Kentucky Museum (1444 Kentucky St.)

Free Admission!

Open Friday, September 19 and Saturday, September 20. Closed on Sunday. Visit wku.edu/kentuckymuseum for exhibit information.

Kentucky Museum

Inside the New Gordon Ford College of Business

Thank you for joining us for as we dedicate WKU’s College of Business Building and celebrate the future home of the Gordon Ford College of Business.

The dedication ceremony symbolizes the next step toward the future of business education at Western Kentucky University. We are bringing students and faculty flexible classrooms, new technology, intentionally designed areas for team projects, spaces designed to emulate real-world working environments, and more - all with the intention to transform the way we teach, how we support students and how we prepare them for careers. 

Learn More

Outside Housing & Residence Life Office; Centennial Mall 

Families/students who purchased Parent & Family Weekend tshirts and/or tailgate tickets may pick up your order during this time.

Deadline to purchase: September 9

Purchase T-Shirts

Diddle Arena 

Free Admission!

WKU Volleyball will host its eighth-annual Alyssa Cavanaugh Classic Sept. 19-20, featuring Bradley, Indiana, and Austin Peay.  

WKU Volleyball

Honors College/International Center (HCIC) Lobby  

On Friday, September 19 from 2–4 PM in the HCIC Lobby, the Mahurin Honors College, Chinese Flagship Program, and Modern Languages will host an open house for students and families.

Enjoy cookies and lemonade, explore a mini-Honors class, try your hand at calligraphy, and take a student-led tour of the building. Faculty, staff, and Honors Ambassadors will be on hand to answer questions and connect with you.

Hardin Planetarium

$15/ticket, online only

"Pink Floyd's 'The Dark Side of the Moon:' 50 Years in a Heartbeat" is a planetarium show unlike any other.  The famous 1973 album plays, but the visuals are a full-dome immersion of computer generated scenes of real NASA missions, past, present, and future.  Not a simple laser light show, these visuals convey meaning.  The nearest other place to see this show is 200 miles away.

The content is not only entertaining, but educational.  When you approach a frozen moon of Jupiter and fly into a hole on its surface, only to swim in a dark subsurface ocean, that is a very real place (Europa) that will be visited by two spacecraft in 2031.  What you see is what could be found in Europa’s subsurface ocean

With a very high quality sound system, an 18-inch subwoofer, and a volume set to 11, this is how the album should be experienced.

Note: this show will be loud. The content is not intended for young children. 

Please arrive at least 15 minutes in advance.

Purchase Tickets 

Learn More 

Martens Alumni Center 

Join our Student Alumni Ambassadors for a spooky-good ghost tour of campus, inspired by the work of WKU alumni Dr. Tamela Smith, on Friday, September 19 to learn more about the history of ghosts on campus!

Learn More

Diddle Arena 

$7.35/ticket 

WKU Volleyball will host its eighth-annual Alyssa Cavanaugh Classic Sept. 19-20, featuring Bradley, Indiana, and Austin Peay.  

Purchase Tickets  WKU Volleyball

Knicely Conference Center

The Potter College of Arts & Letters (PCAL) at WKU is turning 60 years old, and we want to celebrate this momentous occasion with you!

Join us for the PCAL 60th Anniversary Soirée on Friday, September 19 at 7 PM at the Knicely Conference Center to recognize the past, present, and future of PCAL. Attire for this event is semi-formal.

RSVP Now

Van Meter Hall

The first Symphony concert of the season!

Selected pieces:

-Weber, Der Freischütz Overture

-Mahler, Symphony No. 1, Movement III

-Schumann, Symphony No. 4

Tickets are $12.00 at the door OR

Purchase tickets online 

Purchase Tickets

Hardin Planetarium

$15/ticket, online only

"Pink Floyd's 'The Dark Side of the Moon:' 50 Years in a Heartbeat" is a planetarium show unlike any other.  The famous 1973 album plays, but the visuals are a full-dome immersion of computer generated scenes of real NASA missions, past, present, and future.  Not a simple laser light show, these visuals convey meaning.  The nearest other place to see this show is 200 miles away.

The content is not only entertaining, but educational.  When you approach a frozen moon of Jupiter and fly into a hole on its surface, only to swim in a dark subsurface ocean, that is a very real place (Europa) that will be visited by two spacecraft in 2031.  What you see is what could be found in Europa’s subsurface ocean

With a very high quality sound system, an 18-inch subwoofer, and a volume set to 11, this is how the album should be experienced.

Note: this show will be loud. The content is not intended for young children. 

Please arrive at least 15 minutes in advance.

Purchase Tickets 

Learn More 

Kentucky Museum (1444 Kentucky St.)

Free Admission!

Admission is FREE! Open Friday, September 19 and Saturday, September 20. Closed on Sunday. Visit wku.edu/kentuckymuseum for exhibit information.

Kentucky Museum

Gary Ransdell Hall Student Success Center

Have breakfast with Dean Murphy, Professor Chip, and the CEBS Ambassadors! 

Chandler Hall

Kick off Parent & Family Weekend with fresh coffee, sweet bites, and a fun-filled scavenger hunt through the new home of the Gordon Ford College of Business, Amy & David Chandler Hall!

Start at Martens Alumni Center 

Take a trip down memory lane or explore campus with a fresh perspective as you solve clues and discover Hilltopper landmarks along the way. At each stop, snap a photo, share it on social, and tag @WKUAlumni to show your WKU pride. Volunteers will be on hand to guide you through the journey and celebrate your progress. Check in at the final stop to claim your prize—and the bragging rights of completing the Hilltopper Hunt!

Learn More

Alumni Tent on South Lawn

Join us at the WKU Alumni tailgate tent for pre-tailgate drinks, snacks, and some exciting photo opportunities with a very special guest! The first 150 families to arrive will receive free beverage/snack tickets, exclusive event stickers, and more!

Learn More

South Lawn; Parent & Family Weekend Tailgate Tent

Families/students who purchased Parent & Family Weekend tshirts and/or tailgate tickets may pick up your order during this time.

Deadline to purchase t-shirts: September 9

Deadline to purchase tailgating meal tickets: September 17

Purchase Tailgating Tickets and/or T-Shirts

Adams-Whitaker Student Publications Center

WKU Student Publications will be hosting an open house, 1-3 PM, Saturday, September 20, at the Adams-Whitaker Student Publications Center for students and their families. 

WKU Student Publications

Diddle Arena 

$7.35/ticket 

WKU Volleyball will host its eighth-annual Alyssa Cavanaugh Classic Sept. 19-20, featuring Bradley, Indiana, and Austin Peay.  

Purchase Tickets   WKU Volleyball

South Lawn

$16/ticket

Bring the family and enjoy campus tailgating under the big tents on South Lawn! 

$16 ticket per person includes one meal ticket to be used at one of the food trucks exclusively for Parent and Family tailgate ticket holders, plus soft drinks/water, and a dessert. Tickets can also be used at the Fresh Food Co., for a value meal at Chick-Fil-A or Papa John's in Downing Student Union, or at Subway in Bates Runner Hall. 

Order Deadline: September 17, 2025

Purchase Tailgate Meal Tickets and/or T-Shirts

DSU Nite Class

The Parent & Family Weekend Sensory Friendly Tailgate, hosted by the RADAR Project, is a welcoming game day experience designed with accessibility in mind. This event offers a calmer, inclusive environment for students, families, and fans who may find traditional tailgating overwhelming.

Guests will enjoy food, games, and community in a space that prioritizes sensory-friendly accommodations, including reduced noise, relaxed lighting, and quiet zones. The tailgate is also an opportunity for families to learn more about accessibility initiatives on campus while celebrating WKU spirit together.

By creating a supportive and enjoyable game day option, the Sensory Friendly Tailgate ensures that everyone—regardless of sensory needs—can take part in the excitement of Parent & Family Weekend. 

Contact: Kaitlyn Eversole - sssd@wku.edu  

Hardin Planetarium

$15/ticket, online only

"Pink Floyd's 'The Dark Side of the Moon:' 50 Years in a Heartbeat" is a planetarium show unlike any other.  The famous 1973 album plays, but the visuals are a full-dome immersion of computer generated scenes of real NASA missions, past, present, and future.  Not a simple laser light show, these visuals convey meaning.  The nearest other place to see this show is 200 miles away.

The content is not only entertaining, but educational.  When you approach a frozen moon of Jupiter and fly into a hole on its surface, only to swim in a dark subsurface ocean, that is a very real place (Europa) that will be visited by two spacecraft in 2031.  What you see is what could be found in Europa’s subsurface ocean

With a very high quality sound system, an 18-inch subwoofer, and a volume set to 11, this is how the album should be experienced.

Note: this show will be loud. The content is not intended for young children. 

Please arrive at least 15 minutes in advance.

Purchase Tickets 

Learn More 

Houchens Industries - L.T. Smith Stadium

Promo Code Applied at Checkout

WKU's Sept. 20 game against Nevada will mark the first time the two programs have been pitted against each other. Come cheer on the TOPS! 

If you plan to have your student sit with you, include them in your ticket purchase. 

Purchase Football Tickets 

WKU Football  Game Day Information

Hardin Planetarium

$15/ticket, online only

"Pink Floyd's 'The Dark Side of the Moon:' 50 Years in a Heartbeat" is a planetarium show unlike any other.  The famous 1973 album plays, but the visuals are a full-dome immersion of computer generated scenes of real NASA missions, past, present, and future.  Not a simple laser light show, these visuals convey meaning.  The nearest other place to see this show is 200 miles away.

The content is not only entertaining, but educational.  When you approach a frozen moon of Jupiter and fly into a hole on its surface, only to swim in a dark subsurface ocean, that is a very real place (Europa) that will be visited by two spacecraft in 2031.  What you see is what could be found in Europa’s subsurface ocean

With a very high quality sound system, an 18-inch subwoofer, and a volume set to 11, this is how the album should be experienced.

Note: this show will be loud. The content is not intended for young children. 

Please arrive at least 15 minutes in advance.

Purchase Tickets 

Learn More 

Hardin Planetarium

$15/ticket, online only

"Pink Floyd's 'The Dark Side of the Moon:' 50 Years in a Heartbeat" is a planetarium show unlike any other.  The famous 1973 album plays, but the visuals are a full-dome immersion of computer generated scenes of real NASA missions, past, present, and future.  Not a simple laser light show, these visuals convey meaning.  The nearest other place to see this show is 200 miles away.

The content is not only entertaining, but educational.  When you approach a frozen moon of Jupiter and fly into a hole on its surface, only to swim in a dark subsurface ocean, that is a very real place (Europa) that will be visited by two spacecraft in 2031.  What you see is what could be found in Europa’s subsurface ocean

With a very high quality sound system, an 18-inch subwoofer, and a volume set to 11, this is how the album should be experienced.

Note: this show will be loud. The content is not intended for young children. 

Please arrive at least 15 minutes in advance.

Purchase Tickets 

Learn More 

Women's Soccer Complex

25th Anniversary Celebration/Alumni Game/Jersey Night
Join Hilltopper Soccer as they begin conference play against Kennesaw State for our 25th Season Anniversary and Alumni game! 

Women's Soccer

Hardin Planetarium

$15/ticket, online only

"Pink Floyd's 'The Dark Side of the Moon:' 50 Years in a Heartbeat" is a planetarium show unlike any other.  The famous 1973 album plays, but the visuals are a full-dome immersion of computer generated scenes of real NASA missions, past, present, and future.  Not a simple laser light show, these visuals convey meaning.  The nearest other place to see this show is 200 miles away.

The content is not only entertaining, but educational.  When you approach a frozen moon of Jupiter and fly into a hole on its surface, only to swim in a dark subsurface ocean, that is a very real place (Europa) that will be visited by two spacecraft in 2031.  What you see is what could be found in Europa’s subsurface ocean

With a very high quality sound system, an 18-inch subwoofer, and a volume set to 11, this is how the album should be experienced.

Note: this show will be loud. The content is not intended for young children. 

Please arrive at least 15 minutes in advance.

Purchase Tickets 

Learn More