Family & Friends Weekend brings Chargers together across campus and Huntsville
UAH mascot Charger Blue will be a part of Family and Friends Weekend. Students and their families can look for opportunities to meet Charger Blue, snap a photo together and take home giveaways featuring the new illustrations.
Charger pride is taking over campus — and spilling into the heart of Huntsville — as the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) welcomes families, friends, alumni and the community for Family & Friends Weekend from Sept. 24–27. From cheering on UAH teams and celebrating Charger alumni to a downtown gathering, family fun, a Color Run and an evening under the stars, the four-day celebration offers plenty of ways to experience UAH together. UAH is a part of The University of Alabama System.
“Family & Friends Weekend is really about bringing people together and giving our students an opportunity to share their UAH experience with the people they care about,” said Megan Wilkinson, director of Student Life. “We’ve planned a full weekend of events both on campus and throughout Huntsville, so whether families want to cheer on our teams, enjoy some time together, explore the city or reconnect with the university, there’s something for everyone.”
The weekend kicks off Thursday, Sept. 24, with the Downtown Charger Lounge, hosted by the UAH Alumni Association from 6–8:30 p.m. at Jefferson Street Alley in downtown Huntsville. In collaboration with Downtown Huntsville, Inc. and nearby businesses, the evening will feature a movie, lawn games, dining specials and more. The Alumni Association will also offer free UAH swag while supplies last.
Family & Friends Fun Day takes place on Saturday, Sept. 26 from 11:30 a.m.–2 p.m. on the CTC Slab. Guest will enjoy inflatables, family photos, yard games, volleyball, face painting, balloon artists, caricaturists, food trucks and a special appearance by the UAH Club Beach Volleyball team.
On Friday, Sept. 25, families and friends can gather for a Volleyball Tailgate from 4:30–6 p.m. in the Spragins Parking Lot before cheering on the Chargers as UAH Women’s Volleyball takes on Montevallo at 6 p.m. in Spragins Hall. The tailgate will include complimentary hot dogs, drinks, chips and giveaways. Admission to all home volleyball matches is free, courtesy of Alabama Credit Union. All UAH Volleyball alumni are encouraged to attend.
Saturday, Sept. 26 offers a full day of activities for Chargers of all ages. The day begins with UAH’s annual 5K Color Run at 9 a.m. at the Conference Training Center (CTC) Slab, featuring the Lil’ Chargers Stampede one-mile fun run for younger participants. Families can then head to the Family & Friends Fun Day from 11:30 a.m.–2 p.m. on the CTC Slab for inflatables, family photos, yard games, volleyball, face painting, balloon artists, caricaturists, food trucks and a special appearance by the UAH Club Beach Volleyball team.
The Alumni Association will also host a Lancer Alumni Gathering from 2–4 p.m. at Lowe House, giving former Lancer Ambassadors an opportunity to reconnect, revisit memories and meet UAH President Donald J. Leo. Former Lancers should reach out to UAH Special Events for more information.
“The Lancer Alumni Gathering gives us a chance to celebrate the people who helped build the foundation of our university and the lasting legacy of the Lancer Ambassadors,” said Kelly Myers, director of Alumni Relations and Special Events. “We’re excited to welcome them for a special opportunity to reconnect, share memories and meet our new president. We also hope they’ll take part in Family & Friends Weekend to catch a glimpse of the energy on campus and all of the exciting things happening at UAH today.”
Saturday afternoon also offers an opportunity to explore the cosmos during Cocktails and Cosmos at the INTUITIVE® Planetarium at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center. The event begins at 4 p.m., with the planetarium presentation beginning at 5 p.m. Guests can learn about the night sky and explore constellations, planets, galaxies and nebulae through a live, interactive presentation. Tickets are required; discounted tickets are available for purchase.
UAH Women’s Volleyball takes on Montevallo at 6 p.m. in Spragins Hall on Saturday. Fans can join Charger fans beginning at 4:30 for a tailgate.
The weekend continues Saturday evening with the 2026 UAH Athletics Hall of Fame event at the Student Services Building. A cocktail reception begins at 5 p.m., followed by the 6 p.m. induction ceremony honoring seven individuals for their accomplishments and contributions as Chargers. The event is free and open to the public, but tickets are required. Tickets are available through UAH Athletics.
Sunday, Sept. 27 brings one final Charger moment with the See You Soon! Send Off Breakfast from 9–11 a.m. at the Charger Café. Families can enjoy a complimentary breakfast, take a family photo keepsake and say farewell to their Charger family and friends before heading home.
Additional Family & Friends Weekend activities include student services open houses, academic program events hosted by UAH’s colleges, Service Saturday volunteer opportunities, UAH softball games, an ACE magician performance and family movie events featuring Toy Story 5. Families can also explore the city with Discover Huntsville recommendations, including local restaurants and attractions offering special discounts during the weekend.
As an added bonus, UAH alumni can enjoy 20% off merchandise at the UAH Bookstore during Family & Friends Weekend, a special increase from the usual 10% alumni discount — the perfect opportunity to check out the bookstore’s new Charger merchandise featuring the university’s updated logo.
Special Family & Friends Weekend T-shirts are also available for purchase. The T-shirt order deadline is Sept. 7.
All are welcome to participate in weekend activities, but registration is required by Sept. 24 via the Family & Friends Registration portal. Families are encouraged to invite parents, siblings, extended family, friends and community partners to join in the celebration.
For a complete schedule of Family & Friends Weekend events, locations and registration information, visit the Family & Friends Weekend page.
Contact
Julie Jansen
256.824.6926
julie.jansen@uah.edu