Oct. 17-19, 2025!

Homecoming and Family Weekend

Homecoming at the University of Lynchburg will take place during our beloved Family Weekend! We invite you to join us on Oct. 17-19, 2025! to celebrate the bond among students, families, and alumni. This special occasion provides an opportunity for you to experience the vibrant spirit of our University and reconnect with your loved ones.

Registration goes live at the end of July!

A lively collage of college event scenes, featuring enthusiastic students and alumni. The top image captures a group of young adults in various expressions of cheer and excitement, some singing and clapping, during a spirited outdoor gathering. The bottom images show two young women actively participating in outdoor activities; one is energetically throwing a bean bag in a game of cornhole, and the other, dressed in a university t-shirt, is walking across the grassy field, possibly cheering on participants. The atmosphere is festive, underscored by a backdrop of a sunny, vibrant campus.

Tailgating

In the spirit of traditional tailgating, the Lynchburg Alumni Association is offering a special event for all alumni!

Join us at the Hopwood Hall parking lot for this tradition. Bring your food, beverage of choice (no open- and common-source containers like kegs, etc.), grills, chairs, and pop-up tents. You can park your car/van/truck (sorry, no recreational vehicles) in your 8.5-by-15-foot parking space (a 10-by-10 foot tent does not fit in the parking space) or you can set up your tailgate supplies during the check-in time and park elsewhere on campus.

Each spot costs $95. Buy a spot in the lot with friends! Classes will be assigned together, so you can easily find your friends. Got a group of friends/cars that want to be together? Let us know when you register. Parking spots are available on a first-come, first-served basis when registering and paying.

Tailgate Spot Contests

  • Best Food: Judged on flavor and presentation
  • Best Spirit: Decorate your spot with Lynchburg red, decorations, and plenty of flair!

We hope you’ll take part in these contests, judged by members of the Lynchburg Alumni Board. We’ll even have prizes for the winners!

Still have questions?
Check out our FAQ, tailgating policy, or contact us.

FAQs

Children are welcome at the tailgate.

However, if you are looking for a family-friendly event without alcohol, we are pleased to announce that this year’s Homecoming will coincide with the Parents and Family Weekend celebration, which will be happening on the other side of the campus.

Please remember that parents must supervise their children at all times and comply with the regulations and statutes of the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (ABC) regarding alcohol consumption. The parking spot pass holder or the social host is responsible for informing their guests about this rule.

You can attend the tailgate without having a spot of your own. However, you still need to check in to enter the tailgate and must comply with all the regulations and statutes of the Virginia Alcoholic Beverage Control Authority (ABC). Parking spots for the tailgate are sold and assigned in advance, so it is highly recommended that you register to attend this event. You must have your government-issued photo ID with your birthdate to enter.

Yes, to enter the tailgate area, you must check-in. At check-in, you will be asked to show proof of age. Please bring your government-issued photo ID with you to be scanned at check-in.

If you want to buy a spot, you must register through our online form, which will become available in July. Once you have paid for your spot and acquired a pass, this automatically designates you as a social host. A social host is defined as a person who coordinates the activities at the tailgate spot and is responsible for alcohol consumption, behavior, and safety of his/her guests during and after the tailgate event.

You do not need to register if you want to attend the tailgate without a spot.

For $95, you can buy a spot for the day. Bring your vehicle, food, beverages of choice, tent, coolers, etc. You may use the 8.5-by-15-foot tailgate spot with or without a car. A 10-by-10-foot tent does not fit in one parking spot.

If we haven’t answered your question, please email us at [email protected] or call 434.544.8293.

The tailgate at Lynchburg is during Homecoming. It’s a time to celebrate classes in reunion, connect with fellow Hornets, and come together on campus. The tailgate occurs at the Hopwood Hall parking lot on Oct. 18, 2025, from noon to 6 p.m.

Food, beverages of choice, tent, coolers (no kegs or open-source containers), grills, pop-up chairs, etc.

Common-source containers of alcohol meant for transporting, sharing, serving, and/or mixing alcohol in large quantities are prohibited. These containers include but are not limited to kegs, mini kegs, etc.

Open-source alcohol containers  and any receptacle that contains any amount of alcoholic beverage that is open or has a broken seal are prohibited.

If you bought a tailgating spot, you must park in your assigned spot. For all other vehicles, please park at the Hobbs-Sigler and the Thompson Hall lots (see a campus map for locations). Recreational vehicles, trailers, and other similar, large vehicles are not allowed in the tailgating area.

All alumni, students, parents, faculty, staff, and friends of Lynchburg are welcome.

Interested in being a part of Lynchburg’s Homecoming festivities and gaining exposure for your business at the same time? Sign up to be a Homecoming sponsor!

We anticipate having 2,000 alumni, parents, and friends on campus throughout the weekend’s festivities, giving you ample opportunities to promote your business and connect with the Hornet family. Join in the Homecoming fun and fill out a sponsorship interest form today.

Sponsorship Levels

$2,500+
Free tailgate spot
Free goodie bag
Company logo on the University of Lynchburg Homecoming website
Company logo on signage at Homecoming
Company logo displayed on the scoreboard
Mention by play-by-play announcer

$1,000-$2,499
Free tailgate spot
Free goodie bag
Company logo on the University of Lynchburg Homecoming website
Company logo on signage at Homecoming

$500-$999
Company logo on the University of Lynchburg Homecoming website
Company logo on signage at Homecoming

Book your hotel room early! Rooms fill up fast as many activities take place during this weekend in Lynchburg. See the list below of area hotels to help in your planning of attending Homecoming!

HotelAddressContact InfoMiles From Campus
Acorn Hill Lodge2134 Old Forest Rd.
Lynchburg, VA 24501
 434.528.09831.1

Baymont by Wyndham Lynchburg

 

2815 Candlers Mountain Road
Lynchburg, Virginia 24502
434.509.40943.2

Bella Vista Hotel & Suites

2900 Candlers Mountain Road
Lynchburg, Virginia 24502-2212
434.237.6333
866.510.6333
4.2
Cloverlea Farmhouse
Claytor Nature Center
1650 Cloverlea Ln.
Bedford, VA 24523
[email protected]23.7
Craddock Terry Hotel1312 Commerce St.
Lynchburg, VA 24504
434.455.15004.1
Hampton Inn & Suites3600 Liberty Mountain Dr.
Lynchburg, VA 24502
434.608.12246.8
Holiday Inn Express5600 Seminole Ave.
Lynchburg, VA 24502
434.237.77713.7
La Quinta Inn & Suites Lynchburg3320 Candler’s Mountain Rd.
Lynchburg, VA 24502
434.847.8655
800.753.3757
4.8
Lynchburg Grand Hotel
(former Holiday Inn Downtown)
601 Main St.
Lynchburg, VA 24504
434.528.25002.8
Microtel by Wyndham5704 Seminole Ave.
Lynchburg, VA 24502
434.239.2300
800.466.1589
3.5
Quality Inn & Suites5604 Seminole Ave.
Lynchburg, VA 24502
434.237.27043.5
Residence Inn Lynchburg2630 Wards Rd
Lynchburg, VA 24502
434.237.27043.8
SpringHill Suites Lynchburg15171 Wards Rd.
Lynchburg, VA 24502
434.616.40006.8
The Virginian Hotel712 Church St.
Lynchburg, VA 24504
434.329.32002.8
Wintergreen ResortRoute 664
Wintergreen, VA 22958
434.325.220055

Have a question?

Contact

Headshot of Tom Burrowes

Tom Burrowes

434.544.8431
Senior Director of Alumni and External Engagement