University of Kansas to Host Homecoming Parade Friday
The Lawrence campus celebrates its 114th homecoming with a parade returning for the first time since 2019.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Civic
Live Poll
Do you feel that homecoming parades effectively build school spirit in your community?
The University of Kansas celebrates its 114th homecoming this week with a series of events, highlighted by a parade on Friday, Oct. 23. This marks the first time the parade has taken place on the Lawrence campus since 2019.
Why it matters
The festivities mark a significant return to campus traditions and coincide with centennial milestones for historic campus housing. These events provide a unified space for the community and alumni to engage with university history.
The university is celebrating its 114th homecoming iteration while simultaneously marking 100 years of the Scholarship Halls program. The week's programming includes the inaugural Jayhawk Homecoming Lecture for Community Impact.
The players
University of Kansas
This public research university located in Lawrence serves as the state's flagship institution of higher education.
Baylor University
This private Christian university based in Waco, Texas, operates a prominent athletic program that competes against major regional institutions.
The details
The parade begins at 6 p.m. at the Chi Omega Fountain and travels down Jayhawk Boulevard to 13th Street. Earlier on Friday, the inaugural Jayhawk Homecoming Lecture for Community Impact will be held at the Dole Human Development Center at 3:30 p.m.
Timeline
Friday, Oct. 23, 3:30 p.m.: Jayhawk Homecoming Lecture for Community Impact
Friday, Oct. 23, 6 p.m.: Homecoming parade starts at Chi Omega Fountain
Saturday, Oct. 24, 9 a.m.: Scholarship Halls 100-year anniversary check-in
Saturday, Oct. 24, 12 p.m.: KU vs. Baylor football game
Industry Dynamics
The revival of the parade following the 2019 University of Kansas homecoming highlights a broader trend of universities restoring legacy campus traditions after multi-year hiatuses. This move emphasizes the institutional effort to rebuild student and alumni engagement post-pandemic.
Residents and visitors should expect temporary closures along Jayhawk Boulevard during the Friday evening parade. Those attending the football game at David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium on Saturday can access the facility beginning at noon.
The takeaway
The return of the homecoming parade signals a full restoration of long-standing community traditions at the university. Alumni and local residents can participate by joining the parade route on Friday or attending the anniversary tours on Saturday morning.
Further reading
For more information on upcoming campus events, visit the Lawrence Civic section.
More information
View the full event schedule or register for activities at the homecoming parade information page.
Source note: This article includes information reported by LJWorld.
Live Poll
Do you feel that homecoming parades effectively build school spirit in your community?
