Hospitality Table & Duck Quest Check-In
9 a.m. to Noon, McCarthy Center Lobby
Search for rubber ducks hidden around campus - win prizes!
Come to hear about important updates, upcoming events, hear guidance from current family members and ways to support your student. Light Refreshments will be served.
Chill Out Zone
9 a.m. to 5 p.m., McCarthy Center 520
Need some time to look at the HCFW 2026 schedule and grab a beverage? Board games, chill music, and refreshments will be available all day for families wishing to take a break from the festivities!
Honors Program Family Reception
Honors Program House, 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Family members of students in the Honors Program! Join us at the Honors House for a special Honors Program Reception during Homecoming and Family Weekend! Meet the coordinators of the Honors Program, tour the Honors House, and connect with other families whose students are part of this vibrant academic community. This is a great opportunity to learn more about the program’s offerings, ask questions, and celebrate your student’s achievements in a relaxed and welcoming setting.
Softball Alumni Game
Maple Field, 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Former players can participate in this fun exhibition.
Walk and Talk with Wellness
9:30 to 10 a.m., McCarthy Center Patio
Start your Homecoming and Family Weekend Saturday with a one-mile campus walk! Students, staff, families, alumni, and friends are invited to join the Wellness and Prevention team for a relaxed walk and talk. Walk at your own pace, enjoy some fresh air, connect with others, and kick off a fun day of HCFW festivities with converation, community, and movement.
Career Development Panel
McCarthy Center Alumni Room, 10 a.m. to 10:50 a.m.
Connect with alumni, Career Development staff, and a Family Advisory Council member for a conversation on career preparation, professional growth, and the important role families can play in supporting students' post-graduation success.
Trolley Loop: Salem End, McCarthy, Maple and Bowditch Fields, The Danforth
11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
All Aboard the Old Town Trolley! Navigate Saturday's Homecoming & Family Weekend events with ease. Find a parking spot, then hop on at one of five stops from 11am to 3pm. The continuous loop includes stops at the Salem End Road Parking Lot, the McCarthy Center main entrance, Maple Field, Bowditch Field and The Danforth Art Museum & School located near the Framingham Centre Common.
Women's Soccer vs. UMaine Fort-Kent
Maple Field, 11 a.m.
Women’s soccer squares off with UMaine-Fort Kent on Saturday morning. The non-conference game will begin at Maple field at 11 am.
Framingham Fest Sponsored by City of Framingham
Framingham Centre Common (Use Danforth Trolley Stop), 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Festival-goers can look forward to live music, cultural performances, interactive art experiences, family-friendly activities, a dedicated children's area featuring games and storytelling, and dozens of local vendors and community organizations. Entertainment throughout the day will showcase the diverse cultures and talents that reflect Framingham's vibrant community. Don't miss the annual mascot competition featuring Sam the Ram!
Football vs. Fitchburg State University
Bowditch Field, Noon
Join us over at Bowditch Field where the your defending MASCAC Champion Rams will be in action hosting conference rival Fitchburg State at noon.
Football Game Entry (Cash only)
- Adults $5.00
- Children $3.00
- Senior Citizens $1.00
- FSU ID Free
Festival FSU
McCarthy Center, 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Festival FSU is here! Join the Framingham State community for the inaugural Festival FSU, a vibrant celebration of Ram pride, community, and tradition. Explore student organizations, shop alumni-owned vendor booths, enjoy a whimsical balloon artist, and experience a Taste of Culture featuring flavors from around the world. While you're here, visit the Planetarium, discover campus resources, and connect with students, alumni, families, and friends at this exciting new Homecoming & Family Weekend tradition. There's something for every Ram!
Football Meetup at the Elks
Postgame until 4 p.m., 450 Union Ave., Framingham
Join alumni and friends of the football team for a meetup at the Framingham Elks.
Classroom Experiences
McCarthy Center Classrooms, 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.
Ever wonder what it's like to be a student here? Join faculty for interactive mock classes that showcase the dynamic teaching styles, thought-provoking topics, and collaborative learning experiences students encounter every day.
- 2:30 pm: Not Your Grandmother’s Solar System- Dr. Larry McKenna, Environment, Society, & Sustainability
Astronomy may be the oldest science, but it’s also one of the fastest-changing and most exciting. In this engaging, informal talk, Dr. Larry McKenna shares the first day of his Solar System Astronomy class—offering a glimpse into how today’s students at FSU explore planets, asteroids, comets, and other surprising objects that are reshaping what we thought we knew about our cosmic neighborhood. - 3:30 pm: Understanding Consumer Behavior: The Art and Science of Marketing- Dr. Zahra Tohidinia, Marketing
It's fun to explore how consumers think, feel, reason, and decide!
Planetarium Shows & Open House
McAuliffe Center for Integrated Science Learning, O'Connor Hall, 3 to 5 p.m.
Athletics Hall of Fame Ceremony
McCarthy Center Forum, 5:30 to 6:30 p.m.
Celebrate the achievements of our outstanding athletes and supporters at this night filled with nostalgia, awards, and inspiring stories. Don't miss out on this opportunity to honor the best of the best in sports, including the University's 2026 Hall of Fame inductees: Theodore Budzyna (Friend of Athletics), Paul Howard ’95 (Ice Hockey), Dayna Marchant ’18 (Softball), Mary Kate O'Day ’20 (Women’s Basketball), Eric Roepsch ’96 (Baseball), Kristen Sacco ’11, G. ’15 (Field Hockey), and Matthew Silva ’16 (Football).
Rhythm & Rams: An FSU Dance Showcase, featuring the Floor Lords
Dwight Performing Arts Center, 6 to 7:30 p.m.
Returning to Framingham State as a HCFW tradition, The Floor Lords were established in 1981 at the adolescence of the Hip Hop movement. Two groups formed into one to create a powerhouse crew. Since then they’ve played a significant role in the growth of hip hop culture, contributing wholeheartedly to define and expand the art of breaking in the community. Learn more by visiting their website: https://www.floorlords.org/#home
Athletics Hall of Fame Dinner
McCarthy Center Dining Annex, 6:30 to 9 p.m.
