Family Weekend
Mercer Family Weekend
Thank you to all the wonderful families that attended Family Weekend 2025! We can't wait to see you all again in Fall 2026! Go Bears!
Join us for Family Weekend 2026 October 9-11!
Every year, Mercer University plans a weekend for families of our students to visit our beautiful campus and experience a day in the life of their student(s). Registration is recommended for the weekend.
Mercer Family Weekend 2026 will occur on October 9-11! Enjoy family friendly events all weekend!
Families will purchase one family weekend ticket per family for $25. That is a total of $25, including taxes and fees for the ENTIRE FAMILY!
Tickets sales will open on July 6, 2026. Tickets can be found here!
- Registration includes Friday night events, a contential breakfast on Saturday, educational sessions, tailgate activities, a restaurant discount card, the ability to register for a Tower Tour, and the opportunity to purchase Family Weekend t-shirts for only $7!
Available Add-Ons for Registered Families:
- We host a barbecue lunch on Black Field as part of tailgating for the football game. Tickets are $12 (including taxes and fees) per meal and are purchased online during registration.
- BBQ tickets will also be available in person for $12 cash or check per meal.
- BBQ tickets will also be available in person for $12 cash or check per meal.
- Football tickets can be purchased separately for the game Saturday. The link for single-game tickets will be released in August. Registered families will recieve a link with a discount code in August. Mercer students are given one ticket in the student section free of charge. If you want to sit with your student, you should purchase a ticket for them.
- $7 t-shirts will be sold in person using cash or check on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Join us for Family Weekend 2026 on October 9-11!
2026 Schedule of Events
Friday, October 9, 2026
Check-in and On-Site Registration from 4:30-7:00pm in the Godsey Science Center Lobby
Check in to Family Weekend in the lobby of the Godsey Science Center. Limited edition $7 Family Weekend shirts will be available for sale, and additional BBQ lunch tickets will be for those registered. Walk-up registrations will be accepted at this time.
Mercer Women’s Soccer vs. Tennessee Tech at 6:00pm in Betts Stadium
Watch the Mercer Women’s Soccer team take on Tennessee Tech. Admission is free for the whole family!
Mercer Volleyball vs. Tennessee Tech at 6:00pm in Hawkins Arena
Watch the Mercer Volleyball take on Tennessee Tech. Admission is free for the whole family!
Cubstock from 7:00-8:30pm pm at the A.V. Elliott Science & Innovation Quadrangle
Join the Mercer Community as they show off their talent at Cubstock, the student talent show! Hear live bands, musicians, artists, comedians, and more as they all compete in Mercer's premier talent show hosted by QuadWorks! The winner of Cubstock will have the honor of opening Bearstock, Mercer's annual spring concert.
Explore Middle Georgia All Day
You will receive a Very Important Family “V.I.F” card in your welcome bag for Family Weekend, and this card of exclusive discounts can be used all weekend at restaurants in Mercer Village and the surrounding area. Visit the Mercer Bookstore, located in Mercer Village. Visit the Georgia National Fair, located 30 miles from campus in Perry, GA.
Saturday, October 10, 2026
Check-in and On-Site Registration from 8:00am-11:15 am at Godsey Science Center Lobby
Check in to Family Weekend in the lobby of the Godsey Science Center. Limited edition $7 Family Weekend shirts will be available for sale, and additional BBQ lunch tickets will be for those registered. Walk-up registrations will be accepted at this time.
Breakfast and Welcome Program from 9:00-10:00 am at the A.V. Elliott Science & Innovation Quadrangle
Enjoy a free breakfast for all registered families with a program featuring Mercer administration, Student Government leaders, resources about Macon, and more! The welcome program will occur from 9:30-10:00am.
Academic Check-Up from 10:00-10:30am in Godsey Science Center 102
The Office of Academic and Advising Services wants you to know what’s happening in the academic life of your freshbear! Review a checklist of typical occurrences and consider the progress your student is making as we continue to make tracks into the semester. Reminders of Mercer resources will be shared!
Mercer On Mission Info Session from 10:00-10:30am in Godsey Science Center 103
Don’t miss this chance to find out about the Mercer On Mission experiences that combines study abroad and service-learning to provide life-changing experiences for students. Mercer On Mission is Mercer’s unique international service-learning program that takes students around the globe to do high impact service projects that really do change the world. You student can be the next part of the 163 trips, 45 sites and 2,877 Mercer students and faculty that have participated in the program since 2007.
Thriving at Mercer from 10:45-11:15am in Godsey Science Center 102
Join the Office for Student Success to learn about campus resources to help your student thrive in semester one and beyond. Gain knowledge on services available to your student to get the most out of their four years, and truly thrive at Mercer.
Student Well-Being Matters from 10:45-11:15am in Godsey Science Center 103
College is an exciting time, but it can also feel a little overwhelming along the way. This session with Counseling and Psychological Services explores ways students can care for their mental well-being, how parents can be supportive, and the campus resources available to help students.
Family Weekend Concert from 11:00-11:50am in the McCorkle Music Building
This program in the Fickling Recital Hall will feature many of the talented students of the Townsend School of Music. The concert will include a kaleidoscope of solo, duet, and quartet performances instrumental musicians.
Preparing Mercerians to Succeed in Work and Life from 11:30-12:00pm in Godsey Science Center 102
Preparing for life after graduation doesn’t have to be daunting. From Resumes to Internships, and Interviews to Networking, our team of career experts is ready to help your student connect their passion to their career. Join the Center for Career and Professional Development as we discuss the tools and resources available to all Mercercians as they embark on their journey to change the world.
Be the Bear After Graduation from 11:30-12:00pm in Godsey Science Center 103
Preparing for life after graduation doesn’t have to be daunting. From Resumes to Internships, and Interviews to Networking, our team of career experts is ready to help your student connect their passion to their career. Join the Center for Career and Professional Development as we discuss the tools and resources available to all Mercercians as they embark on their journey to change the world.
BBQ Lunch from 12:00-2:00pm on Black Field
Those that purchase lunch tickets will redeem their vouchers and have lunch under the tent. Food service will end at 2pm.
Football Tailgate from 12:00-2:00pm on Black Field
Tailgate on the Black Field before the game! There will be free tailgate treats for families while supplies last. Live music from the Ford Concert Series, inflatables, Mercer giveaways, and tailgate games for the family! Those that purchase lunch tickets will redeem their vouchers and have lunch under the tent until 2:00pm. Free photobooth for families will also be available! See the Mercer cheerleaders and Toby the Bear at the tailgate after the Bear Walk which is at 12:30pm!
Family Weekend registration will continue on Black Field for the entirety of the tailgate.
Mercer Volleyball vs. Tennessee Tech at 2:00pm in Hawkins Arena
Watch the Mercer Volleyball take on Tennessee Tech. Admission is free for the whole family!
Mercer Football vs. Western Carolina at 3:00pm in Five Star Stadium
Mercer is challenging a fierce SOCON rival, Western Carolina, in this Family Weekend game. Tickets are purchased separately for the football game through Mercer Athletics. Registrants receive a discount code for football tickets via an email from Campus Life after registration.
Mercer Men's Soccer vs. Furman at 7:00pm in Betts Stadium
Watch the Mercer Men’s Soccer team take on Furman. Admission is free for the whole family!
Explore Middle Georgia All Day
You will receive a Very Important Family “V.I.F” card in your welcome bag for Family Weekend, and this card of exclusive discounts can be used all weekend at restaurants in Mercer Village. Visit the Mercer Bookstore, located in Mercer Village. Visit the Georgia National Fair, located 30 miles from campus in Perry, GA.
Sunday, October 11, 2026
Tower Tours 10:00am-1:00pm at the Mercer Godsey Administration Building
Families are invited to participate in a Mercer tradition, Tower Tours, on Sunday! Participants must be able to climb stairs and ladders to participate. Free registration will be sent to registered families in September. Spaces will be limited and occur in 20-minute increments. Pre-registration will be required.
Explore Mercer Village All Day
You will receive a Very Important Family “V.I.F” card in your welcome bag for Family Weekend, and this card of exclusive discounts can be used all weekend at restaurants in Mercer Village and the surrounding neighborhood.
Explore Middle Georgia All Day
Explore Macon with your students! Whether it be brunch in Downtown Macon, Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park, Historic Fort Hawkins, or The Museum at Capricorn, there are many places to explore and enjoy Macon, “Where Soul Lives”. Visit the Georgia National Fair, located 30 miles from campus in Perry, GA.
Accommodations
Mercer has partnered with Campus Travel Management to get special rates in area hotels. See the hotel options and book your stay here.
Get Directions
Macon has served as Mercer’s home since 1871, when the institution moved from its original campus in Penfield, Georgia. The beautiful, historic Macon campus houses the College of Liberal Arts, School of Medicine, School of Engineering, Stetson School of Business and Economics, Tift College of Education and Townsend School of Music, along with programs for working adults through the College of Continuing and Professional Studies. The Walter F. George School of Law is located one mile away on Coleman Hill overlooking downtown Macon. The city of 90,000 serves as the educational, medical, cultural and commercial hub of Central Georgia.
Visit Macon Information
Visit Macon Homepage
Visit Macon - Top Things to Do in Macon
Rock Candy Tours Discount
Rock Candy Tours is pleased to extend a 25% discount on our city’s Soul Sights Tour for Mercer Family Weekend.
Dates: Available for October 8–12, 2026
Families may book tour options by visiting VisitMacon.org and selecting the “Book Tour” icon at the top of the page.
Rock Candy Tours is excited to welcome Mercer families to Macon and to share the city’s highlights and must-see destinations.
Registered families will receive a dicsount code after registration!
Available Tours
Van Soul Sights Tour (11:00 AM & 1:00 PM daily)
Experience the sights and stories that helped create what we call “soul.” From architectural masterpieces to the places that inspired musical legends, this one-hour journey through the heart of Georgia highlights some of Macon’s most significant cultural and historical landmarks.
Free Birds and Night Owls Tour (Friday at 7:00 PM or Sunday at 5:00p)
A 1.5-hour guided walking tour through downtown Macon’s historic commercial and nightlife district. This evening experience features engaging stories of Southern music legends and the vibrant characters who shaped the city’s musical legacy.
