More than 2,500 alumni and guests returned to Kingston on the weekend of Oct. 18-20 to take part in one of the university’s most celebrated traditions.
Alumni traveled from across Canada and the United States, and from countries from around the globe, including Chile, Czechia, Denmark, France, Great Britain, New Zealand, Singapore, and Switzerland.
Homecoming participants spanned many generations, including several alumni from Arts’54 and Sc’54 who graduated 70 years ago.
Members of the Tricolour Guard (alumni who graduated 50 or more years ago) marched to the cheers of the Richardson Stadium crowd during the half-time parade at the football game. The team also gave the sellout crowd another reason to cheer thanks to a dominant 54-7 victory over the Waterloo Warriors.
Gaels sports fans also celebrated when the men's hockey team bested the Laurier Golden Hawks 3-0 at Kingston’s Memorial Centre on Saturday, Oct. 19 to improve to 4-1 on the season. The women’s soccer team capped off Homecoming weekend with a 2-0 playoff win over the Carleton Ravens at Richardson Stadium.
Homecoming is also an opportunity to celebrate how alumni play an active role as ambassadors for the university through philanthropy and volunteerism. Many alumni demonstrated this at Homecoming, raising money to help the next generation of Queen's students and to support research priorities.
Alumni also took part in dozens of organized events, including faculty breakfasts, open-house tours, and reunion dinners. Both the Black and Queer alumni chapters held special socials for their members and supporters. The Tricolour Guard welcomed the class of 1974 to its ranks, with an elegant reception to honour their place in the university’s most distinguished alumni group.
Hundreds attended the Fall Harvest Alumni Gathering, which took place on Agnes Benidickson Field. Alumni and their families were treated to live music, food trucks, games, and beautiful fall weather at this all-ages event that supports local vendors.
Homecoming dates for 2025 and 2026 are set. The third weekend of October has been selected for each year, allowing thousands of alumni to plan to return to campus on the following dates:
- Oct. 17-19, 2025 (milestone reunion for graduating class years ending in 0 or 5)
- Oct. 16-18, 2026 (milestone reunion for graduating class years ending in 1 or 6)
The first Queen’s Homecoming took place in 1926 and attracted 870 alumni from the classes of 1874 to 1926.
