Family and Friends Weekend 2025, Emerson College

Family and Friends Weekend

October 17 through 19, 2025

Registration is now open!

Events take place from midday Friday to midday Sunday.

Family Weekend is a special opportunity to experience the vibrant campus life your student is part of and explore the historic, culturally rich city of Boston together. You'll meet faculty, staff, and other families, get a firsthand look at your student’s academic and social environment, and make memories that deepen your connection to their college journey. Plus, it's a great excuse to enjoy Boston in all its autumn glory!

There will be a major EmStage theatrical production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. In this production on the main stage at the Paramount Theater, Emerson students fill all of the on-stage and off-stage roles, except for the director. Faculty members will be teaching classes as part of the Faculty Showcase, a perennial favorite, along with many other events. All families participating in any part of Family and Friends Weekend must register.

Hotel Accommodations

Please note: Boston is a very popular city during October. Because of this, prices for hotels tend to rise. You may want to see the accommodations available at Emerson College discount rates. However, we also suggest using online tools and apps to explore options that may be more cost-effective for your family.

Some families find that looking in neighboring communities is helpful. Some suggestions include Revere, East Boston, Charlestown, South Boston, Quincy, Braintree, Dedham, Needham, and Newton. You may want to avoid areas that are directly on the Charles River (Cambridge, Watertown) as a large regatta, known as the Head of the Charles, will be taking place over the weekend as well.

Registration

Early bird registration is from August 15 to September 5, and is $60 per family (not per family member). Regular registration is from September 6 to October 7, and is $70 per family. In order for us to prepare there will be no registration available after October 7. (If tickets remain available and events are not fully subscribed, we will open on-site registration on October 17 and 18. We highly discourage waiting for on-site registration.)

Please note: If you plan on visiting your student during Family and Friends Weekend, but will not be participating in ANY of the Family and Friends Weekend activities, you do not need to register. Registration will provide a name badge for each participant that serves as the security badge to enter non-residential buildings.

The registration fee covers administrative costs, registration materials, security coverage, access to most family weekend events (except separately ticketed items), the closing brunch reception and other food available at certain events, and a Family and Friends Weekend gift. The Registration fee and tickets are non-refundable.

In order to be as accessible as possible, if you have financial difficulties that prevent you from registering for Family and Friends Weekend, please email parents [at] emerson.edu (parents[at]emerson[dot]edu) to explore options.

Special Accommodations

If a member of your party needs special accommodations, kindly send an email to: parents [at] emerson.edu. We strive to meet the needs of our visiting parents and family members.

Parking

Parking is unavailable on the Emerson campus, but many public parking areas are close by. You may want to visit a parking app (such as SpotHero) to reserve a space in advance and receive a discount. The Boston Common garage as well as the City Place garage are close and convenient.

Event T-Shirts

Show your Emerson pride! The registration form will enable you to order your Emerson t-shirts and hats! We will have your items ready for pick up at check-in on Friday, October 17, or Saturday, October 18.

Event Schedule

The Tentative Schedule-at-a-Glance is listed below. A full schedule of events with locations and Faculty Showcase Lecture descriptions will be emailed to you approximately a week prior to Family and Friends Weekend. The schedule is set up in blocks, similar to a conference style, where you may choose one event per time block.

Schedule at a Glance

Friday, October 17, 2025

12:00–7:00 p.m. | Check-In, 116 Boylston Street
- Drop by The Loft to collect tickets, programs, name badges, t-shirts, and other goodies! If you will not arrive in time, your student may collect your packet for you.
1:00–4:50 p.m. | A, B, C, D Block Events
- Faculty Showcase Lectures, department presentations, and fun activities! Details will be announced in the schedule update that will be emailed to registrants in October!
5:30 p.m.–7:00 p.m. | Shabbat Dinner with Emerson Hillel
- Tickets are $36.00 for guests and free for Emerson students. We regret that tickets are non-refundable.
7:00–8:15 p.m. | Emerson’s Got Talent: A Student Showcase
- Come and see Emerson students in their element, performing music, dance, comedy and poetry. Seating is first come, first served.
Evening (TBD) | Bova's Bakery Visit
- Take a walk to Bova's Bakery in the North End!

Saturday, October 18, 2025

9:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. | Last Chance Check-In, The Loft, 116 Boylston Street
- Drop by The Loft to collect tickets, programs, name badges, t-shirts, and other goodies! If you will not arrive in time, your student may collect your packet for you.
9:30–11:00 a.m. or 11:00 a.m.–12:30 p.m. | Emerson Takeover of the Duck Boats!
- Have you ever wondered how Boston looks from the land and from the water? Take a fun and informative Duck Boat tour!
- This event will last approximately 90 minutes. The tickets include all fees and gratuities.
- This event sold out quickly last year, so plan early!
10:00 a.m.–3:30 p.m. | E, F, G, H Block Events
- Faculty Showcase Lectures, department presentations, and fun activities! Details will be announced in the schedule update that will be emailed to registrants in October!
2:00 p.m.–4:00 p.m. | Matinee Performance: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
- Location: The Paramount Theater, 559 Washington Street
- Tickets will be available when you register beginning mid-August.
7:00–9:00 p.m. Evening Performance: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
- Location: The Paramount Theater, 559 Washington Street
- Tickets will be available when you register beginning mid-August.

Sunday, October 19, 2025

10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. | Farewell Brunch Reception

Have some fabulous brunch food and chat with Emerson faculty, staff, and administrators from across campus. This is the official end to Family and Friends Weekend.