Homecoming
At UNC, Homecoming — including Friends & Family Weekend — is more than a celebration.
Homecoming
Homecoming — including Friends & Family Weekend — is a tradition that brings our community together. Students, alumni, faculty, staff, families and friends gather to honor our history, celebrate the present and look forward to what’s ahead.
Celebrate Homecoming during a weekend of Bear traditions and connection.
2026 Homecoming - Activities and Schedule of Events
Explore UNC’s Art & Culture: Return of the Corn Mothers
Ongoing
Lydia and Robert Ruyle Gallery
Take in UNC’s vibrant arts scene during Homecoming, with exhibitions including Return of the Corn Mothers 2026, Hello, Hello, Baby and Italian Studies by Margaret Bohls on view.
GREAT FOR: ALUMNI, FAMILY AND FRIENDS, FACULTY AND STAFF
Alumni Campus Employee (ACE) Lunch
Monday, Sept. 21, 2026
11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Judy Farr Alumni Center
Kick off Homecoming week with your fellow Bear alumni! Join the Alumni Association for lunch, lawn games and a chance to connect with colleagues who also call UNC home. Come grab a bite, have some fun, and share your Bear pride!
GREAT FOR: ALUMNI FACULTY AND STAFF
Shoot for the Stars Pop-Up
Monday, Sept. 21, 2026
12:00 – 2:00 p.m.
University Center
Start Homecoming Week off right! Stop by the small pop-up, and make a star for a friend, professor or staff member to give them a shout out.
GREAT FOR: ALUMNI, STUDENTS, FAMILY AND FRIENDS, FACULTY AND STAFF
Movie at Nottingham
Monday, Sept. 21, 2026
8:00 – 11:00 p.m.
Nottingham Field
Join fellow students for a free screening of “Coco,” food and a chance to win some UNC swag! Concessions available for purchase. No external food permitted. Bring a lawn chair and blankets to be comfortable watching from the field.
GREAT FOR: ALUMNI, STUDENTS, FAMILY AND FRIENDS, FACULTY AND STAFF
Cosmic Carnival
Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026
5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Turner Green
Tuesday night’s carnival will feature carnival games and a petting zoo.
GREAT FOR: ALUMNI, STUDENTS, FAMILY AND FRIENDS, FACULTY AND STAFF
Blue & Gold Spirit Showdown
Tuesday, Sept. 22, 2026
7:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Each Residence Hall Lobby
Students – get creative with your hallmates, and help transform your residence hall lobby into a celebration of UNC spirit as halls compete for Homecoming glory. Whether you’re decorating or cheering from the sidelines, everyone’s invited to join the fun!
GREAT FOR: STUDENTS, FACULTY AND STAFF
Bear Sync
Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026
7:00 p.m.
Campus Commons Performance Hall
Enjoy the campus’ favorite and longstanding Homecoming tradition of Bear Sync!
GREAT FOR: STUDENTS, FAMILY AND FRIENDS, FACULTY AND STAFF
Space Dodgeball
Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026
8:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Lower Practice Fields
Take part in glow-in-the-dark dodgeball. Participants are encouraged to wear clothing that would glow under black light.
GREAT FOR: STUDENTS, FAMILY AND FRIENDS, FACULTY AND STAFF
UNC Volleyball vs. Montana
Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026
6:00 p.m.
Bank of Colorado Arena
Show your support for UNC Volleyball as they take on Montana! Game and season tickets on sale through the UNC Ticket Office.
GREAT FOR: ALUMNI, STUDENTS, FAMILY AND FRIENDS, FACULTY AND STAFF
MicroChill Chopped
Thursday, Sept. 24, 2026
7:00 – 8:30 p.m.
South Hall, 1st Floor Lobby
Students face off with residence hall teams in a cooking competition, turning surprise ingredients into something delicious. Come watch, cheer on the competition, and see who can wow the judges!
GREAT FOR: STUDENTS, FACULTY AND STAFF
Blue and Gold Friday
Friday, Sept. 25, 2026
Show your UNC spirit when you wear your best Bear Gear or Blue and Gold on Friday!
20% discount* on UNC merchandise – Thursday, Sept. 24 – Saturday, Sept. 26
*Discount available at the UNC Bookstore in the University Center and at UNC volleyball and football games. Not available online.
GREAT FOR: STUDENTS, ALUMNI, FAMILY AND FRIENDS, FACULTY AND STAFF
Bear Community Social
Friday, Sept. 25, 2026
6:30 – 8:30 p.m.
University Center, Panorama Ballroom
Calling all Alumni and family of current Bears! Bring your Bear crew, and join us for a fun evening celebrating the UNC community. Enjoy food, drinks, music and plenty of opportunities to reconnect with old friends, meet new ones and make memories together.
GREAT FOR: ALUMNI, FAMILY AND FRIENDS, FACULTY AND STAFF
Celebremos: Three Years of Latinx Music at UNC
Friday, Sept. 25, 2026
7:30 – 9:00 p.m.
Campus Commons Performance Hall
Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with the Latin Beat Ensemble’s season-opening Signature concert, marking the third anniversary of UNC’s B.A. in Latinx Music. Explore photography, cultural heritage, contemporary life, historic ceramics and vibrant Latinx music.
GREAT FOR: ALUMNI, FAMILY AND FRIENDS, FACULTY AND STAFF
Pep Rally
Friday, Sept. 25, 2026
7:00 p.m.
University Center West Patio
Celebrate school spirit with an evening of energy and tradition! Enjoy free s’mores while catching performances from the Sugar Bears, UNC Cheer and the Pride of the Rockies Marching Band. The event will close with a special message from the UNC Football Coach as we gear up for the big game. It’s the perfect way to rally together and show your Bear pride!
GREAT FOR: ALUMNI, STUDENTS, FAMILY AND FRIENDS, FACULTY AND STAFF
Drone Show
Friday, Sept. 25, 2026
7:50 p.m.
University Center West Patio
Look to the sky as Homecoming lights up the night! Join us at the UC West Patio at 7:50 p.m. for a spectacular drone show, featuring hundreds of synchronized lights creating unforgettable animations and Bear pride in the night sky. Bring your friends, and don’t miss one of Homecoming’s biggest traditions!
GREAT FOR: ALUMNI, STUDENTS, FAMILY AND FRIENDS, FACULTY AND STAFF
Area 51 After Hours
Friday, Sept. 25, 2026
8:00 – 11:00 p.m.
Campus Commons Lobby
Dance like nobody’s watching at our Homecoming Silent Disco! Starting at right after the Drone Show at 8:00 p.m. in the Campus Commons Lobby, grab a pair of wireless headphones, choose from multiple music channels and dance the night away. Whether you’re singing at the top of your lungs or showing off your best moves, it’s a party you won’t want to miss!
GREAT FOR: ALUMNI, STUDENTS, FAMILY AND FRIENDS, FACULTY AND STAFF
Homecoming 5K
Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026
8:00 a.m.
Recreation Center
Kickstart a full and fun weekend with Campus Rec’s annual Homecoming 5K!
GREAT FOR: ALUMNI, STUDENTS, FAMILY AND FRIENDS, FACULTY AND STAFF
Breakfast at Holmes
Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026
8:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Holmes Dining Hall
Come see the newly renovated Holmes Dining Hall.
$18.50 All You Can Eat
GREAT FOR: ALUMNI, STUDENTS, FAMILY AND FRIENDS, FACULTY AND STAFF
Homecoming Parade
Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026
11:00 a.m.
C parking lot to Nottingham Field parking lot
Show your Bear pride and join the Homecoming fun! Student groups, campus departments and community participants will fill the parade route with spirit, creativity and plenty of UNC pride. Gather your friends and family and come cheer them on!
Want to be part of the parade? Email upc@unco.edu for more info.
GREAT FOR: ALUMNI, STUDENTS, FAMILY AND FRIENDS, FACULTY AND STAFF
UNC Volleyball vs. Montana State
Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026
12:00 p.m.
Bank of Colorado Arena
Show your support for UNC Volleyball as they take on Montana State! Game and season tickets on sale through the UNC Ticket Office.
GREAT FOR: ALUMNI, STUDENTS, FAMILY AND FRIENDS, FACULTY AND STAFF
College of Osteopathic Medicine Open House
Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026
1:00 – 2:30 p.m.
College of Osteopathic Medicine Building
Step inside UNC’s new College of Osteopathic Medicine and see where the next generation of physicians is learning and preparing to serve their communities. Explore the state-of-the-art facility at your own pace with a self-guided tour and experience this exciting new chapter for UNC and our students.
GREAT FOR: ALUMNI, STUDENTS, FAMILY AND FRIENDS, FACULTY AND STAFF
Homecoming Tailgate
Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026
2:00 – 6:00 p.m.
Get ready for game day, and celebrate Homecoming with fellow Bears! Join alumni, friends and the UNC community north of Nottingham Field for a festive tailgate featuring snacks, games, giveaways and plenty of Bear spirit. Be sure to stop by the Alumni Association for a complimentary beverage while they last!
Parking: M Lot – $10, L/Y Lot – $5, Other Lots – Free
GREAT FOR: ALUMNI, STUDENTS, FAMILY AND FRIENDS, FACULTY AND STAFF
Taste of UNC
Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026
3:00 – 5:00 p.m.
Michener Lawn
Come hungry, and celebrate Homecoming with a Taste of UNC! Enjoy a variety of delicious food and beverages available for purchase, plus a beer garden and more. Gather your friends and family, explore campus favorites and make an evening of it!
Parking: M Lot – $10, L/Y Lot – $5, Other Lots – Free
GREAT FOR: ALUMNI, STUDENTS, FAMILY AND FRIENDS, FACULTY AND STAFF
UNC Football vs. Utah Tech
Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026
6:00 p.m.
Nottingham Field
Show your support for UNC Football! Game and season tickets on sale through the UNC Ticket Office.
GREAT FOR: ALUMNI, STUDENTS, FAMILY AND FRIENDS, FACULTY AND STAFF
Family and Friends Farewell Brunch
Sunday, Sept. 27, 2026
11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Holmes Dining Hall
$18.50 All You Can Eat
Wrap up Homecoming and Family & Friends Weekend with one last meal together! Enjoy an all-you-can-eat brunch at Holmes Dining Hall, share your favorite moments from the weekend and say farewell before heading home.
GREAT FOR: ALUMNI, STUDENTS, FAMILY AND FRIENDS, FACULTY AND STAFF
Where to Stay and More to Do
Stay and Dine
Check out Visit Greeley for local events and recommendations on where to eat, stay and shop.
Performing Arts
Take in the culture and talent of UNC’s College of Performing and Visual Arts.
Hot Air Balloon Launch
Rise and shine early on Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026 for the hot air balloon launch at Aims Community College.
