University of Idaho Homecoming 2026 is set to take place from Sunday, Oct. 18, to Saturday, Oct. 24. This annual tradition involves a week of lively events, a chance to show off your school spirit, and opportunities to connect with Vandal students, teachers and alumni. This year’s Homecoming theme is Vandal Odyssey: Homecoming of Heroes.
The celebration began at 3 p.m. this past Sunday, Oct. 18 with Homecoming Kickoff, where student groups will competed in friendly competitions on the Tower Lawn.
At 3 p.m. on Monday, student groups painted windows of Main Street businesses with artwork representing the Homecoming theme.
From Tuesday through Thursday, there will be a blood drive and school supplies drive from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The blood drive will be held in the ISUB’s Clearwater-Whitewater Rooms. Donations for the school supplies drive can be dropped off near the information desk in the Bruce Pitman Center, Student Recreation Center and the ISUB.
At 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Jingles gave students the opportunity to perform skits combining their Vandal spirit with the Homecoming theme.
At 7 p.m. on Thursday, Most Vandalized Fan/Yell Like Hell at Women’s Soccer game will take place. Student groups will wear their best Vandal gear and create their own school spirit chant.
From 8 to 9 p.m. on Friday, Serpentine, Vandal Rally and Bonfire will be held.
For Serpentine, Vandals will gather at the UI Golf Course parking lot, where they’ll be led throughout campus by the Vandal Marching Band and Homecoming Committee, picking up people from residence halls and Greek housing.
At 8:30 p.m., the group will arrive at the P1FCU Kibbie Dome parking lot for Vandal Rally. Homecoming royalty court will be announced and President Scott Green, along with athletic-coaches and athletes, will get the audience charged. The night will end at 9 p.m. with an ICCU Fireworks show.
On Saturday, the day will be filled with parades, tailgates, and football. Parades will begin at 9 a.m. in downtown Moscow, with the 118 Annual Homecoming Parade beginning at 10 a.m. The Vandal Fan Zone tailgate starts at noon on the ICCU Arena Plaza. Finally, Vandal Football vs. Southern Utah will kick off at 2 p.m. in the P1FCU Kibbie Dome.
For more information, visit UI’s Homecoming website.
Melanie Knapp can be reached at [email protected].