Family Weekend

It was great to see students and families for Family Weekend 2025! For any follow-up questions or comments, please email parent@butler.edu

Family Weekend is always a blast! The following are a few pieces of general information.

Events are open to all Butler students and their families. Student can join by themselves or make a plan for family to participate with them.
All families and students will receive registration information via email when registration opens.
Need to book a hotel for your Family Weekend trip? Check out the Butler Hotel Partners website for discounted hotel rates.

Family Weekend merch

The merch shop is open until Tuesday, October 21, 2025 with orders shipping out Monday, November 3, 2025.

Questions can be directed to parent@butler.edu or by calling the Office of New Student & Family Programs at 317-940-5668. Go Dawgs!

Butler Family Weekend

Please check back here for a the most up to date schedule of events for Family Weekend 2025.

Friday, October 10, 2025

2:00 – 4:30 PM	The Nutcracker Rehearsal Viewing	Lily Hall Rooms 020, 075, 077, 310, and 319 (Map)	Butler University Department of Dance is preparing for their winter showing of the Nutcracker. Stop by and observe as the Department of Dance rehearses for the Nutcracker. No registration necessary.
2:00 – 3:30 PM	Jummah Prayer	Efoymson Writing Center (Map )	Join the Muslim Student Association for Jummah Prayer. Please email Sahar Atmar (satmar@butler.edu) to register.
3:30 – 6:30 PM	Family Weekend Registration & Information Table	Atherton Union, South Entrance (just inside from the Bulldog Statue) (Map)	Come to the Family Weekend Registration & Information table to receive pre-registered items and ask any questions.
4:45 – 6:30 PM	Marching Band Practice	West Campus practice field by the softball field (Map)	Come watch the marching band rehearse before their performance on Saturday! Bring a blanket, a picnic dinner, and maybe some ear plugs. We’d love to have you! No registration necessary.
5:00 – 6:30 PM	Lacy School of Business (LSB) Family Weekend Reception featuring Career & Professional Services	Dugan Hall Atrium (Map)	Join the Lacy School of Business for a reception featuring opportunities to mingle with the Career and Professional Success Team, LSB Faculty, and LSB Staff. There are also opportunities to take a tour of Dugan Hall and learn more about how the Career Development Program can take your students from the classroom to the boardroom! Light appetizers and beverages will be served. No registration necessary.
6:00 – 8:00 PM	Hillel Shabbat Dinner and Service	Location communicated once registered	Join Butler Hillel for Shabbat Services with dinner to follow. Please email Lisa Frank (lbfrank@butler.edu) to register for the dinner and location details.
7:00 – 9:00 PM	Butler Volleyball v. Providence College	Hinkle Fieldhouse, Main Gym (Map)	Watch the Butler University women’s volleyball team battle it out against Providence College Friars. Purchase tickets here.
7:30 – 8:30 PM	Butler Theatre: The Cat Who Walked by Himself	Lilly Hall Studio Theatre (Map)	Synopsis: This playful theatrical production explores the journey of cats from wild animals to household pets. The characters celebrate the unique gifts and differences of all creatures and present enduring themes such as kindness, independence and compromise. The production runs approximately 50 minutes with no intermission, and the audience will have an opportunity to meet the characters after the show! This production is recommended for audience members ages five and older. If tickets are purchased at the Clowes box office (Wed – Fri 10 am – 4 pm) or at the door, there will be no fees. Adult: $20 Students with ID: $10 Children ages 4-10: $5 Link to purchase tickets at all of the performances
7:30 & 8:30 PM	Holcomb Observatory and Planetarium Tours	Holcomb Observatory & Planetarium (Map)	Come to the Holcomb Observatory for planetarium tours beginning at 7:30 PM and 8:30 PM followed by a telescope viewing of Saturn and other celestial objects, weather permitting. Doors open at 7:00 pm. Tickets will be available at the door though you can also make a reservation at the following link. Admission is $5 for children and students under 18 years old and $8 for adults. Cash or credit is accepted at the door. Butler students are admitted at no charge with their Butler University ID. More information about the observatory can be found at their website. *No registration needed on the Family Weekend form; reservations can be made at the link above.
8:30 – 10:00 PM	Trivia Night	Atherton Union, Reilly Room (Map)	Come showcase your inner nerd at Trivia Night! Make a team to win some prizes. Light snacks provided. Co-sponsored with University Program Council. Registration on Family Weekend registration form required to secure your spot. Price/person TBD.

Please check this schedule for the most up-to-date events!

Saturday, October 11, 2025

8:00 AM – 1:30 PM	Family Weekend Registration & Information Table	Atherton Union, South Entrance (just inside from the Bulldog Statue) (Map)	Come to the Family Weekend Information table to receive pre-registered items and ask any questions.
9:00 AM -10:30 AM	The Science of Food! (Session 1)	Levinson Family Hall 337 – the chemistry teaching kitchen (Map)	Join the Chemistry Department for a special Family Weekend event exploring the flavors of rustic French cuisine! Experience hands-on experiments, taste delicious dishes, and explore the fascinating chemistry behind the food we love. It’s a fun and engaging way to connect with the department and discover the “secret ingredients” of our teaching labs. All ages are welcome! Please note: some of the foods involved contain gluten and dairy. Registration necessary.
9:00 AM – 4:00 PM	The Nutcracker Rehearsal Viewing	Lilly Hall Rooms: 020, 075, 077, 310, and 319 (Map)	Butler University Department of Dance is preparing for their winter showing of the Nutcracker. Stop by and observe as the Department of Dance rehearses for the Nutcracker. No registration necessary.
10:00 – 11:00 AM	Build a Bulldog – Session 1	Fairview House: Community Room (Map)	Build your very own stuffed 8” bulldog, decorate a t-shirt for the dog, and make some memories! Registration on Family Weekend registration form required. $15/bulldog. Registration required.
10:00 – 11:00 AM	Cultural Diversity Drum Circle Basket Balancing Race	Star Fountain (Map) Rain Location: A-Town Market Auxiliary Room (Lower Level of Atherton Union)	Join us at Star Fountain for the Indianapolis Cultural Diversity Drum Circle’s Basket Balancing Race and support girls education in Uganda. Watch as student teams compete to run balancing baskets on their heads and try with your friends and family! No registration necessary.
10:00 AM – 3:00 PM	Delt Dunk 2025	4340 Haughey Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46208 (Delta Tau Delta house, near South Campus)	Delta Tau Delta will be hosting its annual philanthropic event, a 3v3 basketball tournament, which raises money to support the Robert Packard Foundation for ALS Research. At the tournament, enjoy food from Chick-fil-A, drinks from Red Bull, raffle prizes, appearances by Butler basketball players, and more! If you are interested in participating in the event or are looking for more information, feel free to check out @butlerdelts on Instagram. Event Details: – Tournament for students only, families are welcome to view and cheer on! – Registration deadline: October 8, 2025 – Registration link – Cost to register: $8 – Team Size: 3-5 members
10:30 AM – 12:30 PM	Family Weekend Spirit Zone	Health & Recreation Center (HRC) lawn (Map) Rain location: Inside the Health & Recreation Center (HRC) (Map)	Families can pick up some spirit beads, boom sticks, pom poms and other cheer wear for the Butler Football Game. There will be lawn games, fall treats, a photo opportunity and other Family fun items! No registration necessary.
10:30 AM – 12:15 PM	Butler Women and Men’s Basketball Open Practice	Hinkle Fieldhouse	The women and men’s basketball program will open their practice and welcome fans to Hinkle Fieldhouse on Saturday morning with a scheduled conclusion at approximately 12:15 PM. Click here to check out the Butler Athletics open practice story. Tickets are FREE by clicking here. Claim your free tickets to be entered for door prizes and more at the event.
11:00 AM -12:30 PM	The Science of Food! (Session 2)	Levinson Family Hall 337 – the chemistry teaching kitchen (Map)	Join the Chemistry Department for a special Family Weekend event exploring the flavors of rustic French cuisine! Experience hands-on experiments, taste delicious dishes, and explore the fascinating chemistry behind the food we love. It’s a fun and engaging way to connect with the department and discover the “secret ingredients” of our teaching labs. All ages are welcome! Please note: some of the foods involved contain gluten and dairy. Registration necessary.
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM	Build A Bulldog – Session 2	Fairview House: Community Room (Map)	Build your very own stuffed 8” bulldog, decorate a t-shirt for the dog, and make some memories! Registration on Family Weekend registration form required. Cost: $15/bulldog. Registration required.
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM	Butler Theatre: The Cat Who Walked by Himself	Lilly Hall Studio Theatre (Map)	Synopsis: This playful theatrical production explores the journey of cats from wild animals to household pets. The characters celebrate the unique gifts and differences of all creatures and present enduring themes such as kindness, independence and compromise. The production runs approximately 50 minutes with no intermission, and the audience will have an opportunity to meet the characters after the show! This production is recommended for audience members ages five and older. If tickets are purchased at the Clowes box office (Wed – Fri 10 am – 4 pm) or at the door, there will be no fees. Adult: $20 Students with ID: $10 Children ages 4-10: $5 Link to purchase tickets at the Saturday 11:00 AM performance Link to purchase tickets at all of the performances
11:00 AM – 1:00 PM	Black Student Union and Black Alumni Association Family Weekend Tailgate	Hinkle Fieldhouse Parking Lot (Map)	Families can pick up free food and drinks from Black Student Union and the Black Alumni Association before the Butler Football game. There will be lawn games and photo opportunities to celebrate community and family on campus! Hinkle Fieldhouse parking lot. No registration necessary.
11:00 AM – 2:00 PM	Latinx Alumni Association Family Tailgate: Almuerzo de Familias	Hinkle Fieldhouse Parking Lot (Map)	Join the Latinx Alumni Association in celebrating the 5th annual Almuerzo de Familias, a Family Weekend program dedicated to embracing and connecting our Latinx families together through food, music, and community! Únete con la Asociación de Exalumnos Latinx de Butler para celebrar el 5.º Almuerzo de Familias, un programa del Fin de Semana Familiar dedicado a convivir y conectar a nuestras familias Latinx y disfrutar de la comida, la música, y el ambiente! Registration is encouraged here, but not required. Se recomienda registrarse, pero no es obligatorio.
12:00 – 1:00 PM	Butler University Dance Marathon Tabling	Gazebo (located between Starbucks and Jordan Hall)	Butler University Dance Marathon will be at the Starbucks Gazebo throughout the day selling cookies and lemonade! All proceeds will go directly to Riley Hospital for Children, our local children’s hospital. BUDM is Butler’s largest student-run philanthropic organization, dedicated to raising funds and awareness for the families that Riley supports. Stop by for a sweet treat, some refreshing lemonade, and a chance to learn more about how you can make a difference! No Registration Necessary More information can be found on the BUDM Instagram : @butlerdancemarathon
1:00 – 4:00 PM	Butler Football v. Providence College	Bud and Jackie Sellick Bowl (Map)	Watch the Butler University football team battle it out against Providence College Friars. Students have free admittance to Butler athletics events. Purchase tickets here. If looking to purchase a single game tailgating or parking pass, please call the Ticket Office at 317-940-3647 or email tickets@butler.edu. Passes will also be available on site morning of the event, starting at 9:00 AM.
1:00 – 11:00 PM	Esports Park Open	Butler Esports Park (Map)	Looking for a fun family outing? Head over to Butler Esports Park this Saturday and Sunday for a free weekend of PC, console, and board games! Enjoy the games in the Esports Park—current students can get in with their membership, or you can buy one on-site for $25 per semester.
2:00 – 4:00 PM	Butler Men’s Soccer v. Marquette University	Varsity Field located at 5100 Lester St. Indianapolis, IN 46208 (Map)	Watch the Butler University men’s soccer team battle it out against the Marquette golden eagles. Butler Men’s Soccer website. Students always have free admittance to Butler athletics events and this game is free to all. No registration necessary.
3:00 – 6:00 PM	Fall Market co-sponsored with University Program Council	North Mall (Map) Inclement weather location: Reilly Room, Atherton Union	Join us for one of Butler’s favorite fall traditions! The University Program Council’s annual Fall Market brings local vendors right to campus, giving Butler students the chance to shop unique finds, handmade goods, and seasonal treats—all without leaving campus. It’s the perfect way to support local businesses, discover new favorites, and celebrate the season with your Bulldog community. No registration necessary to attend.
3:30 – 5:00 PM	Butler University Dance Marathon Tabling	Gazebo, between Starbucks and Jordan Hall	Butler University Dance Marathon will be at the Starbucks Gazebo throughout the day selling cookies and lemonade! All proceeds will go directly to Riley Hospital for Children, our local children’s hospital. BUDM is Butler’s largest student-run philanthropic organization, dedicated to raising funds and awareness for the families that Riley supports. Stop by for a sweet treat, some refreshing lemonade, and a chance to learn more about how you can make a difference! More information can be found on the BUDM Instagram: @butlerdancemarathon
4:00 – 5:00 PM	CRU Open House	519 W. Hampton Drive, Indianapolis, IN 46208	Join us for an open house for families of students involved in Butler CRU or if you are interested in learning about CRU.
4:00 – 5:30 PM	Grace Unlimited Open House	The Compass Center (Map)	Enjoy informal fellowship, hospitality, and conversation with the new Chaplain of Grace Unlimited, the Rev. Peter Gray. Grace Unlimited is a campus ministry open to all students and sponsored by the Episcopal Diocese of Indianapolis and the Indiana-Kentucky Synod of the ELCA Church. Snacks and drinks will be available.
4:30 – 6:00 PM	Archives Tour: Where History Lives	Irwin Library (Map)	Join Special Collections, Rare Books, and University Archives on the 3rd floor of the Irwin Library for a peek inside what treasures are preserved in the Butler University Archives. Materials showcased will include letters from Ovid Butler, early student scrapbooks, a manuscript from the thirteenth century, rare books from the 15th century, Butler University architecture photographs, and more will be available for viewing during this tour. Meeting Times: Please meet at the Irwin Fountain on the first floor of Irwin Library. Tours will start promptly at 4:30 PM and 5:15 PM. Free – No registration necessary.
5:00 – 7:00 PM	Butler Women’s Volleyball v. University of Connecticut	Hinkle Fieldhouse, Main Gym (Map)	Watch the Butler University women’s volleyball team battle it out against the UCONN Huskies. Students have free admittance to Butler athletics events. Purchase tickets here.
7:30 – 8:30 PM	Butler Theatre: The Cat Who Walked by Himself	Lilly Hall Studio Theatre (Map)	Synopsis: This playful theatrical production explores the journey of cats from wild animals to household pets. The characters celebrate the unique gifts and differences of all creatures and present enduring themes such as kindness, independence and compromise. The production runs approximately 50 minutes with no intermission, and the audience will have an opportunity to meet the characters after the show! This production is recommended for audience members ages five and older. If tickets are purchased at the Clowes box office (Wed – Fri 10 am – 4 pm) or at the door, there will be no fees. Adult: $20 Students with ID: $10 Children ages 4-10: $5 Link to purchase tickets at all of the performances
7:30 PM	Music at Butler: Butler University Choral Department	Schrott Center for the Arts (Map)	Where do the arts take us? Music invites us on journeys that are scenic, profound, challenging, and enlightening. Join the Butler University Chorale, Spectra, and Chamber Singers for a program that explores these destinations and others, as we showcase the talents and dedication of our gifted students. Link for more information. No registration necessary.
7:30 & 8:30 PM	Holcomb Observatory and Planetarium Tours	Holcomb Observatory & Planetarium (Map)	Come to the Holcomb Observatory for planetarium tours beginning at 7:30 PM and 8:30 PM followed by a telescope viewing of Saturn and other celestial objects, weather permitting. Doors open at 7:00 pm. Tickets will be available at the door though you can also make a reservation at the following link. Admission is $5 for children and students under 18 years old and $8 for adults. Cash or credit is accepted at the door. Butler students are admitted at no charge with their Butler University ID. More information about the observatory can be found at their website. *No registration needed on the Family Weekend form; reservations can be made at the link above.
8:00 – 11:00 PM	Let the Ghouls Times Roll	Reilly Room, Atherton Union (Map)	Bring the whole family out for spooky crafts, candy, and more! We have lots of crafts available such as building a haunted house or painting a pumpkin. Costumes encouraged but not mandatory. Registration required.

Please check this schedule for the most up-to-date events!

Sunday, October 12, 2025

Check-in begins at 8:00 AM Race starts at 9:00 AM	Theta’s Color Run	Run starts in front of the Health and Recreation Complex (HRC). (Map) Route – Sidewalks through campus, Lake Road, Boulevard and Hinkle Parking Lot.	This semester Kappa Alpha Theta is hosting a color run 2-mile event that will be held on October 12th at 9AM starting in front of the Butler University Health and Recreation Center. Free parking will be available in the lot in front of Hinkle Fieldhouse and the Butler HRC. Register here $15/ticket $30/ticket and commemorative race shirt Philanthropy – Kid’s Voice of Indiana, Theta Foundation
11:00 AM – 12:00 PM	Archives Tour: Where History Lives	Irwin Library (Map)	Join Special Collections, Rare Books, and University Archives on the 3rd floor of the Irwin Library for a peek inside what treasures are preserved in the Butler University Archives. Materials showcased will include letters from Ovid Butler, early student scrapbooks, a manuscript from the thirteenth century, rare books from the 15th century, Butler University architecture photographs, and more will be available for viewing during this tour. No registration necessary. **Please plan to arrive at the library main entrance promptly at or before 11:00 AM. The tour will start prior to the opening of the library though a staff member will be able to let you in at this time.
12:00 – 1:00 PM	Catholic Mass	Atherton Union, Reilly Room (Map)	Join the Butler Catholic Community for Catholic Mass. No registration necessary.
12:30 – 1:30 PM	Fraternity and Sorority Life – Student Leadership Panel	Fairview Community Room (Map)	Learn more about our social fraternity and sorority community from student leaders. We will have a panel of chapter presidents and organization leaders sharing how joining their chapter positively impacted their Butler experience! Join us to hear personal stories and favorite memories prior to heading to chapter houses for a tour. No registration necessary.
1:00 – 3:00 PM	Fraternity and Sorority House Tours	Chapter Tours Map available at Bulldog statue outside of Atherton Union (Map)	Visit Butler’s social fraternities and sororities to learn more about organizations, their philanthropic work, and how to join. Designated locations and chapter houses will be open and offering tours and information by their members. Learn more about our community by visiting the Fraternity and Sorority Life website. Staff and organizational leadership will be available outside of Atherton Union with maps detailing designated locations to meet our chapters. Map of the house tours
1:00 – 8:00 PM	Butler Esports Park Open	Butler Esports Park (Map)	Looking for a fun family outing? Head over to Butler Esports Park this Saturday and Sunday for a free weekend of PC, console, and board games! Enjoy the games in the Esports Park—current students can get in with their membership, or you can buy one on-site for $25 per semester.
2:00 – 3:00 PM	Butler Theatre: The Cat Who Walked by Himself	Lilly Hall Studio Theatre (Map)	Synopsis: This playful theatrical production explores the journey of cats from wild animals to household pets. The characters celebrate the unique gifts and differences of all creatures and present enduring themes such as kindness, independence and compromise. The production runs approximately 50 minutes with no intermission, and the audience will have an opportunity to meet the characters after the show! This production is recommended for audience members ages five and older. If tickets are purchased at the Clowes box office (Wed – Fri 10 am – 4 pm) or at the door, there will be no fees. Adult: $20 Students with ID: $10 Children ages 4-10: $5 Link to purchase tickets at all of the performances
3:00 PM	Music at Butler: Butler Symphony Orchestra	Schrott Center for the Arts (Map)	Join us for this season’s opening Butler Symphony Orchestra concert on October 12 at 3pm in the Schrott Center for the Arts. Link for more information. No registration necessary.

The following includes the Butler Bookstore, Spirit Shop, and Butler Dining options available over Family Weekend.

Friday, October 10, 2025

7:00 AM – 7:00 PM	Starbucks open	Atherton Union, North entrance (Map)	Stop by Butler’s Starbucks location for a coffee pick-me-up or yummy pastry.
7:00 AM – 8:30 PM	A-Town Café open	Atherton Union, South entrance (Map)	An all you care to eat meal location, serving a variety of meals. See the dining website for more details.
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM	Butler Bookstore open	Atherton Union, North entrance (Map)	Head to the Butler University Bookstore for BU apparel, books, school supplies, and more.
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM	Spirit Shop open	Hinkle Fieldhouse, inside Gate 4 (Map)	Head to the Butler Spirit Shop for BU apparel, swag, and more.
10:00 AM – 11:59 PM	Midtown Provisions open	ResCo Dining Hall (Map)	Midtown Provisions serves a range of customizable favorites from build your own bowls and quesadillas to sandwiches and pizza. See the dining website for more details.
6:00 – 9:30 PM (for ticketed fans for the volleyball game)	Spirit Shop open	Hinkle Fieldhouse, inside Gate 4 (Map)	Head to the Butler Spirit Shop for BU apparel, swag, and more.

Saturday, October 11, 2025

8:00 AM – 8:00 PM	Starbucks open	Atherton Union, North entrance (Map)	Stop by Butler’s Starbucks location for a coffee pick-me-up or yummy pastry.
9:00 AM – 8:30 PM	A-Town Café open	Atherton Union, South entrance (Map)	An all you care to eat meal location, serving a variety of meals. See the dining website for more details.
9:00 AM – 6:00 PM	Butler University Bookstore open	Atherton Union, North entrance (Map)	Head to the Butler University Bookstore for BU apparel, books, school supplies, and more.
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM	A-Town Market open	Atherton Union, ground floor (Map)	A-Town Market is open for retail and hot-and-ready food. See the dining website for more details.
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM 4:00 – 7:30 PM (for ticketed fans of the volleyball game)	Spirit Shop open	Hinkle Fieldhouse, inside Gate 4 (Map)	Head to the Butler Spirit Shop for BU apparel, swag, and more.

Sunday, October 12, 2025

8:00 AM – 3:00 PM	Starbucks open	Atherton Union, North entrance (Map)	Stop by Butler’s Starbucks location for a coffee pick-me-up or yummy pastry.
9:00 AM – 8:30 PM	A-Town Café open	Atherton Union, South entrance (Map)	An all you care to eat meal location, serving a variety of meals.
10:00 AM – 3:00 PM	Butler University Bookstore open	Atherton Union, North entrance (Map)	Head to the Butler University Bookstore for BU apparel, books, school supplies, and more.
2:00 – 10:00 PM	A-Town Market open	Atherton Union, ground floor (Map)	A-Town Market is open for retail and hot-and-ready food. See the dining website for more details.

Outdoor Recreation Opportunities, On & Off Campus

Daily 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM	Butler University Pickle Ball courts open	North of Sellick Bowl, in the Tennis Bowl parking lot (Map)	Butler University has 4 fresh Pickleball courts that are open to those with a Butler ID. Families are welcome to join their students for a match! To access the courts, students should bring their Butler ID to swipe into the gate via the ID card reader. Open play hours run from 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM with lights in the evening. If the courts are full, participants can “drop-in” to make it known they will be rotating in. If the courts are not full, participants can use whichever court they would like. Paddles and balls will be available for check-out at the HRC front desk, during operational hours, with a Butler University ID or RecWell membership.
Anytime	Butler University Ecotherapy Trails	See website for trails	Ecotherapy is a mental health practice that involves engagement with the natural environment to work through mental health challenges and increase wellness. You can try ecotherapy right here on campus! Use Ecotherapy Trails, either Route 1 or Route 2 to get you started.
Sunrise – Sunset website for specific hours	The Virginia B. Fairbanks Art & Nature Park at Newfields	1850 W. 38th St. Indianapolis, IN 46228 (Map)	This nearby nature park is perfect to experience the outdoors and art. There is no charge for this park.
September: 7:00 AM – 7:30 PM	Eagle Creek Park	7840 W 56th St, Indianapolis, IN 46254 (Map)	Eagle Creek Park is a large park with a marina & beach, hiking & biking trails, wildlife-discovery centers, zip lines & more. Eagle Creek Park: Eagle Creek Park Membership page Vendors in the park: Eagle Creek Park Outfitters (kayak, canoe, paddleboard, and boat rentals)Go Ape! (adventure, high ropes, ziplining)Eagle Creek Golf Course