CIA Family Weekend
CIA Family Weekend is back—a flavorful fall celebration where students, family, and food come together for a weekend that’s pure CIA energy.
CIA Family Weekend 2026
October 9–11, 2026
Hyde Park, NY Campus
Back by popular demand for its second year running, CIA Family Weekend returns this fall.
This is your chance to see what life at CIA really looks like—on the line, on the field, and across the campus your student now calls home.
Join us October 9–11, 2026, for a weekend packed with connection, competition, and celebration alongside the community that makes this place sizzle.
Come see the kitchens, meet faculty, staff, and fellow CIA families, feel the energy, and experience the pride your student carries every day in their chef whites.
Family Weekend Registration
- Registration is required for each family member or guest attending CIA Family Weekend.
- Registration is $70 per person (age 13+) with all-inclusive access to the Family Weekend programming and activities as outlined in the final event schedule, including all demos, workshops, tastings, campus tours, entertainment, welcome reception, family lunch, and Chili Cook-Off.
- Reduced registration for Youth (age 6–12) is $45, and children age 5 and under are free but must be registered for an accurate headcount.
- Current CIA students are included in their family’s registration (no fee) and their information will be collected during the registration process.
- Registered guests will receive a welcome packet, a Family Weekend event wristband, and Family Weekend swag at check-in. A Family Weekend wristband is required for most events.
What’s on the Weekend Menu?
Explore campus, connect with the CIA community, and discover the people, places, and experiences that shape life at CIA. There’s something for everyone to enjoy throughout the weekend!
Signature Events
Campus Tours and Live Demos
Date: Saturday and Sunday
Families will have opportunities to experience CIA in action through live demonstrations, tastings, interactive sessions, and campus tours.
Home Soccer Match and Family Lunch
Date: Saturday, October 10 | Time: 1–3:30 p.m.
Cheer on the Steels and enjoy a catered lunch with fellow CIA families.
Eastdale Alumni Experience
Date: Saturday, October 10 | Time: 4:30–7:30 p.m.
Sample offerings from CIA alumni-owned businesses at Eastdale Village Town Center (offsite), enjoy live music, and hear alumni share their stories while exploring one of the Hudson Valley’s premier destinations.
Chili Cook-Off and Biergarten
Date: Sunday, October 11 | Time: 1–4 p.m.
Sample, vote, and help crown this year’s scholarship-winning chili champions. Award-winning student-brewed beers will be available for purchase in the Biergarten.
Visit The Egg at the Student Commons
Date: Friday–Sunday
Meet up with family and friends in one of campus’s most popular gathering spaces. A wide variety of dining choices, coffee, craft beer, and snacks are available for purchase. Open Friday until 10 p.m. and Saturday–Sunday, 9 a.m.–9 p.m.
CIA Restaurant Reservations
Date: Friday–Saturday, lunch and dinner seating available
No visit to CIA is complete without experiencing our award-winning student-run restaurants, where the kitchen is the classroom! We encourage families to make reservations early, as availability is limited and demand is high during Family Weekend.
To make a restaurant reservation: Contact the CIA Restaurant Group: 845-905-4533 or [email protected]. Seats will be held exclusively for Family Weekend guests through September 12, 2026.
Please note: Dining at CIA restaurants requires a separate reservation and additional purchase. Restaurant meals are not included with Family Weekend registration. CIA is a cashless campus. Credit cards, debit cards, and mobile payment options are accepted.
Step into CIA life with live cooking demos, tastings, tours, and hands-on sessions.
Turn up the heat at our signature Chili Cook-Off.
Savor the thrill of the game and cheer on the Steels!
Prepare for Your Visit
Travel Directions
The college is located at 1946 Campus Drive (Route 9), Hyde Park, NY 12538-1499.
Parking on Campus
Recommended Parking for Family Weekend.
- Layer Cake Parking Lot, Chocolate and Vanilla
- Champagne Parking Lot
Note that campus traffic and parking limits will be in place for runner safety during the annual Run for Your Knives™ 5K from 9–11 a.m. on Saturday, October 10; early arrival is recommended.
Interactive Campus Map
Where to Stay
Here are a few of our preferred hotel partners with exclusive discount Family Weekend room blocks. Please contact the hotel directly to book rooms based on current availability.
Courtyard by Marriott Poughkeepsie
2641 South Road #9
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
845-485-6336
marriott.com
Miles from CIA: 6.5
Residence Inn by Marriott Poughkeepsie
2525 South Road
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
845-463-4343
marriott.com
Miles from CIA: 6.5
Hyatt Place Poughkeepsie
2165 South Road
Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
845-632-3100
hyatt.com
Miles from CIA: 9.5
Additionally, you’ll find a variety of lodging options throughout the Hudson Valley; see our list of additional hotel and travel recommendations.
Get a Taste of CIA—On-Campus Restaurants and Alumni Spots
Enjoy an unforgettable meal at one of our award-winning, on-campus restaurants, where our talented students bring their skills to the table. You can check availability by calling 845-905-4533 or emailing [email protected].
Please note: Dining at CIA restaurants requires a separate reservation and restaurant meals are not included with Family Weekend registration. CIA is a cashless campus. Credit cards, debit cards, and mobile payment options are accepted.
Prefer to explore the local scene? We’ve also rounded up some favorite local spots run by CIA alumni. Explore the full list (PDF), or pick a few and be sure to visit their websites for menus and hours.
Off-Campus Exploration
Beyond campus, Dutchess County is packed with unforgettable experiences for the whole crew—think scenic hikes, apple and pumpkin picking, local craft beverage destinations, free things to do and fun for every member of the family.
Please note:
CIA is a cashless campus—credit/debit cards and mobile payment options are accepted.
To help us plan the best possible experience, all CIA Family Weekend ticket and merchandise purchases are non-refundable. We appreciate your understanding!
CIA is a not-for-profit college, and more than 90% of our students receive scholarships and other forms of financial aid. Your patronage helps support this important priority, ensuring students can realize their dreams of attending the world’s premier culinary college.
The Culinary Institute of America
1946 Campus Drive
Hyde Park, NY 12538