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Waves Weekend

Date

October 9–11, 2026

Contact Us

For student- or family-specific questions, as well as general inquiries about Waves Weekend, please reach out to wavesweekend@pepperdine.edu or call 310.506.4201.

For alumni-specific questions, please contact Pepperdine Alumni Affairs at alumni@pepperdine.edu or call 310.506.6190.

 

 

Established in 2010, Waves Weekend was created when Alumni Affairs and Student Activities combined several annual Pepperdine events into one unified celebration for the entire University community. During Waves Weekend, Pepperdine’s Malibu campus comes alive with a full lineup of events for students, families, alumni, and friends, including; Madness Village, a fun and festive carnival-like experience featuring a Ferris wheel, carnival games, food trucks, and the Family and Alumni picnic, a time when the full Pepperdine community comes together, all set against the stunning backdrop of the Pacific Ocean.

 


 

Schedule of Events

  Friday Events
Friday, October 9th
Time Event Location
9 AM–5 PM  Check-In Upper Mullin Town Square
9 AM–3 PM Parent and Family Lounge Upper Mullin Town Square
9:30 AM–3:30 PM Business Administration Division Back-to-School Day Center for Communications and Business (CCB)
10 AM–Noon First-Year Housing Meet and Greet Upper Mullin Town Square
10 AM–4 PM Alumni Hospitality Lounge Payson Library: Kresge Reading Room
11 AM–5 PM Sebastian Thomas: Always the Moon and the Sun Weisman Museum of Art
11:30 AM -1:30 PM Fine Arts Division: Theatre and Music Encore Luncheon Sculpture Garden & Juarez Courtyard
Noon–2 PM Lunch Adamson Plaza
1–2 PM Campus Tour Seaver College Office of Admission, 2nd Floor TAC
2:30 PM - 4:00 PM COM on Home - Communications Division Open House Center for Communications and Business (CCB)
3–4 PM Campus Tour Seaver College Office of Admission, 2nd Floor TAC
3:30–5 PM President’s Open House Brock House
5–8 PM Madness Village Firestone Fieldhouse Parking Lot
5–8 PM Parent Gathering at Madness Village Parent and Alumni Booth at Madness Village
5–8 PM Alumni Opening Reception Alumni Tent at Madness Village
6:00 - 9:00 PM Waves Weekend West L.A.: Networking Mixer Gin Rummy
8–10 PM Blue and Orange Madness Firestone Fieldhouse
  Saturday Events
Saturday, October 10th
Time Event Location
8:30 AM–2 PM Check-In Alumni Park
9–11 AM Alumni Art Showcase Reception and Award Presentation Payson Library, Gallery
9 AM–2 PM Alumni Hospitality Lounge Payson Library: Kresge Reading Room
9:00 – 10:30 AM Legacy Family Reception Rockwell Academic Center (RAC), Patio
9:30–11:30 AM Buenos Aires Grand Reunion Brock House
11 AM–5 PM Sebastian Thomas: Always the Moon and the Sun Weisman Museum of Art
11 AM–2 PM Family and Alumni Picnic Alumni Park
2–3 PM PeppVet Center Open Hous Veterans Affairs Office, TAC 1st Floor
2-4 PM Great Books Reunion - 40 Years! Great Books Room; Payson Library 2nd Floor
2–4 PM MBA 20th Reunion - Back to Class Session (Class of 2006) Drescher Campus
2–5:30 PM MSML Leadership Lab Tyler Campus Center
2–4 PM Campus Life Alumni Reunion: SGA, NSO Counselors, RAs/SAs Surfboard Room
2–4 PM Pepperdine Ambassadors Council Alumni Reunion Light House
2–4 PM Black Student Union/Association Reunion Rockwell Academic Center (RAC), Main Lobby
4:15–5:15 PM Devotional Stauffer Chapel
4:30–10 PM Dinner in the ’Bu Options: Howdy’s Sonrisa Cafe & Sushi, John’s Garden, Malibu Seafood, Marmalade Cafe, Taverna Tony, and V’s
5:30–7:30 PM Art-Making for Everyone Juarez Courtyard, Weisman Museum
5:30–8 PM Alumni Banquet Alumni Park
7:30 PM Pepperdine Orchestra Concert Smothers Theatre
  Sunday Events
Sunday, October 11th
Time Event Location
10:15–11:30 AM University Church of Christ Worship Service Stauffer Chapel
11:30 Following Worship Service: UCC Potluck Light House
5 PM Waves Church Alumni Park

 

 


 

Featured Activities for Waves Weekend


 

Pepperdine International Programs | Buenos Aires Grand Reunion

Sister Vero

Buenos Aires Students

In celebration of the anniversary of the Buenos Aires program, Pepperdine will host the Buenos Aires Grand Reunion at the Brock House on Saturday, October 10, 2026. We are delighted to have Sister Vero as a special guest at the reunion, where alumni will have the opportunity to reconnect with her and celebrate the lasting impact of the partnership with the Monasterio de la Epifanía. Buenos Aires program alumni, faculty, staff, and friends are invited  to return “home” to reminisce and reconnect with their former classmates. We have also added a special ticket option to registration for guests who would like to attend this event ONLY during the weekend. Entry to the Buenos Aires Grand Reunion is free.

 


 

Registration Details

 

Students

We encourage current students to take part in one of Pepperdine’s most beloved campus traditions.

Register Now!

Family and Friends

Family members and friends, reunite with your Pepperdine students as you enjoy a weekend of fun, campus festivities.

Register Now!

Alumni

We welcome home all Pepperdine alumni and look forward to reconnecting with you and creating new memories with you and your families.

Register Now!

Faculty and Staff

We invite faculty and staff to enjoy Waves Weekend with students, alumni, and the Pepperdine community!

Faculty and staff receive complimentary registration, along with four additional complimentary faculty/staff registrations.

Faculty and staff are welcome to register and pay for additional guests. 

Register Now!

Madness Village & Blue and Orange Madness Ticket

We’ve added a special ticket to registration to allow the Pepperdine community to purchase a ticket for ONLY  this event during the weekend. Ticketholders will receive a wristband at check-in and will be required to show it at the entrance to Madness Village.

 

 

Look Back at Waves Weekend 2025

Waves Weekend 2025 welcomed alumni, students, families, and friends back to campus October 3 to 5, 2025, for an unforgettable celebration of community, tradition, and school spirit. Throughout the weekend, the campus came alive with high-energy events, meaningful connections, and the vibrant excitement only Waves can bring.


Madness Village

Madness Village at Waves Weekend

The Student Programming Board hosts an annual carnival in the Firestone Fieldhouse parking lot for all students and Waves Weekend guests. 

Family Picnic

Family Picnic at Waves Weekend

Families and alumni gather on Alumni Park to enjoy a Saturday picnic with lawn games and food trucks.

Alumni Reunion and Award Presentation

Alumni honored at Waves Weekend Alumni Banquet

The Alumni Banquet brought Waves together to celebrate shared memories and lasting connections. Henning Strauss (’01), CEO of Engelbert Strauss, Inc., was announced as the 2025–2026 Seaver College Distinguished Alumnus, and Rob Balucas (’99), Chief Creator and Founder of Catalyst, received the inaugural Wave of Resilience Award.

The weekend was a meaningful celebration of community, achievement, and the enduring spirit of Pepperdine.

Read More | 2025-2026 Seaver College Distinguished Alumnus

Read More | 2025 Wave of Resilience Award Recipient 

Florence Alumni Grand Reunion

Guests gather with Elizabeth Whatley at Florence Grand Reunion

The Florence Grand Reunion brought together over 300 alumni and friends for a joyful celebration of 40 years of the Pepperdine Florence Program. From Elizabeth Whatley’s heartfelt remarks to shared stories and laughter, the weekend reminded us of the lasting impact of the Florence experience. Special thanks to Elizabeth Whatley for her inspiring leadership and dedication to the spirit of la dolce vita that continues to unite our community.

We’re excited to continue the Florence celebration in Summer 2026 with the Pepperdine International Travel trip to Florence—register today!

Connect with Florence Alumni  


 

 


 

Celebrate With Us on Social

Use #WavesWeekend on your social posts to share the fun.

Students on a carnival swing
Student slam dunking over another student
Students sitting in Alumni Park
Ferris wheel lit up at night