UW Homecoming
Taylor Wolfram
The 2025 UW Homecoming Parade.
UW Homecoming Parade
One of the most festive events of fall is the annual parade celebrating homecoming week at UW-Madison, which kicks off at 6 p.m. on Oct. 2. You can bet on a Bucky Badger sighting, music by the UW Marching Band, and appearances by the UW Dance Team and many other student organizations. It starts on Gilman Street and heads down State Street toward the Memorial Union. The parade and other activities lead up to the resurgent football team’s matchup with Michigan State, at 11:30 a.m. Saturday at Camp Randall. Find more events at uwalumni.com and wiscohoco.com.
media release: The University of Wisconsin–Madison will welcome the return of Homecoming week from Sept. 28-Oct. 3 with a lineup of traditions and events presented by the Wisconsin Alumni Association (WAA), the Wisconsin Homecoming Committee and the Wisconsin Union.
"Along with our signature events, we are excited to introduce new collaborations across campus,” said Clara Mak, Wisconsin Homecoming Committee president. “This year, we are truly celebrating what it means to be a Badger — giving back to our community and highlighting the breadth of UW-Madison, from agriculture to athletics to the arts."
One of the biggest nights of Homecoming week will take place Oct. 2. The fun will begin at 6 p.m. with the Wisconsin Homecoming Committee and Wisconsin Union’s UW Homecoming Parade down State Street. UW–Madison registered student organizations and non-student groups may apply by Sept. 14 to walk, dance, bike or have a float in the parade.
From there, community members can head over to WAA’s UW Homecoming Block Party and Pep Rally at the Memorial Union Terrace and Alumni Park, complete with fireworks, weather-permitting. The finale of the evening will be the Multicultural Homecoming Yard Show, a series of performances from UW–Madison Fraternity & Sorority Life’s National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) and Multicultural Greek Council (MGC).
“UW’s Homecoming is a celebration of Badger spirit and community, and nothing compares to the energy it brings,” said Sarah Schutt, chief alumni officer and executive director of WAA. “We are thrilled to welcome our alumni and friends back to campus. The Wisconsin Alumni Association is proud to offer a variety of activities for alumni and friends, the Madison community, and students, in partnership with the Wisconsin Homecoming Committee and the Wisconsin Union.”
Homecoming festivities will include:
Sept. 23
Letters of Love, a student opportunity to craft handmade letters to children battling serious illnesses, presented by the Wisconsin Homecoming Committee and UW–Madison’s Letters of Love. 7 pm, Hillel.
Sept. 27
Paint the Town, an opportunity for registered student organizations to paint windows outside Memorial Union, presented by the Wisconsin Homecoming Committee. 1-5 pm, Memorial Union.
Sept. 28
Cocoa with HoCo, presented by the Wisconsin Homecoming Committee. 8 am-noon, Memorial Union and Union South.
Sept. 28-Oct. 2
Medallion Hunt, a daily campus-wide scavenger hunt with prizes, presented by the Wisconsin Homecoming Committee
Sept. 28-Oct. 3
Window Display Showcase, featuring Memorial Union windows painted by UW–Madison registered student organizations, presented by the Wisconsin Homecoming Committee
Sept. 29-Oct. 1
Homecoming Blood Drive, presented by the Wisconsin Homecoming Committee and American Red Cross. 11 am-5 pm daily, Nicholas Recreation Center.
Oct. 1
Homecoming Cheese & Meat Tasting, presented by the Wisconsin Homecoming Committee, Badger Cheese Club, Varsity Meats, and Badger Meat Science Club. Free. 5-7 pm, location TBA.
Oct. 1-2
Fill the Hill, presented by the Wisconsin Foundation and Alumni Association. Bascom Hill.
Oct. 2
UW Homecoming Parade, presented by the Wisconsin Homecoming Committee and the Wisconsin Union. 6 pm.
UW Homecoming Block Party and Pep Rally, with fireworks (weather-permitting), presented by WAA, 7-9 pm, Alumni Park and Memorial Union Terrace Stage.
Multicultural Homecoming Yard Show, presented by WAA and UW–Madison Fraternity & Sorority Life, supported by the Wisconsin Union. 8 pm, Shannon Hall.
Badger Meet-Up: Hoco Edition, a social mixer for recent UW–Madison graduates, presented by WAA. 10 pm-midnight, The Rigby.
Oct. 3
Football vs. Michigan State, time TBA, Camp Randall.
Multicultural Homecoming Watch Party, presented by WAA. Time TBA, Pyle Center.
The Wisconsin Homecoming Committee will also share surprises throughout Homecoming Week on Instagram (@wiscohoco), for students on campus and Badgers and Badgers-at-heart celebrating from afar.
For a complete and current list of Homecoming events and activities, visit wiscohoco.com and uwalumni.com/homecoming.
