMILY25
• Drake University Jazz Ensembles: Andrew Classen and Wayne Page, Directors,
  • 7:30pm
  • Patty and Fred Turner Jazz Center