Skip to main content

Cornell Homecoming Spirit Week & Weekend!

Crowd of students wearing Cornell shirts cheering on the Homecoming football game. Homecoming Spirit Week logo in the foreground.
Spirit Week & Homecoming 2025 dates: Sun, Sept. 28 - Sun, Oct. 3.

Cornell Homecoming Spirit Week & Weekend!

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 by wearing university merch all week long! 

Events are free to attend unless otherwise stated. Spirit Week is organized by the Campus Activities Office, Alumni Affairs & Development, the Student Programming Council, and Student & Campus Life.


Homecoming Spirit Week Events Calendar

Click here for a complete list of events happening during Spirit Week and Homecoming Weekend.

Spirit Week typically includes tradition events including the Big Red Chalk Challenge, Build-a-Touchdown, Movies on the Arts Quad, HoCoFest, the Homecoming Football Game, the Drone and Laser Light Show in Schoellkopf, and the Homecoming concert.


A graphic that says "spirit week giveaway," with photos of the five items featured in the giveaway.

Spirit Week giveaway!

Each year, we kick off Spirit Week and Homecoming with a free merchandise giveaway — and this year, we’re going bigger than ever with FIVE chances to win!


Want free Cornell gear?
Show up early to any of the events below — the first 1,500 students in line at each one will score a free, “Yell Cornell” branded item. Hit up one event or collect all five to complete your very own Spirit Week Kit!
 

Giveaway Schedule

Monday, Sept 29 – Show Your Big Red Pride

12–2 PM | Ho Plaza

🎁 Freebie: Cornell Button


Monday, Sept 29 – Chalk Challenge

5–6 PM | Ho Plaza

🎁 Freebie: Rally Towel


Wednesday, Oct 1 – Chimes Concert

6–7 PM | Ho Plaza

🎁 Freebie: Pennant


Friday, Oct 3 – Women’s Volleyball vs. Harvard

7 PM | Newman Arena

🎁 Freebie: Foam Finger


Saturday, Oct 4 – HoCo Fest!
11:30 AM–1 PM | Ho Plaza

🎁 Freebie: Clear Bag
 


crowd of students at the drone and laser light show

Friday: Drone 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 7:30 p.m. and starting 8:00 p.m., DJ Chris Washburn will keep you entertained and dancing. Please be in your seats at 8:45 p.m.

This event is free of charge. Again, bring your Cornell student ID card to be checked at the stadium student Gates 1-4 and 7-8 from the 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 4.

NO LARGE OR PROFESSIONAL CAMERAS AND CAMERA EQUIPMENT are permitted. 


Football with Cornell C block

Saturday: Homecoming Football Game

Cheer for the Big Red on Saturday afternoon!

Admission to the Homecoming football game is included with your Big Red Bear's Den membership. Cornell students can secure one (1) free general admission ticket for the game beginning in August. RSVPing on CampusGroups does not mean you have secured your ticket!

Sign in at the top right corner of this screen prior to attempting to secure your free ticket for the game - the system will validate your enrollment status to populate the 'CU Student' option.  Learn more here.

Reminder: There is a clear bag policy for all Cornell Athletics events. No professional camera equipment is permitted.