UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — It’s time to unite the global Penn State community during the University’s 2025 Homecoming Weekend, set for Oct. 10-11 on the University Park campus. A daylong celebration is planned for Friday, leading up to the football game against Northwestern on Saturday.
This year there is even more reason for proud Nittany Lions to celebrate — with the class of 2025, Penn State’s alumni community is more than 800,000 strong. Watch also for the new Penn State Homecoming logo, inspired by a pennant — an object that represents a longstanding and timeless piece of collegiate imagery. It replaces the former logo displaying the Old Main bell tower, which had been used for more than 20 years.
Make plans now for a fun-filled weekend.
Friday, Oct. 10
Ice Cream Social
Start with the popular ice cream social from 1-3 p.m. at the Hintz Family Alumni Center. The Alumni Blue Band will perform, along with the Penn State cheerleaders and Nittany Lion. Stop by for Berkey Creamery ice cream, your class button, and lots of photos as you begin to make memories on Homecoming Weekend. As a small gesture to say thanks, Alumni Association members who attend and check in at the ice cream social will be included in a drawing for a $50 Berkey Creamery gift card.
Plus, the ice cream social is one of the pick-up locations to score this year’s exclusive fan pin. This pin is one of three collectible designs available at select Alumni Association events throughout the year and will be available while supplies last.
Homecoming Parade
Beginning at 6 p.m., the largest Homecoming Parade in the country will feature dozens of Alumni Association affiliate groups and hundreds of volunteer leaders. The parade will start along Curtin Road and cover parts of campus (Bigler Road, Pollock Road and Shortlidge Road), with thousands of alumni and fans cheering on the participants during a powerful display of the Penn State network. The parade will continue along College Avenue, heading west to Burrowes Road, where everyone will turn right and head up to the Nittany Lion Shrine for even more Homecoming fun and enjoyment.
Guard the Lion Shrine
Held immediately after the Homecoming Parade, this time-honored gathering is one of the longest-standing traditions at Penn State. Hosted by the Lion Ambassadors, Guard the Lion Shrines features live music, free food, games, activities, special guests and much more. Accompanied by Penn State ROTC volunteers who stand watch over the Nittany Lion Shrine, this annual show of unity is a true representation of Penn State’s pride and community.
Saturday, Oct. 11
Look for the S-Zone and shakers during Saturday’s football game against Northwestern. The Lion Ambassadors will form a pink-and-black Block-S to honor Penn State’s original school colors. Plus, leaders from the Blue & White Society will distribute shakers to help create the best atmosphere in college football.
For more information on what’s happening during the week, visit Penn State Homecoming’s website. And be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn for Homecoming Weekend coverage.
The Penn State Alumni Association
For more than 150 years, the Penn State Alumni Association has provided alumni with a strong and welcoming community representative of the Penn Staters it proudly serves. The association keeps alumni connected to the University and to each other, while upholding Penn State traditions and supporting the University’s mission of teaching, research and service. The association also produces the award-winning Penn Stater magazine and other publications, and offers alumni and friends volunteer opportunities, educational programming, and many other services. For more information about membership in the Alumni Association, visit alumni.psu.edu/youbelong.