Friday, September 29
Learn about study abroad programs offered through CNU and our partner organizations. Speak with CNU faculty about options available in the summer, during spring break and during the semester. Learn about the CNU Exchange partners and the opportunities to study in those locations for a semester or summer program.
Included in Family Weekend registration.
Location: Great Lawn (Rain location: David Student Union Ballroom)
Check-in for Family Weekend and pick up your welcome bag and information for the weekend!
Location: Trible Courtyard (Rain location: Library Rotunda)
See and learn about the research conducted by our Summer Scholars! The program runs for eight weeks over the summer and pairs students with faculty to work collaboratively on a faculty-derived research question.
Included in Family Weekend registration.
Location: Trible Library Theater and Rosemary Reading Room
Join President William G. Kelly and other members of the President's Cabinet as we kick off Family Weekend with a reception featuring heavy hors d'oeuvres and drinks. Silver Tier President's Parent Council families and those who purchase the Discovery Pass may bring up to four (4) attendees to the reception. Tickets for additional guests may be purchased through Family Weekend registration.
*Business attire required.
Location: Ferguson Center Diamonstein Concert Hall Lobby
Join the Department of Performing Arts - Theater and Dance for their first performance of the year. In this warm and holly 'play with music,' an eclectic group of lifelong learners gather for a weekly tap dance class in a dingy North London church hall. They are none too friendly, nor too coordinated. In shuffles and hops, they find a mission that unites them. Friendship and determination ensue, as they perfect the shuffle-flap-ball-change. Purchase your tickets for Stepping Out today!
Location: Peebles Theater
Join us on the Great Lawn to celebrate our juniors and seniors as they partake in our Christopher Newport Ring Ceremony. Students will be presented their pre-ordered rings at this special tradition. If you would like your student to receive their ring at this event be sure to place the order through Jostens. If you have questions, email grace.sharlun@cnu.edu.
Location: Great Lawn (Rain location: Gaines Theater in the Freeman Center)
A free, family-friendly event featuring Marvel and superhero themed games, DIY crafts, and snacks. Grab your family and friends and come enjoy a marvel-ous evening with us!
Hosted by the Office of Student Engagement
Location: David Student Union
Saturday, September 30
Check-in for Family Weekend and pick up your welcome bag and information for the weekend!
Location: Trible Courtyard (Rain location: Library Rotunda)
*Invitation Only
We welcome our Christopher Newport Legacies to join us at the Alumni Legacy Hospitality tent during this year’s Family Weekend Tailgate! If you are the parent, grandparent, uncle, aunt or sibling of a current student at Christopher Newport, this tailgate is open to you!
Included for legacy families in Family Weekend registration.
Location: Tailgate lots
Experience taking a class here at CNU by becoming a student yourself! Family Weekend guests can join a 45-minute lecture with one of three of CNU’s amazing faculty members.
- Systems Thinking for our Complex World — Dr. Willy Donaldson, McMurran 164
- A History of CNU — Dr. Sean Heuvel, McMurran 114
- Books and Brains: How Reading Relates to Your Brain and Your Health — Dr. Kelly B. Cartwright, McMurran 101
Included in Family Weekend registration.
Location: McMurran Hall
Watch the Captains take the field at Captains Park!
A panel discussion of what our newest Captains are facing in their transition process at this point in the semester from a social, residential, and academic standpoint. While the focus of this panel is on our first-year students, all are welcome to attend. Panel members will stick around following the session to speak with families individually as may be helpful.
Included in Family Weekend Registration.
Location: Freeman 102
Hosted by the Wason Center for Civic Engagement
The Wason Center is the highest-rated university-based polling operation in Virginia. Come listen to how they feel future elections will unfold and how the university positions itself amidst the partisan landscape.
Included in Family Weekend registration.
Location: McMurran Hall, Room 262
Hosted by the President’s Leadership Program (PLP)
Put your family dynamic to the test as you work together in this PLP-hosted “leadershop”. Working as a team, your family will have a limited amount of time to use your leadership skills to solve a challenging (but fun) problem. All families are invited to attend.
Included in Family Weekend registration.
Location: Peebles Theatre Lobby
Join the Center for Career Planning (CCP) as we share with you all the great resources available to students and alumni alike in the CCP! Internship opportunities, interview support, resume review, and more can be explored with the help of our professionalism experts. As the motto says "you get jobs by talking to people" — so start with us!
Location: Christopher Newport Hall, Suite 305
- Reserved Bleacher (sections H & I): $15 in advance; $20 day of game
- General Admission (sections J & K): $10
- Students (sections A, B & C): Free with a valid CNU student ID
- *Chairback (sections E, F & G): $25 in advance; $35 day of game
*Chairback seats for Family Weekend will go on sale Tuesday, September 19 at 9 a.m. and can only be purchased by calling the CNU Athletic Ticket Office at (757) 594-7880. The ticket office is open Monday - Friday, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Location: TowneBank Stadium
Hosted by CNURec
Families can sign up in teams of two and should register with CNURec. The maximum number of teams is set at 16. Contact CNURec with questions at jeremy.fritz@cnu.edu or (757) 594-8815. No registration is required for guests interested in open play.
No additional fee to participate, but guests should be registered for Family Weekend in order to register for the tournament.
Location: Gosnold Lawn (Rain location: Fieldhouse Court 2 in the Freeman Center)
Hosted by WCNU
Join WCNU at The Captain's Den for a fantastic evening of music, poetry, and spoken word! This event celebrates talented students and families by providing a cozy space for everyone to showcase their skills. The Captain's Den has something for everyone with a full menu of savory coffees, burgers and sandwiches, specialty drinks, and breakfast served all day! Whether you want to perform or simply enjoy the show as an audience member, this event promises to be a night of entertainment, delicious food and community. Are you interested in performing? Then make sure to register! All types of performances, groups of all sizes, and walk-ins are welcome! So grab your friends and family, bring your instruments, or just come as you are to experience the magic of Open Mic Night @ The Captain's Den, hosted by WCNU!
Included in Family Weekend registration
Location: The Captain's Den, CNU Village
An annual Christopher Newport tradition, featuring our outstanding students, faculty and ensembles. This year's theme is "What the World Needs Now.”
Included in Family Weekend registration.
Location: Ferguson Center Diamonstein Concert Hall
Join the Department of Performing Arts - Theater and Dance for their first performance of the year. In this warm and holly 'play with music,' an eclectic group of lifelong learners gather for a weekly tap dance class in a dingy North London church hall. They are none too friendly, nor too coordinated. In shuffles and hops, they find a mission that unites them. Friendship and determination ensue, as they perfect the shuffle-flap-ball-change. Purchase your tickets for Stepping Out today!
Location: Peebles Theater
Sunday, October 1
The Family Weekend tradition of Sunday brunch includes the finest variety of breakfast and lunchtime favorites
- $30 for adults and students without a meal plan
- $12 for children 4-10
- Free for children under 4
- Students with a meal plan will be charged one meal to their dining account
*Reservations required through Family Weekend registration
Location: David Student Union Ballroom
Join the Department of Performing Arts - Theater and Dance for their first performance of the year. In this warm and holly 'play with music,' an eclectic group of lifelong learners gather for a weekly tap dance class in a dingy North London church hall. They are none too friendly, nor too coordinated. In shuffles and hops, they find a mission that unites them. Friendship and determination ensue, as they perfect the shuffle-flap-ball-change. Purchase your tickets for Stepping Out today!
Location: Peebles Theater
- Go on a Walking Tour of Campus
Enjoy a leisurely walk through our beautiful campus and immerse yourself in CNU's vibrant atmosphere. - Grab Food/Coffee on Campus
Check out all the amazing dining options CNU has to offer! - Visit the Campus Bookstore
The Captain's Locker will be open Friday, 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. and Saturday, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. - Visit the new Mary M. Torggler Fine Arts Center
The Torggler Center is the newest building on Christopher Newport’s campus, having opened in 2021. This remarkable 83,000 square-foot building features three free exhibitions entitled The Possibilities of Paper, The Magical World of Paper Kimonos, and Art is Ageless. - Visit the Mariners Museum
A steward of one of the world’s most extensive maritime collections, The Mariners’ Museum and Park is committed to the preservation and conservation of more than 32,000 objects and several million library and archive materials. - Take a walk on the Noland Trail
This 4.8 mile loop trail is located just next to the University in the Mariners Museum Park and is good for all skills levels.
Events and activities are added as they are made available - stay tuned!