The Penn State Alumni Association invites all Penn Staters to the University Park campus to celebrate Homecoming Weekend, Sept. 27–28, 2024. This year’s theme, “In Every Roar, Tradition Soars,” will highlight a week of events culminating with Saturday’s football game vs. Illinois.

Here’s what you can expect if you are in town for the weekend.

Student-Alumni Ice Cream Social

Friday, Sept. 27, 1-3 p.m., Hintz Family Alumni Center

Start Homecoming Weekend with one of the most popular events of the year! The Homecoming Ice Cream Social is a free event, and all students, alumni, and members of the Penn State community are welcome to attend.

Enjoy performances from the Alumni Blue Band and pick up your class button. All Alumni Association members who register and check in will be entered to win a $50 Berkey Creamery gift card.

Homecoming Parade

Friday, Sept. 27, 6 p.m.

Dozens of Alumni Association affiliate groups, student organizations, and volunteer leaders will wind through campus and downtown State College to celebrate Penn State pride and continue one of Penn State’s longest-running and most famous traditions.

The deadline for Alumni Association affiliate groups to walk in the parade is Aug. 28. Register your group here.

Guard the Lion Shrine

Friday, Sept. 27, 7 p.m.

Following the Homecoming Parade, stop by the Nittany Lion Shrine for a cherished, long- standing tradition. The event dates to when Sue Paterno and her friend covered the shrine in orange latex paint before the 1966 Homecoming game against Syracuse. Since then, Penn Staters have made it a point to guard the Nittany Lion Shrine the night before the Homecoming game.

The event will feature food, games, activities, special guests, and more.

Homecoming Football Game

Saturday, Sept. 28, kickoff TBA vs. Illinois

The Alumni Association — with support from Lion Ambassadors and the Blue & White Society — helps create the best student section in the country by organizing the S-Zone and distributing blue-and-white shakers. If you’re not traveling to Happy Valley for the game, find your local alumni chapter and attend a watch party.

For more info on Alumni Association Homecoming events, visit alumni.psu.edu/homecoming.

For more information on Homecoming, visit homecoming.psu.edu.