Cornell Homecoming Spirit Week & Weekend!
2024 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! 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 merch to wear to the Homecoming game?! This year you can get your 2024 rally scarf 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 9/27 8:59am EST.
- An email will go out to all passport holders after Friday 9am unlocking the central campus location of the exclusive Yell Cornell merch at noon!
Homecoming Spirit Week Events Calendar
Click here for a complete list of events happening during Spirit Week and Homecoming Weekend.
Mon 9/23 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 23rd in your Cornell gear, take photos at our Cornell photo booth, enjoy some Big Red Pride mocktails, enter the chance at some Cornell giveaway raffles, and more. You must be showing Cornell pride to be entered into any giveaway!
Tue 9/24 & Wed 9/25 11am-4pm: Cornell Career Days - Explore and Pursue!
🐻 (Passport event) Take a photo incorporating Red or Cornell into your professional attire at the Cornell Career Fair Days on 9/24 + 9/25 (wear red, a Cornell pin, etc.!)
Tue 9/24 5-7pm: Build-A-Touchdown and Big Red Chalk Challenge!
🐻 (Passport event) 5-6pm: Join the Student Union Board and Touchdown for a Build-A-Touchdown event in the Browsing Library of Willard Straight Hall! Supplies limited! Stick around after for the Chalk Challenge on Ho Plaza.
🐻 (Passport event) 6-7pm: Join Class Councils during Homecoming Spirit Week for the annual Big Red Chalk Challenge on Ho Plaza! Winners get the chance to win Bookstore gift certificates! Full details for participating are at the RSVP above.
Wed 9/25 4:30-6pm: Wellness Fair on West Campus
🐻 (Passport event) It's West Campus' biggest event of the fall! 10-minute shoulder massages; Succulent giveaways (while supplies last); DIY self-care bags (while supplies last); Over 20 campus partners, student organizations, and local vendors with wellness-focused activities and giveaways; massages; Puppy therapy and more. ALL FREE!
Thu 9/26 6-7:30pm: Alumni Affairs (AASEC) Big Red and Ready
🐻 (Passport event) Get ready to dive into Homecoming Weekend with the Alumni Affairs Student Engagement Committee! Join us for an evening of Big Red spirit as we gear up for the festivities. Embrace the excitement with classic lawn games, capture the moment at our photo booth, and channel your creativity with DIY Homecoming prep activities. And don’t miss out on a sweet treat from the Cornell Dairy Bar ice cream (while supplies last)!
No need to register, just bring your Cornell student ID card to check-in!
Learn more about AASEC.
Thu 9/26 8pm: Movies on the Arts Quad: Pitch Perfect 3
🐻 (Passport event) Join us for a Cornell tradition during Cornell Homecoming Spirit Week! 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!
Fri 9/27 11am: FREE Yell Cornell Merch Giveaway
(Passport event) You must complete the digital passport by Friday 9/27 9am to unlock the central campus location of the FREE Yell Cornell merch! The CampusGroups event RSVP requires you to submit all photos. Staff will be checking submissions and QR code at the door!
Fri 9/27 1 pm: Jackson Therapy Doggo
Come for some cuddles by Jackson, who looks like a real-life doggo version of Touchdown.
Fri 9/27 5-6pm: Class of 2028 Class Photo
Calling CLASS of 2028! Join us for a class year tradition during Homecoming! Your classmates and you will take your official class photo in formation (spelling out 2028 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 cider donuts, while supplies last.
Fri 9/27 6-8pm: Cornell Pride Pennant Making
Stop by Willard Straight Hall to decorate your own pennant! CU Tonight will supply the pennants and decorations (paints, stickers, and more). Bring your pennant to the Homecoming game the next day or decorate your room!
While your pennant is drying, head to the fireworks and laser show at Schoellkopf. Swing by WSH after the show to pick up your pennant!
Fri 9/27 doors open 7:30pm; be seated by 8:45pm: 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 7:30 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 1-5 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.
NO LARGE OR PROFESSIONAL CAMERAS AND CAMERA EQUIPMENT are permitted.
Sat 9/28 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 100 attendees!
Sat 9/28 11am-2pm: Homecoming Big Red Fan Festival
Before you head downtown to Apple Harvest Fest, bring your student ID card to check in at the student area at Lynah Rink and receive your FREE wristband for entry into the Crescent Lot, and FREE food and non-alcoholic drinks for all Fan Festival attendees (while supplies last).
Undergraduate and graduate students join us for carnival games, music, food, college showcases, performances by student groups, giveaways, and more! Stop by the student t-shirt area inside the Crescent to pick-up your FREE Cornell t-shirt (only eligible for Cornell students) at this event for the first 2,500 attendees!
Sat 9/28 11 am: Jackson Therapy Doggo
Come for some cuddles by Jackson, who looks like a real-life doggo version of Touchdown.
Sat 9/28 2-5pm: Homecoming Football Game vs. Yale
Cheer for the Big Red as they take on Yale 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 August 19th.
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.
Sat 9/28 7pm: Homecoming Concert feat. Tinashe with special guest Yaya Bey
The Cornell Concert Commission is excited to present Tinashe performing on September 28th in Barton Hall. Tickets starting at $23! Please sign in to Vivenu with the student/faculty/staff button to receive Cornell pricing.
Click here for a complete list of events happening during Spirit Week and Homecoming Weekend.
Brought to you by Alumni Affairs & Development, Campus Activities, Cornell University Class Councils, the Student Programming Council.