Cornell Homecoming Spirit Week!
2023 Cornell Homecoming Spirit Week! ?
Homecoming Spirit Week is a series of events celebrating Cornell pride and traditions, leading up to the big Homecoming Weekend! Join us each day -- and don't forget to show off your Cornell pride! Events are free to attend unless otherwise stated. Spirit Week is organized by the Campus Activities Office, Alumni Affairs & Development, and Student & Campus Life.
Follow and tag @cornellactivities on Instagram wearing Cornell gear or at a Spirit Week event to be entered into a raffle for Cornell Store prizes! We will announce winners after Homecoming weekend.
Yell Cornell Passport
Looking for one of those coveted FREE Yell Cornell sweatshirts to wear to the Homecoming game?! This year you can get yours by participating in Spirit Week throughout the week, taking photos, and submitting it in your RSVP digital passport!
- Take one (1) photo in each of the three (3) categories listed on the passport page.
- Submit your RSVP to this event and attach your 3 photos by Friday 9/29 8:59am EST.
- An email will go out to all passport holders after Friday 9am unlocking the central campus location of the sweatshirt at noon!
Homecoming Spirit Week Events Calendar
Click here for a complete list of events happening during Spirit Week and Homecoming Weekend.
Mon 9/25 12-2pm: Show Off Your Big Red Pride!
? (Passport event) Come on out and kick-off the Cornell Homecoming Spirit Week! Come dressed in your Cornell Pride! Stop by Ho Plaza between 12-2pm on Monday, September 25th in your Cornell gear, take photos at our various photo booths, enter the chance at some Cornell giveaway raffles, and more. You must be showing Cornell pride to be entered into any giveaway!
Tue 9/26 5-6pm: Big Red Chalk Challenge!
? (Passport event) Join Class Councils during Homecoming Spirit Week for second annual Big Red Chalk Challenge on Ho Plaza Tuesday, September 26 from 5pm - 6pm! Winners get the chance to win Bookstore gift certificates! Full details for participating are at the RSVP above.
Tue 9/26 7pm: Women’s Soccer game
Wed 9/27 5:30-7pm: Prep Your Big Red Pep for Homecoming
Join the Alumni Affairs Student Engagement Committee (AASEC) for Prep Your Big Red Pep for Homecoming! Come and get crafty with making some Big Red arts and crafts. Make some friendship bracelets, paint canvas, or your own customize pin! Get here early before supplies run out.
Wed 9/27 8pm: Movies on the Arts Quad: Bring It On (2000)
? (Passport event) Join us for a Cornell tradition during Cornell Homecoming Spirit Week! MOTAQ on Thursdays at the start of the fall semester and end of the spring semester. We are opening seating at 7:30pm, with the film starting at 8pm. Bring your blankets, hoodies, and friends -- it sometimes gets cold out! Hosted by Class Councils, CU Tonight, and Campus Activities. Alumni Affairs & Development will be there handing out glowsticks!
Wed 9/27 8pm: Bond-fire on the Arts Quad
? (Passport event) Join CU Tonight Commission on the arts quad for s'mores, snacks, and to relax! The bonfire will be happening on the arts quad at the same time as Class Council's Movies on the Arts Quad screening.
Thu 9/28 5:30-7pm: Spirit Week Parade & Plaza Party!
? (Passport event) This year, Class Councils is reviving a Cornell tradition that dates back to 1901's "Spring Day" (that eventually turned into Slope Day!): a parade through the arts quad that celebrates our incredible student organizations. Student organizations and performance groups will be parading through the arts quad and ending on Ho Plaza for a celebration. Immediately following the parade, there will be plenty of giveaways and food to celebrate the start of Homecoming Weekend!
5:30pm - parade starts in front of White Hall, goes through the arts quad, and ends on Ho Plaza
Follow the parade to Ho Plaza for a Spirit Week celebration until 7pm! Free sand art, popcorn, light snacks, and giveaways!
Fri 9/29 12pm: FREE Yell Cornell Sweatshirt Giveaway
(Passport event) You must complete the digital passport by Friday 9/29 9am to unlock the location of the FREE Yell Cornell sweatshirts! The CampusGroups event RSVP requires you to submit all photos. Staff will be checking submissions and QR code at the door!
Fri 9/29 5-6pm: Class of 2027 Class Photo
Class of 2027 event! Join us for a class year tradition during Homecoming! Your classmates and you will take your official class photo in formation (spelling out 2027 in classmates). Join us for your class photo, head to dinner, then we will see you at the Fireworks show. Become a part of Cornell history!
Free Cornell beanie give-away and free hot cocoa, while supplies last.
Fri 9/29 7pm: Volleyball v. Dartmouth
Fri 9/29 doors open 7:45pm; be seated by 8:30pm: Fireworks and Laser Light Show
Bring your Cornell student ID card to swipe into the event. This will be your ticket to get in! Come to Schoellkopf Stadium as we'll light up the sky and celebrate the spirit of Cornell. Doors open at 7:45 p.m. and starting 8:00 p.m., DJ Chris Washburn will keep you entertained and dancing. The fireworks kicks off at 8:30 p.m.
This event is free of charge. Bring your Cornell student ID to be checked at the stadium student Gates 1-5 from the Crescent parking lot.
NO BAGS (e.g. backpacks/purses/canvas totes/fanny packs). A clear bag policy will be followed at all Cornell Athletics ticketed events and will only be checked at Gate 5.
Sat 9/30 10am-11am: CUeLINKS Live! Student & Alumni Breakfast at Homecoming
Join us before Fan Festival for breakfast and conversation with alumni from different class years, regions, and professional industries! This casual but structured event will allow you to meet alumni and talk about Cornell, career interests, life advice, or anything else that's on your mind. Alumni attendees are members of the CUeLINKS networking platform, so you'll get a list of attendees and will be able to follow up with anyone you connect with. RSVP required at the link above; max capacity of 75 attendees!
Sat 9/30 11am-2pm: Homecoming Big Red Fan Festival
Undergraduate and graduate students join us for carnival games, music, food, college showcases, performances by student groups, giveaways, and more!
Stop by the student area for your free food tickets and pick-up a free Cornell t-shirt (only eligible for Cornell students) at this event for the first 3000 attendees! This event is free of charge, but student attendees will need to check in at the student tent to receive their t-shirt and food tickets!
Sat 9/30 2-5pm: Homecoming Football Game vs. Colgate
Cheer for the Big Red as they take on the Colgate Raiders Saturday Afternoon!
Admission to the Homecoming football game is included with your Big Red Sports Pass. Cornell students can secure one (1) general admission ticket for the game beginning September 26th. Learn more here.
Note: Attendees must follow Schoellkopf Stadium’s clear bag policy. Please allow adequate time for admission.
Sat 9/30 TBD: Men’s and Women’s Rowing vs Schwartz Cup
Sat 9/30 4pm: Men’s Soccer vs Brown University
Sat 9/30 5pm: Volleyball vs Harvard
Sat 9/30 6pm: Women’s Ice Hockey vs University of Ottawa
Sat 9/30 7pm: Homecoming Concert feat. Yves Tumor
The Cornell Concert Commission is excited to present Yves Tumor performing our Homecoming Show on Saturday, September 30th at 7PM in Barton Hall! To purchase tickets visit the link above!