University of Vermont Parent Travel Hub
UVM Weekend 2026
UVM now combines Alumni Weekend and Parents & Family Weekend into one event, October 2 to 4. There is no football game, UVM doesn’t field a team, so the weekend centers on hockey, museum tours, and campus life instead. Here is everything you need to plan the trip.
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Start with the essentials
Early October sits inside Vermont’s fall tourism season, and UVM Athletics already runs its own dedicated hotel block for part of the weekend, a sign to book lodging early.
Official dates
UVM Weekend runs October 2 to 4, 2026, combining what used to be separate Alumni Weekend and Parents & Family Weekend events into one. Expect sporting events, open houses, a 25th-reunion celebration, and dozens of academic and cultural programs across all three days. Registration is free through the official UVM Weekend page.
UVM Athletics already runs a dedicated hotel block through the Best Western PLUS Windjammer Inn for part of the weekend. That is a real signal about demand, not a generic warning. Book lodging early.
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Registration
One simple step, plus one thing to watch for.
Register for UVM Weekend
Registration is free through the official UVM Weekend page, which also carries the full, day-by-day schedule of dozens of events across Friday through Sunday.
Some events need separate tickets
The 57th UVM Athletic Hall of Fame Dinner, for example, requires an $80 ticket purchased separately, with sales closing September 15. Check each event’s own listing for ticketing details.
When hotels sell out (and how to beat it)
Burlington sits inside Vermont’s fall tourism season, and UVM Weekend adds real demand of its own on top of that baseline.
Book now, cancel later
Reserve a refundable room today. UVM Athletics’ own dedicated hotel block for Hall of Fame weekend is a concrete signal, not a generic warning.
Check the official hotel block first
For Hall of Fame weekend specifically, a block is held at the Best Western PLUS Windjammer Inn & Conference Center; book through go.uvm.edu/hofhotel or contact the hotel directly.
Widen the radius
South Burlington and the Route 7 corridor carry more chain-hotel inventory than downtown Burlington itself. See the Where to Stay table below.
Where to stay: the parent lodging map
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This is the part generic travel sites cannot produce at scale. Every area near UVM, what it is best for, roughly how far it is from campus, and how much lodging actually exists there.
| Area | Distance to campus | Best for | Typical price | Hotel density |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Downtown Burlington | Walking distance | Closest option, walkable to Church Street | $$$$ | Low, sells out first |
| South Burlington | About 3 to 5 mi | Near the airport, more chain-hotel inventory | $$$ | Medium to high |
| Colchester / Route 7 | About 6 to 10 mi | Suburban chains, needs a car | $$ | Medium |
Rule of thumb: downtown Burlington goes first because it is walkable to everything. South Burlington, near BTV, has the deepest reliable fallback inventory.
Compare hotels and rentals near campus
The Where to Stay table above shows which areas fit your plan. Our interactive lodging map below shows live options near campus, so you can lock in a room while it lasts.
Our interactive lodging map below shows live options near campus for October 2 to 4. With UVM Athletics already running its own hotel block, compare now rather than waiting.
Booking through the map above supports UniversityParent at no extra cost to you.
No football, here’s the sports scene instead
UVM does not field a football team, so there is no home game to build the weekend around. The marquee sporting event is hockey.
Women’s Ice Hockey vs. Minnesota Duluth
Friday at Gutterson Fieldhouse, part of the annual Catamount Classroom game. Tickets are sold through UVM Athletics.
The RALLYTHON 5K
Saturday morning on the Gutterson Fieldhouse 5K loop, a fundraiser for Golisano Children’s Hospital at UVM Health. Tickets are $20, with check-in at 8 a.m.
Other fall sports
UVM’s other fall teams, including soccer and cross country, often have home competitions the same weekend. Check UVM Athletics for the current schedule.
Closest airport
Burlington International sits close enough to campus that most families won’t need a backup airport.
| Airport | Distance | Drive time | Use it when |
|---|---|---|---|
| BTV Burlington International | About 3 to 5 mi | About 10 to 15 min | Your default, and close enough that a rental car is often optional. |
BTV is close enough to campus that many families skip a rental car entirely and use a rideshare instead.
Find flights
Search Burlington directly. There isn’t a meaningfully closer or bigger regional alternative worth the detour.
Kiwi.com searches hundreds of airlines at once, including the budget carriers many sites skip.
Rental cars
A car is optional if you stay downtown and walk everywhere, but useful for reaching South Burlington lodging or exploring beyond campus.
GetRentACar compares rental companies at BTV in one search. If you would rather skip driving from the airport entirely, a private transfer can meet you at arrivals.
Things to do around UVM
UVM Weekend’s own schedule fills most of three days, and Burlington’s downtown and waterfront are both an easy walk from campus.
Fleming Museum of Art
UVM’s own art museum offers guided tours, hands-on activities, and extended hours during UVM Weekend. Always free, no reservation needed.
Church Street Marketplace
A four-block pedestrian mall with shopping, dining, street performers, and public art.
Burlington Waterfront Park
Sunset views over Lake Champlain and the Adirondacks, a paved bike path, and a classic Vermont creemee stand.
ECHO Leahy Center
An interactive science museum focused on Lake Champlain, a good option for younger siblings along for the trip.
If you are extending the trip along Lake Champlain or into Vermont’s fall countryside, these help you find tours and passes beyond Burlington itself.
Where to eat
A short, honest list. Reservations matter for Saturday night of UVM Weekend, especially downtown.
Closest to campus
The highest concentration of restaurants within walking distance, busiest around dinner all three nights of the weekend.
A short walk out
Lake-view dining and casual spots along Lake Champlain, an easy add-on to a waterfront walk.
If you have a car
More casual, family-friendly chain options near your hotel if you’re staying by the airport.
Parking and getting around
UVM Weekend spreads events across campus and downtown, so plan for a mix of walking and short drives.
Check event listings for specific locations
Individual UVM Weekend events are held across campus, the Davis Center, Gutterson Fieldhouse, and downtown venues. Check each event’s own listing for the closest parking.
Walk from downtown if you can
Downtown Burlington hotels put you within walking distance of Church Street, the waterfront, and much of central campus, which sidesteps parking for a lot of the weekend.
Contact UVM Transportation for details
See UVM Transportation and Parking Services for current visitor parking guidance.
A sample UVM Weekend itinerary
Built from the university’s own published schedule, which runs dozens of events across three days.
- Morning to midday: Admissions info session and campus tour, or the Fleming Museum’s guided gallery tour.
- Afternoon: A department open house tied to your student’s major.
- Evening: Women’s Ice Hockey vs. Minnesota Duluth at Gutterson Fieldhouse.
- Morning: The RALLYTHON 5K, or a walk down to the Waterfront.
- Midday: Church Street Marketplace, or the ECHO Leahy Center.
- Evening: The Hall of Fame Dinner (ticketed) or dinner downtown.
- Morning: A last walk through campus or the Fleming Museum.
- Midday: Head to BTV, a short drive from almost anywhere in Burlington.
What parents should pack
Early October in Burlington means cool days and genuinely cold nights, with early Vermont fall color already showing.
- Green and gold to fit in around campus
- Comfortable walking shoes for campus, downtown, and the waterfront
- A real jacket for the evening, not just a light layer
- Rain jacket or compact umbrella
- Comfortable clothes for a full day of walking between events
- Cash or a card for Church Street shops and the RALLYTHON
- Portable phone charger
- Tickets for any ticketed events, like the Hall of Fame Dinner
- A small restock run for your student (snacks, supplies)
Frequently asked questions
When is University of Vermont Family Weekend 2026?
UVM now runs a combined event called UVM Weekend, October 2 to 4, 2026, merging what used to be separate Alumni Weekend and Parents & Family Weekend celebrations. Registration is free.
Is there a home football game during Family Weekend?
No. UVM does not field a football team. The marquee sporting event of UVM Weekend is Women\u2019s Ice Hockey against Minnesota Duluth at Gutterson Fieldhouse on Friday, part of the annual Catamount Classroom game.
Do I need to register?
General attendance is free, and UVM asks families to register so they can plan for the weekend. Some individual events, like the 57th UVM Athletic Hall of Fame Dinner, require separately purchased tickets.
How early should I book a hotel?
Now. Early October falls within Vermont\u2019s fall tourism season, and UVM Athletics already runs a dedicated hotel block through the Best Western PLUS Windjammer Inn for Hall of Fame weekend, a sign lodging fills up around this date.
What is the closest airport to UVM?
Burlington International Airport (BTV), about 3 to 5 miles from campus, roughly a 10 to 15 minute drive. It sits close enough to campus that a rental car is often optional.
What else is there to do without a football game?
UVM Weekend fills three days with hockey, museum tours, academic open houses, a 5K fundraiser, live performances, and a Hall of Fame dinner, alongside Church Street Marketplace and the Lake Champlain waterfront just off campus.
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