For University of Redlands graduates, returning to campus can bring back memories of classrooms, friendships, athletic competitions, and experiences that helped shape their lives.
At the end of October, those memories will become part of a new celebration as the university welcomes alumni, students, and families for Homecoming and Family Weekend 2026.
The event is scheduled for Friday, October 30, and Saturday, October 31, with additional activities listed for November 1. The university's official schedule includes athletic gatherings, musical performances, alumni activities, family events, and opportunities for former classmates to reconnect.
Homecoming has long been an important tradition at American colleges and universities. While the details differ from institution to institution, the central purpose remains familiar: bringing graduates back to the place where they studied and giving current students an opportunity to experience the larger community of which they are becoming a part.
At the University of Redlands, that tradition carries particular significance because of the institution's longstanding relationship with the city.
Founded in 1907, the university has educated generations of students while contributing to the region's cultural, educational, and economic life.
Graduates have gone on to work in schools, businesses, healthcare organizations, public agencies, and numerous other professions.
Homecoming provides an opportunity to recognize those continuing connections.
This year's schedule includes several activities designed to bring different parts of the university community together.
On Friday, October 30, a Music Faculty Showcase Recital is scheduled from 4 to 6 p.m. at Watchorn Hall, offering a free performance featuring members of the university's Conservatory of Music faculty.
The university has also scheduled a women's soccer alumni gathering and other athletic-related activities that provide opportunities for former student-athletes to reconnect with teammates and coaches.
Saturday's events include Greek organization gatherings and a broader celebration of Bulldog traditions.
One of the distinctive features of this year's weekend is its Halloween setting.
The university is promoting a Bulldog Spirit Celebration and Trunk-or-Treat on October 31, combining the festive atmosphere of Halloween with the traditions of Homecoming.
An All-School Dinner on the Quad is also featured among the weekend's activities, creating another opportunity for students, alumni, and families to spend time together.
The celebration extends beyond entertainment.
Alumni gatherings help maintain professional and personal networks that can remain valuable long after graduation.
Former students may return to reconnect with friends, meet current students, or learn how the institution has changed since their time on campus.
For current students, these encounters provide a glimpse of the university community beyond their own graduating class.
They can see how the relationships formed during college may continue for decades and how graduates remain connected through shared traditions.
The weekend also has implications for Redlands businesses.
Alumni and families traveling from outside the area may stay at nearby hotels, dine at local restaurants, and visit downtown shops and attractions.
Although the university has not provided a verified estimate of attendance or visitor spending for the 2026 event, Homecoming weekends create opportunities for local businesses to welcome returning visitors.
The relationship between the university and the city is an important part of Redlands' identity.
Campus events contribute to the cultural life of the community, while local businesses, organizations, and residents help create the environment students experience throughout their education.
Homecoming brings those connections into sharper focus.
It also provides an opportunity to reflect on how the university has evolved.
Academic programs, campus facilities, and student experiences have changed considerably since the institution opened more than a century ago. Yet traditions such as Homecoming provide continuity between generations.
A graduate returning after many years may find new buildings, different programs, and unfamiliar faces. At the same time, the familiar campus landscape and shared Bulldog identity can make the university feel like home again.
For families of current students, the weekend offers another perspective. It allows them to participate in campus life and understand the traditions that help define the university experience.
The university encourages attendees to review the official Homecoming schedule and RSVP information because individual events may have separate registration requirements, costs, or capacity limits.
As October draws to a close, Homecoming will bring together people whose experiences at the University of Redlands span different decades and different stages of life.
The celebration is about more than revisiting the past. It is about recognizing that education creates relationships and opportunities that can continue long after students leave campus.
For the City of Redlands, the return of its Bulldogs is another reminder that the university's story and the community's story have been connected for generations, and that connection continues to grow with every new class.
Event information: October 30–31, 2026, with additional activities November 1. University of Redlands, 1200 East Colton Avenue. Schedule and registration: University of Redlands Homecoming 2026.