Minnesota State Mankato’s 2025 Homecoming Week Begins Monday, Sept. 22

Minnesota State University, Mankato’s annual Homecoming week begins Monday, Sept. 22 and continues through Saturday, Sept. 27 with a weeklong schedule of events that are free and open to the public.

The week begins Monday with a kickoff event from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. on the Centennial Student Union mall. The kickoff event, free and open to the public, will include live music from Frankie Torres, an international candy bazaar and an opportunity to meet the Homecoming royalty.

Highlighting Homecoming week is the Wednesday, Sept. 24 public launch celebration of MSU’s Future State capital campaign from 7-8 p.m. in the Taylor Center on campus. The celebration is free, and doors open to the public at 6 p.m. Free parking is available in all campus lots, and Maverick student-athletes will be available to sign autographs. A live stream will be available at https://www.youtube.com/live/acxMhSciw9s.

The public campaign launch will outline a shared vision for a complex that welcomes visitors and residents alike to state-of-the-art facilities that will host athletic events, farmers markets, concerts and conventions, in addition to creating space for learning, fitness, retail and student living. The future facilities will be publicly available to greater Mankato and southern Minnesota.

Minnesota State Mankato’s Department of Theatre and Dance will perform “The Roommate,” from Wednesday, Sept. 24-Saturday, Sept. 27 in the Andreas Theatre at the Earley Center for Performing Arts. The show is intended for mature audiences. Tickets and showtimes are available at MSUTheatre.com.

On Friday, Sept. 26, the annual Homecoming bonfire (free to the public) will feature a DJ and begin at 8:20 p.m., with free fireworks starting at 8:40 p.m. NOTE: The bonfire and fireworks events are subject to cancellation depending on weather conditions.

New this year is a Friday-Saturday Homecoming carnival sponsored by the Student Events Team that will take place in parking lot 20A (located on Warren Street across from Bowyer Field, where the Maverick baseball team plays). The carnival will run from 5-10 p.m. Friday and from 3:30-8 p.m. Saturday and will feature live music, rides and food trucks. Ticket prices are $15 for the general public, $10 for alumni and $5 for children (Ferris wheel and slide only). Tickets are available at MNSUEvents.com. Free parking is available beginning at 4:30 p.m. Friday in all gold and dark green lots on campus.

Saturday, Sept. 27 events begin with the Homecoming parade from 10:30-11:30 a.m. on Maywood Avenue, Warren Street and Stadium Road. The parade, which has been scheduled for more than 88 years, will feature floats from the community and University. “Stomper & the Chocolate Factory” is the 2025 parade theme.

The parade will be followed by Mavericks on the Mall and Pancakes with the President from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. on the campus mall (next to the fountain). The pancakes are free, and Mavericks on the Mall is a free community family-friendly event that includes games, live music, caricature artists, campus tours and more. Food will also be available for purchase in the Centennial Student Union.

Home athletic events during the week include the Maverick women’s soccer game against Northern State on Friday, Sept. 26 at 3 p.m. at The Pitch and the Maverick football game against Sioux Falls on Saturday, Sept. 27 at 2 p.m. at Blakeslee Stadium. Ticket information for all Maverick athletic events is available online at msumavericks.com.

More information on Homecoming is available online or by calling the Minnesota State Mankato Alumni Association at 507-389-1515 or Student Activities at 507-389-6076.

Minnesota State Mankato’s Homecoming has been in existence since 1928. Homecoming week offers students and alumni a way to display their pride and school spirit. Homecoming also allows the greater Mankato community a chance to learn about the university and take part in the celebrations.

Minnesota State Mankato, a comprehensive university with 15,251 students, is part of the Minnesota State system, which includes 26 colleges and seven universities.