Family Weekend

Family Weekend

2026 Family Weekend: October 2–4

 

We are thrilled to invite you to Family Weekend at SMC, a special opportunity to visit campus, connect with your student, and experience life at Saint Mary's College of California. This year’s Family Weekend will take place from Friday, October 2 through Sunday, October 4, and we have a great lineup of events, activities, and gatherings planned for you. We invite families to spend the weekend attending talks by Saint Mary's prestigious Faculty, participating in  on-campus community service projects, attending events sponsored by our arts departments, learning about the history of SMC, joining other families for socials, and taking time to walk around and explore our beautiful campus (while visiting with your student!). 

If you need any ADA accommodations in order to participate in any of the Family Weekend events, please email Family@stmarys-ca.edu

 

OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATIONS

If you require overnight lodging at the time of Family Weekend, see below for hotels in the Lafayette/Concord/Pleasant Hill/Walnut Creek area. If you are travelling from a distance, we recommend arriving Friday afternoon and departing Sunday afternoon.

 

Let us know you're coming!

Image of SMC community BBQ on the Chapel Lawn with the Chapel in the background

2026 Family Weekend Schedule

Continue to check the schedule as events are added during September! A full agenda will be sent to registrants as the date approaches.

Unless otherwise noted, events are complimentary.

9:00 am - 4:00 pm: Bookstore Open

9:00 am - 5:00 pm: Come observe Theatre production installation and construction of props for "The Moors" (LeFevre Theatre & Prop Shop at LeFevre)

1:00 pm - 5:00 pm: Check-In & Registration (De la Salle Lawn/Quad)

1:00 pm - 2:30 pm: Intercultural Center's Feel Good Friday - Celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month - Free food & games!

1:30 pm - 3:30 pm: Legacy Garden - Get your hands dirty & enjoy the bountiful pleasures of Saint Mary's own living farm! (Legacy Garden) [Sponsored by Office of Sustainability & part of Moraga Community Service Days]

1:30 pm: Associated Students (student government) Senate Meeting (Hagerty Lounge, De la Salle Hall) [Come see student leadership in action!]

1:30 pm: Empty Nest, New Role: Parenting Through the College Transition, sponsored by Counseling & Psychological Services (Dante Hall, Room #114)

2:00 pm: WellGael Campus Nature Walk (Meet at Chapel Plaza)  Afterwards, join us in the CARE Center/CWGE (Augustine Hall, lower level) for healthy snacks and hydration.

2:00 pm: Screening of documentary, The Plastic Detox, followed by a discussion with Biology Professor Sonya M. Schuh and her student research assistants about having their research featured in a Netflix documentary (Soda Center, Moraga Room)

2:00 pm - 3:00 pm: Watch the Belly Dance Club and then Baile Folklórico Guadalupano rehearsals! (Folklorico Dance Room, next to Bookstore)

3:00 pm: 10th Anniversary of the Interfaith Sacred Space (Chapel Plaza)

4:00 pm: Women's Soccer hosts the University of San Francisco (Saint Mary's Stadium) [Purchase tickets here & use promo code FAMWEEK26]

6:00 pm: Men's Club Soccer hosts San Jose State (Recreation Turf Field) [T-shirt giveaways, no-host food truck]

6:00 pm - 8:00pm: MoA Gala at the Museum of Art!

6:00 pm - 9:00pm: Oktoberfest! (The 1928 Pub) [Sponsored by Residence Hall Association]

8:00 am - 7:00 pm: Men's Tennis hosts the NorCal Invitational (Timothy Korth Tennis Complex)

9:00 am - 4:00 pm: Bookstore Open

9:00 am - 1:00 pm: Check-In & Registration (Ferroggiaro Quad)

9:30 am - 11:30am: Resource and Information Tables (Ferroggiaro Quad)

9:30 am - 11:30 am: Letters of Gratitude to Veterans (Ferroggiaro Quad) [Sponsored by Office of Mission & part of Moraga Community Service Days]

9:30 am - 11:30 am: Eyeglass Assembly for Developing Countries (Ferroggiaro Quad) [Sponsored by Office of Mission & part of Moraga Community Service Days]

9:00 am - 12:00 pm: Visit the Career Center Annex to learn about the services of the Career Center (Ferroggiaro Hall, first floor)

9:00 am - 5:00 pm: Come observe Theatre production installation and construction of props for "The Moors" (LeFevre Theatre & Prop Shop at LeFevre)

10:00 am: Sound Healing Bath, sponsored by Campus Recreation (Alioto Recreation Center)

10:00 am - 11:00 am: The Intriguing History of Saint Mary's College, presented by Brother David Caretti, FSC (Dryden Hall)

10:00 am: The Future of Business: A Conversation with the Dean of School of Economics & Business (Dante Hall, Room #114)

10:00 am - 12:00 pm: Meet the Technical Director, Ernie Emstrom, of "The Moors," the Fall Theatre Production (LeFevre Theatre)

10:00 am - 2:00 pm: Alumni Office Open House (Brother Jerome West Hall, Room #130)

10:00 am - 4:00 pm: Explore the Saint Mary's Museum of Art 

11:00 am - 12:00 pm: Presidential Reception and Meet & Greet (Ferroggiaro Quad) [Parent & Family Members Only, please]

11:00 am: Women's Club Soccer hosts Sonoma State (Recreational Turf Field) [T-shirt giveaways, no-host food truck]

12:00 pm: Three-time defending WCC Champions, Softball v. Cal [exhibition game] (Louis Guisto Field)

1:00 pm - 4:00 pm: Information Table (1928 Pub Patio)

1:00 pm: "Personal Branding in the Age of AI," presented by Steve Hernandez, School of Economics & Business (Dante Hall, Room #114)

1:00 pm: University Credit Union Financial Info Session & Open House (Dryden Hall)

1:30 pm: Professor Steve Woolpert presents, “The Declaration of Independence at 250: The Hinge of Human History” (Dante Hall, Room #116)

2:00 pm: The Career Center presents, "How to Talk to Your Student About Their Career" (Career Center Annex, Ferroggiaro Hall)

2:00 pm: Poolside Pilates, sponsored by Campus Recreation (Alioto Recreation Center)

2:00 pm - 3:00 pm: Student Science Research Poster Exhibition & Reception (Brosseau Hall Atrium)

2:00 pm: Student-led Tour of Saint Mary's Museum of Art 

2:00 pm - 4:00 pm: Crafternoon: Decorate a bud vase and fill it with lavender - a fragrant keepsake to decorate your student's room or take a piece of Moraga back home (Library at the Power Plant)

2:00 pm - 4:00 pm: Watch Baile Folklórico Guadalupano rehearsals! (Folklorico Dance Room, next to Bookstore)

4:00 pm - 6:00 pm: Family Weekend Happy Hour & Live Music at the 1928 Pub, sponsored by Student Life [Light snacks & 1 free drink ticket included; no-host food & beverage available]

5:30 pm: Men's Basketball Tip-Off Dinner (UCU Pavilion) [Note: Entrance to this event requires a paid ticket, separate from Family Weekend. See link for details]

8:00pm: Comedy Improv Event - BATS Improv - Professional Improv group BATS performs at Saint Mary's! (Dryden Hall) 

 

Join a Moraga Community Services project throughout the day!

8:00 am - 7:00 pm: Men's Tennis hosts the NorCal Invitational (Timothy Korth Tennis Complex)

9:00 am - 2:00 pm: Bookstore Open

11:00 a.m. Family Mass at the Chapel, Sponsored by Mission & Ministry Center (All are welcome!)

12:30 pm: Francis at 800: Encountering the Saint through Art, Presented by Professor Tom Poundstone, Sponsored by the Cummins Institute (Galileo Hall #202)

Campus Dining during Family Weekend

Image
oliver hall

Campus Food Options for Family Weekend

Discounts for Families during Family Weekend!

Oliver Hall - Full-Service Dining Hall with multiple hot entrees options, All-You-Care-To-Eat 

Friday Lunch: 11am-2pm; Friday Dinner: 4:45p-8p

Sat/Sun Brunch: 9a-1:30pm; Sat/Sun Dinner: 5p-8pm

Cafe Louis - Coffee shop & market with (local) espresso drinks, smoothies, pastries, salads and sandwiches [Renovated in 2026!]

Friday 7:30a-7:00p

Saturday 8:00a-3:00p          

Sunday 4:00p-11:00p

1928 Pub - Full menu, Boba, beverages & beer/wine - Check out events happening at Pub!

Friday 11:00a-2:00p & 4:30p-11:00p 

Saturday 12pm-11:00pm

Just Baked - 24/hour hot vending, De la Salle Hall lobby

 

Lunch/Brunch: $12 (includes tax) - All You Care to Eat

Dinner: $13 (includes tax) - All You Care to Eat

Best deal in Moraga!