Family Weekend Events
Please continue to visit this page as more events and details will be included.
Individuals requesting accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) should contact the ADA Coordinator at least 48 hours prior to the event at (252) 737-1018 / ada-coordinator@ecu.edu
Friday, September 25
Paint it Purple Fridays
This has been an ECU tradition for many years. We want everyone, including our families, to wear purple and show their Pirate Pride!
Family Weekend Service Project
This event is free to attend. Registration is preferred but not required. Register here.
Please join the Office of Parent and Family Programs and the Center for Leadership & Civic Engagement for an indoor afternoon service project. All the materials will be provided, we just need your help to provide the labor. We will be partnering with NC Support our Troops to make cards and write letters to troops serving abroad. This event is open to any current ECU student and their family/friends. What better way to celebrate Family Weekend 2026 than by participating in service and giving back to our community!
In addition to the service project, we will be collecting needed items for NC Support our Troops that will be included in the care packages that they send to deployed troops. The most needed items include granola bars, hard and sour candy, and powdered drink mixes. Please bring your donated items to the service event.
Should you have any questions please feel free to reach out to Alex Dennis, Senior Assistant Director – Center for Leadership & Civic Engagement – dennisa15@ecu.edu
Williams-Ross Purple Pantry Donations
1:00pm-3:00pm EST | Main Campus Student Center, Ballroom C
Families have the opportunity to live out ECU’s motto Servire, ‘To Serve,’ by donating to the Williams-Ross Purple Pantry! Purple Pantry’s mission is to decrease food insecurity among the students of East Carolina University and increase access to other personal care items. The Purple Pantry’s most needed items are breakfast items (individual cups of cereal, breakfast bars, oatmeal cups, etc.) and snack items.
Can’t make it but would like to contribute? You can make a donation to the Purple Pantry on their Amazon Wishlist!
Treasure Trek
1:00pm-3:00pm EST | Main Campus Student Center Lawn
This event is free to attend.
Discover hidden gems at Treasure Trek, a market-style event celebrating creativity, craftsmanship and community all on ECU’s Main Campus Student Center lawn! Stroll through a vibrant marketplace featuring local vendors offering curated vintage finds and handmade goods. While you shop, enjoy the sounds of live acoustic performances from talented campus and local musicians, creating the perfect backdrop for an afternoon of treasure hunting.
Family Weekend Welcome Table and T-Shirt Pickup
1:00pm-7:00pm EST | Blackbox Theatre Lobby
This event is free to attend.
Stop by to receive a warm welcome to Family Weekend and pick up your pre-ordered Family Weekend T-shirts to kick off the weekend! Family Weekend T-shirts may be purchased on the Tickets page.
Ahoy! It’s Bingo Time
3:30pm-5:00pm EST | Blackbox Theatre
This event is free to attend.
Kick off Family Weekend with a swashbucklin’ good time! Join fellow Pirate families for an exciting game of Bingo, compete for fun prizes, and enjoy a little friendly competition as you celebrate the start of an unforgettable weekend.
Let’s Chat! Your Safety Questions Answered
4:00pm-6:00pm | Blackbox Theater Lobby
This event is free to attend.
We understand that sending your student off to college can feel a bit daunting. That’s why we invite you to swing by the Let’s Chat! table during Family Weekend. It’s a great opportunity to ask any questions you may have and to learn about the safety and security measures we have in place at ECU. Our Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Life, Erik Kneubuehl, and Deputy Chief of ECU Police, Chris Sutton, will be there to chat with you from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Family Weekend Welcome Table in the Blackbox Theatre Lobby. We can’t wait to see you there!
College of Nursing Family Weekend Event
4:30-6:30pm | College of Nursing | 2205 W 5th St, Greenville, NC 27834
This event is free to attend.
Join the College of Nursing Student Leadership Council (SLC) for a welcoming and engaging Family Weekend experience! Current nursing students and their families will have the opportunity to connect with College of Nursing faculty and staff, learn more about the college, and enjoy time together as part of the nursing community. Attendees will also have the opportunity to visit campus and community vendors and tour our simulation labs. Prospective nursing students and their families are also invited to learn more about the College of Nursing and get connected with our community.
Family Weekend Cornhole Tournament
5:00pm-6:30pm | Eakin Student Recreation Center
Paid registration is SOLD OUT.
Kick off your weekend with an afternoon of fun for the whole family! Join ECU’s Campus Recreation and Wellness for a family friendly cornhole tournament where you and your student will compete against other families. Want to test your skills against the Cornhole Club? Participate in various drop-in activities and try to “Beat the Pro”. While the tournament is happening, other family members can enjoy the rock-climbing wall.
*By registering for the tournament you will receive an Intramural Champion T-shirt for competing. *
ECU School of Theatre and Dance Family Weekend Event
5:00-7:00pm | Burnette Studio Theatre and Messick Theater Courtyard
This event is free to attend. Registration is preferred but not required. Register here.
Our Family Weekend event at the School of Theatre and Dance is FREE, you just need to reserve your seat. Come and enjoy exciting performances by our talented students at 5:00pm in the Burnette Studio Theatre. Following the show, a reception with finger foods and beverages will be provided by the Friends of Theatre and Dance in our lovely courtyard where you can meet other families and Theatre and Dance faculty members. Guests can explore our main hallway with posters of every show produced at ECU going back to 1963. Families can also purchase tickets at the student price of $10 for our production of Godspell with three chances to watch over the weekend at McGinnis Auditorium. Join us and make unforgettable memories with your loved ones!
Battle of the Brains
5:30pm-7:00pm EST | Blackbox Theatre
This event is free to attend.
Hoist your thinking caps and climb aboard for a battle of the brains! Join fellow Pirate families for an evening of trivia featuring a variety of fun and challenging categories. Team up with your student, compete for bragging rights, and see if your crew has what it takes to come out on top.
Freeboot Friday
5:30pm-8:30pm | Five Points Plaza (corner of 5th Street and Evans Street), Uptown Greenville
This event is free to attend.
Dubbed the official pep rally of football games, this free event will have live music, food trucks, an athlete meet and greet, a beer and wine garden, and tons of giveaways. We invite all students and their families to join for this classic pre-game activity. It’s going to be arrgh-some!
Greenville Freeboot Friday
ECU Alumni Legacy Celebration
6:00pm-7:30pm EST | Main Campus Student Center, Ballroom A and B.
Pre-purchased Tickets are SOLD OUT.
Traditions are a huge part of being a Pirate! Legacy Pinning is a unique tradition that provides an opportunity to bookend the joyous memories of family members and the current Pirate student. This special ceremony gives the next generation of ECU students the chance to bring the past and present together. Alumni parents/grandparents/siblings will place the Legacy pin on their family member’s lapel signifying their collegiate bond.
This year’s Legacy Celebration will include a buffet style dinner. To make the evening even more special, we plan to create a presentation with photos of our Pirate alumni while they were at ECU! All attendees have the opportunity to upload a .png or .jpg pic that we can add to that presentation!
Attire for the evening is casual. Purple and Gold are always encouraged and you should plan to have your photo taken as well.
Bored? Board Game Break
6:00pm-8:00pm | Joyner Library, 1st Floor Lobby
This event is free to attend.
Take a break and join us for an evening of fun, laughter, and friendly competition in the Joyner Library Lobby! Bring the whole family to enjoy a variety of games, grab a snack, and connect with others during ECU Family Weekend. Hosted by ECU Libraries in partnership with ECU Parent and Family Programs, this free event takes place on September 25th from 6-8pm in the Joyner Library Lobby.
Family Weekend Movie Presented by Student Activities and Organizations
7:00pm | Main Campus Student Center Lawn
This event is free to attend.
Join us for a fun and family-friendly movie as we present Cars! Come together with Pirate families to enjoy a heartwarming adventure filled with humor, friendship, and unforgettable characters. Join Lightning McQueen as he discovers that life’s greatest rewards come from slowing down, making meaningful connections, and finding the true road to success.
GodSpell The Musical
7:30pm | McGinnis Theatre
Tickets go on sale September 1, on the Central Ticket Office website
ECU/Loessin Playhouse presents Godspell, a joyful musical that retells stories from the Gospel of Matthew using modern music, humor, and ensemble storytelling. A group of performers explore themes of community, kindness, and forgiveness through parables, songs, and improvisation. With an uplifting score by Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, Pippin, Disney’s Hunchback of Notre Dame) that includes classics such as “Day by Day,” “By My Side,” and “All Good Gifts,” Godspell celebrates the power of love and compassion.
Fraternity and Sorority Life Family Weekend Events
All Weekend | Various Locations
Event details and participation may vary by chapter.
If your Pirate is involved in Fraternity and Sorority Life, be sure to talk with your student about what their fraternity or sorority may have planned during Family Weekend. Many chapters may have special events or opportunities for members to spend time with their families throughout the weekend. Your student can provide information about chapter-specific events, including schedules, locations, and registration details.
Free Recreation Center Access
All Weekend | Eakin Student Recreation Center
This event is free attend.
A great recreation center for you and your family to enjoy all weekend long! Students can bring up to 4 guests for free. All children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. To learn more about the amenities, group fitness classes, and more, visit the Eakin Student Recreation Center website for more information.
Saturday, September 26
Family Weekend Pickleball Tournament
9:30am-11:30am | Eakin Student Recreation Center
Check in starts at 9:15am
Paid registration required. Register here.
Kick off game day with a little friendly competition! Join ECU Campus Recreation and Wellness for a family-friendly pickleball tournament where you and your student can team up to compete against other Pirate families. Whether you’re a seasoned player or trying pickleball for the first time, it’s a fun way to make memories together before cheering on the Pirates. Paddles and pickleballs will be provided, but you’re welcome to bring your own paddle if you prefer.
Fuel Up for the Football Game
10:00am-2:00pm | Todd and West End Dining Halls
Paid entry is required.
Families are invited to join their students and treat yourselves to an upscale brunch on campus! No pre-registration necessary. Visitors can pay at the door or students can use their guest meal swipes.
Honors College Social
10:00am-11:30am | Mamie Jenkins Building
This event is free. Registration is preferred but not required. Register here.
The Honors College is excited to welcome Honors College families back for our Family Weekend Social! Please join us on Saturday, September 26th anytime from 10:00am-11:30am for a casual drop-in event at the Mamie Jenkins building. This will be a chance for students, friends, and families to meet and connect with the Honors College staff before heading to Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium to show some off some Pirate pride against NC Central. This will also be an opportunity to pick up any purchases made from the Honors College store. Light refreshments will be provided. RSVP is encouraged but not required.
Click here to view the Honors College Store
Family Weekend Movie
12:00pm| Hendrix Theatre
This event is free to attend.
Blast off with fellow Pirate families for a showing of Project Hail Mary! This thrilling adventure combines action, humor, and heart as one unlikely hero embarks on a mission where ingenuity, determination, and an unexpected friendship could change everything. It’s the perfect way to relax, laugh, and enjoy a memorable movie night together during Family Weekend.
Button Making with the Grad School
12:30pm-2:30pm | Location TBD
This event is free to attend.
Join the Graduate School during Parent and Family Weekend for a fun and creative button-making station on Saturday, September 26. We invite graduate students and their families to stop by, get crafty, and design their own button to wear at the football game or to take home. All arts and crafts supplies will be provided. Undergraduate students and their families are also welcome to join us and learn more about graduate opportunities at ECU. RSVP is appreciated but not required.
Pop Into the First-Gen Community!
1:00–3:00 PM | Main Campus Student Center, room 125
This event is free to attend. Registration is preferred but not required. Register here.
Calling all First-Generation Pirates and their families! Pop in for an afternoon of food, fun, and community. Enjoy our featured “pop” themed menu, along with a variety of other delicious refreshments, while meeting and connecting with fellow first-gen students and their families.
Throughout the afternoon, join us for exciting rounds of games the whole family can enjoy:
- 1:15 PM – Trivia
- 1:45 PM – ECU Jeopardy
- 2:15 PM – Bingo
Between games, participate in interactive activities, connect with fellow First-Gen Pirates and their families, and celebrate what it means to be part of the first-generation community. Whether you come for the games, the food, or the opportunity to make new connections, there’s something for everyone!
Park and Ride Shuttle
1:00pm | Health Sciences Campus, 100 Health Science Drive, Greenville, NC 27834
Pre-purchased Pass Required. Sales have closed.
For visiting families, parking with shuttle service is available from the Health Sciences campus to the Family Weekend Tailgate and the Football Stadium area. Shuttles will drop guests off at the Main Campus Student Center, then continue on to drop guests off at the tailgate location on 14th Street. Shuttles will return guests to their cars beginning at halftime and run until one hour after the football game concludes. Guests will be picked up from 14th Street and shuttles will make stops at both the Main Campus Student Center and the Health Sciences parking lot. *Passes must be purchased in advance. NO on site purchase.
Family Weekend Tailgate
1:00-4:00pm | Top of College Hill, 14th Street across from Ballard Residence Hall
Pre-purchased Tickets are SOLD OUT.
Max Attendance: 1,400
Bring the while family out to the tailgate! You can sit and soak up the sun and mingle with other families before the game. Enjoy delicious food, lively music, friendly games, and unforgettable photo memories. It’s the perfect way to kick off game day with family and friends!
This is a catered event, not an open tailgate lot. NO outside food, drinks, or vehicles will be permitted in this area. Tickets must be purchased in advance. You will be asked to show your tickets to gain entry.
Family Weekend Shuttles will drop off visitors at the tailgate location. The Tailgate opens 3 hours prior to kick-off with the first shuttle departing 15 minutes prior to the tailgate.
Pirate Alumni Game Day Tailgate
1:00-3:00pm | Johnson Soccer Stadium
$35.00 per registration / $15.00 per child (ages 3-11)
Sign Up on the Pirate Game Day Tailgate website.
Did you miss out on registering for the Family Weekend Tailgate sponsored by ECU Parent and Family Programs? Join the ECU Alumni’s Pirate Game Day Tailgate! Admission includes:
- Cold beverages from Carolina Eagle Distributing
- Pepsi products from Minges Bottling Group
- Live DJ, lawn games, door prizes and plenty of Pirate swag
Tailgates begin 3 hours before kickoff and run for two hours—ending 60 minutes before the game. Parking is NOT included with purchase.
Family Weekend Football Game
ECU vs. NC Central
4:00pm | Dowdy-Ficklen Stadium
Pre-purchased Ticket Required.
Join Head Coach Blake Harrell and the ECU Pirates for another exciting game. Wear your purple/gold and cheer on the Pirates as they play against NC Central! ECU Athletics has implemented a clear bag policy for those attending the game. More information about it at ECU Clear Bag Policy. Tickets must be purchased to gain entry.
Family Weekend Movie
5:00pm | Hendrix Theatre
This event is free to attend.
Blast off with fellow Pirate families for a showing of Project Hail Mary! This thrilling adventure combines action, humor, and heart as one unlikely hero embarks on a mission where ingenuity, determination, and an unexpected friendship could change everything. It’s the perfect way to relax, laugh, and enjoy a memorable movie night together during Family Weekend.
GodSpell The Musical
7:30pm | McGinnis Theatre
Tickets go on sale September 1, on the Central Ticket Office website
ECU/Loessin Playhouse presents Godspell, a joyful musical that retells stories from the Gospel of Matthew using modern music, humor, and ensemble storytelling. A group of performers explore themes of community, kindness, and forgiveness through parables, songs, and improvisation. With an uplifting score by Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, Pippin, Disney’s Hunchback of Notre Dame) that includes classics such as “Day by Day,” “By My Side,” and “All Good Gifts,” Godspell celebrates the power of love and compassion.
Fraternity and Sorority Life Family Weekend Events
All Weekend | Various Locations
Event details and participation may vary by chapter.
If your Pirate is involved in Fraternity and Sorority Life, be sure to talk with your student about what their fraternity or sorority may have planned during Family Weekend. Many chapters may have special events or opportunities for members to spend time with their families throughout the weekend. Your student can provide information about chapter-specific events, including schedules, locations, and registration details.
Free Recreation Center Access
All Weekend | Eakin Student Recreation Center
This event is free to attend.
A great recreation center for you and your family to enjoy all weekend long! Students can bring up to 4 guests for free. All children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. To learn more about the amenities, group fitness classes, and more, visit the Eakin Student Recreation Center website for more information.
Sunday, September 27
Pirates in the Kitchen
9:00-11:00am | Mendenhall Catering Kitchen
Pre-purchased Tickets are SOLD OUT.
Roll up your sleeves and join award-winning ECU Chef Michael Bluto for a hands-on cooking class where you’ll learn to make the Southern favorite biscuits and gravy from scratch! Spend quality time in the kitchen with your student as Chef Bluto guides you through each step, sharing tips and techniques you can use long after Family Weekend. Whether you’re an experienced cook or trying something new together, you’ll leave with a delicious homemade creation and memories to savor.
Your registration includes six portions of biscuits and gravy, a custom bench scraper, recipe cards, and all instruction and materials for this hands-on class. Closed-toe shoes and pants are required for participation, and aprons will be provided.
College of Fine Arts and Communication Brunch
10:00am – 11:30pm | The Green Room at the Croatan
This event is free. Registration is required. Register here.
First-year and transfer students who are part of the College of Fine Arts and Communication and their families are invited to a special brunch to meet and mingle with CFAC faculty and staff! RSVP is required.
Paint with Your Pirate
11:00am-12:45pm | Bate Building, room 1032
Pre-purchased Tickets are SOLD OUT.
As part of ECU’s Family Weekend festivities, the “Paint with Your Pirate” event brings together ECU students and their families for a creative morning of painting. Hosted in collaboration with Wine & Design Greenville, this event offers participants the opportunity to bond over art while creating their very own ECU-themed masterpiece.
Families will be guided step-by-step by experienced professional instructors from Wine & Design, ensuring that everyone, regardless of skill level, can enjoy the process and walk away with a beautiful piece of artwork.
Family Weekend Soccer Game
ECU vs. UAB
1:00pm | Johnson Stadium
This event is free to attend.
Join the ECU Pirates for another exciting soccer match at Johnson Stadium! Wear your purple/gold and cheer on the Pirates as they play against UAB!
GodSpell The Musical
2:00pm | McGinnis Theatre
Tickets go on sale September 1, on the Central Ticket Office website
ECU/Loessin Playhouse presents Godspell, a joyful musical that retells stories from the Gospel of Matthew using modern music, humor, and ensemble storytelling. A group of performers explore themes of community, kindness, and forgiveness through parables, songs, and improvisation. With an uplifting score by Stephen Schwartz (Wicked, Pippin, Disney’s Hunchback of Notre Dame) that includes classics such as “Day by Day,” “By My Side,” and “All Good Gifts,” Godspell celebrates the power of love and compassion.
Family Weekend Softball Game
ECU vs. UNCW
3:00pm | Max R. Joyner Family Stadium
This event is free to attend.
Get ready for some fall softball with the ECU Pirates! Bring the family to the Max R. Joyner Family Stadium, wear your purple and gold, and cheer on the Pirates as they face UNCW.
Fraternity and Sorority Life Family Weekend Events
All Weekend | Various Locations
Event details and participation may vary by chapter.
If your Pirate is involved in Fraternity and Sorority Life, be sure to talk with your student about what their fraternity or sorority may have planned during Family Weekend. Many chapters may have special events or opportunities for members to spend time with their families throughout the weekend. Your student can provide information about chapter-specific events, including schedules, locations, and registration details.
Free Recreation Center Access
All Weekend | Eakin Student Recreation Center
This event is free to attend.
A great recreation center for you and your family to enjoy all weekend long! Students can bring up to 4 guests for free. All children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. To learn more about the amenities, group fitness classes, and more, visit the Eakin Student Recreation Center website for more information.
Looking for activities off-campus, in and around Greenville? We’ve got you covered! Our staff has put together a short list of activities for the whole family. Options range from outdoor hiking to viewing art to mini golf!