Family Weekend

September 11 & 12, 2026

A family smiles together during Longwood Family Weekend, with campus tents and visitors gathered behind them.

Two people smile together in Longwood gear during Family Weekend, with vendors and campus visitors in the background.

Elwood poses with a smiling family during Longwood Family Weekend, with a food truck and campus guests in the background.

Get ready for a weekend full of fun, family and friendship.

Please register using the following link:

Register now!

There is no registration fee to attend Family Weekend, however registration is still encouraged. By registering, you'll help us stay connected and ensure you have the best possible experience during your visit. Your registration allows us to know how many families and guest we are welcoming to campus, communicate important schedule updates, and share information about future family engagement opportunities. We look forward to welcoming you and your guest to Family Weekend! Please note there may be a cost for certain events included in schedule.

WEEKEND EVENTS

THURSDAY, SEP. 10

FRIDAY, SEP. 11

  • 4 - 7 p.m.
    • Family Weekend Welcome & Check-In | Upchurch University Center
      • Join our Family Weekend Team, Parent & Engagement Coordinator, Cally Vogel, and VP for Student Affairs, Cam Patterson, to receive your welcome packet. We are excited to welcome you as you begin your weekend on campus at Longwood and in Farmville.
  • 5 - 8 p.m.
    • Enjoy Farmville & Dinner on Your Own
      • Explore dinner on your own. Farmville has a diverse dining scene. Whether you’re in the mood for Southern comfort food, international cuisine, or a casual bite, Farmville offers a variety of options to suit every palate. You can find a list of area restaurants at VisitFarmville.com, which includes local favorites like North Street Press Club, The Fishin’ Pig, Pino’s, Macado’s, Charley’s Waterfront Café, Bandidos, Savour, Bamboo Bistro, and many more! Check your welcome packet for some coupons and specials.

 

Friday Evening Activities on Campus and in Downtown Farmville, Virginia:

  • 6 - 8 p.m.
    • Farmville Fridays | Riverside Park (Downtown Farmville)
      • Farmville Fridays is where small-town charm meets big-time fun. This event brings the community together with live music from local artists, delicious local food trucks, shopping with local vendors, and family-friendly vibes. It’s more than just an event — it’s a celebration of all things Farmville. Stop by our Family Weekend tent and meet members of the Longwood University Parents Council.
  • 8:30 p.m.
    • Movie Night | High Street Theatre (Located at 102 High Street in Downtown Farmville)
      • The High Street Theatre is Longwood University’s home for cult, classic, foreign, indie, arthouse, and documentary films. The theatre hosts weekly Friday and Saturday night screenings during the academic year, as well as unique one-off events and film festivals. Vive le cinema!
        *The film will be announced later this summer*
  • 8:15 - 10:15 p.m.
    • Game Night! | Upchurch University Center, Soza Ballroom
      • Join us for an evening of friendly competition, laughter, and community at our Family Weekend Game Night, featuring BINGO hosted by the Office of Residential & Commuter Life! Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a first-time player, you’re in for a great time as we call out the numbers and celebrate!

SATURDAY, SEP. 12

  • 9 a.m. - 11:30 a.m.
    • Registration | Dorrill Dining Hall Lobby
  • 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
    • Brunch at D-Hall, WMLU DJ, & Campus Roundtables
      • Join us for brunch at D-Hall. D-Hall will have all of your favorites, including omelets, waffles, and so much more. Families will have an opportunity to tour our newly renovated Dining Hall and engage with Longwood Dining Staff about our various campus and retail locations. Staff members from various departments will also share about important programs and initiatives, along with opportunities for engagement. Families will be required to pay the individual meal cost per person upon entering the Dining Hall.
  • 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
    • Heart of Virginia Festival | Downtown Farmville
      • The Heart of Virginia Festival will include fine arts, food (lots of food), crafters, activities for the children, music, and more. Visit heartofvirginia.org for more information.
        From 9 a.m. – 12 noon, make your way to the Longwood Athletics booth in front of the Colonnades! Snap a photo with Elwood, meet our amazing student-athletes, and grab some Lancer spirit swag. From 11 a.m. to 12 noon, don’t miss your chance to meet Longwood Basketball Head Coaches Ronnie Thomas and Erika Lang-Montgomery for photos, autographs, and fun for the whole family. A perfect stop during your Heart of Virginia Festival morning!

 

Engage with some Activities on Campus:

  • 12 noon
    • Seed Innovation Hub Tour & Demonstration | Longwood Landings
      • Step into the future of creativity and entrepreneurship at Longwood’s newest facility – the SEED Innovation Hub. During Family Weekend, enjoy a guided tour and live demonstration showcasing the cutting-edge tools and collaborative spaces that empower students and community members to transform ideas into reality. This space includes Makerspaces, Digital Media Studio, Computer Labs, and Co-Working areas.
  • 1 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.
    • Longwood Music Showcase | Jarman Auditorium
      • Longwood’s Music Department helps to prepare the next generation of musical leaders by developing a solid theoretical and historical foundation, participating in individual and group performances, and leading on the stage and behind the scenes. Join our Music Department as our students show off their talent.
  • 1 p.m. – 3 p.m.
    • Pottery Class w/ Professor Adam Paulek | Bedford Hall
      • Experience the art of ceramics in a hands-on pottery class led by Longwood University Professor Adam Paulek and the Student Pottery Club. Held in the Bedford Hall Art Studio, this session offers the opportunity for you to create your own ceramic piece under expert guidance.
        *Pre-Registration Required* *Separate Registration Fee* *35 person capacity*
        Registration for this event will open on August 10th

 

Saturday Evening Entertainment

  • 8 p.m. (Doors open at 7:30 p.m.)
    • The Evasons Mentalist Duo | Jarman Auditorium

      • Experience strong emotional reactions, laughter, amazement, and a real sense of connection. You and your guests won’t just sit back and watch the show. In no time, everyone will be eagerly participating in interactive, mind-blowing Second Sight and ESP. And don’t be surprised if you and those around you react in ways you’ve never imagined! Tessa’s spot-on powers of perception are so captivating, you might gasp with surprise.

        The show will be family-friendly, so guests of all ages are welcome.

 

Visit Farmville: Your Afternoon Adventure Awaits

  • 11 a.m. - 5 p.m.
    • Longwood Center for the Visual Arts | 129 N. Main Street
      • The Longwood Center for the Visual Arts is a nationally accredited art museum that provides a collaborative forum for students and faculty.
  • 12 noon - 4 p.m.
    • Robert Russa Moton Museum | 900 Griffin Blvd
      • Moton Museum, affiliated with Longwood University, is a beacon of Civil Rights History. Join us and engage with the permanent exhibition Moton School Story: Children of Courage. Learn about our community’s involvement in the historic Brown v. Board of Education decision, along with the decision made by our county in 1959 to close public schools for five years in order not to have to comply with the decision. Tours of the Moton permanent exhibit are available to visitors.
  • September 13, 2 p.m.
    • Longwood Women’s Soccer vs UMBC | Lancer Field
      • Stay an extra day and join the Longwood Women’s Soccer Team as they take on UMBC at Lancer Field! Visit longwoodlancers.com for a complete and updated schedule of all Longwood Athletics events.

The Schedule is Subject to Change.

DINING & LODGING

DINING

Students at Macados in Farmville - Group of students sits around a table eating chips and salsa at a restaurant. Water cups and soft drinks sit on the table as people talk and smile. Warm wood-paneled interior and daylight from windows frame the scene. Hands reach for chips while conversation continues across the table.

You can find a list of area restaurants at VisitFarmville.com, which includes North Street Press Club, The Fishin’ Pig, Macado’s, Charley’s Waterfront Cafe, Bandidos, Savour, Bamboo Bistro and many more! On-campus options include the Longwood dining hall, FarmGrill and Panda Express.

LODGING

Holiday Inn Express - Farmville - Exterior of the Holiday Inn Express & Suites building under a bright, partly cloudy sky. The four-story hotel has red and tan panels with rows of windows. A covered entrance canopy extends toward an empty parking lot. Holiday Inn Express & Suites signs are mounted near the roofline.

While on-campus lodging will not be available for Family Weekend guests, Farmville offers a wide array of hotels and housing options. You can find a comprehensive list of places to stay at VisitFarmville.com.

WEEKEND FAQ