UMass Amherst Homecoming weekend is almost here, bringing alumni, students, staff, and neighbors together for a full slate of events.
From family activities in Kendrick Park to football at McGuirk Alumni Stadium, the celebration stretches across campus and into downtown Amherst on October 3-4, 2025.
It’s a chance to reconnect, show school spirit, see what’s new at UMass, and support local businesses.
If you can’t make it to Amherst, you can still join the celebration. Alumni chapters nationwide are hosting Hometown Homecoming pop-up events.
Meet local alums, share your Minuteman pride, and take part in group photos with exclusive UMass swag. These gatherings are a chance to reconnect, reminisce, and show your colors, wherever you are. See details below.
UMass Amherst Homecoming 2025 Featured Events
Here are some highlights to look out for:
Cheer & Beer Garden
Saturday, October 4 | 11:00 a.m.–2:30 p.m. | McGuirk Alumni Stadium
Live music, lawn games, face painting, and a performance by the Minuteman Marching Band set the stage for game day. UMass Dining will be serving game-day bites before the football team takes on Western Michigan.
All are welcome. No cost to attend. Food and beverages available a la carte.
Faculty & Staff Appreciation Celebration
Friday, October 3 | 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. | Marriott Center, Campus Center (11th Floor)
Faculty and staff are invited to gather for lunch, giveaways, and a chance to connect with colleagues—many of whom are UMass alumni.
Community Spirit Central
Friday, October 3 | 5:00–8:00 p.m. | Kendrick Park, Downtown Amherst
An evening of games, glow-in-the-dark fun, athletic team meet-and-greets, and family activities, all celebrating UMass spirit in the center of Amherst.
Golden Alumni Luncheon
Saturday, October 4 | 12:00–1:00 p.m. | Campus Center Auditorium
Alumni from the classes of 1972–1978 are invited to a special luncheon with award-winning UMass Dining. Reserved seating will be set aside for the Class of 1965 in honor of their 60th reunion.
UMass Pass
Saturday, October 4 | 10:00 a.m.–2:30 p.m. | Begins at the Student Union
Pick up a UMass Pass and take part in an interactive campus adventure with activities, swag, and surprises along the way.
UMass Amherst Homecoming 2025 – Full Schedule
09/28/2025
2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
POP-UP | Hometown Homecoming – Cary, NC
- Phillips Family Farm
3:45 pm – 5:00 pm
POP-UP | Hometown Homecoming – Dallas, TX
- Dolce Paradiso, Bakery, Cafe, & Bistro
4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
POP-UP | Hometown Homecoming – Boston, MA
- Bell in Hand
09/29/2025
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
POP-UP | Hometown Homecoming – Burlington, VT
- Zero Gravity Brewery
10/03/2025
11:30 am – 1:30 pm
UMass Faculty & Staff Appreciation Celebration
- Marriott Center
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Three College Seminar “Health Policy Advocacy in Today’s Climate: Expert Experiences and Guidance”
- IALS S330/340
1:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Tom Ricardi’s Birds of Prey (no registration required)
- Du Bois Library – Lower Level
1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Homecoming Kickoff presented by SAA & UPC (no registration required)
- North Lawn
1:30 pm – 3:00 pm
From Here to Career
- South College Commons
2:00 pm
Central Michigan vs. UMass Field Hockey
- Gladchuk Field Hockey Complex
4:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Isenberg Open House
- Berthiaume Business Innovation Hub
5:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Young Alumni Homecoming Happy Hour on Tap @ the SPOKE (21+)
- the SPOKE
5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
Community Spirit Central
- Kendrick Park – Downtown Amherst
5:00 pm – 8:00 pm
POP-UP | Hometown Homecoming – Pioneer Valley
- UMass Amherst Downtown
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm
POP-UP | Hometown Homecoming – Washington DC
- Dacha Beer Garden (Shaw Location)
10/04/2025
Northern Michigan vs. UMass Hockey (game tickets must be purchased separately)
- William D. Mullins Center
8:00 am – 9:30 am
1965 Meet & Greet Breakfast
- Hadley Room, 10th Floor Campus Center
8:30 am – 3:00 pm
UMMB Alumni Band Homecoming Activities
- George N. Parks Band Building
9:00 am – 11:00 am
POP-UP | Hometown Homecoming – Austin, TX
- Dottie Jordan Recreation Center
10:00 am – 11:45 am
Morning Bites and Building Tour with Nursing
- Skinner Hall – Room 101
10:00 am – 2:30 pm
UMass Pass (no registration required)
- Various Campus Locations
11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Yoga at the Pavilion
- Orchard Hill Pavilion
11:00 am – 12:00 pm
Cosmic Connections with Dean Fox
- Integrated Sciences Building – Room 135
11:00 am – 2:30 pm
Cheer & Beer Garden
- McGuirk Alumni Stadium
11:00 am – 2:30 pm
Cheer & Beer Garden – College of Social and Behavioral Sciences Tent
- McGuirk Alumni Stadium
11:00 am – 2:30 pm
Cheer & Beer Garden – College of Humanities and Fine Arts Tent
- McGuirk Alumni Stadium
12:00 pm
Denver vs UMass Men’s Soccer
- Rudd Field
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
Golden Alumni Luncheon
- Campus Center Auditorium
12:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Isenberg Homecoming Tailgate
- MinuteFan Way – Lawn @ Lot 11
12:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Latinos of UMass Tailgate
- MinuteFan Way
12:00 pm – 2:30 pm
The Black Alumni Lounge at Homecoming
- MinuteFan Way
12:30 pm – 2:30 pm
Cheer & Beer Garden – College of Education Tent
- McGuirk Alumni Stadium
1:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Nursing Alumni and Community Meet and Greet
- Marriott Center
2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
POP-UP | Hometown Homecoming – Chicago, IL
- Emerald Loop Bar & Grill
2:30 pm
Western Michigan vs. UMass Football (game tickets must be purchased separately)
5:30 pm – 6:30 pm
1965 Social
- Hadley Room, 10th Floor Campus Center
9:00 pm – 10:30 pm
Be Star Struck at UMass!
- Campus Pond
10/05/2025
Northern Michigan vs. UMass Hockey (game tickets must be purchased separately)
- William D. Mullins Center
1:00 pm
UConn vs. UMass Field Hockey
- Gladchuk Field Hockey Complex
For more information and registration details, see the UMass Amherst Homecoming website.
PHOTOS: Courtesy of UMass Amherst
