Take a look at our lineup of events for Parent & Family Weekend! Schedule is subject to change.
Friday, November 6
11:00am
Tour the UC Davis College of Engineering
Kemper Hall, 545 Bainer Hall Drive, Davis
Space is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
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.
9:00am - 4:00pm
Stop by Shields Library
Stop by Shields Library and show your family your favorite study spot, and pick up a free souvenir postcard, bookmark, or Bookhead sticker from the Welcome Desk (Friday) or Circulation Desk (Sat/Sun) while supplies last!
10:00am - 5:00pm
Visit the Manetti Shrem Museum
Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti Shrem Museum of Art, 254 Old Davis Rd, Davis, CA
Open 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday (closed Sundays)
Art Spark Studio open 1 - 4 p.m. on Saturday
Visit Our Exhibitions: Get to know campus through a history of art forged from UC Davis. Together Again, 1960-2026: Perspectives from UC Davis’ Fine Arts Collection brings renowned UC Davis artists into dialogue with Northern California voices, and Out of Line: Art at the Edge explores Davis as a site of both artistic practice and political protest during the 1960s, ’70s and ’80s.
Meet one becomes two, two become one, a new bronze sculpture: Created specifically for UC Davis by Woody De Othello, as well as a new series of works by the Oakland artist that explore the primordial relationship between body, earth and spirit.
Make Art & Learn: About Design at UC Davis Stop by the museum’s art studio on Saturday between 1-4 p.m. for our Art Spark program to design a unique fabric collage. Then, explore haute couture design in The Gift of Fashion in our galleries, and learn more about the innovative Design program at UC Davis from students.
4:00 - 6:00pm
Welcome Event – Badge Pick up and Resource Fair
ARC Ballrooms at the ARC Conference Center, 760 Orchard Rd, Davis
Parking is available at the Pavilion Parking Structure, 2 Dairy Road (Hutchison Drive and Dairy Rd), Davis*
*Parking fees are enforced until 10pm on Friday.
Begin your experience by coming by the ARC Ballrooms to pick up your badge and welcome materials, connect with fellow Aggie families as you enjoy refreshments and wine and visit the Resource Fair.
Come to the Resource Fair to learn about campus and local resources by visiting over 30 different tables hosted by campus units, resources, and local businesses including:
- Global Learning Hub and Education Abroad program
- UC Davis Washington DC program
- UC Davis Police Department
- Aggie Mental Health
- Student Disability Center
- And many, many more!
6:00pm
Men’s Soccer vs. San Jose State
Aggie Soccer Field, 622 Orchard Rd, Davis, CA 95616
Last game of the season! Tickets range from $10-13
Evening
Dinner with your Student
Downtown Davis
Enjoy spending the evening exploring Davis with your student(s). Families are encouraged to walk to Downtown Davis to enjoy dinner at one of the many restaurants located next to campus. Whether you are looking for a casual meal, dessert, Boba, or chance to spend quality time together, Davis offers something for everyone.
Saturday, November 7
9:00am - 1:00pm
Badge pick up at Alumni Center
Walter A. Buehler Alumni Center, 530 Alumni Lane, UC Davis
Parking is available at the Gateway Parking Structure
Start your day by checking in and picking up your registration materials at the Alumni Center, if you didn’t pick up on Friday. Mingle with other parents and enjoy some light refreshments. Staff will be on hand to answer questions.
9:30 - 11:10am
Self-Guided Experiences
Families are invited to explore campus through a variety of self-guided activities. For a self-guided campus tour, visit our interactive campus map with descriptions of areas of interest.
Anytime
Take a stroll along the UC Davis Arboretum
Follow one of three suggested paths or do the entire 3-mile loop. Learn about all the plants, animals and nature you will see along the way.
8:00am - 1:00pm
Visit Davis Farmer’s Market
Central Park, 301 C St., Davis
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.
9:00am - 12:30pm
Ride the Famous Davis Double Decker Bus
B Street & 4th Street, Downtown, or the MU Bus Terminal
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.
9:00am - 12:00pm
Self-guided tour of the UC Davis Raptor Center
1340 Equine Lane, Davis, CA
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.
9:00am - 1:00pm
UC Davis Botanical Conservatory Open House
Botanical Conservatory
Space is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Come explore a Botanical Wonderland. The Botanical Conservatory is home to 4,000 different species of plants including carnivorous plants, the titan arum, chocolate, vanilla and many more. The conservatory will be open from 9-1 to do a self-guided walkthrough.
10:00 - 11:30am
UC Davis Career Center: What it Takes for your Student to Graduate Career Ready and Find Jobs
1001 Geidt Hall, 186 Bioletti Way, Davis, CA 95616
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 classroom experiences 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 undergraduate year, student employment, internships, undergraduate research, and more.
10:00am - 5:00pm
Visit the Manetti Shrem Museum
Jan Shrem and Maria Manetti Shrem Museum of Art, 254 Old Davis Rd, Davis, CA
Open 10 a.m.—5 p.m. on Friday and Saturday (closed Sundays)
Art Spark Studio open 1–4 p.m. on Saturday
Visit our exhibitions: Get to know campus through a history of art forged from UC Davis. Together Again, 1960-2026: Perspectives from UC Davis’ Fine Arts Collection brings renowned UC Davis artists into dialogue with Northern California voices, and Out of Line: Art at the Edge explores Davis as a site of both artistic practice and political protest during the 1960s, ’70s and ’80s.
Meet one becomes two, two become one, a new bronze sculpture created specifically for UC Davis by Woody De Othello, as well as a new series of works by the Oakland artist that explore the primordial relationship between body, earth and spirit.
Make art & learn about design at UC Davis: Stop by the museum’s art studio on Saturday between 1-4 p.m. for our Art Spark program to design a unique fabric collage. Then, explore haute couture design in The Gift of Fashion in our galleries, and learn more about the innovative Design program at UC Davis from students.
10:00 - 11:30am
CAES: Farm to Future
Resnick Center for Agricultural Innovation and the UC Davis Student Farm
Space is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Join the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences for Parent & Family Weekend 2026 at the new Resnick Center for Agricultural Innovation. This special event offers families an inside look at one of UC Davis' newest hubs for innovation, collaboration, and discovery.
Hear from Dean Ashley M. Stokes and learn about the groundbreaking research, emerging technologies, and interdisciplinary collaborations taking place within the Resnick Center. You'll also hear about the 50th anniversary of the UC Davis Student Farm, highlighting its rich history, lasting impact on experiential learning, and the generations of students it has inspired.
The program concludes with a guided tour of the Student Farm's Ecological Garden, where you'll experience firsthand the living laboratory that provides students with hands-on learning opportunities in sustainable agriculture, food systems, and environmental stewardship.
We look forward to welcoming you for an inspiring morning celebrating innovation, experiential learning, and the future of agriculture at UC Davis.
11:00am - 12:00pm
Meet-and-Greet Tea Tasting with the UC Davis Global Tea Institute
912 Sproul Hall
Space is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Have a cup of tea with the UC Davis Global Tea Institute! Professor Joseph T. Sorensen will "spill the tea" on how the UCD GTI fosters collaborative research and teaching on all aspects of tea on the UC Davis campus and beyond.
11:00am - 2:00pm
UC Davis Student Winery Tours and Sales
UC Davis Winery, 631 Hilgard Lane, Davis, CA 95616
Space is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Step inside the UC Davis Teaching and Research Winery, the world's first LEED Platinum-certified winery, for an exclusive behind-the-scenes tour led by Department Chair Dr. Ben Montpetit. Discover how one of the world's leading viticulture and enology programs educates the next generation of wine industry professionals while advancing cutting-edge research.
Following the tour, you'll have the opportunity to purchase limited-production wines crafted by UC Davis undergraduate and graduate students under the guidance of V&E faculty and staff. These unique wines are produced as part of the department's educational program, are not available in retail stores, and every purchase directly supports student scholarships.
10:00am - 1:00pm
Bike Barn
Parents and Families will be able to come into the Bike Barn to see what the shop is like. Free helmet distribution through Helmet Hair Don't Care (fill out their Safety Pledge in advance)!
9:00am - 8:00pm
Enjoy a meal at Segundo Dining Commons
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.
1:00 - 4:00pm
Bohart Museum of Entomology
Academic Surge Building, Room 1124
Come and enjoy a free, all ages event. See this top research collection, meet scientists, hold live insects and have fun with a craft. This is open to the general public as well as parents, students and alumni of UC Davis.
2:30 - 3:15pm
Chalk Talk with UC Davis Men’s Basketball Coach Les
Edwards Family Athletic Center (EFAC) Auditorium
Space is limited and available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Join Head Men's Basketball Coach and former Sacramento Kings NBA Player Jim Les for a behind the scenes "chalk-talk" where he will break down the x's and o's of our team strategy as the Aggies prepare for their inaugural season in the Mountain West Conference. Coach Les will give you the tips you need to impress your friends at the game with your new hoops knowledge and provide an inside look at how the world of college basketball is changing.
Attendance includes a ticket to a future Aggie home game. This event is held in the Edwards Family Athletics Center which is right next to the football stadium making it easy to transition from the talk right to the game!
4:00 - 7:00pm
UC Davis Football vs. Utah Tech
UC Davis Health Stadium
Tickets in the Parent Section (West side, Sections 118 & 127) can be purchased when registering for Parent & Family Weekend. UCD students can get a free ticket for the student section.
7:30 - 10:00pm
Orpheus Chamber Orchestra Concert
Mondavi Center for the Arts
Discounted group tickets can be purchased when registering for Parent & Family Weekend.
Orpheus Chamber Orchestra is a musical democracy, proving for over fifty years what happens when exceptional artists gather with total trust in each other and faith in the creative process.
Evening
Dinner with your Student
Downtown Davis
Enjoy spending the evening exploring Davis with your student(s). Families are encouraged to walk to Downtown Davis to enjoy dinner at one of the many restaurants located next to campus. Whether you are looking for a casual meal, dessert, Boba, or chance to spend quality time together, Davis offers something for everyone.
Sunday, November 8
9:00 - 10:00am
Guided Tour of the UC Davis Arboretum and Public Garden
Peter J. Shields Oak Grove
Capacity: 30
This event consists of a guided tour around Peter J. Shields Oak Grove led by the UC Davis Arboretum & Public Garden's outreach team, the Arboretum Ambassadors.
9:00am - 12:00pm
Self-guided tour of the UC Davis Raptor Center
1340 Equine Lane, Davis, CA
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.
9:00am - 8:00pm
Enjoy a meal at Segundo Dining Commons
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.
Anytime
Take a stroll along the UC Davis Arboretum
Follow one of three suggested paths or do the entire 3-mile loop. Learn about all the plants, animals and nature you will see along the way.
12:00 - 2:00pm
Men’s Water Polo vs. LMU Senior Day
Schaal Aquatic Center, 426 Health Sciences Dr, Davis, CA
Come cheer on the UC Davis Men’s Waterpolo team as they battle LMU. No cost to attend.
2:00pm
Arcis Saxophone Quartet
Mondavi Center for the Arts
The Arcis Saxophone Quartet, named after Munich's iconic Arcis Street, has emerged as one of the most vibrant and active classical ensembles globally.
5:00pm
UC Davis Music Dept presents: Michelle Cann, piano and Ráyo Furuta, flute
Pitzer Music Theater
Collaborators and star performers of their instruments — Grammy Award-winning pianist Michelle Cann and Mexican Japanese American flutist Ráyo Furuta — will give an unforgettable performance at the Pitzer Center.
Program
- Florence Price: 2 Fantasies for Flute and Piano
- Sergei Rachmaninoff: Sonata for Piano and Flute
- Yuko Uebayashi: Souvenis de Pervenche
7:30pm
Arcis Saxophone Quartet
Mondavi Center for the Arts
The Arcis Saxophone Quartet, named after Munich's iconic Arcis Street, has emerged as one of the most vibrant and active classical ensembles globally.
Evening
Dinner with your Student
Downtown Davis
Enjoy spending the evening exploring Davis with your student(s). Families are encouraged to walk to Downtown Davis to enjoy dinner at one of the many restaurants located next to campus. Whether you are looking for a casual meal, dessert, Boba, or chance to spend quality time together, Davis offers something for everyone.