What’s Happening in State College, on Campus for Penn State’s 2026 Homecoming Week? Here’s the Full Schedule

Penn State’s annual Homecoming celebration will return to University Park next week with a full slate of community events leading up to the Nittany Lion football team’s matchup against Wisconsin.

Homecoming Week will run from Sunday, Sept. 20 through Sunday, Sept. 27 under the theme “With Lions’ Pride, Generations Thrive,” bringing students, alumni and community members together for a series of events across campus and downtown State College.

The week will feature the annual Allen Street Jam, carnival, dance competition, pep rally, Alumni Ice Cream Social and Homecoming Parade, along with two new events this year: the Old Coaly 2K and an alumni networking event.

Here’s what’s coming to University Park and State College for Homecoming Week:

Sunday, Sept. 20 

Homecoming Week begins with a student wiffle ball tournament from 1 to 4 p.m. at Bigler Field.

Participants can register individually or as teams of up to eight people. Prizes will be awarded following the tournament. 

Monday, Sept. 21

The Allen Street Jam will bring Homecoming festivities into downtown State College from 3 to 7 p.m.

The event will feature local business, food, free games, prizes and opportunities to meet the Homecoming Court. Penn State student organizations will begin live performances around 6 p.m.

Tuesday, Sept. 22

Penn State will celebrate its history with “Past 2 Present” from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. at Old Main Plaza.

The event will include games, live performances, cotton candy, popcorn, cake and a sign shop. Student organizations will also highlight their histories and connections to the university community.

Later that night, the annual For the Glory Dance Competition will take place from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Schwab Auditorium.

Dance organizations from across campus will compete, with the winning group earning an opportunity to perform during THON Weekend. 

Wednesday, Sept. 23 

The Best of Penn State Carnival will take over the HUB Lawn from noon to 5 p.m. The event will feature student organization booths, inflatable rides, caricatures and free food.

The Opulence Drag Show will follow from 7 to 9 p.m. at Basement NightClub.

Thursday, Sept. 24

The Paul Robeson Cultural will host the Pride in Our Community Pep Rally at 6 p.m. at the HUB Monumental Staircase.

The event will feature student dancing, stepping and cheering as the Penn State community comes together ahead of the weekend.

Friday, Sept. 25

Friday will feature several of the week’s biggest Homecoming events.

The Alumni Ice Cream Social will run from 1 to 3 p.m. at the Hintz Alumni Center. The free event is open to the Penn State community and will include free ice cream and performances from the Alumni Blue Band.

A new event, the Old Coaly 2K, will begin at 5:30 p.m. along the Homecoming parade route. Participants will run roughly half of the route before the parade begins, while learning more about Old Coaly and taking part in the Homecoming festivities.

The Homecoming Parade will follow from 6 to 9 p.m., traveling through University Park and downtown State College.

The parade will feature student organizations, alumni groups, community members and other participants. It remains one of Penn State’s longest-running Homecoming traditions.

Following the parade, the Lion Ambassadors will host Guard the Lion Shrine at the Nittany Lion Shrine. The annual event will include entertainment, guest speakers, free food, games and other activities. 

The tradition dates to November 1966, when Syracuse students came to campus ahead of the Penn State-Syracuse game and covered the Lion Shrine in orange paint. The prank followed an earlier stunt by Sue Paterno, then the wife of Penn State football coach Joe Paterno, who secretly put water-soluble orange paint on the shrine with a friend that same week. 

The vandalism led to the annual tradition of Penn Staters, along with members of ROTC, gathering to protect the shrine during Homecoming.

Saturday, Sept. 26

Homecoming Week will reach its peak Saturday when Penn State welcomes Wisconsin to Beaver Stadium for the annual Homecoming football game. 

The Nittany Lions and Badgers will kick off at 5 p.m. with the game streaming on Peacock. It will be Penn State’s first 5 p.m. kickoff of the 2026 season. 

The game will also feature Penn State’s fifth Helmet Stripe, with fans in designated sections wearing blue and white to create the appearance of a Penn State helmet from above. 

Penn State’s Homecoming Court and grand marshals will be recognized during the game, while the university also will honor its 2026-27 Guide State Forward award winners. 

Sunday, Sept. 27 

Homecoming Week will wrap up Sunday with a new Alumni Networking Event from noon to 2 p.m. at Lions Lair in the HUB-Robeson Center. 

The event is intended to connect current students with Penn State alumni. Students can attend for free, while alumni admission is $10.