Homecoming festivities include market, festival, parade

The University of Nebraska–Lincoln's 2025 homecoming week runs Sept. 27 to Oct. 4 and will carry the theme “Scarlet City” — a reimagining of the majestic Emerald City from “Wicked.”

The week’s activities open with a 5K fun run from 10 a.m. to noon Sept. 27, beginning and ending on the Nebraska Union plaza. The rain-or-shine event, which is untimed, is open to students, staff, faculty, alumni and community members, but minors must be accompanied by an adult. All participants must register by 4 p.m. Sept. 22.

The Scarlet Market will take place from 2 to 5 p.m. Sept. 28 on the new Legacy Plaza, directly south of the Nebraska East Union. Attendees can shop local and student-made goods, crafts and products from aspiring entrepreneurs at the Engler Market; play lawn games; and interact with the learning tables. The event is open to all. Students can enjoy free food, while supplies last, with their NCard.

Showtime at the Coliseum is 8 to 10 p.m. Sept. 29 at the Coliseum, 1350 Vine St. Recognized student organizations will compete for bragging rights with skits and dances. The event is for students.

Jordan Opp | University Communication and Marketing

A yard games competition — featuring cornhole, washers, ladder ball and spikeball — will take place from 5:30 to 7 p.m. Sept. 30 at the Vine Street Fields. Student teams of two can sign up to compete in the games. Free food from the Harper’s Smokehouse food truck will be provided, while supplies last.

Back for a second year is the Battle of the Bands, from 8 to 10 p.m. Oct. 1 at the Bourbon Theatre, 1415 O St. The competition, which is free for Husker students with an event pass and faculty and staff with an NCard, will feature local bands that include current students. There will be a $5 cover charge for non-university attendees. The two bands with the most votes will compete in the finale at Cornstock on Oct. 3.

A Dairy Store ice cream social will take place from 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. Oct. 2 on the Dinsdale Family Learning Commons plaza on East Campus. Campus community members can receive a free scoop of ice cream — including the special homecoming flavors Follow the Butter Brickle Road, Enchantmint and Scarlet City Swirl — and enjoy live music by local artist Jonathan Leach.

The homecoming exhibition “Husker History: Campus Memories in Motion” will be on view from 3 to 5 p.m. Oct. 2 in the lower level of Love Library South, Room 29. The event is free and open to the public, but RSVPs are requested. Refreshments will be served.

An inaugural Homecoming Yard Show, hosted by the Multicultural Greek Council and the National Pan-Hellenic Council, will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. Oct. 2 on the Nebraska Union plaza. The showcase of stepping, strolling and chanting is not a competition, but a celebration of unity, culture and pride across culturally based fraternal organizations. All are welcome.

A free outdoor screening of the film “Wicked” will begin at 8 p.m. Oct. 2 on the greenspace west of the Willa Cather Dining Complex. Attendees are encouraged to bring blankets and lawn chairs. This event is for students. 

Student lawn displays will be completed by 10:30 a.m. Oct. 3 and judged at noon.

The Cornstock Festival, which is free and open to the public, is 5 to 8 p.m. Oct. 3 on the plaza immediately east of Memorial Stadium. The event will feature food available for purchase (or free for students with an NCard) from Harper’s Smokehouse, Kouzina, Amigos and Rutabagas; free grilled corn and kettle corn; free Pepsi products and mocktails; face painters; balloon artists; a temporary tattoo station; and tractor hayrack rides.

­The annual homecoming parade starts at 6 p.m. Oct. 3. The free public parade will start south of the Nebraska Union, moving east on R Street, north on 16th Street, west on Vine Street, south on 14th Street and clockwise on the East Stadium Loop, ending south of the Coliseum. In addition to floats built by recognized student organizations and community groups, participants include the Cornhusker Marching Band, the Spirit Squad, 2025 homecoming royalty and student groups. The Battle of the Bands finale will follow the parade on the East Stadium Plaza.

A blood drive will be held during the week from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 30 to Oct. 2 in the Nebraska Union’s Centennial Room and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Oct. 3 in the Nebraska East Union’s Great Plains Room. Registration is available here.

In addition, a canned food drive to benefit the Husker Pantry is 1 to 4 p.m. Sept. 29 to Oct. 1. Food and other essential items can be taken to the University Health Center’s north entrance, near the pantry. Donations can also be made via the pantry’s Amazon wishlist here.

Husker faculty and staff are also encouraged to support the pantry with a food drive sponsored by Union Bank and Trust. Employees can drop off donations and grab a free cookie at the UBT branch in the Nebraska Union from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 29 to Oct. 3. UBT will match every donation.

In addition, faculty and staff are invited to participate in a HealthierU movement challenge, with the goal of achieving at least 300 movement minutes during homecoming week. All forms of movement — including strength training, cardiovascular exercises and mind-body practices — are acceptable. Four employees who achieve at least 300 movement minutes will receive a homecoming-themed prize package. For more information, click here.

Elections of royalty will take place on students' MyRED portal Oct. 1 and 2. Homecoming royalty will be crowned at halftime of the Nebraska-Michigan State football game Oct. 4.

Kristen Labadie | University Communication and Marketing