UCI Homecoming to welcome back thousands of alumni

January 2017

Celebration will include music, beer garden, food trucks, fireworks and basketball game

The University of California, Irvine’s 180,000-plus alumni will have a chance to celebrate their alma mater at the university’s annual homecoming event, from 3 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 25. Party in the Park will take place on campus in Aldrich Park. Crowds regularly top 5,000 alumni, students, faculty, staff and members of the community.

New this year, attendees can bring food for a picnic on the grass or purchase food from alumni-owned and/or -operated food trucks. Live music will play from every Anteater era, and the ever-popular beer garden will be open throughout the event. Other attractions include a family fun zone, an Art in the Park arts and crafts fair, and the Innovation @ Home Anteater entrepreneur marketplace. Schools and departments will host interactive demonstrations and welcome alums back to campus.

Party in the Park also affords alumni and guests the opportunity to give back. Five dollars from each admission ticket benefits the UCI Alumni Association Endowed Scholarship Fund, which awards merit-based scholarships to UCI students. An on-site giving booth will also collect contributions to the 2017 Raise Our Ranking campaign, which encourages Anteater alums to give any dollar amount and count toward U.S. News &World Report’s annual college ranking criteria. UCI’s goal is to double the number of alumni who give in 2017.

Homecoming also provides affinity networking experiences – including a Black Alumni Chapter luncheon, a Student Parent Orientation Program mixer event, and a reunion for members of the classes of ’67 through ’77 – featuring a variety of activities from Friday, Feb. 24, through Sunday, Feb. 26. These events are open to all, and registration is required.

A message from Chancellor Howard Gillman and fireworks will conclude the Party in the Park celebration. Immediately afterward, the UCI men’s NCAA Division I basketball team competes against California State University, Northridge at the Bren Events Center. Tipoff is at 7:30 p.m. The homecoming game sells out each year, so those interested in attending are encouraged to purchase tickets well in advance.

As a new option, the game will be live-streamed on the main stage screen in Aldrich Park, and a night market will remain open until 9:30 p.m. so that guests can enjoy food, beverages and entertainment while watching the game under the stars.

Tickets for Party in the Park are $7 per person. UCI students with valid UCI ID and children 12 and under are free. Alumni can buy specially priced tickets for the basketball game: $5 for general admission and $7 for reserved seats. Tickets for both events are available here.

Non-alumni can purchase tickets for the basketball game here.

To learn more, please click here for a detailed schedule, parking locations and registration for all homecoming events, including reunion activities.

Share