This year’s Homecoming celebrations will be in-person for the first time as Queen’s alumni reconnect with the university and each other.

For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic, Queen’s alumni are returning to campus for Homecoming Oct. 28-30. After two years of online celebrations, staff and faculties are excited to host alumni and organizers are busy prepping for a weekend full of activities.

“We are looking forward to welcoming our alumni family and friends back to campus with open arms,” says Vice-Principal (Advancement) Karen Bertrand (Artsci’94). “It’s a time to re-connect with old classmates and share memories, as well as see the campus today and discover how Queen’s is preparing students to become leaders and top researchers who will make a difference in the world.” 

This year Queen’s is celebrating milestone reunions for alumni who graduated in years ending in two and seven, as well as our newest alumni (2022 graduates) and Tricolour Guard (alumni celebrating 50 years or more since graduation). 

From the moment alumni arrive, the experience will be a feast for the senses with a variety of programming that allows people to reconnect with friends and the campus. 

New this year

This year’s Homecoming will feature a new marquee event – the Fall Harvest Alumni Gathering. This alumni community outdoor event on Saturday gives old friends a chance to connect over a hot cup of coffee and a delicious snack from a local food truck while listening to the musical stylings of Michelle Kasaboski (Artsci’13, Artsci’21), and Jay Goddard (Artsci’20). Alumni can also visit the market area to shop curated goods from local Kingston vendors. The entertainment doesn’t end at delicious food and music. Alumni can enjoy roaming busker performances and a giant lawn game area, perfect for alumni who may be bringing family down for the weekend.

“Many alumni bring their partners and children to Homecoming weekend, so we wanted to offer an event that the entire family can enjoy together,” Bertrand adds.  

Share your memories

Expect to see cameras at the Harvest Gathering. Filmmakers working on a Tragically Hip documentary, set to air on Amazon Prime in 2024, are scheduled to be on hand to interview attendees. Filmmakers are looking for alumni and friends to share their Hip memories. Alumni are encouraged to bring any photos, albums, or videos of iconic Queen’s student moments that feature any (or all) members of The Tragically Hip. The filmmakers will be scanning and accepting content to feature in the documentary.

Something for everyone

This is a great weekend for sports fans and Gaels supporters. The Gaels football team will be hosting the Toronto Blues on Saturday, Oct. 29 in a OUA quarterfinal matchup at Richardson Stadium with kickoff set for 1 p.m.

Also, the OUA Women's Rugby Championship will take to Nixon Field on Friday night as the Gaels take on the Guelph Gryphons starting at 7 p.m. The women’s hockey teams has a pair of games on the weekend, facing the Gryphons on Friday and the Brock Badgers on Saturday. Both games are at the Memorial Centre with puck drop at 7:30 pm.

On the soccer pitch, the women’s scocer team will host a second round OUA playoff game at Richardson Stadium against the Nipissing Lakers. Kick off is 1 p.m.

Getting connected

To connect directly with your old classmates, many schools and faculties are hosting their own open houses, gala dinners, breakfast events, meet and greets, and pub nights. For a full list, please see the Homecoming schedule of events. Please note some events, such as the Tricolour Guard Dinner and the Health Sciences Gala, are paid events that require pre-registration.

The focus this year will be on in-person events, but for alumni around the world who can’t make it back, we will be featuring live highlights of the weekend via Queen’s Alumni social media.

Visit the Queen’s Alumni website to register for Homecoming weekend.