Homecoming 2024 Preview: Red, Black and Gold (Medalists)
Celebrations Feature Spirit Week Swag and Specials, Community Art, New Football Foe
Students unfurl the Maryland flag at the 2023 Homecoming football game. This year's Homecoming festivities feature a chance to meet an Olympic gold medalist, a campus-wide community art project and plenty of opportunities to collect new UMD swag.
Photo courtesy of Maryland Athletics
It’s not just the first hint of fall foliage—the University of Maryland campus is glowing a definite red this week with crimson lights from Memorial Chapel to Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center.
Homecoming 2024 festivities kicked off Sunday night with SEE’s Homecoming Comedy Show, featuring Emmy award-winning comedian John Mulaney, and now, there’s tons of new ways to show off your Maryland pride leading up to the big game.
Take a photo with the Homecoming banner across the iconic “M.” Ride the specially wrapped Shuttle-UM bus on routes around campus. Enjoy Spirit Week cookies in a different color each day at the dining halls, along with “Terrapin Favorites” specials, and find discounts and giveaways at a dozen Greater College Park businesses throughout the week—just look for a Homecoming window cling.
Don’t miss out on your chance to build your swag collection. Monday through Thursday, wear the UMD color of the day and stop by “spirit stations” around campus to meet special guests and check off some UMD Bucket List items. (Bonus: If you have any lingering questions about Election Day, TerpsVote will be on hand to help you out.)
Photo by John T. Consoli
- Monday, 1 p.m.: Jim Henson Statue at the Stamp: Red
- Tuesday, 5 p.m.: Legacy Plaza at the Samuel Riggs IV Alumni Center: Gold
- Wednesday, 3 p.m., South Campus Dining Hall: White
- Thursday, 2 p.m., McKeldin Mall: Black
To learn more about Maryland traditions and the exclusive giveaways, follow @UMDHomecoming and @umdsalc on social media or text UMDHOMECOMING to 71444.
Below, check out what’s new this Homecoming week, and see the full list of events at homecoming.umd.edu:
Homecoming Art Hub
1-4 p.m. Monday-Thursday
Studio A in the Stamp Student Union
Create a Maryland-themed craft to take home and contribute to a community art project that will be displayed at the Terp Carnival on Friday.
Beyond the Field
4 p.m. Monday
Streaming on YouTube
How can you create meaningful change for your own mental health and beyond? Tiara Fennell, assistant professor in the School of Public Health and clinic director for the Center for Healthy Families, shares her expertise.
Tuesday Night Lights
7 p.m. Tuesday
SECU Stadium
Check out this summer’s hit blockbuster “Twisters” out on the field, under the stars. Light refreshments will be provided.
Teddy’s Pup Parade
5 p.m. Wednesday
McKeldin Mall by Marie Mount Hall
Join Teddy, the University of Maryland Police Department’s comfort dog, for a paw-sitively tail-wagging walk with other Terp pups around the Mall.
Photo by Riley N. Sims
Terp Carnival
4-8 p.m. Friday
McKeldin Mall
Meet Paris gold medalist Thea LaFond-Gadson ’15, one of this year’s two Homecoming grand marshals (along with basketball gold medalist Alyssa Thomas ’14), and get a free scoop of LaFond-Gadson’s specially created flavor, featuring vanilla, cookie dough, Oreo pieces, a chocolate fudge swirl and rum.
This year’s carnival is bigger than ever, featuring more performers and activities—including a chance to test your skills against Maryland women’s and men’s basketball and men’s soccer student-athletes in inflatable ball games. Terps ages 21 and over can try out the new Testudo Premium Lager at the beer garden, and everyone can enjoy fair foods, face painting and play lawn games for prizes. Current students: Don’t forget to grab a limited-edition 2024 Homecoming scarf! And as always, the evening wraps with fireworks on the Mall.
Football: Terps vs. USC Trojans
4 p.m. Saturday (tickets are still available)
SECU Stadium
The Terps will take on new Big Ten member, the University of Southern California, in an East Coast-West Coast battle. As always, student attendees will get limited-edition Homecoming T-shirts—but for the first time, parents, alums and more can get their own version at the University Book Center. Get ready for the game by joining a variety of tailgates hosted by different schools and affinity groups across campus.
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