Mustang Family Weekend 2025 - Welcomes the Community

Cal Poly’s Mustang Family Weekend is open to the community!

Cal Poly welcomes the community, alumni, friends and prospective Mustangs to campus for a weekend of discovery, learning, and fun. From Oct. 31 to Nov. 2, experience Learn by Doing through hands-on activities, lectures, athletic events, food, music and more.

Highlights include a rocket launch competition, tours of the newly renovated Kennedy Library, a robot meet and greet, Halloween-themed open houses and free bowling. Add-on events include the Mustang Corral BBQ and Cal Poly Football vs. Portland State. 

Explore how the campus has evolved, reconnect with the Mustang spirit and experience Cal Poly in a whole new way. Reach out to calpolyparent@calpoly.edu with any questions. 

 

 

Registration is for the ENTIRE FAMILY and includes:

*Add-On Events

Mustang Family Weekend registrants can add on the following Cal Poly Athletic events for an additional discounted fee during checkout. Seating is limited. Purchase your tickets today!

Signature Add-On Events:

Mustang Corral BBQ

Kick off game day with mouthwatering BBQ, refreshing drinks, and live music at the Mustang Corral! Gather with fellow fans for a festive pregame celebration before heading to Spanos Stadium to cheer on the Mustangs. (Add-on ticket required)

Cal Poly Football vs. Portland State

Experience the thrill of Mustang football as Cal Poly takes on Portland State! From the roar of the crowd to the action on the field, it’s a game day you won’t want to miss. (Add-on ticket required)

If you would like to purchase additional add-on tickets (Football, Soccer, BBQ, etc.) Please contact Cal Poly Ticket Office at tickets@calpoly.edu, or by calling 805-756-4849. A valid Mustang Family Weekend Registration must be purchased to receive the discounted ticket price. 

PLEASE NOTE

• Attendees must purchase a Mustang Family Weekend Registration in order to receive discounted add-on tickets.

Weekend Schedule

More events continue to be added to the schedule. Please check back often for updates.

Friday, Oct. 31

Check-In 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.| Mustang Way (Near University Union)

TIME	TITLE	HOST	LOCATION	DESCRIPTION	Halloween Candy?
7:30 a.m. -6 p.m.	Mustang Shop Open Hours	Mustang Shop	Bldg. 65	Visit the Mustang Shop and get all of your Cal Poly gear
8 a.m. - 5 p.m.	Exhibitions at Kennedy Library	Special Collections and Archives, Kennedy Library	Bldg. 35, 1st Floor	Three exhibitions tell stories about and within the Cal Poly community, displaying artwork and archival material from our collections.
9 - 5 p.m.	Mustang Family Weekend Check-in	Parent and Family Programs	Mustang Way	Check-in for Mustang Family Weekend and receive your complimentary swag bag! Stop on by any time if you have questions about the weekend or would like to learn more about the resources available to you.	X
9 a.m. - 5 p.m.	Self-Guided Walking Tour	Parent and Family Programs	Mustang Way	Explore Cal Poly with a self-guided walking tour! Visit our booth to receive a printed copy, or print your own: Campus & College Tour Self-Guided Walking Tour
9 - 10 a.m.	Donuts with the Dean of Students	Dean of Students	Bldg. 81 Lawn	Join the Dean of Students for a casual meet and greet. Enjoy donuts and coffee!	X
9 - 10 a.m.	Coffee and Conversations at the New Tutoring & Learning Center	Tutoring and Learning Center, Office of Writing and Learning	Bldg. 35, Rm. 209	Meet the peer educators and staff of the Tutoring & Learning Center to learn about free resources that provide students with a little “TLC” for their academic journey.	X
10:10 - 11 a.m.	Promoting Your Student's Career Success	Career Services	Bldg. 124, Rm. 117	Come hear how Career Services is working to help empower your student(s) to achieve a lifetime of meaningful career success.
10 a.m. - Noon	Liberal Arts and Engineering Studies Halloween Studio Showcase	Liberal Arts and Engineering Studies	Bldg. 181, Rm. 104	Peek inside the Expressive Technology Studios: Ghostly projections, 3D sound, robot meet n’ greet. Plus! Learn how your student can combine engineering and liberal arts.	X
10 a.m. - Noon	Get to Know Campus Health and Wellbeing	Campus Health and Wellbeing	Bldg. 27, Lawn	Stop by Campus Health and Wellbeing to meet the staff, learn about the health and wellness resources available to your Mustang, and more!	X
10 a.m. - 2 p.m.	Get to Know Kennedy Library	Robert E. Kennedy Library	Bldg 35 Front Lobby	Discover library resources, grab free SWAG, and explore a self-guided tour to learn how the Kennedy Library supports student success and engagement.
10 a.m. - 3 p.m.	Poly Floral and Plant Shop hours	Plant Science Department	Bldg. 48	Join us for our sale of honey, jams, and plants! Meet student employees and learn how to purchase flowers and navigate our online system.	X
10 a.m. - 4 p.m.	Trick or Treat at the VPSA	The Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs	Bldg. 1, Rm. 206	Come trick or treating in our office!	X
10 a.m. - 4 p.m.	Exhibitions at Kennedy Library	Special Collections and Archives, Kennedy Library	Bldg. 35, Rm. 409	Three exhibitions tell stories about and within the Cal Poly community, displaying artwork and archival material from our collections.
11 a.m.	Exhibition Tour with Student Curator	Special Collections and Archives, Kennedy Library	Bldg. 35, 1st Floor	Tour the exhibition "Chicanos at Cal Poly: Who We Are and How We Show Up" with curator and graduate student Mia Lawrence (HIST ‘26).
11 a.m. - 1 p.m.	Transfer Center Open Office Hours	Transfer Center	Bldg. 52, Rm. E30	Come stop by and see the Cal Poly Transfer Center! We have staff and current Cal Poly transfer students ready to chat with you about what it means to be a Cal Poly transfer student!	X
11 a.m. - 1 p.m.	Students with Dependents Program Office Hours	Students with Dependents	Bldg. 81 Lawn	Learn about the Students with Dependents Program, enjoy snacks and have some family friendly fun!	X
11 a.m. - 1 p.m.	Your Experience. Your ASI.	Associated Students Inc.	Bldg. 43 Plaza	Experience all ASI has to offer during Mustang Family Weekend! Enjoy live music, crafting, a photo booth, and more.	X
11 a.m. - 3 p.m.	DRC Meet and Greet	Disability Resource Center	Bldg. 124	Join the Disability Resource Center team to learn about the services offered, great tech tips for success and enjoy some delicious treats	X
11 a.m. - 4 p.m.	Recreation Center Tours	Cal Poly Recreation Center	Bldg. 43, Front Entrance	We will host Guided Tours inside the Recreation Center.  Each Tour will take approximately 10 minutes.  Tours are first-come/first-serve, no reservations needed.
Noon - 1 p.m.	Film Screening of Digitized Films and Videos from the Archives	Special Collections and Archives, Kennedy Library	Bldg. 35, Rm. 103	Screening of recently digitized films from the archives, including 1950s family films from architect William Cody and films showcasing Cal Poly students from 1930s-1980s. Popcorn!
Noon -  1:30 p.m.	Cal Poly Alumni Legacy Lunch at Mustang Family Weekend	Cal Poly Alumni Engagement	Bldg. 28	Cal Poly alumni parents and their students are invited to a special event celebrating multi-generational Mustangs. Separate ticket purchase required.	X
Noon - 2 p.m.	Building 15 Chat and Tour	EOP, Cal Poly Scholars, TRIO, LaCasa, BAEC	Bldg. 15 Lobby	Join the programs of building 15 to learn more about their offerings and rich community.	X
1 - 2 p.m.	Coffee and Conversations with RSE	Residential Student Experience (RSE)	Bldg. 108 Lawn	Come join RSE team members for Halloween treats and insight into what your students are learning in the residential neighborhoods.	X
1 - 2 p.m.	Service & College Success	Center for Service in Action	Bldg. 65, Rm. 219	How can service help students transition IN, THRU, & OUT of the university. Service can be leveraged for career readiness. Service is good for students' holistic wellbeing.
1:10 - 2 p.m.	Learn by Doing Research! How to Find & Apply to Student Research Opportunities at Cal Poly	Office of Student Research	Bldg. 180, Rm. 107	For parents, supporters & students. Learn how to find and apply to student research opportunities at Cal Poly. Meet the Director of the Office of Student Research & team.	X
1 - 3 p.m.	Student Diversity and Belonging Center Tours	NAICC/DREAM	Bldg. 172, Rm. H1-46	Come visit the Student Diversity and Belonging centers! Our spaces are open for all. Learn about the services we provided surrounding ethnicity, gender, race, and sexuality.	X
1 - 3 p.m.	Student Diversity and Belonging Center Tours	APIDA/MCC, GEC, MnM, and PRIDE	Bldg. 65, Rm. 111F & 217	Come visit the Student Diversity and Belonging centers! Our spaces are open for all. Learn about the services we provided surrounding ethnicity, gender, race, and sexuality.	X
1 - 3 p.m.	Student Diversity and Belonging Center Tours	BAEC and La CASA	Bldg. 15	Come visit the Student Diversity and Belonging centers! Our spaces are open for all. Learn about the services we provided surrounding ethnicity, gender, race, and sexuality.	X
1:30 - 3 p.m.	Mustang Familia: Spanish-Speaking Panel	Office of University Diversity and Inclusion & Parent and Family Programs	Building 65, Rm. 220	The Mustangs Family Weekend Spanish-Speaking Supporter Panel is an in-person event for those who accompany our first-generation Latino/a/e/x students. We invite parents, guardians, siblings, relatives and other mentors or friends of students to attend this event. Our staff and student panelists will represent these identities and offer insights into their experiences navigating and accessing resources at Cal Poly. Sign Up Here!
1:30 - 3 p.m.	Mustang Familia: Panel en Español	Office of University Diversity and Inclusion & Parent and Family Programs	Building 65, Rm. 220	El panel de apoyo en español se llevará a cabo durante el Fin de Semana de Mustangs y es un evento en persona para los que acompañan a nuestros estudiantes Latino/a/e/x de primera generación. Invitamos a padres, guardianes, familiares y otros mentores o amigos de los estudiantes a asistir a este evento. Nuestros panelistas de personal administrativo y estudiantes representarán estas identidades y ofrecerán información sobre sus experiencias navegando y accediendo a recursos en Cal Poly.  Sign Up Here!
1:30 p.m.	ME Meet and Greet and Tours	Mechanical Engineering	Bldg. 197, Rm. 107	Come Meet Faculty and go on tours of our labs!	X
2 p.m.	BMED Family Weekend Meet and Greet and Tour	Biomedical Engineering	Bldg. 197, Rm. 104	Please come chat with Department Chair Dr. Kristen O'Halloran Cardinal and BMED students and take a tour of the Biomedical Engineering facilities!
2 p.m.	Civil & Environmental Engineering Meet & Greet	Civil & Environmental Engineering	Bldg. 13, Rm. 118	Please come chat with Department Chair Dr. Bing Qu to learn more about the department and all our offerings!	X
2 - 3 p.m.	Mustang Family Weekend Campus Tour	Admissions & Recruitment	Bldg. 172H, Rm. H1-10	Poly Reps leading visitors on a 60-minute general campus tour. Pre-register Required
2:10 - 3 p.m.	Study Abroad 101	International Center	Bldg. 180, Rm. 107	This presentation will guide you through important topics related to study abroad, such as financial preparations, academic planning and program options.	X
2 - 3:30 p.m.	Spanish & World Languages Drop-in Hours	World Languages and Cultures	Bldg. 47, Rm. 28C	Discover opportunities to study Spanish and other world languages! Strengthen your bilingual skills, expand cultural understanding, and connect with global perspectives	X
2 - 4 p.m.	Office Hours with the Chair	History Department	Bldg. 47, Rm. 27D	Stop by for a chat with the History Department Chair—ask big questions about the past, small ones about the major, or just enjoy the sweet taste of knowledge (and coffee).
3 - 4 p.m.	OCOB Fireside Chat with the Dean	Orfalea College of Business	Bldg. 03, Rm. 213	Connect with the Dean to learn more about how Orfalea College of Business experiential learning and innovative programs are shaping future business leaders. This will include an opportunity to ask questions and learn more about the student experience.	X
3:10 - 5 p.m.	IME Department Meet & greet	Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering	Bldg. 192, Rm. 220	The IME Dept will be holding a Meet & Greet our Faculty and Staff, Short presentation by the Department Chair John Pan.	X
4 - 5 p.m.	Electrical Engineering EE Ice Cream Social	Electrical Engineering Department	Bldg. 20A Lobby	Meet Electrical Engineering faculty and staff.
5 - 8 p.m.	First Year ARCH/ARCE Model Show	Architecture	Bldg. 05, Rm. 105	The model show will exhibit three-dimensional interpretations of two-dimensional works of abstract art. Models from first year students are suspended in the gallery.	X
6:30 p.m.	Mustang Family Weekend Music Faculty Showcase	Music Department	Bldg. 45, Rm. 218	Featuring Cal Poly’s applied music faculty, who are recognized across the region for their expertise in solo and chamber ensemble performance. More information	X

Saturday, Nov. 1

Check-In 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.| Mustang Way (Near University Union)

TIME	TITLE	HOST	LOCATION	DESCRIPTION	Halloween Candy?
8 - 9:30 a.m.	Mustang Band Open Rehearsal	Music Department	Spanos Stadium	Check out the “Pride of the Pacific” Mustang Marching Band as it rehearses for pre-football game activities at noon, and kickoff at 2 p.m.!
8:30 a.m. -6 p.m.	Mustang Shop Open Hours	Mustang Shop	Bldg. 65	Visit the Mustang Shop and get all of your Cal Poly gear
9 - 5 p.m.	Mustang Family Weekend Check-in	Parent and Family Programs	Mustang Way	Check-in for Mustang Family Weekend and receive your complimentary swag bag! Stop on by any time if you have questions about the weekend or would like to learn more about the resources available to you.	X
9 a.m. - 5 p.m.	Self-Guided Walking Tour	Parent and Family Programs	Mustang Way	Explore Cal Poly with a self-guided walking tour! Visit our booth to receive a printed copy, or print your own: Campus & College Tour Self-Guided Walking Tour
9 - 10 a.m.	Coffee with the Bailey College: Breakfast and Welcome with Dean Wendt	Bailey College Dean's Office	Bldg. 180 Lawn & Patio	Join the Bailey College of Science and Mathematics dean, associate deans and department representatives for breakfast and an overview of the college.
9 - 11 a.m.	EE Activity Session	Electrical Engineering Department	Bldg. 20A, Lobby	Experience a hands-on activity session
9 a.m. - Noon	Rocket Launch Competition	Aerospace Engineering	Lower Complex Soccer Fields	AERO 121 students compete against each other with their rockets they designed.
10 a.m.	Print your own shirt! Print a sticker of yourself!	Graphic Communication	Bldg. 26-A	Come print your own shirt or tote bag using screen printing, and/or upload a selfie photo and print stickers of yourself, your dog, or whomever! Experience a little of what Graphic Communication offers! Run by the student enterprise University Graphic Systems. Additional Cost Required
10 a.m.	Debate Explained: A Watch Party with Coaches (English and Spanish)	Cal Poly Debate Team (English and Spanish)	Bldg. 22, Rm. 314	Experience the thrill of debate! Watch Cal Poly’s team battle in English and Spanish. Parents welcome, 10 a.m. until elimination.	X
10:10 - 11 a.m.	City and Regional Planning Department Q & A	City and Regional Planning Department	Bldg. 21, Rm 121A	Students and supporters are invited to participate in a Q&A session with representatives from the City and Regional Planning Department.
10:10 - 11 a.m.	Statistics Department Q&A	Statistics Department	Bldg. 180, Rm. 272	Students and supporters are invited to participate in a Q&A session with representatives from the Statistics Department.
10:10 - 11 a.m.	Biological Sciences Department Session	Biological Sciences	Bldg. 180, Rm. 114	Students and supporters are invited to meet and hear from representatives from the Biological Sciences Department.
10:10 - 11 a.m.	Kinesiology & Public Health Department Session	Kinesiology & Public Health	Bldg. 180, Rm. 113	Students and supporters are invited to meet and hear from representatives from the Kinesiology & Public Health Department.
10:10 - 11 a.m.	Liberal Studies Department Session	Liberal Studies	Bldg. 180, Rm. 261	Students and supporters are invited to meet and hear from representatives from the Liberal Studies Department.
10:10 - 11 a.m.	Physics Department Session	Physics	Bldg. 180, Rm. 262	Students and supporters are invited to meet and hear from representatives from the Physics Department.
10:10 - 11 a.m.	Statistics Department Session	Statistics	Bldg. 180, Rm. 272	Students and supporters are invited to meet and hear from representatives from the Statistics Department.
10 a.m. - Noon	Coffee with CAFES	College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences	Bldg. 156, Patio	Parents, supporters and students are invited to join the CAFES leadership team and academic advisors as we share more about our programs, student support services and opportunities to get involved. Coffee and treats will be provided.
10 a.m. - Noon	Letterpress printing in the Shakespeare Press Museum	Graphic Communication	Bldg. 26, Rm. 116	Experience the Art of Letterpress at the Shakespeare Press Create beautiful keepsakes using traditional letterpress techniques at Cal Poly's historic Shakespeare Press. Perfect for all ages—no experience necessary!
10 a.m. - Noon	CLA Learn By Doing Showcase	College of Liberal Arts	Bldg. 6 Lobby	Meet with the CLA Dean, enjoy light refreshments, and learn how CLA brings Learn by Doing to life through research, internships, study abroad and more.
10 a.m. - 1 p.m.	Marine Science Exploration	Biological Sciences	Bldg. 180, Lawn	Student-led hands-on marine science activities with live marine invertebrates or artifacts.
10 a.m. - 2 p.m.	Visit and Tour the renovated Kennedy Library	Kennedy Library	Bldg. 35	Visit the renovated Kennedy Library, and see everything we have for students and Learn by Doing. Guided and self-guided tours will be available.
10 a.m. - 2 p.m.	Exhibitions at Kennedy Library	Special Collections and Archives, Kennedy Library	Bldg. 35, 1st Floor & Rm. 109	Three exhibitions tell stories about and within our Cal Poly community, displaying artwork and archival material from our collections.
11 a.m.	Mustang Corral BBQ	Cal Poly Athletics	O'Neill Green	Enjoy BBQ, drinks, music and fun before heading to Spanos Stadium to root on the Mustangs. Add-on ticket (additional fee).
11 a.m.	Construction Management Tailgate	Construction Management	Bldg. 186, Spot 23	Join CM students and their families/supporters at the tailgate before the Cal Poly and Portland State football game.
11:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.	Pre-Health Parents & Supporters Reception	Bailey College of Science and Mathematics	Bldg. 180, Lawn & Patio	Join us for the Pre-Health Parents & Supporters Reception, hosted by the Bailey College, to connect and partner in supporting students’ journeys and futures in healthcare professions.
11 a.m. - 1 p.m.	Army ROTC Meet and Greet	Department of Military Science and Leadership	Bldg. 34, Rm. 117	Army ROTC program information with Cadre
11 a.m. - 3 p.m.	Poly Floral and Plant Shop hours	Plant Science Department	Bldg. 48	Join us for our sale of honey, jams, and plants! Meet student employees and learn how to purchase flowers and navigate our online system.	X
11 a.m. - 4 p.m.	Recreation Center Tours	Cal Poly Recreation Center	Bldg. 43, Front Entrance	We will host Guided Tours inside the Recreation Center.  Each Tour will take approximately 10 minutes.  Tours are first-come/first-serve, no reservations needed.
12:30 p.m.	Arboretum Tour	Plant Sciences	Bldg. 48X	Tour of the Leaning Pine Arboretum, a student managed 5-acre display garden of Mediterranean climate region plants and trees.
1 p.m.	Materials Engineering Lab Tour	Materials Engineering	Bldg. 41A Plaza	Take a behind the scenes tour of the Materials Engineering Department labs hosted by the Department Chair.
2 p.m.	Cal Poly Football vs. Portland State	Cal Poly Athletics	Spanos Stadium	Cheer on the Mustangs at an exciting game against Portland State. Add-on ticket (additional fee).
3 - 8 p.m.	Free Bowling	Mustang Lanes	Bldg. 65, Rm. 118	Enjoy free bowling courtesy of Parent and Family Programs. Please pick up your ticket at check-in
7:30 p.m.	Spanish Night with Pablo Sainz-Villegas & Friends	Performing Arts Center	Bldg. 6	Internationally renowned Spanish guitarist, Pablo Sainz-Villegas, invites audiences on a musical journey through Spain to explore its incredibly rich and diverse culture. Along with his trio of fellow musicians, Pablo and friends will perform iconic, evocative and romantic pieces from his homeland in a program of the most fiery pieces ever written for guitar. Intertwined will be stories and shared feelings and emotions inspired by Spain, its culture and its one of a kind music. Join Pablo and friends on this journey and enjoy the guitar as you never have before! Additional Tickets Required

Sunday, Nov. 2

Check-In 9 a.m. - Noon| Mustang Way (Near University Union)

TIME	TITLE	HOST	LOCATION	DESCRIPTION	Halloween CANDY?
9 - 5 p.m.	Mustang Family Weekend Check-in	Parent and Family Programs	Mustang Way	Check-in for Mustang Family Weekend and receive your complimentary swag bag! Stop on by any time if you have questions about the weekend or would like to learn more about the resources available to you.	X
9 a.m. - Noon	Self-Guided Walking Tour	Parent and Family Programs	Mustang Way	Explore Cal Poly with a self-guided walking tour! Visit our booth to receive a printed copy, or print your own: Campus & College Tour Self-Guided Walking Tour
11 a.m. - 2 p.m.	Recreation Center Tours	Cal Poly Recreation Center	Bldg. 43, Front Entrance	We will host Guided Tours inside the Recreation Center. Each Tour will take approximately 10 minutes.  Tours are first-come/first-serve, no reservations needed.
11 a.m. - 3 p.m.	Mustang Shop Open Hours	Mustang Shop	Bldg. 65	Visit the Mustang Shop and get all of your Cal Poly gear!
2 p.m.	National Geographic Live: Rise of T. rex	Performing Arts Center	Bldg. 6	Along the way, uncover the entire landscape—from plants to fish to mammals—where these memorable dinos reigned 66 million years ago. Dr. Lindsay Zanno is one of the world’s leading experts on the evolution of theropod dinosaurs and has discovered more than a dozen new species, including Siats, one of the largest meat-eating dinosaurs on the continent, and Moros, North America’s tiniest tyrannosaur. Additional Ticket Required

Thursday, Oct. 30

TIME	TITLE	HOST	LOCATION	DESCRIPTION	Halloween Candy?
6 - 8 p.m.	Mustang Shop Trick or Treat	Mustang Shop	Downtown Bookstore	Visit the Mustang Shop and get all of your Cal Poly gear	X
6 - 9 p.m.	Downtown Farmer's Market	Downtown SLO	Higuera Street	Enjoy SLO and visit the various booths downtown. Shop unique trinkets and try some amazing food!	X
7:30 p.m.	Christian Elliott plays The Mark of Zorro (1920)	Performing Arts Center	Bldg. 6	Set to the rich tones of the Forbes Pipe Organ, audiences will watch legendary silent film actor Douglas Fairbanks Sr. bring to life Don Diego Vega—a seemingly foppish nobleman in Spanish California who secretly transforms into Zorro, a daring vigilante fighting injustice. With exhilarating sword fights, daring stunts, and clever disguises, the film highlights Fairbanks’ athleticism, charisma, and iconic screen presence. With its blend of humor, romance, and adventure, the film’s influence has extended far beyond its time—inspiring countless masked hero stories and establishing Zorro as a timeless cultural icon. Additional Ticket Required

Parking

Please review the following instructions to access your Mustang Family Weekend parking permit:

Complimentary Parking (One Permit Per Registration)

• Click on this link: https://www.joinoffstreet.com/cal-poly-mustang-family-weekend
• Fill out Vehicle information
• Click on “Complimentary Parking”
• Enter Code:(check your confirmation email)
• Follow the remaining prompts
• Print out email confirmation

Additional Parking:

Need more parking? Select "Purchase Additional Parking" after securing your initial pass.

Parking Notes:

• Parking in Grand structure is reserved for ADA access only, please plan to park in H-Lots
• Vehicle information is required for parking permit access. Guests with rental cars are advised to enter vehicle information after obtaining their rental.
• Questions about parking? Contact Parent and Family Programs: calpolyparent@calpoly.edu or 805-756-6700.