Schedule of Events 2025
Tree Festival
Friday, October 3: 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Ball Circle
Celebrate Nature at the UMW Tree Festival! Join us Friday afternoon on Ball Circle for the annual UMW Tree Festival, a vibrant annual celebration that highlights the beauty, benefits and magic of trees in our urban environments.
This year’s festival promises a range of exciting activities designed to connect you with nature and your community. Explore awesome activities from tree climbing with professional arborists to mindful doodling workshops, there’s something for everyone. Dive into the world of biodiversity and ecology found in historic trees, art, culture, science and more.
Let your passion and creativity take root as we come together to appreciate the majesty of trees. Don’t miss out on this unique inspiring opportunity about bringing our community together and connecting with nature. Come celebrate nature and hang out with fellow tree enthusiasts!
Mark your calendars and be there to join the green fun! For more info, visit sustainability.umw.edu.
Hypnotist & BINGO!
Friday, October 3: 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Sponsored by the Campus Programming Board
Returning to the classics, the Campus Programming Board will sponsor an interactive hypnotist show and classic bingo on Friday night. Stay tuned for details!
Location: TDB
UMW Athletics
Want to cheer on the UMW Eagles? Visit the official site for Mary Washington Eagles and get the most current and up-to-date schedule of competition during Family Weekend.
Generations Breakfast
Saturday, October 4: 8:30 a.m. – 10 a.m. Jepson Alumni Executive Center. 1119 Hanover Street. By invitation only.
We love to celebrate families in which attending Mary Washington has become a shared experience—often through multiple generations. You and your family are warmly invited to join us for breakfast at the Jepson Alumni Executive Center. It’s a chance to reconnect, reminisce, and create new memories as we reflect on the special bonds that make Mary Washington a tradition for so many families.
We will hear from Deb ’72 and Amy ’12, a mother-daughter pair who, together with their beloved late mother and grandmother Ruth Smith Stanley’45, represent three generations of UMW graduates. They will share the influence Mary Wash has had on their family. Our photographer will be here to capture a keepsake photo of your family. After breakfast, you are welcome to visit Brompton, the historic residence of UMW President Troy Paino and his wife, Kelly. It will be open for tours from 10:30 a.m. – noon.
This event is complimentary, but registration is kindly requested.
UMW Education Abroad Fair
Saturday, October 4: 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Cedric Rucker University Center, Chandler Ballroom
The Center for International Education presents the annual UMW Education Abroad Fair. A launch pad for your adventures abroad, the fair is the perfect venue for students to meet with UMW Faculty-Led Program directors, representatives from UMW Approved Education Abroad Programs, Peer Advisors, Study Abroad Alumni, and Center for International Education staff to explore study abroad, volunteer, research, and internship opportunities all over the world. Come dream, explore options, and define goals for your abroad experience!
Campus Civil War Walking Tour
Saturday, October 4: 10 a.m., 11 a.m. and 12 p.m.
Bell Tower, outside on Campus Walk.
Current students will offer a complimentary tour of the civil war sites on our very own UMW Fredericksburg campus! Advance sign-up is not necessary. Stop by the table on Campus Walk and join one of three available tours. Tours will be 30 minutes with added time for Q & A! Sponsored by the Historic Preservation Club.
Chocolate Chomp Challenge
Saturday, October 4: 10 a.m. – 11 a.m.
Hurley Convergence Center Digital Auditorium and Lab 130
Learn about Chomp and other fun games. Chomp was developed by mathematician and economist David Gale and is played by calculating moves that involve eating a chocolate bar. Sponsored by the Mathematics Department.
UMW Galleries
Open daily from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
duPont Hall and the Ridderhof Martin Gallery
The University of Mary Washington Galleries promote art education on campus and in the local community. Free admission. Learn more at umwgalleries.org.
UMW Museums
Gari Melchers Home and Studio at Belmont
Open Daily from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
224 Washington Street, Falmouth, VA
Visit Belmont, home of American artist Gari Melchers and his wife Corinne. This 27-acre estate features the historic home, art studio and galleries, tours, gardens, historic buildings, visitor center and museum store, and several miles of walking trails. Learn more at garimelchers.umw.edu.
James Monroe Museum
Open Daily from 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. and
Sundays from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m.
908 Charles Street, Fredericksburg, VA
Explore the life and career of the fifth President of the United States at a museum founded by his descendants. Furniture, paintings, clothing, documents, and more cover Monroe’s experiences from the American Revolution through local, state, and diplomatic posts to his presidency, the “Era of Good Feelings.” The museum store offers books, children’s activity items, and other distinctive products. Learn more at jamesmonroemuseum.umw.edu.
Tour of Historic Brompton
Saturday, October 4: 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Described as one of America’s most historic houses, Brompton serves as the official residence of the University president. During this open house, take a 30 minute tour of this historic home and stroll the beautiful grounds. Once a prominent dairy farm, Brompton was used as a hospital during the 1862 Battle of Fredericksburg. Brompton is adjacent to the Fredericksburg Battlefield and Visitor Center run by the National Park Service. Please access the house from the entrance across from the Jepson Alumni Executive Center located at 1119 Hanover Street.
Adaptive Sports Day
Saturday, October 4: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Goolrick Main and Auxiliary Gyms
This event celebrates the unique abilities of persons with disabilities in the realm of sports. Often, persons with disabilities are discouraged or denied the opportunity to participate in any form of sports. This event will demonstrate inclusive excellence and uplift and champion individuals with disabilities by giving them a platform to shine and excel. It will bring about positive social change through engagement. By participating in the various adaptive sports stations, individuals have the opportunity to gain a better understanding and appreciation of the complexities faced by individuals with disabilities, as well as their talents and contributions in sports and more broadly. Co-sponsored by the POTS Club, Friends of Athletics, the James Farmer Multicultural Center, and the Office of Title IX & ADA Compliance
Chemistry “Magic” Show
Saturday, October 4: 2 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Jepson Science Center, Room 100
Student members of the American Chemical Society and the Department of Chemistry invite you to view some awe-inspiring and wonder-filled chemistry demonstrations in UMW’s recently expanded and renovated Jepson Science Center
Music Department Showcase
Saturday, October 4: 4 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Seacobeck Hall, The Weatherly Wing
Music is absolutely central to the human experience, and at the University of Mary Washington we believe that a vibrant musical community should be at the heart of a dynamic liberal arts institution. Music teaches us as it moves us; more than this, it’s just such great fun.
Consonant with the institution’s student-centered focus, the UMW Music Department aims to foster an environment in which any student can continue to use and develop their musical abilities and interests. Join us for a departmental showcase during Family Weekend int he Weatherly Wing of Seacobeck Hall.
Mary Rocktoberfest
Saturday, October 4: 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Ball Circle
Mary Rocktoberfest features live music on Ball Circle. Grab a bite to eat or enjoy a beverage from the beer garden (open to anyone over 21!).
Rain location: Cedric Rucker University Center, Chandler Ballroom.
Downtown Fredericksburg
Discover the town your students call their “home away from home” for much of the year. There’s an abundance of history, parks, great restaurants, museums, and outdoor activities in Fredericksburg and we encourage you to explore the surrounding attractions during your visit! Visit Things to Do to uncover all of the different ways you can enjoy the region and check back for updates or cancellations due to weather.
Visitor’s Center Open Daily, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. 601 Caroline Street Fredericksburg, VA
Stop by the Visitor’s Center then, consider exploring your rich surroundings on bookable Carriage Tour or Trolley Tour. Are you in the mood for a fright? If so, attend haunting Ghost Tours or the thrilling Scarecrow Fest 2025 with activities and treats galore!
