SIU Carbondale photo
November 21, 2025
SIU announces 2026 Family Weekend and Homecoming dates
CARBONDALE, Ill. — The dates are official, so mark your calendar now and plan to attend the 2026 Family Weekend and Homecoming festivities at Southern Illinois University Carbondale.
Family Weekend will be Sept. 11-13, and Homecoming is set for Oct. 12-17.
Family fun
Assorted activities will be happening throughout Family Weekend, geared toward fun for all ages. Included will be the Salukis facing off against the Southeast Missouri State Redhawks at Saluki Stadium on Sept. 12.
Keep an eye on the Saluki Family Weekend website for the full schedule of events and additional details as plans are finalized. For information, email orientation@siu.edu or call 618-453-1000.
Celebrating Saluki pride
SIU’s Homecoming celebration is a weeklong affair featuring a big block party, the court selection, special entertainment, the homecoming parade, tailgating and a variety of other activities created with students, alumni and the general public in mind. Highlights include the homecoming football game as SIU takes on the Illinois State Redbirds on Oct. 17.
Organizers note that 2026 will be a special year as the university marks the 75th anniversary of the Saluki as the SIU mascot.
Watch the SIU Homecoming website for the most current information about Homecoming festivities, including the complete schedule of events, as details are confirmed.
For information, email homecoming@siu.edu or call 618-453-5714.
Take a peek at the 2025 Saluki Spooktacular Homecoming highlight reel.