Homecoming 2026 Featuring DJ Funk Flex
UCR Alumni Homecoming 2026
Save the Date for November 7!
All alumni, families, students and their guests are invited back to campus November 7 for UCR Homecoming! Experience college and department interactive booths, mix and mingle with alumni, enjoy a day filled with an activity zone, bar service, opportunity drawings, and more.
Highlights include:
- College and Department Interactive Booths
- Activity Zone, Food Trucks, Giveaways, and More!
Saturday, November 7
Rise & Shine Honors Alumni Mixer
Time: 9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Location: Skye Hall 381
Start your Saturday morning by reconnecting with the University Honors community! Join us for the Rise & Shine Honors Alumni Mixer on Saturday, November 7, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. for a morning of conversation, networking, and community. Enjoy a complimentary continental breakfast while reconnecting with former classmates, reminiscing about your Honors experience, and building new connections with current University Honors students. Whether you're catching up with old friends, expanding your professional network, or sharing your journey since graduation, this mixer is the perfect opportunity to celebrate the lasting impact of the University Honors Program. We look forward to welcoming you back to campus for a morning of meaningful connections, inspiring conversations, and Honors pride!
1907 Society Brunch
Time: 9:30 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Location: The Barn
The 1907 Society Brunch honors members of the 1907 Society, UC Riverside’s community of donors who have made planned gifts to support the university’s future. The gathering will introduce the new Summit Awards, which recognize legacy donors, and feature student and faculty stories about the impact of planned giving. Space is limited to invited members and guests. For questions about the 1907 Society or inquiries about attending, contact the Office of Gift Planning at planymygift@ucr.edu or 951-827-6296.
Residential Education Panel
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. & 12 p.m. – 1 p.m.
Location: SSC 216
Join the Residential Education team to discover how on-campus living fosters community, student success, and belonging. Learn about residential curriculum programming, and see firsthand how our team supports students' college journey.
Back to School: Bears & Bites
Time: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Location: Sproul Hall
Drop by for a bite, stay to build your own custom SOE bear, and reconnect with your Highlander family! Join us for a special Homecoming Open House featuring light snacks, great memories, and a fun centerpiece activity to mark your return to campus.
BCOE Bear Tank
Time: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Location: MSE 104
Join us for Bear Tank, a live, Shark Tank-style competition where our talented engineering students pitch their innovative projects. Take a front-row seat to see who will impress the judges and take home the prizes! This is a great opportunity to reconnect with the college, network with fellow alumni, and witness firsthand the incredible talent defining the next generation of engineers.
Black Alumni Chapter Soul Food Brunch
Time: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Location: SSC 1st Floor MPR
Reunite, reminisce, and unwind with your UC Riverside Black Alumni family during our vibrant Soul Food Brunch! UCR Black alumni, current scholars, staff, faculty and friends are invited to reconnect and hear about chapter updates. We're looking forward to getting to know more about you and your family, whether you are a new student or an alum who graduated over 50 years ago. Join us to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Black Alumni Chapter and celebrate the Class years ending in 1 and 6! $35 per person includes a buffet brunch, mimosas and dessert.
Career Center Open House & Services Presentation
Time: 11 a.m. – 1:15 p.m.
Location: Career Center
Join the Career Center for a brief presentation at 11 a.m. to get an overview of the services they offer and then stay for an informative Open House! Donations to the R'Closet are welcome! To get more information on what is needed, review the R'Professional Career Closet donation list.
CHASS Homecoming BBQ
Time: 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Location: Hinderaker Lawn
Kick off Homecoming with a pre-concert CHASS Homecoming BBQ under the iconic shaded trees of Hinderaker Lawn! Enjoy mouthwatering grilled hamburgers and hot dogs with all the fixings, plus games, prizes, and plenty of Highlander spirit.
Bring your friends and family, reconnect with CHASS alumni and community members, and make new memories before the concert. It’s the perfect way to eat, play, celebrate, and come home to CHASS!
Celebrate the Sciences: CNAS Science Day at UCR Homecoming
Time: 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Location: SSC 329
UC Riverside's College of Natural & Agricultural Sciences invites alumni, students, faculty, staff, prospective students and families, and the community to celebrate UCR Homecoming with a day of science, connection and discovery.
From 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., the CNAS Homecoming program will feature Dean Peter Atkinson sharing the evolution of science at UCR and the broader impact of the college’s research, education and engagement, followed by a CNAS student panel and alumni panel highlighting their experiences from different perspectives. Lunch will be served, with opportunities to connect and network with members of the CNAS community throughout the program.
From 1 to 4 p.m., guests can experience science in action through demonstrations presented by the UCR Department of Physics and Astronomy. CNAS Science Ambassadors will also lead tours of the sciences, giving visitors an opportunity to explore the people, programs and places that make up UCR’s science community.
Together, these activities will bring the CNAS community together at UCR — welcoming alumni home and inviting new generations to discover and celebrate the sciences at UC Riverside.
Fraternity & Sorority Highlander Village: 50 Years of Service and Impact
Time: 12 p.m. – 3 p.m.
Location: HUB Plaza
Reconnect with old friends and honor years of tradition at the Fraternity & Sorority "Highlander Village". Stop by to connect with your chapter and all others that have made the fraternity and sorority community a place of connection and service for over 50 years.
Homecoming
Time: 1 p.m. – 4 p.m.
Location: Belltower
Alumni, students, families, and friends of UCR are invited back to campus for Homecoming festivities featuring Funk Flex!
Policy That Hits Home: Back to Class with Policy Experts
Time: 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Location: SSC 316
Step back into the classroom this Homecoming to learn how public policy impacts our everyday lives. Two UCR School of Public Policy experts will demystify the critical issues surrounding election surveys and public mental health.
R'Experience: Your UCR Journey
Time: 11 a.m. – 12 p.m. & 12 p.m. – 1 p.m.
Location: SSC 229
The Division of Undergraduate Education will show families how students thrive as they embark on their UCR journey. The “R’Experience” panel will feature current UCR students and alumni who will share how Undergraduate Education programs helped shape their paths, navigate challenges, find support, and prepare for future goals. Students and families will also be able to visit more than 10 program tables, speak directly with program leads, and learn about academic support, research, internships, leadership, mentoring, and other opportunities available across the division. Giveaways will be available for students and parents as they visit the tables, connect with campus resources, and explore the many ways Undergraduate Education can support students at UCR. Discover how our programs empower students to accomplish their goals while earning their degree, and long after graduation.
Homecoming FAQ
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Where is Homecoming taking place?
Where is Homecoming taking place?
Homecoming 2026 will take place on campus. The University of California, Riverside address is 900 University Ave, Riverside, CA 92521. The campus map can help you find your way to Homecoming events. The main Homecoming event will take place on HUB Lawn, adjacent to the Bell Tower, HUB, and Watkins Hall. -
Where can I park?
Where can I park?
Complimentary parking will be available in the following lots:-
Blue: 1, 6, 24
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Gold: All gold lots
To receive free parking, you must register your vehicle on or before Saturday, November 7, 2026, no later than 2:00 P.M.Please note: This reservation guarantees free parking, not designated parking. Parking is on a first come, first served basis. ADA/Accessible parking also requires a reservation.Parking Registration Link: https://www.offstreet.io/events/2YK1UF4C -
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What can I bring in?
What can I bring in?
All bags will undergo a security check upon entrance to the concert venue. Guests may bring empty refillable beverage containers to fill up with water to reduce waste from one-time use cups.Please note that the following items are prohibited: animals except for service dogs, outside alcohol, glass bottles or containers, umbrellas, coolers, tobacco products, illegal drugs/paraphernalia, and weapons of any kind, including firearms and knives. UC Riverside is a smoke- and tobacco-free environment. Tobacco, e-cigarettes, and vaping are not permitted on university property, including parking lots.
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Are kids allowed to come? Do I need to register them?
Yes, kids are allowed and this is a family friendly event!
Please note children under the age of 18 must be with an adult at all times.
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What food options will be available?
What food options will be available?
Limited dining options will be available, including:- Inside the event area, food trucks and a grab-n-go option will be available for purchase.
- A complimentary water station will be available for all guests in attendance. Guests may bring empty containers to fill up with water to minimize waste from one-time use cups.
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What lodgings are nearby?
What lodgings are nearby?
Downtown Riverside offers a variety of options, just a short drive to campus and close to dining, museums, and shops:
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What does Scotty want for his birthday?
What does Scotty want for his birthday?
So kind of you to ask! Scotty's birthday month is November and is asking everyone he knows to make a donation to support students in honor of his birthday.The generous support of alumni like you provides the resources needed to foster inspiration, innovation, and inclusiveness for the next generation of Highlanders. Every dollar you give allows the bold hearts and brilliant minds of the Highlander family to continue transforming California and the world in extraordinary ways.
Thanks for helping us celebrate and continue our tradition of providing an excellent education to Highlanders for generations to come!
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Lost and Found
All lost and found items can be picked up at the UCPD office beginning Monday, November 9th.
Phone Number: (951) 827-5222
Address: 3500 Canyon Crest Dr, Riverside CA 92507