Homecoming 2026

October 5–11, 2026

Watch for more events in the coming months that honor the traditions, history and uniqueness of our Panther family, and join us for Homecoming 2026 as we look to the future of UNI.

students playing games on campus for homecoming

Community Events & Accommodations

The Cedar Valley has a number of accommodations, dining options and activities available for UNI friends, family and alumni who will be joining us for Homecoming!

Cedar Falls Accommodations

Cedar Falls Events & Attractions

Waterloo Accommodations

Waterloo Events & Attractions

Community Information

Cedar Falls Tourism logo

‌ College Hill Partnership

Cedar Falls Community MainStreet ‌

Experience Waterloo

MainStreet Waterloo ‌

Homecoming Contacts

Full Calendar of Events

Sesquicentennial Goosechase | Sept. 29-Oct. 11

Download the Goosechase app and enter the join code. Complete these challenges to earn points for the chance to win a prize! Participants receive one entry to the prize drawing per 1,000 points.

Join code: KDF3S5

Get it on Google Play Download on the App Store

Monday, Sept. 29

Office/Residence Hall Decorating
Show your homecoming pride by decorating your campus office or residence hall community! Judges will view your space on Monday, Sept. 29, and announce winners of various categories on the Wednesday of Homecoming. Registration deadline is Wednesday, Sept. 17 at 12am.

First Ringing of the Sesquicentennial Bell
11 a.m. | Commons Plaza

Join us for the official kick-off of the Sesquicentennial Celebration with the inaugural chimes of the Sesquicentennial Bell.

Sesquicentennial Kick-Off Lunch (UNI students, faculty and staff only)
11:30 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. | Campanile Lawn/Lawther Field

Free lunch for faculty, staff and students celebrating the official launch of the Sesquicentennial Celebration. Ring the Sesquicentennial Bell, enjoy the student org carnival, and be a part of the "150" photo.

Sesquicentennial Museum Exhibit Opening
1 p.m. | UNI Museum, Rod Library

Celebrate the opening of the Sesquicentennial exhibit at the UNI Museum.

Outdoor Movie
7:30-9:30 p.m. | Campanile Lawn/Lawther Field

Join CATS and the UNI Alumni Association and Foundation for an outdoor movie with trivia. First 150 students who check in will receive a UNI 150th blanket. Grab some free popcorn and watch Wall-E with us!

Tuesday, Sept. 30

Traditions Challenge Amazing Race (UNI Students, faculty & staff only)
4:30 p.m. | Maucker Union Rooftop

Connecting Alumni to Students (CATS) will host the 16th annual Traditions Challenge Amazing Race this year. Teams of five students, faculty, or staff will race to complete UNI traditions in this unique cross-campus scavenger hunt.
Team check-in begins at 4 p.m. The race begins promptly at 4:30 p.m. Registration deadline is Sept. 25.

Register →

Thursday, Oct. 2

GOLD & Bold Award Ceremony
11:45 a.m. | Maucker Union Coffeehouse

Celebrate and learn from three young alumni and changemakers! The UNI Alumni Association will recognize Grant Helle, '20, Juana Hollingsworth, '16, and Sarah Huebner, '16 as the 2025 GOLD & Bold Award recipients. Be inspired by a 10-minute TED-style talk from this year's GOLD & Bold Award nominees. Learn more about the GOLD & Bold Award.

Register →

UNI Architectural Walking Tour
3:30 p.m. | Bartlett Courtyard, near Commons

This one-hour walking tour (approximately 1.25 miles) focuses on the unique exterior features of historic buildings on the UNI campus. Distinct interior spaces will also be part of the tour. Sponsored by the UNI Sesquicentennial Committee and the Cedar Falls Historic Preservation Commission.

Distinguished Award Ceremony
7 p.m. | GBPAC

Join us as we celebrate 150 years of the University of Northern Iowa and honor this year’s exceptional alumni, faculty and friends at the 2025 Distinguished Awards Ceremony. Past honorees will be recognized during the ceremony as a part of the special milestone celebration.

Register →

Friday, Oct. 3

Golden Graduate Reunion - Class of 1975
1-2:30 p.m. Tours; 3 - 4:30 p.m. Ceremony | Maucker Union Ballroom

Register →

Rod Library 60th Anniversary Celebration
3-5 p.m. | Rod Library

Rod Library Then & Now: Celebrating 60 years at the heart of campus. Join us for cupcakes, exhibits, and add your entry to our memory book!

Register →

Celebrate with CSBS!
4-6 p.m. | Gallagher Bluedorn Marquee Lounge

Join CSBS faculty, staff, alumni and friends for a relaxed and memorable Homecoming gathering to kick off UNI’s Sesquicentennial and celebrate 45 years of impact in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences.

Register →

Homecoming Bash and Sesquicentennial Celebration
5 - 9 p.m. | Central Campus

Take part in this family-friendly outdoor festival and the start of UNI’s year-long Sesquicentennial Celebration. Catch up with your college, get dinner from local food trucks and don’t miss the door prizes! The concert begins at 7 p.m. with fireworks to follow!

UNI Architectural Walking Tour
5:30 p.m. | Bartlett Courtyard, near Commons

Homecoming Dance Party (UNI Students only)
9 p.m. | Campanile Plaza

Homecoming Dance Party - Join us for an unforgettable night at the annual Homecoming Dance Party! Come to the Campanile Plaza and get ready to dance the night away with our live DJ, back by popular demand, UNI Alumni Ian Goldsmith! Capture memories at our photo booth, enjoy delicious refreshments, and celebrate school spirit with friends old and new.

Campaniling
Midnight | Campanile Plaza

Saturday, Oct. 4

Homecoming 5K Run/Walk
8 a.m. | Campanile Plaza

Panther Pacers is hosting its annual Homecoming 5K run/walk at the newly renovated Campanile Plaza. Register by Sept. 15 to guarantee a shirt or up to the day of the race.

Panthers at the Plaza
10:30 - 11 a.m. | River Place Plaza

Join us before the parade for fun, yard games and Panther pride, hosted by Rod Library.

Homecoming Parade
11 a.m. | Downtown Cedar Falls

Join us in downtown Cedar Falls as we celebrate Panthers Through Time. UNI departments, groups and organizations as well as businesses and groups from the general public are invited to be in the parade. Everyone is invited to watch the parade.

UNI Women's Rugby vs. Wisconsin
11 a.m. | UNI Rugby Fields

UNI Swimming and Diving Purple and Gold Intrasquad Meet
Noon | Glen F. Henry Swimming and Diving Pool

Dept of Communication Sciences & Disorders/Roy Eblen Speech & Hearing Clinic Open House
12:30-1:30 p.m. | Communication Arts Center (CAC) 2nd Floor Roy Eblen Speech & Hearing Clinic

Join alumni, families, faculty and current students any time between 12:30-1:30 p.m. for an open house. Take a tour of the department and clinic, see our updates, and talk to current students about your memories and their experiences. Information will be available at the event about the Iowa Conference for Communicative Disorders (ICCD) 2026, which will be in Cedar Falls April 9-10, 2026

Softball vs. Rock Valley
1 p.m. | Robinson-Dresser Sports Complex

Volleyball vs. Murray State
1 p.m. | McLeod Center

Get Volleyball Tickets →

Hy-Vee Fan Zone
1 - 3:30 p.m. | West UNI-Dome Parking Lot

Join the UNI Alumni Association, UNI Athletics, and Cedar Falls Hy-Vee in the west UNI-Dome parking lot for a free family-friendly tailgate. Includes free food from Hy-Vee (while supplies last), games, and giveaways.

Football vs. North Dakota
4 p.m. | UNI-Dome

Get Football Tickets →

Homecoming 2026

October 5–11, 2026

Community Events & Accommodations

Community Information

Homecoming Contacts

Mike Bobeldyk

Sarah Craw

University Relations

Full Calendar of Events

Sesquicentennial Goosechase | Sept. 29-Oct. 11

Monday, Sept. 29

Tuesday, Sept. 30

Thursday, Oct. 2

Friday, Oct. 3

Saturday, Oct. 4

Homecoming Reunions