Same Yard. A Different AU.
Your parents walked it. Your kids will run it. This fall, every generation of Yellow Jackets comes home to Harden Street for seven days of the AUsome Experience. More than a moment.
- The ParadeSat · 10:00 AMSumter & Calhoun Streets, down Sumter to Lady Street
- The GameSat · 2:00 PMAllen v. Morehouse · C.F. Bolden Stadium, 2600 Barhamville Rd
- The WeekOct 26 – Nov 1Skate night, the banquet, bonfire & fireworks, gospel concert.
Read the Homecoming Safety Notice before you come.
October 26 – November 1, 2026. Clear bags only, security screening at event entrances, and street closures all week.
- Campus Police (24/7): 803-223-4544
- Emergency: call 911, then notify Campus Police
Know before you go: rules, clear bags & street closings
Safety & security requirements
- Street closuresSome streets and access points may be closed. Follow posted signs and directions from authorized personnel.
- No weaponsWeapons are strictly prohibited at Homecoming events, subject to applicable law and University policy.
- No alcoholAlcoholic beverages are prohibited at University Homecoming events and designated event areas.
- Security screeningEvents are monitored by security. Metal detectors and other screening will be used at entrances.
- Right to deny entryAllen may deny or restrict entry if anyone doesn’t comply with safety requirements or University policies.
- Clear bag policyNo book bags. Only the clear bags listed below are allowed.
Clear bag policy
- Clear plastic, vinyl, or PVC bags no larger than 12" × 6" × 12"
- One-gallon clear plastic freezer bags (Ziploc or similar)
- A logo up to 4.5" × 3.4" on one side of a clear bag
- Book bags and backpacks
- Non-clear bags
- Clear bags larger than 12" × 6" × 12"
Street closing schedule
| Day | Location | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Wed, Oct 28 | Pine St. between Taylor and Hampton | 6–11 PM |
| Thu, Oct 29 | Pine St. between Taylor and Hampton | 6–11 PM |
| Fri, Oct 30 | Pine St. between Taylor and Hampton | 11 AM – 12 AM |
| Fri, Oct 30 | Oak St. between Taylor and Hampton | 11 AM – 12 AM |
| Fri, Oct 30 | Hampton St. between Harden and Pine | 11 AM – 12 AM |
| Sat, Oct 31 | Oak St. between Taylor and Hampton | 10 AM – 9 PM |
| Sat, Oct 31 | Pine St. between Taylor and Hampton | 10 AM – 9 PM |
| Sat, Oct 31 | Hampton St. between Harden and Pine | 10 AM – 9 PM |
Every Yellow Jacket is somebody’s legacy.
Since 1870, somebody has been the first in their family on this Yard, and somebody has been the third. Homecoming is the one week all of them are here at once. Find your chapter of the story.
- Alumni
The ones who built it
Thursday night, the 1000 Plus Annual Banquet in Adams Gymnasium. Friday, Alumni Day on the Quad.
- Friends & family
The ones who came along
The parade, the game, the bonfire and fireworks, the gospel concert. Most of the week is open to the public.
- Students
The ones writing it
On the Yard right now. Skate Night, the 1870 Midnight Breakfast, the Fashion Show on Pine Street. The alumni are coming to see what you do with it.
Then 
Then 
Now 
Now
Then & Now
Post your old Allen photo next to one from this week, and tag @allenuniversity_sc on Instagram.
Seven episodes. No skipping.
Save the flyer. Share the season.
Post it, text it to your line brothers and sisters, print it for the church bulletin.
- Ep. 1Oct 26Monday
Celebrity Wannabe Event
7–11 PM
Chappelle Auditorium
- Ep. 2Oct 27Tuesday
90’s Party
6–10 PM
John Hurst Adams Gym
1870 Midnight Breakfast
11 PM – 1 AM
AU Dining Hall
- Ep. 3Oct 28Wednesday
Hivepreneurs Pop-Up Shop
11:30 AM – 1:30 PM
AU Campus Mall · Vendors: students $10, public $30
Fashion Show
7 PM
Pine Street, in front of John Hurst Adams Gymnasium
- Ep. 4Oct 29Thursday
First Lady Tea with First Lady Pritchett
10 AM – 12 PM
Mattie Scott Conference Center
Breast Cancer Walk
12:15–1:30 PM
AU Campus Mall
1000 Plus Annual Banquet
6–10 PM
John Hurst Adams Gymnasium
AUsome Greek Stroll-Off
7–10 PM
Quad, Main Campus
- Ep. 5Oct 30Friday
Alumni Day on the Quad Cookout
11 AM – 4 PM
Quad, Main Campus
AUsome Bonfire, Pep Rally & Fireworks
6:45–7:45 PM
AU Campus Mall
AUsome Homecoming Concert
8:30–11:30 PM
John Hurst Adams Gymnasium
- Ep. 6Oct 31Saturday
AUsome Homecoming Parade
10–11 AM
Sumter & Calhoun Streets, Downtown Columbia
Vendor Village & Tailgating
11 AM – 7 PM
Main Campus · Vendors $100 · Tailgating spot $175
AU Football v. Morehouse
2–6 PM
C.F. Bolden Stadium, 2600 Barhamville Rd
Alumni Social
6–8 PM & 10 PM – 12 AM
Chappelle Gallery
AUsome Comedy Show
8–10 PM
Chappelle Auditorium
- Ep. 7Nov 1Sunday
AUsome Gospel Concert
2–4 PM
Chappelle Auditorium
Ten in the morning to midnight.
Yes, it’s Halloween. Wear blue and gold anyway.
- 10:00 AMAUsome Homecoming ParadeSumter & Calhoun Streets, Downtown Columbia · until 11 · Free March in it ↓
- 11:00 AMVendor Village & Tailgating openMain Campus, until 7 · Free to attend
- 2:00 PMKickoff: Allen vs. Morehouse CollegeC.F. Bolden Stadium · $25 · Clear bags only Get tickets ↗
- 6:00 PMAlumni Social, first setChappelle Gallery, until 8 · AU alumni only
- 8:00 PMAUsome Comedy Show featuring AkintundeChappelle Auditorium · Doors 7:30 · $25 Get tickets ↗
- 10:00 PMAlumni Social, late setChappelle Gallery, until midnight · AU alumni only
Allen vs. Morehouse College
Kickoff at 2:00 PM at C.F. Bolden Stadium, 2600 Barhamville Road, Columbia, S.C. 29204. The Vendor Village & Tailgating runs 11 AM to 7 PM on Main Campus. Clear bags only at the stadium.
- Game ticketBolden Stadium, kickoff 2 PM$25
- Tailgating spaceReserve a space$175
- Vendor spaceVendor Village, Main Campus$100
- Tailgating as a guestCome hang outFree
Sold separately: Comedy Show tickets ($25) and Skate Night ($25, students only, food & drink included).
Somebody made room for you. Make room for the next one.
A homecoming gift goes to a student on the Yard this fall. Give in your class’s name and it counts toward the Challenge.
- Class Challenge
Give in your class’s name
Note your class year with your gift so it counts toward your class.
Give → - Annual Fund
Meet the greatest need
Flexible support that goes where Allen needs it most.
Give → - Scholarships
Close the gap
The General Scholarship Fund helps a Yellow Jacket who’s almost there.
Give → - Monthly
$18.70 a month
One dollar-and-cents nod to 1870, every month.
Give monthly →
Questions about giving? Institutional Advancement: OIA@allenuniversity.edu · (803) 376-5725
Don’t catch it on the timeline. Be in it.
March in the parade
Floats, walking units, cars and bands. $30 entry, due Oct 23.
Parade entry ↓Hivepreneurs vendors
Sell at the Wednesday pop-up. Students $10, public $30.
Email to register →Volunteer
Help make the week happen for the Allen family.
Email to volunteer →Ride in with your chapter
Connect with fellow alumni through the General Alumni Association.
Alumni Association →
Put your organization on Sumter Street.
The Allen University Homecoming Committee invites you to participate in the 2026 Homecoming Celebration Parade on Saturday morning, October 31, in downtown Columbia.
- RouteSumter & Calhoun Streets, down Sumter Street to Lady Street
- Line-upNo later than 9:00 AM
- Kickoff10:00 AM, promptly
- Entry fee$30 · Waived for bands
Complete the parade application and waiver of liability, and return them as soon as possible.
Email Homecoming@allenuniversity.edu →Or fax to (803) 799-2763
Watching from afar?
Host a watch party with your chapter, follow along on Allen’s social channels, or give from home. Still counts.
It’s a different AU. Come see it.
“We teach the mind to think, the hands to work, and the heart to love.”I’m coming home