Howard Homecoming 2026: Dates, the Morehouse Game, and the Top 50 Events On Campus and Around DC

Updated Oct. 14, 2026: expanded to the top 50 events, with new ticket prices and the latest on Yardfest.

Every October, Washington belongs to Howard. For one week the campus at Sixth Street and Bryant becomes "the Mecca" in full, and in 2026 Howard University Homecoming runs Sunday, Oct. 11 through Sunday, Oct. 18, under the theme "Wildest Dreams" (billed in full as "I Am My Ancestor's Wildest Dreams").

The centerpiece is a rare one. The Bison host the Morehouse Maroon Tigers at Greene Memorial Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 17, at 3:30 p.m., the first Howard-Morehouse Homecoming meeting in roughly three decades. That "Howard versus SpelHouse" storyline is on half the party flyers in town.

One thing to know before you plan: there is no Homecoming parade in 2026. It is not on Howard's official calendar, and D.C.'s homeland security and emergency management agency lists the Oct. 17 parade as canceled. Construction along Georgia Avenue was the reason given.

Yardfest 2026 lineup: still under wraps

As of Oct. 14, Howard has not announced the 2026 Yardfest performers. The university's own Oct. 12 Homecoming preview on The Dig lists the Day 1 concert (Friday, Oct. 16, noon, on the Yard) and Day 2 game viewing (Saturday, Oct. 17, noon to 3:30 p.m.) without naming acts, and neither event page lists artists. Past Yardfest stages have hosted Jay-Z, Drake, Kanye West, Nipsey Hussle, Lil Baby and Coco Jones, so a late reveal is very much in character. We will update this guide the moment a lineup is official.

When is Howard Homecoming 2026?

Howard University Homecoming 2026 takes place Oct. 11 to Oct. 18, 2026, in Washington, D.C. The week opened with Coronation on Sunday, Oct. 11, and closes with the Gospel Concert on Sunday, Oct. 18. The football game is Saturday, Oct. 17. The schedule of record lives on Howard's official Homecoming calendar.

Ticket prices at a glance

• Howard vs. Morehouse: $100 to $135, $75 for seniors (official tickets).
• Student Fashion Show: $54.74.
• Greek Step Show: sold online only through Universe; Howard had not posted a price at press time.
• Alumni VIP Day Party: registration through GiveCampus; no price posted on the event page.
• Comedy: Howard's 2026 calendar has no official campus comedy show. The independent Howard Homecoming Comedy Jam at DC Comedy Clubhouse starts at $24.57.
• Young Alumni Brunch: $65. Sneaker Ball: $125. Club 520 LIVE: $57.

Official prices are from Howard's Oct. 12 Homecoming preview; promoter prices are as listed on Eventbrite at press time.

The Homecoming Game: Howard vs. Morehouse

Kickoff is 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 17, at William H. Greene Memorial Stadium. Howard has not faced Morehouse for Homecoming in about 30 years, which is why this game is the hottest ticket of the week. Day-two Yardfest and the game viewing on the Yard run right up to kickoff, so the campus energy peaks all afternoon. Get seats through the official football ticket vendor, and note Greene Stadium's clear-bag policy.

The top 50 Howard Homecoming 2026 events

Ranked by how central each event is to the week, official campus events first, then the alumni circuit around the city. Coronation (Oct. 11) and Bison Madness (Oct. 13) have already happened, so they are not on the list.

Official campus events (1 to 18)

These are Howard-run or Howard-listed events, from the university calendar and its Oct. 12 Homecoming preview.

1. Homecoming Football: Howard vs. Morehouse
Sat, Oct. 17, 3:30 p.m., Greene Memorial Stadium, 2400 Sixth St. NW. The centerpiece: the Bison host the Morehouse Maroon Tigers for the first Homecoming meeting in about 30 years. Tickets $100 to $135, $75 for seniors, per Howard's The Dig. Clear-bag policy applies.

2. Yardfest Day 1 (Concert)
Fri, Oct. 16, noon, The Yard (Upper Quadrangle). Howard's signature open-air concert, the stage that has hosted Jay-Z, Drake, Nipsey Hussle and Coco Jones. 2026 performers not announced as of press time.

3. Greek Step Show
Fri, Oct. 16, 8 p.m., Burr Gymnasium. The Divine Nine step-show showdown on the campus where five of the nine organizations were founded. Ticketed online only via Universe; price not posted on Howard's listing at press time. No bags allowed in Burr.

4. International Yardfest (Day 2) and Game Viewing
Sat, Oct. 17, noon to 3:30 p.m., The Yard. Reunion day on the Yard, with the alumni tent, that rolls right into kickoff.

5. Annual Student Fashion Show
Thu, Oct. 15, 8 p.m., Cramton Auditorium. Howard's student-produced runway show, one of the hardest tickets of the week. $54.74, per The Dig. Note the 8 p.m. start (earlier listings said 7).

6. Alumni VIP Day Party
Sat, Oct. 17, noon, Blackburn Center Ballroom. Howard's official alumni day party, with food, drinks and a terrace view away from the crowd. Register via GiveCampus; price not posted on the event page.

7. Homecoming Kick-off Alumni and Friends Welcome Reception
Fri, Oct. 16, 7 p.m., The Oliver, 2715 Georgia Ave. NW. The official alumni welcome-home reception.

8. Homecoming Gospel Concert
Sun, Oct. 18, 7 p.m., Cramton Auditorium. The evening of praise that closes Homecoming week.

9. A Call to Chapel with the Rev. Frederick D. Haynes III
Sun, Oct. 18, 11 a.m., Cramton Auditorium. Homecoming Sunday worship, in person and streamed.

10. WHUT FamFest
Sat, Oct. 17, 11 a.m., The Valley (Lower Quadrangle). A family festival from Howard's PBS station. Free; registration requested.

11. Alumni "Wine" Down
Sat, Oct. 17, 7 p.m., Blackburn Center Ballroom. The official post-game evening mixer for alumni.

12. Divine Nine Homecoming Fundraising Brunch
Fri, Oct. 16, 10 a.m., Blackburn Center. A brunch raising money for Howard's Divine Nine chapters.

13. Young Alumni Brunch
Sun, Oct. 18, 1 to 4 p.m., The Line Hotel, 1770 Euclid St. NW. The official Sunday brunch for recent graduates in Adams Morgan. $65, per The Dig.

14. Club 520 LIVE: Homecoming Edition
Wed, Oct. 14, 6 p.m., Howard Theatre, 620 T St. NW. A live Homecoming edition of the show, with special guest John Wall. $57; VIP available, per The Dig.

15. School of Law Sneaker Ball Scholarship Celebration
Fri, Oct. 16, 7 to 10 p.m., The Watergate Hotel, 2650 Virginia Ave. NW. A sneakers-and-formalwear scholarship benefit; free afterparty at the Watergate Bar at 10 p.m. $125, per The Dig.

16. HU x Jordan Alumni Hour, hosted by Lance Gross
Fri, Oct. 16, 5 to 7 p.m., Sandlot Uptown, 1900 Seventh St. NW. Part of the week-long Howard x Jordan Brand series at Sandlot Uptown.

17. 2026 State of the University Address
Fri, Oct. 16, 10 a.m., Miner Building. The president's annual address to the Howard community.

18. Red, White and Bison Homecoming Gala
Thu, Oct. 15, 6 p.m., Blackburn Center. A gala honoring the military members of the Howard family. Register via GiveCampus.

Also on the official calendar: the Lavender Reception (Wed, Oct. 14, 7 p.m., Blackburn Center), the Chadwick A. Boseman College of Fine Arts Alumni Mixer (Thu, Oct. 15, 6 to 9 p.m., Sandlot Uptown; $20.26 for the Class of 2026, $50 general), the Graduate School Alumni Networking Brunch (Sat, Oct. 17, 11 a.m.; $50 advance, $75 door), the Howard University Legacy Tour (Thu, Oct. 15, 10 a.m.; registration required), the Graduate and Professional Student Homecoming Mixer at THROW Social (Thu, Oct. 15, 7 p.m.), and open houses across the colleges of medicine, nursing, fine arts, engineering, arts and sciences, dentistry, pharmacy and communications.

The best Homecoming events around DC (19 to 50)

Homecoming has always spilled far past the Yard. These are independent, promoter-run events, not Howard-affiliated. Details are as listed at press time and can change or sell out, so buy ahead. Dozens more are on the Eventbrite Howard Homecoming hub and at tgthoward.com.

19. HU Homecoming: The Reunion feat. Method Man
Sat, Oct. 17, 8 p.m. to 2 a.m., The Westin Washington DC Downtown, 999 9th St. NW. The marquee grown-and-classy afterparty, with a live Method Man set and a deep DJ bench. GA $30 to $60, VIP lounge $150, tables $400 (4) and $800 (8); listed as almost full.

20. The Good Times at Howard All-Access Pass
Thu, Oct. 15 to Sun, Oct. 18, SOST DC, Onyx Rooftop, Sax and Karma DC. One pass for general admission to five parties in one of the biggest alumni series. Excludes Sunday brunch, tables and bottle service.

21. Good Times: Welcome Home Bison Kick Off Social
Thu, Oct. 15, 6 p.m. to 2 a.m., SOST DC. The Good Times series opener.

22. Good Times: Dynasty Continues Day Party
Fri, Oct. 16, 5 to 10 p.m., Onyx Rooftop Lounge. A Friday rooftop day party in Dupont.

23. Noir Nostalgia: A HU Homecoming All-Black Soiree
Fri, Oct. 16, 10 p.m. to 3 a.m., Sax, 734 11th St. NW. An all-black dress code night at one of downtown's flashiest lounges.

24. Good Times: Remember the Bison
Sat, Oct. 17, Karma DC. The Good Times Saturday night party. Time not listed at press time.

25. 5th Annual Blaque Mecca Block Party
Sat, Oct. 17, noon to midnight, metrobar, 640 Rhode Island Ave. NE. An all-day outdoor game-day block party from HU Movemakers and an alumni host committee. Tables and cabanas expected to sell out.

26. HUHC 2026 Finale: 6th Annual Farewell Brunch and Day Party
Sun, Oct. 18, noon to 9 p.m., The Continent DC, 1110 Vermont Ave. NW. The circuit's closing brunch and day party, with WKYS DJ 5'9, DJ C Devone and more. Listed as going fast.

27. Rotimi and Loren LoRosa's Karaoke and Comedy Brunch
Sun, Oct. 18, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Hard Rock Cafe, 999 E St. NW. A celebrity-hosted brunch to ease into the last day.

28. Urban Elegance Alumni Brunch and Bubbly
Sun, Oct. 18, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m., THROW Social, 1401 Okie St. NE. Brunch and day party with DJs Young Guru, 9th Wonder, DJ Blinks and DJ Paul Howard. Eventbrite showed sales ended at press time; check for resale or door options.

29. HU vs. SpelHouse Welcome Happy Hour and Party
Thu, Oct. 15, 5 p.m., Park at 14th, 920 14th St. NW. The kickoff happy hour built on this year's Howard-Morehouse matchup.

30. Mecca After Dark
Fri, Oct. 16, 10 p.m. to 3 a.m., Park at 14th. A late Friday night party downtown.

31. 4th Annual Nostalgia Saturday
Sat, Oct. 17, 6 p.m. to 3 a.m., Park at 14th. The post-game day-into-night Howard vs. SpelHouse party. VIP cut-line tickets offered.

32. Power Move Wild Days Rooftop
Sat, Oct. 17, 9 p.m. to 2 a.m., Wild Days at the Eaton, 1201 K St. NW. The fifth annual rooftop night party in the heart of downtown.

33. A Howard Homecoming Sunday Day Party
Sun, Oct. 18, 4 p.m., Wild Days at the Eaton. A Sunday rooftop send-off.

34. Afro Caribbean Howard Homecoming Welcome Party
Fri, Oct. 16, 10 p.m. to 3 a.m., Abigail, 1730 M St. NW. Afrobeats, soca and dancehall with an open bar window. Free with RSVP; tables $1,500 to $3,500 minimum spend.

35. Afrobeats Howard Homecoming Saturday Night Party
Sat, Oct. 17, 10 p.m., Saint Yves, Dupont Circle. An Afrobeats night with an open bar.

36. Studio 67: HU Homecoming Friday Night
Fri, Oct. 16, 10 p.m., Saint Yves, Dupont Circle. A Friday late-night party in Dupont.

37. Howard Homecoming DC Day Party at Onyx
Sun, Oct. 18, 5 p.m., Onyx Rooftop Lounge, Dupont Circle. One last rooftop day party.

38. Howard Homecoming Comedy Jam
Fri, Oct. 16 and Sat, Oct. 17, 9 p.m., DC Comedy Clubhouse, 2013 14th St. NW. Host Chris Harrison with Howard alumni comics and special guests. From $24.57.

39. Howard University Homecoming Comedy!
Fri, Oct. 16, 8:30 p.m., Bohemian Live!, U Street corridor. A Friday stand-up showcase near campus.

40. All Black Comedy Show
Thu, Oct. 15, 8 p.m., Prima DC, U Street corridor. An independent Homecoming-week comedy night.

41. Howard Homecoming Saturday Night Party at Lima Twist
Sat, Oct. 17, 10 p.m., Lima Twist, downtown. A Saturday night party on the downtown strip. Listed as almost full.

42. Sips for Scholarships Happy Hour
Thu, Oct. 15, 5 p.m., Lima Twist, downtown. An after-work happy hour with a scholarship angle.

43. Friday Vibe Session at Lima Twist
Fri, Oct. 16, 7 p.m., Lima Twist, downtown. An early-evening Friday warm-up.

44. Howard Homecoming Kickoff at Rosebar
Thu, Oct. 15, 10 p.m., Rosebar Lounge, Dupont Circle. A Thursday night kickoff party.

45. Private Nights: Howard Homecoming at STFU Navy Yard
Thu, Oct. 15, 10 p.m., STFU, Navy Yard. A waterfront-neighborhood Thursday night option.

46. Howard and SpelHouse Alumni Reunion Party
Sun, Oct. 18, 8 p.m., The Westin DC Downtown. A Sunday night reunion co-hosted by Howard and SpelHouse alumni.

47. BenDaDon's Lucky Sundays: Homecoming Edition
Sun, Oct. 18, 1 p.m., Lucky Bar, Dupont Circle. A free Sunday afternoon hang. Free.

48. Howard Homecoming Lucky Saturdays
Sat, Oct. 17, 10 p.m., Lucky Bar, Dupont Circle. A low-key Saturday night alternative.

49. 2026 Howard Homecoming Sunday Wind Down
Sun, Oct. 18, 2 p.m., MAREN, Navy Yard. A Sunday afternoon wind-down by the river.

50. Fit for Life 5K Fun Run
Fri, Oct. 16, 8:30 a.m., Anacostia Recreation Center, Anacostia Park. A morning 5K before the weekend gets going.

Know before you go

• No parade this year. The Georgia Avenue Homecoming parade is off for 2026.
• Street closures. Sixth Street, Howard Place, Girard Street, Bison Boulevard and Fairmont Street are closed through 12:01 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 18; College Street closes Friday at 6 a.m.; Georgia Avenue and Fourth Street close at 6 a.m. Saturday, per Howard's transportation page.
• No bags at events in the Blackburn Ballroom, Cramton Auditorium or Burr Gymnasium, and a clear-bag policy at Greene Stadium.
• Take Metro. Shaw-Howard University on the Green and Yellow lines sits at the edge of campus; Georgia Avenue-Petworth is a short walk from the north end. On Saturday, campus shuttles drop off only at Sherman Avenue and Barry Place.
• Stay downtown. Many of the biggest afterparties cluster around downtown and the convention center (the Westin on Ninth Street, the Eaton, Park at 14th, Sax), close to both campus and the nightlife.

Howard Homecoming 2026 FAQ

When is Howard Homecoming 2026? October 11 to 18, 2026, in Washington, D.C.

Who is Howard playing? The Morehouse Maroon Tigers, on Saturday, Oct. 17 at 3:30 p.m. at Greene Memorial Stadium.

How much are Howard vs. Morehouse tickets? $100 to $135, with $75 senior tickets, through Howard's official ticket vendor.

Is there a Homecoming parade in 2026? No. The parade is not on the 2026 schedule.

Who is performing at Yardfest 2026? Howard had not announced the lineup as of Oct. 14. Yardfest Day 1 is Friday, Oct. 16, at noon on the Yard.

What is the 2026 theme? "Wildest Dreams," billed in full as "I Am My Ancestor's Wildest Dreams."

What is Yardfest? Howard's signature open-air concert on the campus Yard, held Friday and Saturday of Homecoming week.

Official sources: Howard Homecoming homepage · Homecoming calendar · The Dig Homecoming preview · Alumni Homecoming page · Football tickets · Eventbrite DC hub. Event details were accurate as listed at press time and are subject to change.