Homecoming Events

Homecoming

Bookstore Discounts & Deals
Door Decorating Competition
- Faculty and staff join COAP and CSEC and kick off Homecoming 2026 with school spirit in your office! Decorate your office door to show your excitement and enthusiasm for WIU! Use the form to sign up and win office prizes!
Royalty
- Come celebrate this Homecoming tradition and celebrate as we crown the 2026 Homecoming Nobility. Students will be scored based on their application, interview with judges, and student body vote. The top two (2) students who achieve the most points based on the three categories will be determined to be the 2026 Homecoming Royalty regardless of student’s gender identity.

Paint the Town | 2:30 - 5pm Macomb Downtown Square
- Students, faculty, and staff are welcome to participate in the Homecoming tradition event of painting windows of business on the Macomb Downtown Square.

Paint the Paws | 11am - 1pm Outside Western Hall
- Students, alumni, faculty, staff and friends are invited to participate in Western Illinois University's annual Homecoming tradition, Paint the Paws, a time-honored tradition at WIU where the entire WIU community repaints more than 200 Leatherneck paws along University Drive and Western Avenue, this wonderful event signifies Homecoming is here, as members of the community paint paws leading alumni and friends "back home" to Western.
Town & Gown | 5:30 - 7:30pm Park Place
- Join us at our signature University and Community event where we will recognize this year's Town and Gown and Honorary Alumni award recipients. Register Here.
Big Pink Volleyball | 5:30 - 8pm Campus Recreation - MAC Gym
- Students are invited to create teams to participate in this classic variation of volleyball.

Kultural Fusion | 6 - 8pm Multicultural Center
- This event provides a delicious and engaging way for students to explore various cultural dishes while fostering awareness of their roots and traditions through activities and music.

Flag Football Intramural Championship Game | 7:30 - 9pm Hanson Field
- The teams are set, we are just missing YOU! Come out during Homecoming Week to cheer on our intramural flag football teams, bring the energy, and show your Leatherneck pride!
Magic Rocks! Illusionist Leon Etienne | 7:30 - 10pm Goldfarb Center for Performing Arts
- He's Fooled Penn and Teller, Rocked America's Got Talent, and cracked up Jimmy Fallon. Now illusionist Leon Etienne brings his spectacular stage show to the Goldfarb Center for a jaw-dropping encounter with the impossible. Get up close with his brand of high-energy magic that's suitable for all ages.

Make a Difference Day | 11am- 2pm Lamoine Room
- Join us in participating in the largest national day of volunteering and make a posiitive impact on the community.
Alumni Happy Hour | 5 - 7pm Alumni House
- Join us at the Alumni House-1025 W. Adams St.- for c omplimentary food, beer, wine and soda (cash bar available). Register here.
Bonfire Bash | 7 - 9pm N-Lot/The Pitt Parking Lot
- Join us for the annual Bonfire Bash featuring food trucks, school spirit, performances, games, school spirit, and the ceremonial lighting of the fire!
School of Music Performance | 7:30 - 9pm Goldfarb Center for the Performing Arts
- The Celebration Concert will be the first School of Music performance in the new Goldfarb Center, and gives guests an opportunity to experience the highly anticipated facility while celebrating the continued legacy of music at WIU. This is a non-ticketed, general admission event.

All-Alumni Breakfast | 9:30am Alumni House
- (Complimentary coffee and donuts)
Parade | 10:30am Macomb Downtown Square & Alumni House
- Watch the Annual Homecoming Parade including entries from Student Organizaitons, Departments, Community Groups, and more!
Alumni Cookout | 12 - 3pm Q-Lot Alumni Tent
- Come to the "The Right Place" tent - in Q LOT (Menu: Hot dogs and hamburgers, veggie burgers, potato chips, bottled water, canned soda and coffee.) A cash bar will be available (pay with cash or credit). Register here.
GBCC Tailgate | 12 - 4pm Q-Lot
- This event brings students and alumni together to build community spirit while celebrating homecoming festivities.
Leatherneck Football vs. UT Martin | 3pm Hanson Field
- Come watch the fighting Leathernecks face off against UT Martin in the Homecoming Football Game.
WestFest Concert: Homecoming Edition | 7pm Grand Ballroom
- Annual WestFest Concert returns for Homecoming 2026 with headliner WakaFlakaFlame and featuring BabyChiefDoIt

Women's Soccer vs Morehead State | 1pm John Mackenzie Alumni Field
- Come watch the fighting Leathernecks face off against Morehead State.