Twin Cities Homecoming 2026 runs Oct. 22-24. The Alumni Association says it brings students, faculty, staff and alumni together for traditions, tailgates and celebrations. Most of the action is on the East Bank: the parade, Ski-U-Mania at McNamara and the big game.
This year's Homecoming also falls during the U's 175th anniversary. The weekend opens Thursday, Oct. 22, with the Alumni Awards Affair at Huntington Bank Stadium, which requires tickets. The 3 Grand Marshals are Pat Duncanson (B.S. '83), CEO/CFO of Highland Family Farms and a former Alumni Association board chair; Dr. Ken Holmen (M.D. '78), president and CEO of CentraCare Health; and Carissa Carroll (M.Ed. '08), founder and CEO of the nonprofit Jack's Basket. They'll lead Friday's parade and appear at Ski-U-Mania on Saturday.
The parade steps off at 6:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23, at 12th Avenue SE and runs east along University Avenue to Walnut Street SE, with floats, student groups and the marching band. Get there early for free ice cream samples on the Folwell Hall lawn starting at 5 p.m. Organizers say more than 130 parking facilities on campus are open to parade-goers.
Homecoming week has already started with a Block Party on Coffman Front Plaza and the Mall. Before the weekend you can still catch Celebrity Bingo in the North Star Ballroom on Oct. 21 and the Midwest Greek Step Show on Oct. 22. Sal Vulcano and Wally Baram headline a comedy show at Northrop at 8:30 p.m. after the parade. On Saturday, Ski-U-Mania at McNamara Alumni Center comes before the Gophers' 2 p.m. kickoff against Iowa at Huntington Bank Stadium.
Now for the honorees. Patti Neiman (BAS '83, MA '88) receives the 2026 Community Leader Award.
Iceland is well represented this year. Jónína Kárdal (MA '99) receives the 2026 Alumni Service Award. She led the UMN Alumni Chapter in Iceland.
Dr. Helga Jónsdóttir (MS '88, PhD '95) receives the 2026 Distinguished Leadership Award for Internationals.
Danielle Porter (BA '08, MN '10, DNP '16) has 3 U degrees and receives the 2026 Entrepreneurial Spirit Award.
Nicholas Smith (BS '19) receives the 2026 On the Rise Alumni Leader Award. He leads Medicare benefit strategy at UnitedHealth Group.
The Pride Alumni Network receives the 2026 Outstanding Alumni Network Award.
