Schedule
2025 Illinois Homecoming Week Events
Sunday, September 21
- Illinois Homecoming Run
- 9:30 a.m. – Check-in
- 10 a.m. – Run Time
- Homecoming Kickoff Event
- 10:00 a.m.
- Alice Campbell Alumni Center, 601 S. Lincoln Ave, Urbana
- Bring the family as we celebrate the start of homecoming week by dyeing the Alice Campbell Alumni Center fountain orange and enjoying a pancake breakfast.
- Hosted by: Illinois Alumni Association
Tuesday, September 23
- Arguments for Learning: Book Talk and Legends Panel Discussion
- Room 2, Education Building
- 12:15-1:15 p.m.
- This Homecoming Week 2025 event at the College of Education reflects the theme: Illinois, Where Legends Begin. Living legends of the College, including former deans Susan Fowler, James D. Anderson and Mary Kalantzis and current dean Chrystalla Mouza, will discuss Professors Bill Cope and Walter Feinberg’s new book, Arguments for Learning, covering the College’s history of innovation and worldwide impact on the field of education. Reception to follow. Please RSVP to Arguments for Learning.
- Hosted By: The College of Education
Wednesday, September 24
- Homecoming We Give Blood Drive
- 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
- Illini Union
1401 West Green Street
Urbana, Illinois 61801 - We’ve joined the Big Ten® in the We Give Blood competition! Donate blood at any blood drive (on-campus blood drives count – donate while you’re here for Homecoming!) or blood center anywhere across the country until Dec. 5. On-campus donors will get a limited-edition Homefield® vintage Illini T-shirt*
- 👉 Schedule your appointment
- 📲 Register your donation or text ‘DONATE’ to 222688 (ABBOTT) to get your tee (tees for on-campus donors only) and give Illinois credit.
- Plus, the university with the most donations wins $1 million from Abbott to support student or community health initiatives! *While supplies last. Questions? Contact Chantelle Thompson at cthomps@illinois.edu. Check out the special blood drive podcast epidsode of the Healthy Illini podcast on Spotify.
- Hosted by: DIA, Abbott and the BigTen
- Greeks Support Homecoming BBQ
- Location update:
Beta Theta Pi Lodge
202 E. Daniel Street
Champaign, IL - Hosted by: Greeks Support Homecoming
- Location update:
- Screening and Filmmaker Q & A: “The Island of the Shark: Guardians of Malpelo” with Media Alum Annie Crawley
- 4:30 p.m.
- Knight Auditorium, Spurlock Museum
600 S. Gregory, Urbana
Or register to join via Zoom - As part of Homecoming festivities, join the College of Media for a screening and Q & A with filmmaker and UIAA 2025 Illini Comeback Award winner Annie Crawley (BS ’90, journalism), with her film The Island of the Shark: Guardians of Malpelo. Crawley is an underwater photographer, children’s book author, and advocate for oceans and aquatic wildlife. Screening will be followed by a Q & A with the filmmaker. This event is free and open to the public.
- Hosted by: College of Media and Roger Ebert Center for Film Studies
- FAA Homecoming Celebration
- 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
- Alice Campbell Alumni Center; Main Ballroom
- DJ Silkee will once again be spinning a variety of music from classics to modern day hits. We are also excited to share that local food trucks will be serving up Champaign-Urbana favorites. If you plan to be on campus during this time, join us so we can celebrate the arts, the college, and each other. We will be requiring that all attendees RSVP to the FAA Homcoming Celebration to secure their attendence by September 17.
- Hosted by: The College of Fine and Applied Arts
- Global Talent Show
- 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
- Foellinger Auditorium (709 S Mathews Ave, Urbana, IL 61801)
- Get ready for an unforgettable night of international flair, dazzling talent, and legendary performances! Join us for the Global Talent Show: Where Global Legends Take the Stage, where talented performers light up the stage with music, dance, and creativity from every corner of the globe. Want to perform? We’re looking for individuals or groups to share their talent and take their place among the legends. Singers, dancers, musicians, spoken word artists, cultural performances – all talents are welcome! Fill out the talent show application form. Deadline to apply: September 1, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. CST
- Hosted by: International Student and Scholar Services; Illinois International
Thursday, September 25
- Alumni Gala (invite only)
- Hosted by: Illinois Alumni Association
- Homecoming International Day – Alum Networking Dinner
- 5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
- Venue: 1210 West Nevada Street, Urbana (AACC/IE)
- Hosted by: International Education in collaboration with Asian American Cultural Center and the Student Alumni Ambassadors
Friday, September 26
- Homecoming Carnival on the Engineering Quad
- 12:00 – 3:00 p.m.
- Engineering (Bardeen) Quad & Graziano Plaza (rain location: Illini Union Ballroom)
- Join us for a Homecoming Carnival on the Engineering Quad! Attractions include: mini-golf, mechanical bull, inflatable games, human foosball, balloon artists, a caricaturist, cotton candy, popcorn, snow cones, stuff-a-plush and other giveaways (while supplies last!)
- Hosted by: Illini Union Board
- Illini Union Discovery Box
- 1:30 – 2:00 p.m.
- Northeast Vestibule (to the left of the Illini Union Circle Drive entrance)
- Enjoy refreshments, explore historical archives, and reminisce about your time on campus. Walking tours of the Illini Union will be available, and attendees can pick up Illini-themed swag. RSVPs for Illini Union Discovery Box are requested but not required. We hope to see you there!
- Student Affairs Homecoming Celebration
- 2:00 – 4:00 p.m.
- Illini Union Art Gallery
- Kick off Homecoming 2025 by celebrating with fellow alumni and friends at the iconic Illini Union. We’ll provide refreshments, a chance to view historical archives, and reminisce about your time on campus. Walking tours of the Illini Union are available for attendees, as well as Illini-themed swag. RSVPs to the Student Affairs Homecoming Celebration are requested but not required. We look forward to celebrating with you!
- Hosted by: Student Affairs
- AHS Alumni Awards Ceremony
- 3:00 – 5:00 p.m.
- I Hotel & Conference Center | Lincoln Ballroom
1900 S. First Street, Champaign, IL, 61820 - Join alumni, friends, students, faculty, and staff as we celebrate the achievements of our 2025 AHS Distinguished Alumni Award (Jack Groppel, ’75 MS (Health and Kinesiology), Harold Scharper Award (Adrienne Albrecht, ’76 BA (Liberal Arts & Sciences), ’79 JD – (Law, Disability Resources & Educational Services) & (Adrienne Albrecht, ’76 BA (Liberal Arts & Sciences), ’79 JD – (Law, Disability Resources & Educational Services), and Young Alumni Award (Brandon Buchanan, ’12 BS (Health and Kinesiology) recipients. RSVP for the AHS Alumni Awards Ceremony.
- Hosted by: The College of Applied Health Sciences
- Homecoming Business Bash
- 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
- Business Instructional Facility
Lincoln International Atrium
515 East Gregory Drive Champaign, Illinois - Homecoming at Illinois is a time for joining together to commemorate our shared history. At our Business Bash, Gies Business alumni, faculty, and staff gather to enjoy food and drinks, share memories, and kick off the Homecoming weekend together. RSVP to the Homecoming Business Bash.
- Hosted by: Gies College of Business
- Homecoming Matcha Café
- 4:00 – 6:00 p.m.
- Japan House
2000 S Lincoln Ave. Urbana, IL 61802 - Japan House will be open from 4 – 6 pm for Homecoming on Friday, September 26. Stop by and enjoy a bowl of tea and traditional Japanese sweet at our Homecoming Matcha Café while viewing the progress of the Ogura-Sato Annex. Catch up with fellow University of Illinois alumni, friends, and family in a moment of tranquility! Matcha Café RSVPs requested but walk-ins welcome!
- Hosted by: Japan House
- Homecoming Parade
- 6 p.m.
- Starting at 4th and Kirby. The 2025 Homecoming Grand Marshal will be REO Speedwagon.
- Hosted by: Greeks Support Homecoming
- Post-Parade Party Featuring Rod Sickler’s Red Hot All-Star Band!
- 7 p.m.
- Lot 31 immediately following the Homecoming Parade
- This exciting and accomplished 18-piece band brings to you your favorite songs from several genres including Rock, Pop and Country! Featuring singers: Amy Mitchell from 90’s Daughter; Emma Lacefield of Project M and 90s Daughter; Jonathon Parrish from AllNighter; Lexi Tieffel who recently appeared on American Idol; Larry Gates from Curb Service; Deshawn Williams; and Cameron Sheets from In Bloom. Also performing, Solo Artist, Kenzie Divan. Enjoy CPBP popcorn, hotdogs and drinks from Chicago Grill, and ice cream cups from Sidney Dairy Barn’s Moo Mobile. Party will end with fireworks around 8:15 pm.
- Lyric Under the Stars
- 7:30 p.m.
- Alice Campbell Alumni Center Courtyard, 601 S. Lincoln Ave, Urbana
- Enjoy an evening under the stars with Lyric Theatre @ Illinois! Experience beloved opera and musical theatre classics performed by orchestra and singers. Choose reserved table seating or general admission and enjoy food and drinks with friends and family. Register for the Lyric Theatre event today.
Saturday, September 27
- AHS Homecoming Tailgate Party
- Two hours before kickoff
- Memorial Stadium | Grange Grove
1402 S. First Street, Champaign, Ill., 61820 - All AHS alumni and friends are encouraged to stop by our tent for complimentary food and drinks prior to the football game. Not only are we honoring this year’s distinguished AHS alumni, we’re also celebrating the Chez Veterans Center’s 10th anniversary at our tailgate tent ahead of the game vs. USC. RSVP for the AHS Tailgate Party.
- Hosted by: The College of Applied Health Sciences
- Grange Grove (and various lots) Tailgating
- Prior to and throughout the football game.
- Hosted by: Division of Intercollegiate Athletics
- Football Game vs. USC
- 11 a.m. CST
- Cheer on Illinois Football as they take on USC.
- Tickets are sold through the Fighting Illini.
- Hosted by: Division of Intercollegiate Athletics
- Saturday Night Live: Homecoming Edition – After the football game
- 6 – 9 p.m.
- Downtown Champaign; Live music stage locations:
- Market & Taylor (outside Pour Brothers):
- 6-7pm – Chris Chism & Sarah Newman
- 7:30-9pm – Sun Stereo
- Downtown Plaza Stage:
- 6-7pm – DeShawn Wolf Williams & Co.
- 7:30-9pm – Candy Foster & Friends
- Market & Taylor (outside Pour Brothers):
- Join us for a special Illinois Homecoming celebration in downtown Champaign! Among the various activities planned, guests can expect:
- LED & Fire performances with CU Circus Collective
- “Block Walk” featuring several local-artist decorated Block I’s
- Live painting by Jose Vazquez
- Projection Art by Harsh Pro
- Illini-themed photo ops
- Limited edition UIUC Homecoming poster printing with Skeuomorph Press
- Balloons by Aaron’s Party Balloons
- Live Stamp Art with Katie Weston
- Hosted by: 40 North
- Lyric Under the Stars
- 7:30 p.m.
- Alice Campbell Alumni Center Courtyard, 601 S. Lincoln Ave, Urbana
- Enjoy an evening under the stars with Lyric Theatre @ Illinois! Experience beloved opera and musical theatre classics performed by orchestra and singers. Choose reserved table seating or general admission and enjoy food and drinks with friends and family. Register for the Lyric Theatre event today.
Sunday, September 28
- Marching Illini in Concert
- 3 p.m.
- State Farm Center
- See the StateFarm Center website for the full event details and ticket sales
*Does not include ALL events hosted by colleges and academic departments