Kenyon families are invited to join us for a weekend full of festivities on the Hill from Friday, Oct. 16 - Sunday, Oct. 18, 2026.
Confirmed Family Weekend events are below. Additional events will be added to the schedule as they are finalized. Please contact Associate Director of Alumni and Parent Engagement Events Emily Earnest with questions. Information will also be available at the registration center located at the Alumni and Parent Welcome Center, 101 Scott Lane. Please note that many buildings and activities are available daily.
Thursday, Oct. 15
8 p.m. “The Tempest” by William Shakespeare
Kenyon College Dance, Drama and Cinema Club (KCDC) presents a production of “The Tempest.” Seating is first come, first served. View more information. Bolton Theater
Friday, Oct. 16
8:30 a.m. - 5 p.m. Registration Center Open
Stop by to receive your name badge, parking pass and additional information about the weekend, including information about our event app. Alumni and Parent Welcome Center, 101 Scott Lane
8:40 a.m. - 4 p.m. Open Classrooms
View a list of open classrooms.
10 a.m. - Noon Drop-in Watercolor Painting for Adults
This event is for ages 14+. Pre-registration is required. The Annex, 12 E. Gambier Street, Mount Vernon
2 - 3 p.m. Alumni Porch Party
Join fellow alumni and their families for a reception on the front porch of the Advancement Division office. 101 Chase Ave.
3 - 4 p.m. The Future of Public Service and Bipartisanship in Challenging Times
Join the Center for the Study of American Democracy for a conversation about the challenges of policy making in today's polarized Senate with Joseph Zogby P’30, staff director and chief counsel for the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee and Zac McGee, assistant professor of political science. Archon Auditorium, lower level of Oden Hall
4:15 - 6 p.m. Summer Research Poster Session
Scholars from Kenyon’s summer research programs and other students will present their research and creative work. Toan Track, Lowry Center
4:15 - 5:30 p.m. Family Weekend Resource Fair
Members of Kenyon’s staff will be present to meet parents and families to share how their offices work with students and answer questions. Parent Giving and Engagement, First-Year Experience, Academic Advising, Center for Global Engagement (off-campus study), BFEC and the Kenyon Farm, Community Partnerships, Financial Aid, Philander Chase Conservancy and Kokosing Nature Preserve, and Cox Health, Counseling and Health Promotion Center will be represented at this event. Toan Track, Lowry Center
4:30 Women’s Field Hockey vs. Sewanee
Benson Bowl
5 p.m. Kokosingers Concert at Rosse Hall
The Kokosingers, who get their moniker from the beautiful Kokosing River, return with their annual fall concert! Since 1965, the Kokes have been on campus providing dulcet tones and marvelous melodies to the Kenyon community. This khaki-clad chorus is happier than ever to bring these very same tones and melodies to the lovely parents of Kenyon College. Doors to Rosse Hall open at 4:45 p.m and the concert will last around 45 minutes to an hour. Come early; it can fill up! Rosse Hall
5 p.m. Family Weekend Shabbat
Come join Kenyon College Hillel for a Family Weekend Shabbat. We will celebrate Family Weekend as a community with apple cider, cider donuts and apple cake. All are welcome to join! Lawn in front of Rothenberg Hillel House, 103 West Brooklyn St.
5 p.m. Kenyon Frosh/Varsity (Intrasquad) Meet
Steen Aquatic Center
8 p.m. “The Tempest” by William Shakespeare
Kenyon College Dance, Drama and Cinema Club (KCDC) presents a production of “The Tempest.” Seating is first come, first served. View more information. Bolton Theater
8:30 p.m. IT'S ALL YOUR FAULT: Two Drink Minimum's Standup Comedy Show
Knock on heaven's door with us Friday night in Peirce Pub for an evening of delights. Eight short sets prepared by the members of Kenyon College's standup comedy group await you. Doors at 8 p.m., show at 8:30 p.m. Peirce Pub
9 p.m. Miller Observatory Open House
The Miller Observatory is open 9 - 11 p.m, weather permitting. Hosted by Paula Turner, professor of physics. Parking is limited. Event will not be held if there are clouds. Miller Observatory (Turn right from Wiggin St. onto Route 229, drive about 0.2 miles, and turn right onto the blacktop road marked by a Kenyon sign. Follow the road up the hill to the observatory.)
Saturday, Oct. 17
9 a.m. - 12 p.m. Registration Center Open
Stop by to receive your name badge, parking pass and additional information about the weekend, including information about our event app. Alumni and Parent Welcome Center, 101 Scott Lane
10 - 10:45 a.m. Session on What to Expect Next in Your Student’s Kenyon Journey
(As well as tips for how to help your student connect to campus and excel academically!) Learn about what comes next in your student's college journey — from navigating finals, to their first extended time off over the winter break. We will also provide tips for how to help your student continue to connect to campus and resources to help them excel in the classroom. After their brief presentation, Director of First Year Experience Don Miller, Dean of Students Brian Janssen and Dean for Academic Advising and Support Tom Hawks will be available for informal conversations and questions. Alumni Dining Room, Peirce Hall
10 - 11:30 a.m West African Drumming
West African Drumming Class with Ibrahim "Baba" Saani is for people of all ages. Baba Saani is a Kenyon Affiliated Scholar in Music, specializing in percussion from the West African coast. No experience required, and all percussion instruments are provided. Pre-registration is required. The Annex, 12 E. Gambier Street, Mount Vernon
10 - 11:30 a.m. Grab Your Boots and Bring Your Kin: Line Dancing with the Dance Program
Kick off Family Weekend with some high-energy fun hosted by the Department of Dance, Drama and Film! Whether you are a seasoned boot-scootin' pro or have two left feet, this student-led workshop will have you and your family stepping, stomping and spinning in no time. We will teach you simple, classic patterns set to a mix of country favorites and modern hits, no partner or experience required. Wear casual clothes and comfortable shoes. (Boots optional, but highly encouraged!) Come ready to laugh, move and kick up your heels together! Our room capacity is 40, so all spots will be first-come, first-served. Bolton Dance Studio
10 a.m. - 12 p.m. Inside The Gund: Gallery Tours with Curatorial Staff and Students
Discover The Gund as an active classroom with exhibition tours led by The Gund's education department, plus welcome talks from Annex staff and student associates. Experience a class visit firsthand in a curricular demonstration exploring the work of an Indigenous women's weaving collective in northern Argentina, led by a Gund educator and Kenyon faculty member. The Gund
10:30 a.m. Football Team Walk
Meet at the Middle Path Gates to cheer on the football team as they make their traditional walk to the field prior to playing Washington University at 1 p.m. The walk leaves from the Middle Path Gates at 10:30 a.m. and ends at the Lowry Center.
10:30 - 11:30 a.m. A Reading and Conversation with Pulitzer Prize-Winning Author Mitchell S. Jackson
Please join The Kenyon Review for a reading with Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist and journalist Mitchell S. Jackson. A Q&A with the audience will follow and books will be available for purchase and signing. Brandi Recital Hall, Storer Hall
11 a.m. Phi Beta Kappa Initiation
Denniston Reading Room, 303 Chalmers Library
11 a.m. - 12 p.m. In Memoriam: A Walking Tour of Kenyon’s Latin and Greek Inscriptions
What can Kenyon’s Latin and Greek inscriptions tell us about the College’s more than two-hundred-year history? Join Professor of Classics Adam Serfass for a one-hour walking tour in which he will tell the tales of these fascinating texts from the past that seek to speak to us in the present. Meet at the Middle Path Gates
11 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. Drawing for Kids with Sara Keith
Sara Keith is a faculty member of the Mount Vernon Nazarene University and has led drawing classes for The Annex since 2023. No experience required, all materials are provided. This event is for ages 5-13. Pre-registration is required. The Annex, 12 E. Gambier Street, Mount Vernon
12 p.m. Men’s and Women’s Swim & Dive vs. University of Indianapolis
James A. Steen Aquatic Center, Lowry Center
12 p.m. Women’s Soccer vs. Wittenberg University
Senior Day. Mavec Field
12 - 4 p.m. Fall Harvest Festival
Come to the Brown Family Environmental Center for our annual Fall Harvest Festival!
This free family event includes horse-drawn hayrides, live farm animals, live music, food trucks, pumpkin decorating, a campfire, children’s activities and more! Brown Family Environmental Center
1 p.m. Kenyon Football vs. Washington University
McBride Field
1:30 - 2:30 p.m. The Kenyon Review Family Weekend Open House
Come visit us at The Kenyon Review to get to know our staff and enjoy some light refreshments. Cheever Seminar Room, Finn House
1 - 1:50 p.m. Harmony and Cider: Music and Voice Family Meet-Up
New this year! Calling all parents of students passionate about music. Does your student sing or play an instrument at Kenyon? Join us before the music starts for apple cider, fresh donuts and warm conversation with fellow parents. We’d love to connect with you. Stop by to mingle and share your contact information with us as we explore building a dedicated parent community to support Kenyon’s vibrant performing arts programs and talented students. Afterwards, we'll head over together to enjoy the Symphonic Wind and Jazz Joint Concert at 2 p.m. Hosted by David and Heather Strong P’29. Advancement Center Porch, 101 Chase Ave.
1:30 - 3:30 p.m. Alternative Processes in Photography
Alternative Processes in Photography with Leslie Norman is for participants ages 10 years old and up. Professional Photographer Leslie Norman leads this class using primarily black and white film, as well as antique photographic processes such as cyanotype, chemigram and other techniques that do not require a camera. No experience is required and all materials are provided. The Annex, 12 E. Gambier Street, Mount Vernon
2 p.m. Symphonic Wind Ensemble and Kenyon Jazz Ensemble Family Weekend Joint Concert
Under the direction of Professor of Music Dane Heuchemer and Professor of Music Ted Buehrer. Rosse Hall
2 - 2:40 p.m. Beyond Therapy's Parents Weekend Show
Swing by the Gund Commons Ballroom to see Kenyon's premier sketch comedy group perform original sketches! Think SNL. Bring a friend. Or your family. Or both. Gund Commons Ballroom
3 p.m. Kenyon Men’s Soccer vs. University of Mount Union
Mavec Field
4 - 5 p.m. Fools on the Hill Improv Show
This is a blurb from the Fools on the Hill Comedy Improv Group. We have been asked to supply this blurb for our parents weekend show. I think we did a good job. Archon Auditorium, lower level of Oden Hall
4 - 6 p.m. WKCO Family Weekend BBQ
Join us for hot dogs, veggie dogs, oodles of condiments, great music and loads of fun. Check out our space and see our growing physical music collection. Take a peek in our recording studio/broadcasting booth or listen to our live radio shows as they happen! Bring your grill dads, cool moms, friends and even your foes – we can't wait to share this special event with all of you and your people. Farr Lawn
4:30 - 5:30 p.m. Senior Family Gathering
Join Senior Parent Capstone Gift Chairs Dave Stevenson ‘92 P’27 and Lisa Stevenson P’27 for an informal gathering of families of seniors and their students. Celebrate the Class of 2027’s final year at Kenyon with lawn games and refreshments at the Kenyon Inn. Kenyon Inn Lawn, corner of Chase Ave. and Wiggin St.
5 p.m. A Cappella Cabaret
Join The Broken Legs, The Owl Creek Singers, Colla Voce, The Chasers, Take Five, Männerchor, POCapella, The Ransom Notes and The Stairwells for a diverse musical performance. From jazz, to pop, to indie, to folk, to classical, you won’t want to miss nine of our talented groups performing all genres of music! Rosse Hall
5 - 7 p.m. Campfire and Pumpkin Patch at the Kenyon Farm
C'mon on down to the Kenyon Farm for tours, marshmallow roasting at the campfire and the pumpkin harvest. Be sure to pick your own pumpkin and take it home. Parking will be limited at the farm but it is a short and beautiful walk from campus. 20245 Zion Road, Gambier
8 p.m. “The Tempest” by William Shakespeare
Kenyon College Dance, Drama and Cinema Club (KCDC) presents a production of “The Tempest.” Seating is first come, first served. View more information. Bolton Theater
Sunday, Oct. 18
10:30 a.m. Harcourt Parish Services
Church of the Holy Spirit, 102 College Park St.
12 p.m. Women’s Field Hockey vs. DePauw University
Please silence your devices, arrive on time, and respect any other classroom guidelines.
8:10-9 a.m. Sequences and Series with Noah Aydin in Hayes Hall 311
8:40-10 a.m. Modern Democracy with Pamela Camerra-Rowe in Oden Hall 240
8:40-10 a.m. Introduction to Western Art: Renaissance to Contemporary with Katherine Calvin in the Community Foundation Theater (Gund 001)
9:10-10 a.m. Chemical Principles with Simon Garcia in Tomsich Hall 103
9:10-10 a.m. Energy in Living Systems with Kamesh Regmi in Sam Mather Hall 215 (limited seating)
9:10-10 a.m. Elementary Latin with Michael Barich in Ascension Hall 326
9:10 a.m. Elements of Statistics with Erin Leatherman in Peirce Hall L09
9:10-10 a.m. Dance Labanotation with Julie Brodie in the Bolton Dance Studio
9:10-10 a.m. a.m. Euclidean and non-Euclidean Geometry with Carol Schumacher in Hayes Hall 203
9:10-10 a.m. History of Mathematics in the Islamic World with Noah Aydin in Hayes Hall 311
9:10-10 a.m. Neuroscience with Lauren Rudolph in Samuel Mather Hall 306
9:10-10 a.m. Early Africa with Stephen Volz in Oden Hall 110
9:10-10 a.m. Ancient Philosophy with Hans Lottenbach in Ascension Hall 225
9:10-10:10; 10:10-11 a.m. Principles of Microeconomics with Jay Corrigan in Chalmers Library 320
9:10-11 a.m. Labanotation with Julie Brodie in the Bolton Dance Studio (contact brodiej@kenyon.edu to attend)
10:10-11 a.m. Real Analysis with Carol Schumacher in Hayes Hall 203
10:10 a.m.; 12:10 p.m.; 2:10 p.m. Social Psychology with Maggie Stevenson in Samuel Mather Hall 215, 201, 201, respectively
11:10 a.m. Energy in Living Systems with Chris Gillen in Chalmers Library 320
11:10 a.m. and 12:10 p.m. Microeconomic Theory with Katie Black in Samuel Mather Hall 215
11:10 a.m.-noon Early East Asia with Lin Li in Chalmers Library 200 (limited seating; discussion will focus on We will discuss multiethnic empire and China’s “Golden Age”)
11:10 a.m.-noon Foundations with Noah Aydin in Hayes Hall 215
11:10 a.m. Positive Psychology with Leah Dickens in Samuel Mather Hall 202 (limited seating)
11:10 a.m.-noon Introduction to Asian Art with Sizhao Yi in Gund Gallery 001
12:10-1 p.m. Chamber Singers with Benjamin Locke in Brandi Recital Hall
12:10-1 p.m. German Idealism with Hans Lottenbach in Ascension Hall 225
12:10-1 p.m. Odyssey: Pursuit of Wisdom with Lisa Leibowitz in Oden Hall 200
12:10-1:30 p.m. Repertory for Dance with Michelle Garcia Niño in the Bolton Dance Studio (contact garcianino1@kenyon.edu to attend)
1:10-2 p.m. Intermediate Arabic with Rima Sadek in Chalmers Library 200
1:10-2 p.m. Linear Algebra with David A. Edwards in Hayes Hall 203
1:10-2 p.m. Borders and Border Crossings with Chelle Jones in Oden Hall 400
1:10-2 p.m. Intensive Introductory Arabic with Phoebe Carter in Ascension 126
2:10 p.m. Stars and Galaxies with Paula Turner in Hayes Hall 109
2:10 -3:30 p.m. History of Korea with Lin Li in Oden Hall 110 (discussion will focus on Korean victims of the A-bomb)
2:10-3 p.m. Quest for Justice with Lisa Leibowitz in Oden Hall 400
3:10-4 p.m. Making a Life (English Department) with Sarah Heidt in Lentz House 204
Name Tags
We ask that you recycle your plastic name tag holders at the end of the weekend. You may return the holders to the boxes at the Kenyon College Bookstore (106 Gaskin).