Parent & Family Weekend: November 1-2, 2025
UC Davis Parent and Family Weekend is November 1-2, 2025. Even though registration has closed, you are still welcome to come for the weekend. There are lots of activities that are open to all and you will be able to explore much of the campus, attend the football game, see a show at the Mondavi Center and attend the Resource Fair and Tailgate.
Below is the schedule of events with indications to which events don’t require registration. Parent & Family Weekend is a chance to explore unique aspects of Davis, connect you with your student’s academic college, cheer on the Aggies at a home football game, eat on campus, visit downtown Davis, and most importantly, give your student the opportunity to see you and share their favorite things about UC Davis.
Parking information
Permits are required to park on campus Monday - Friday from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., and on weekends in areas posted with event permit requirements. Please review the campus map to view visitor lot locations and central core areas where vehicle access is restricted, and plan your trip accordingly.
Parking on campus is free on Saturday and Sundays with some exceptions.
On Saturday, due to the football game, you will need to purchase a permit for the Pavilion Structure, Lot 41, 30, 57 or Health Sciences Drive. If you purchase a permit at any time on Saturday, you can use the same permit to park in any of the event areas, even for the Mondavi Center event that evening.
After 4:30 pm on both Nov 1 and 2, the Gateway Structure, lot 1 and lot 2 require a permit for the show at the Mondavi Center.
Note - you can park in other lots on campus (such as Lot 47 or 50) and walk to the football game or the Tailgate and Resource Fair with no fees.
Parking permits can be purchased via AMP Park, from a mobile device by downloading the "Aggie Park" AMP app , or online. Registered students who are not living in campus housing have access to reduced affiliate rates through the app if they sign up with their UC Davis email address, and non-affiliates can use the app to purchase a daily permit at visitor rates or short-term parking in Limited Time Zone spaces. We recommend downloading the free AMP Park or Honk apps on your iPhone or Android prior to your arrival for the easiest parking experience. You can also visit Transportation Services’ website for information regarding rates and all available permit options, parking with a disabled placard or license plate, campus resident parking guidelines, event parking and more.
Registration for Parent & Family Weekend has closed.
Schedule of Events
Please note that Parent & Family Weekend starts on Saturday, Nov 1, however we've listed some things to do if you are planning to come on Friday.
Friday, October 31: Pre-Weekend Activities
Stop by Shields Library
Peter J. Shields Library, 100 North Quad Ave, Davis
9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Stop by Shields Library and show your family your favorite study spot and pick up a souvenir postcard, bookmark or Bookhead sticker from the Welcome Desk (Friday) or Circulation Desk (Sat/Sun) while supplies last!
Visit the Manetti Shrem Museum
Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti Shrem Museum of Art, 254 Old Davis Rd, Davis, CA
10 a.m. - 5p.m.
Two thought-provoking contemporary art exhibitions, "'OJO' Julio César Morales" and "Breath(e): Toward Climate and Social Justice."
Tour the UC Davis College of Engineering
2 - 3 p.m.
Visit UC Davis and tour the college with an Engineering Ambassador. Our ambassadors will showcase the college's cutting-edge centers and laboratories and talk about why they chose to study at UC Davis.
*This event requires a separate registration. You can register here: https://engineering.ucdavis.edu/events/tour-uc-davis-college-engineering-32 until Monday, October 27.
Davis Downtown Treat Trail
3 - 5 p.m.
Downtown businesses provide mouth-watering treats to the little ghouls and goblins who are enjoying downtown festivities. Over 70 businesses participate! Find out more at their website.
Challah-ween Shabbat
Hillel at Davis and Sacramento, 328 A Street, Davis, CA
6 - 8:30 p.m.
Join the community at Hillel, fellow Jewish students, and parents for a fun Shabbat program the night of Halloween. We'll have a costume contest, delicious food, student-led Shabbat services, and the opportunity to connect with the Jewish community.
More info can be found at https://hillelhouse.org/
*This event is for registered attendees only.
Written and Directed By: New Works by Student Playwrights
Wyatt Pavilion Theatre, Old Davis Rd
7 - 8:30 p.m.
The Department of Theatre and Dance will open its 2025-2026 season with Written and Directed by, a performance of four new one-act plays authored by undergraduate students.
Saturday, November 1
Take a stroll along the UC Davis Arboretum
The Arboretum and Public Garden includes the historic Arboretum — a 100-plus acre campus and regional amenity comprised of demonstration gardens and scientific collections — the Putah Creek Riparian Reserve — a rare stream and grassland ecosystem managed for teaching, research, wildlife and habitat protection — and the rest of our 5300-acre campus.
Follow one of three suggested paths or do the entire 3-mile loop. Follow this link to learn about all the plants, animals and nature you will see along the way.
Meet the animals of UC Davis
Multiple locations
Anytime (except the sheep mowers)
Visit the cows (located next to Kearney Hall in the Tercero Residence Halls) and scout for other on campus animals like Cheeto the Physics Cat or the turkeys.
Join us for our one-and-only Sheepmowers Grazing Event of Fall Quarter on Saturday from 10am to 5pm in front of Wellman Hall. Come watch UC Davis sheep mow campus lawns and check out the sheep-related activities we'll have throughout the day.
Enjoy a meal at Segundo Dining Commons
9 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Come on by and savor an all-you-care-to-eat dining experience. We're proud to offer a diverse and delicious menu with fresh, local and seasonal ingredients. A variety of meals are served every day, including vegetarian, vegan and Halal dishes, pastas and pizza, a build-your-own Mongolian BBQ bar and a full salad bar. While dining commons are the primary location where residents eat, they are open to all with a pay-at-the-door option for $15 per swipe. Explore the menu.
Self-guided tour of the UC Davis Raptor Center
1340 Equine Lane, Davis, CA
9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
The California Raptor Center is open for self-guided tours during visiting hours. Our non-releasable raptors are on the tour route, with informative placards describing each bird and its personal story. The Museum is also open for self-guided tour visitors. There is no charge for parking, and admission is free for self-guided tours. Please keep self-guided tour groups to 6 people or fewer to minimize stress to the birds.
What it Takes for your Student to Graduate Career Ready and Find Jobs
1001 Geidt Hall
10 - 11:30 a.m.
This event, hosted by the Career Center, will introduce parents, families, and students to the services we offer while detailing what students can do outside their classrooms to graduate career ready and be competitive in their job search. It will highlight activities from finding your path to applying to jobs. We will also discuss timelines and activities for each year of a student's undergraduate career, student employment, internships, undergraduate research, and more.
*This event is for registered attendees only.
Official Campus Walking Tour
Walter A. Buehler Alumni Center, 530 Alumni Lane, Davis, CA 95616
Four departures between 10 - 10:30 a.m.
Welcome to the UC Davis campus! Join one of our knowledgeable student guides on a 45 minute walking tour where you’ll see and learn about interesting places on campus. Meet at 10 a.m. outside the Alumni Center.
*This event is for registered attendees only.
UC Davis Botanical Conservatory Tour
Botanical Conservatory
10 - 10:45 a.m.
This is a guided tour of the UC Davis Botanical Conservatory which is home to a diverse collection of over 4,000 plant species from around the world, providing a unique space for education, research, and conservation. Our greenhouse showcases rare and unusual plants from tropical rainforests, arid deserts, and carnivorous habitats, offering visitors a hands-on experience with plant adaptations and biodiversity.
The Botanical Conservatory is administered by the College of Biological Sciences' Plant Biology Department, supporting academic and scientific engagement across campus.
Pre-registration required, this event has reached capacity
*This event is for registered attendees only.
Visit the Manetti Shrem Museum
Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti Shrem Museum of Art, 254 Old Davis Rd, Davis, CA
10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Two thought-provoking contemporary art exhibitions, "'OJO' Julio César Morales" and "Breath(e): Toward Climate and Social Justice." Join us in the afternoon for hands-on art and science activities connected to "Breath(e)".
Men’s Water Polo vs. UCSB
Schaal Aquatic Center, 426 Health Sciences Dr, Davis, CA
10 - 11 a.m.
Come cheer on the UC Davis Men’s Waterpolo team as they battle UCSB. No cost to attend.
Growing Together: Meet CAES Dean Stokes & Explore Student Experiential Learning
Hunt Hall, Room 142 and Courtyard
10 - 11 a.m.
Join us for a special Parent and Family Weekend event with the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences! Come meet our newly appointed Dean, Ashley Stokes, and hear her vision for CAES. You’ll also discover how our students gain hands-on experience through experiential learning programs led by faculty in Human Ecology. Explore our outdoor living laboratory at Hunt Hall Courtyard, where classrooms extend beyond the walls and into real-world applications. Plus, connect directly with CAES student advisors and our enthusiastic Aggie Ambassadors, who are excited to share their journeys and insights.
This is a wonderful opportunity to see how CAES prepares students to thrive—and to be part of our vibrant community.
Preregistration required. Limited capacity event.
*This event is for registered attendees only.
Tailgate/Family Fun Zone at Hutchison Field
Hutchison Field, 152 La Rue Rd, Davis, CA 95616
11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Join in the pre-game spirit on Hutchison Field before the game. All participants are welcome whether you’re attending the game or not. Activities include: food trucks, beer garden*, student performances, DJ, and lawn games.
*The beer garden is for registered attendees only
Resource Fair at Hutchison Field
Hutchison Field, 152 La Rue Rd, Davis, CA 95616
11 a.m. - 1 p.m.
While enjoying the Tailgate & Family Fun Zone, learn about campus resources and local resources for you and your student by visiting dozens of tables hosted by campus units, campus resources, and local businesses. Participants include:
Aggie Mental Health, Aggie Parent & Family Council, AggieWorks, Bike Barn, Bio Boosters at the College of BioSci, Bohart Museum of Entomology and Nematology, Campus Recreation, Center for Student Involvement, College Corps, College of Ag & Environmental Science Ambassadors, College of Letters & Science - Meet the Dean!, Cyclone RoboSub Club, Office of Financial Aid & Scholarship, Formula Racing, Global Learning Hub, Graduate School of Management, Health Professionals Advising, Hillel House, LGBTQIA Resource Center, Library, Office of Transfer Student Representatives, Student Disability Center, Summer Sessions, Aggie Compass Basic Needs Center, Transportation Services, UC Advocacy Network, CalTeach, UC Davis Career Center, UC Davis Inclusive Excellence, UC Davis Stores TechHUB, UC Davis Student Startup Center, UC Davis Washington Program, University Credit Union, Women's Resources & Research Center...and more!
Meet the Dean of the College of Letters and Science at the Resource Fair
Hutchison Field, 152 La Rue Rd, Davis, CA 95616
11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Chat with the Dean of the College of Letters and Science and learn how your student can thrive at UC Davis's liberal arts college at this informal meet-and-greet. Dean Estella Atekwana is a distinguished professor of geophysics and a recent inductee in the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. She welcomes your questions and wants to hear from you how your student is doing. Advising and student engagement staff will also be on hand to answer questions. Look for us under the "UC Davis College of Letters and Science" canopy!
UC Davis Football vs. Idaho State
UC Davis Health Stadium, Davis, CA
Doors open at 12:00pm, kickoff is at 1:00pm
Come cheer on the UC Davis Football team as they battle Idaho State.
Purchase Tickets
Stop by Shields Library
Peter J. Shields Library, 100 North Quad Ave, Davis
12 p.m. - 6 p.m.
Stop by Shields Library and show your family your favorite study spot and pick up a souvenir postcard, bookmark or Bookhead sticker from the Welcome Desk (Friday) or Circulation Desk (Sat/Sun) while supplies last!
Meet-and-Greet Tea Tasting with the UC Davis Global Tea Institute
912 Sproul
1 -2 p.m.
Learn about the UC Davis Global Tea Institute and how students can get involved in our events and initiatives.
Pre-registration required, this event has reached capacity
*This event is for registered attendees only.
ArtSpark at Manetti Shrem
Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti Shrem Museum of Art, 254 Old Davis Rd, Davis, CA
1 - 4 p.m.
Make a unique print that colorfully captures plant silhouettes and textures, inspired by ways of documenting, preserving, and memorializing species in art by Clarissa Tossin and Brandon Ballengeé. Plus, see specimens from the Museum of Wildlife and Fish Biology up close. Learn how the Center for Plant Diversity preserves plant specimens for its herbarium, a reference library of pressed, dried plants, mosses, lichens and algae that serve as reference tools for identification and future research needs.
Written and Directed By: New Works by Student Playwrights
Wyatt Pavilion Theatre, Old Davis Rd
2 - 3:30 p.m.
The Department of Theatre and Dance will open its 2025-2026 season with Written and Directed by, a performance of four new one-act plays authored by undergraduate students.
Mens Soccer vs. Sac State
Aggie Soccer Field, 622 Orchard Rd, Davis, CA 95616
7 p.m.
Last game of the season! Root for the Aggies in the “Causeway Cup” battle against Sac State. Purchase tickets here.
Written and Directed By: New Works by Student Playwrights
Wyatt Pavilion Theatre, Old Davis Rd
7 - 8:30 p.m.
The Department of Theatre and Dance will open its 2025-2026 season with Written and Directed by, a performance of four new one-act plays authored by undergraduate students.
Mondavi Center Presents - Las Cafeteras hasta La Muerte
7:30 p.m.
Prepare to be captivated by Hasta La Muerte, a spellbinding performance that intertwines the themes of life and death, inspired by the Indigenous and Mexican traditions of Día de los Muertos. Anyone who wishes to purchase tickets can call the Ticket Office during business hours: Tues-Fri, 12-5pm at (530) 754-2787 or purchase online at mondaviarts.org.
Sunday, November 2
Meet the animals of UC Davis
Multiple locations
Anytime
Visit the cows (located next to Kearney Hall in the Tercero Residence Halls) and scout for other on campus animals like Cheeto the Physics Cat or the turkeys.
Take a stroll along the UC Davis Arboretum
The Arboretum and Public Garden includes the historic Arboretum — a 100-plus acre campus and regional amenity comprised of demonstration gardens and scientific collections — the Putah Creek Riparian Reserve — a rare stream and grassland ecosystem managed for teaching, research, wildlife and habitat protection — and the rest of our 5300-acre campus.
Follow one of three suggested paths or do the entire 3-mile loop. Follow this link to learn about all the plants, animals and nature you will see along the way.
Tour the UC Davis Coffee Center
Drop in between 9 a.m. - 11 a.m.
Come by and sip coffee, espresso, affogato and learn about the science of coffee. There will be light breakfast items and a UC Davis Bookstore Pop up Store so you can purchase coffee made at the coffee center along with other last minute UC Davis branded items.
The UC Davis Coffee Center has a home in a 6,000-square-foot building that was renovated and reopened in 2024. The Coffee Center is a center of excellence in the UC Davis College of Engineering and the first academic research and teaching facility in the U.S. entirely dedicated to the study of coffee. This facility brings together visitors, students and researchers from across the university and around the world in a dynamic environment where cutting-edge coffee science is explored and translated into practice.
*This event is for registered attendees only.
Enjoy a meal at Segundo Dining Commons
9 a.m. - 8 p.m.
Come on by and savor an all-you-care-to-eat dining experience. We're proud to offer a diverse and delicious menu with fresh, local and seasonal ingredients. A variety of meals are served every day, including vegetarian, vegan and Halal dishes, pastas and pizza, a build-your-own Mongolian BBQ bar and a full salad bar. While dining commons are the primary location where residents eat, they are open to all with a pay-at-the-door option for $15 per swipe. Explore the menu.
Self-guided tour of the UC Davis Raptor Center
1340 Equine Lane, Davis, CA
9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
The California Raptor Center is open for self-guided tours during visiting hours. Our non-releasable raptors are on the tour route, with informative placards describing each bird and its personal story. The Museum is also open for self-guided tour visitors. There is no charge for parking, and admission is free for self-guided tours. Please keep self-guided tour groups to 6 people or fewer to minimize stress to the birds.
Guided Tour and Walk of the Arboretum and Public Garden
Meet at the Peter J. Shields Oak Grove
9:30 a.m.
Join us for an engaging morning talk and tour at the Arboretum and Public Garden! We’ll explore various collections in the west end of the Arboretum and Public Garden. Please wear comfortable walking shoes, bring a water bottle, dress in layers, and come prepared to discover our amazing living museum of plants!
Pre-registration required, this event has a limited capacity
*This event is for registered attendees only.
UC Davis Botanical Conservatory Tour
Botanical Conservatory
10 - 10:45 a.m.
This is a guided tour of the UC Davis Botanical Conservatory which is home to a diverse collection of over 4,000 plant species from around the world, providing a unique space for education, research, and conservation. Our greenhouse showcases rare and unusual plants from tropical rainforests, arid deserts, and carnivorous habitats, offering visitors a hands-on experience with plant adaptations and biodiversity.
The Botanical Conservatory is administered by the College of Biological Sciences' Plant Biology Department, supporting academic and scientific engagement across campus.
Pre-registration required, this event has reached capacity.
*This event is for registered attendees only.
Purchase Hilgard631 Small batch wine, created by students
UC Davis Teaching and Research Winery, 631 Hilgard Lane, Davis, CA
11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
With over 145 years of global leadership in grape and wine education, the UC Davis Department of Viticulture and Enology (V&E) enters a new era with the launch of their student-created wine, Hilgard631. This 501(c)(3) nonprofit makes it possible for us to share our wine with the public for the benefit of student scholarships. Every bottle sold funds student scholars.
All our wines are available exclusively for local pickup at the UC Davis Teaching and Research Winery (631 Hilgard Lane, Davis CA). No shipping, no deliveries. We are unable to offer tastings of the wines. Visit hilgard631.org for more information.
Visit the store to purchase wine during Parent’s Weekend between 11am and 1pm on Sunday, Nov 2.
Men’s Water Polo vs. UC Merced
Schaal Aquatic Center, 426 Health Sciences Dr, Davis, CA
12 p.m.
Come cheer on the UC Davis Men’s Waterpolo team as they battle UC Merced. No cost to attend
Stop by Shields Library
Peter J. Shields Library, 100 North Quad Ave, Davis
12 p.m. - 8 p.m.
Stop by Shields Library and show your family your favorite study spot and pick up a souvenir postcard, bookmark or Bookhead sticker from the Welcome Desk (Friday) or Circulation Desk (Sat/Sun) while supplies last!
Written and Directed By: New Works by Student Playwrights
Wyatt Pavilion Theatre, Old Davis Rd
2 - 3:30 p.m.
The Department of Theatre and Dance will open its 2025-2026 season with Written and Directed by, a performance of four new one-act plays authored by undergraduate students.
Mondavi Center Presents - Itzhak Perlman, In the Fiddlers House
7:30 p.m.
Purchase tickets directly from the Mondavi Center
Around Town
Saturday, November 1
Visit Davis Farmer’s Market
8 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Year-round at Central Park in downtown Davis, thousands gather each week to shop for what is grown, raised, and made locally at our markets. Walk rows of stalls lined with an array of fruits and vegetables, choice meats, wine, local eggs and honey. Choose from a variety of fresh-baked goods, plants, flowers and gifts. Enjoy a picnic from one of our many food stands, made from market ingredients.
Ride the Double Decker bus
9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
Fancy a ride on one of Unitrans’ double double decker buses? Hop on the fare-free Farmer’s Market Shuttle running every 25 minutes between the Farmers Market (B St. & 4th St.), Downtown, and the UC Davis Memorial Union Bus Terminal.
The vintage London double decker bus may not be accessible to people who use mobility devices or have mobility challenges. The service may be operated in a modern double decker due to inclement weather of other operational issues.
Discover Davis/Dia De Las Muertes Celebration
Ofrendas/Altars 12:00 - 7:00 p.m. and Vendor Booths 4:30 - 7:00 p.m.
G Street Plaza, Downtown Davis
Come celebrate Dia de Muertos 2025 in downtown Davis with vendor booths, live entertainment, activities and a beer & wine garden. More info about this event can be found at the Davis Chamber of Commerce.
Registration for Parent & Family Weekend has closed.