ASU families ready to celebrate the Sun Devil experience during a festive Family Weekend

In a few days, a festival of sorts will be rolled out across four ASU campuses, promising everything from a Southwestern-style block party barbecue to exciting athletic events to dozens of family-friendly activities.

And the VIP guests expected for the three-day event? Sun Devil families.

They’re coming for ASU Family Weekend 2022, the fall tradition that brings families from across the country and around the globe to experience campus life alongside their students as they celebrate Sun Devil spirit and pride.

The event kicks off on Friday, Nov. 4, and runs through Sunday, Nov. 6. The schedule is packed with family fun, featuring events hosted by the ASU academic colleges, a variety of campus-specific activities, game-day excitement on the Tempe campus including the ASU Family Block Party and the UCLA vs. ASU football game, the Spirit Hike up “A” Mountain, family yoga in the stadium, a student art festival and more.

This ASU tradition is at the heart of the university’s mission to provide families with ample opportunities for engagement. Besides enjoying outdoor events amid the picture-perfect fall Arizona weather, families can spend quality time with their Sun Devils and learn more about their college experience.

“Attending Family Weekend is one of the many ways that our families show support for their Sun Devils. Family members can explore their student’s campus and favorite hangouts, connect with their academic college staff and faculty, and experience the excitement of a football weekend together,” said Joanne Vogel, vice president of Student Services at ASU.

“There’s really something for everyone to do during Family Weekend. We want our families to come to the ASU campus, have fun and start creating their own experience.”

Another one of the university’s missions is a commitment to sustainability. And even with dozens of events planned across four campuses, Family Weekend continues to advance a greener ASU. Increased efforts to minimize waste, add vegetarian food options, avoid using single-use plastics and decorate with reusable balloons are just a few of the ways it will be a more sustainable event this year. 

Highlights of Family Weekend 2022 include:

Academic college events: With everything from live performances and contests to culinary activities and meet-and-greet welcomes, ASU’s colleges look forward to greeting their Sun Devil families and showing off their academic accomplishments and traditions. These events provide a great chance for families to learn more about what their student is studying.

Campus-specific events: Something different is happening at each campus Friday. The Polytechnic campus has its annual Family Weekend Car Show, a family coffee break and an ice cream social; the West campus will host a Bingo and Family Feud event; the Downtown Phoenix campus will offer Fusion at First Friday, which will include games and food as part of the monthly First Fridays art walk in downtown Phoenix; and the Tempe campus has Memorial Union After Dark: Family Devils, along with a host of other activities. 

Gold Rush Obstacle Race: Early Saturday morning, families who preregistered for this Sun Devil Fitness and Wellness event will run, jump and climb their way through an obstacle course during a fun competition with their students. It takes place on the fields next to the Tempe Sun Devil Fitness Complex.

ASU Family Block Party: Family Weekend registrants will enjoy a Southwestern-style barbecue and a variety of interactive games and fun for all ages. This signature event takes place in an outdoor setting around the Memorial Union and Student Pavilion from 4–7 p.m. Saturday on the Tempe campus.

UCLA vs. ASU Football: Taking advantage of discounted football tickets for Family Weekend registrants, many will head to Sun Devil Stadium after the Block Party to cheer for the Sun Devils against their Pac-12 rival Bruins. The game includes a Salute to Service celebration, with several Sun Devil military families participating in a pregame on-field presentation. It’s a Maroon Monsoon game, so Sun Devil fans are asked to wear their ASU maroon colors to the game. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m. 

Spirit Hike: Sun Devil families can enjoy a brisk hike up Tempe Butte the morning of Sunday, Nov. 6. Taking a family selfie near the gold “A” on the mountain is a must for this time-honored Family Weekend tradition.

ASU Family Yoga: Later Sunday morning, families can bring their yoga mats to the Coca Cola Sun Deck at Sun Devil Stadium for an in-person family yoga session sponsored by ASU Family and ASU 365 Community Union. It’s an all-ages event, with no experience necessary. The yoga program will also be livestreamed, so families can join from home by registering in the ASU Family Hub.

This year, more than 10,000 family members registered to attend Family Weekend. And although registration for the signature events has closed, there are still plenty of activities open to everyone. One of those is the free Salute to Service event “Gridiron to Gammage,” featuring former ASU quarterback turned opera singer Gus Farwell, on Friday evening at ASU Gammage. 

Farwell, who made headlines singing opera from his balcony in Spain during the pandemic, will sing works from Broadway, opera and pop at an event featuring the ASU Symphony Orchestra, Gospel Choir, Sun Devil Marching Band and faculty performers. Before the show, Gammage will host a tailgate with food trucks in the parking lot for all Sun Devil families from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Bring your maroon and gold ASU gear and join the tailgate, even if you don’t plan to attend the show. While the event is free, registration is required to attend.

Other events open to everyone include the National Pan-Hellenic Council’s Step Show in Tempe, ARTfest on the Tempe campus, First Friday events in downtown Phoenix, Sparky’s Touchdown Tailgate in Tempe, the Psyche exhibit at ASU West, merchant events in downtown Tempe and more.

Visit the virtual Family Weekend schedule for a complete listing, including campus activities for early arrivals and late departures.