Schedule is subject to change.
Check back as events could be changed, added, or removed.

View Homecoming and Family Weekend FAQs

Friday, October 6

Ole Led Tours – All Day
Download the GooseChase app, a virtual scavenger hunt app. Discover parts of campus you’ve never seen before and visit some of your favorites. Photograph your way around campus from Friday, October 6 through Saturday, October 7. View here for step-by-step instructions.

Game code: 9DK68E
Password: OLE

Open Classes – 8 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Many faculty members open their classrooms for visiting families and alumni. Get a list of classes at the registration table. View the class list HERE.
Buntrock Commons, Crossroads

Flaten Art Museum and Groot Gallery – 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Center for Art and Dance
John Saurer: Let it Loose celebrates St. Olaf College Professor of Art John Saurer’s fruitful artistic career as he marks 29 years of teaching at the college. Read more about the exhibition.

Chapel Service of Morning Prayer – 10:10 – 10:30 a.m.
Boe Memorial Chapel

Lunch – 10:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Buntrock Commons, Stav Hall
Pay at the door. Credit card only.

Registration – 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Buntrock Commons, Crossroads

St. Olaf Natural Lands Tour – 1 – 2 p.m.
Meet at the Art Barn (Canceled in case of severe weather.)
Walk the trails with Natural Lands Manager Wesley Braker ’18. Learn about the variety of flora and fauna in this protected area and see how faculty and students use the land.

Open House – Student Resources – 1 – 4 p.m.
Throughout Campus
Grab a bingo card at registration and stop by St. Olaf’s six student-focused centers and collect your stamps. Visit the Piper Center for Vocation and Career, Academic Success Center, Smith Center, Taylor Center for Equity & Inclusion, Lutheran Center for Faith and Values, and Student Activities to learn about the resources for your student as they live and learn on the Hill!

Hong Kierkegaard Library Open House – 2 – 4 p.m.
Steensland Hall
View the newly renovated Steensland Hall, home to the Hong Kierkegaard Library.  Informal  tours available during the open house.

CURI (Collaborative Undergraduate Research and Inquiry) Fall Showcase – 4 – 6 p.m.
Buntrock Commons, Ballrooms
For ten weeks during the summer, 90 St. Olaf students worked on 34 different faculty-mentored research projects. In the CURI Fall Showcase, students will present their work in two back-to-back poster sessions. Topics include everything from microplastics in the Cannon River Watershed to a classification of triassociative algebras, and everything in between.

Dinner – 4:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Buntrock Commons, Stav Hall
Pay at the door. Credit card only.

Northfield Night Out – beginning at 4 p.m.
Oles, family, and friends! Explore Downtown Northfield on your own! Bring  your bingo card and collect stamps by visiting the participating locations.  Return your completed card to registration on Saturday for a prize! No shuttle provided.

Hypnotist – 8 p.m.
The Pause
Professional hypnotist Chris Jones presents an evening of laughs and entertainment. Free event for HCFW guests and current students.

Saturday, October 7

Ole Led Tours – All Day
Download the GooseChase app, a virtual scavenger hunt app. Discover parts of campus you’ve never seen before and visit some of your favorites. Photograph your way around campus from Friday, October 6 through Saturday, October 7. View here for step-by-step instructions.

Game code: 9DK68E
Password: OLE

Breakfast – 8 – 9:30 a.m.
Buntrock Commons, Stav Hall
Pay at the door. Credit card only.

Registration – 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Buntrock Commons, Crossroads

Um! Yah! Yah! Photo Wall – 9 a.m.–6 p.m.
Campus Green (Rain site: Buntrock Commons, Crossroads.)
Bring your family and friends to take a picture at the Um! Yah! Yah! photo wall.

Ole’s Amazing Race – 9 a.m.
Check in 9 a.m. Race begins 9:30 a.m.
Campus Green, outside Buntrock Commons
All guests are invited to register for Ole’s Amazing Race. The event takes place rain or shine on the campus green and is sponsored by Campus Recreation. Create a team of two to four players, complete the challenges, and grab your prize at the finish! Space is limited so register early!

Please do not bring dogs or other pets on the Amazing Race.

St. Olaf Natural Lands Tour – 9:30 a.m.
Meet at the Art Barn (Canceled in case of severe weather.)
Walk the trails with Natural Lands Manager Wesley Braker ’18. Learn about the variety of flora and fauna in this protected area and learn how faculty and students use the land.

Coffee and Tea with President Susan Rundell Singer – 10 – 11:30 a.m.
Buntrock Commons, Fireside Lounge 
Don’t be chai, join the tea party! All visiting alumni, family members, and guests are invited to stop by for a mug of coffee or tea and casual conversation with St. Olaf’s new president, Susan Rundell Singer.

Ole’s Fun on Mellby Lawn – 10 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Mellby Lawn (Rain location Buntrock Commons – no inflatables)
Hang out with Ole on the Mellby Lawn! Enjoy snacks, yard games, inflatables, face painting, balloon artist and a caricaturist.

Retirement Gathering for Paul Humke – 10:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Plaza near Tomson Hall and Regents Math (Rain location 4th floor Regents Science)
RSVP required by October 1.

Homecoming and Family Weekend Picnic Lunch – 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Buntrock Plaza
Pre-registration for this meal is requested, though not required.

Flaten Art Museum and Groot Gallery – 12 – 4 p.m.
Center for Art and Dance
John Saurer: Let it Loose celebrates St. Olaf College Professor of Art John Saurer’s fruitful artistic career as he marks 29 years of teaching at the college. Read more about the exhibition.

Shuttle Service to Homecoming Football Game at Carleton – 12 – 4 p.m.
Bus departs from Buntrock Commons. Pre-registration required.

St. Olaf Football Game at Carleton – 1 p.m.
Carleton College – Laird Stadium
Game admission is free

Why is the Homecoming game at Carleton? Read HERE.

St. Olaf Archives: History of Homecoming  – 1 – 4 p.m.
Buntrock Commons
St. Olaf Archives presents a pop up exhibit about the history of Homecoming. Stop by to see unique items pulled from the archives.

Artist’s Conversation  – 3 – 4 p.m.
Flaten Art Museum, Center for Art and Dance
Join Professor of Art John Saurer for an informal conversation about his work in John Saurer: Let it Loose. Food is not allowed in the galleries.

Dinner – 4:30 – 7:30 p.m.
Buntrock Commons, Stav Dining Hall
Pay at the door. Credit card only.

Saturday Night Trivia Mafia –  7:30 – 9 p.m.
The Pause
Calling all students, alumni, families and guests: Enjoy a fun, engaging, fast-paced game of trivia with awesome prizes! Free event for HCFW guests and current students.

Trivia Mafia is based in Minneapolis, and is committed to providing the best trivia! Join us for a fresh batch of enjoyably challenging questions about all kinds of topics, from Mr. Wizard to Steven Universe, maillots to Millard Fillmore.

You will be on a team with the other people at your table, so start coming up with your team name suggestions now.

• Before the game starts, the host will go over the Rules so everyone knows what to expect.
• One person per table will sign into our custom-built events website with a phone or tablet.
• You’ll have about a minute to confer for each answer, and one person from your team will submit your answers using our custom web form.
• The game will be six rounds of questions and take about 90 minutes, and you’ll see the team standings at the middle and by the end. #braggingrights
• We hope you enjoy a good quiz with some great camaraderie!

St. Olaf Band Concert – 7:30 p.m.
Skoglund Center Auditorium
Music by the St. Olaf Band. Open to all. No ticket required.

Saturday Night on the Plaza – 8 – 10 p.m.
Grab a seat under the stars, toast s’mores, and enjoy a hot chocolate bar. A great way to wrap up a fun filled day.

Sunday, October 8

Breakfast – 8 – 9:30 a.m.
Buntrock Commons, Stav Hall
Pay at the door. Credit card only.

Guest Services – 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Buntrock Commons
Forget to pick-up your bingo prize? Looking for a campus map? Need a cup of coffee for the road? Stop by and see the St. Olaf Alumni & Parent Relations staff for any final Homecoming needs before you head home.

Service of Holy Communion – 10:30 a.m.
Boe Memorial Chapel

Lunch – 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Buntrock Commons, Stav Hall
Pay at the door. Credit card only

Family Weekend Concert – 3:30 p.m.
Skoglund Center Auditorium
Music to your ears! Listen to the Manitou Singers, Norseman Band, Philharmonia, and Viking Chorus. Open to all. No ticket required.