The Yard’s Guide to SpelHouse 2026: Events, tailgates, football and parking
SpelHouse homecoming returns this week, bringing thousands of Morehouse College and Spelman College students, alumni and friends to the Atlanta University Center for five days of reunions, concerts, step shows, tailgating and school traditions.
The week culminates Saturday with Morehouse’s homecoming football game against Savannah State and the massive tailgate that transforms the campus and surrounding streets into one of Atlanta’s biggest HBCU celebrations.
Whether you’re returning to campus, visiting SpelHouse for the first time or just trying to figure out where to park, here’s what to know about homecoming events, tickets and transportation.
The schedule includes official Morehouse and Spelman events as well as independently organized gatherings taking place around Atlanta during homecoming week.
Tuesday, Oct. 6
The Listening Experience: SpelHouse
8 p.m.-midnight
Fee: Free and open to the public
Location: Smith’s Olde Bar, Atlanta
Wednesday, Oct. 7
Kick-Off Jam
7–10 p.m.
Fee: Free for Spelman and Morehouse students
Location: Spelman College Oval
Thursday, Oct. 8
Spelman Jewel Chat and Chew
9-10:30 a.m.
Fee: Free for Spelman alumnae Class of 1977 and earlier
Location: Wellness Center Kitchen at Reed Hall, Spelman College
Homecoming Convocation “In Our Image”
11–11:50 a.m.
Fee: Free for Spelman students, faculty, staff and alumnae
Location: Sisters Chapel, Spelman College
Homecoming Symposium: AI and Emerging Technologies
1–4 p.m.
Fee: Free for Spelman students, faculty, staff and alumnae
Location: Mary Schmidt Campbell Center for Innovation and the Arts, Spelman College
Morehouse College Atlanta Alumni Chapter SpelHouse Homecoming Kickoff
3-7 p.m.
Fee: Free for active alumni chapter members; $10 for nonmembers with RSVP
Location: Retreat by The Gathering Spot, Atlanta
Networking Reception
4-5:30 p.m.
Fee: Free for Spelman students, faculty, staff and alumnae
Location: Mary Schmidt Campbell Center for Innovation and the Arts, Spelman College
Concert and Fashion Show
6-11 p.m.
Fee: TBD
Location: Morehouse College Century Campus Green
SpelHouse Bonfire 2026
8 p.m.-3 a.m.
Fee: Late registration tickets are $40
Location: Westside Motor Lounge, Atlanta
Friday, Oct. 9
Alumnae Welcome Home Check-In
Noon–5 p.m.
Fee: Free
Location: Bessie Strong Parking Lot, Spelman College
Market Friday and Yard Show
Noon-5 p.m.
Fee: Free for Atlanta University Center students, alumni, faculty and staff
Location: Spelman College Oval
SpelHouse Day and Museum 30th Birthday Party
2-5 p.m.
Fee: Free for Spelman and Morehouse alumni
Location: Spelman College Museum of Fine Art
SpelHouse Legends: The Annual SpelHouse Friday Day Party
3-9 p.m.
Fee: Tickets start at $23.18
Location: 4 Elements Restaurant and Bar, Atlanta
SpelHouse Homecoming 2026 - Forever Young
10 p.m.-2 a.m.
Fee: Tickets are $53.73
Location: The Stave Room, Atlanta
Saturday, Oct. 10: Game Day
Principled Leadership in Action: President’s Town Hall
9-10 a.m.
Fee: Free for Morehouse students and alumni but RSVP
Location: Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel, Morehouse College
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APEX2026: The Morehouse College Homecoming Tailgate Experience
10 a.m.–6 p.m.
Fee: $64.30 for single tailgate pass-$1,059.80 for the President’s Tent Sponsorship Package, which includes five tickets, all-you-can-eat food and beverages, covered seating, a view of the game and opportunities to connect with Morehouse alumni, sponsors and leadership.
Parking: $40 per vehicle in Morehouse parking deck at south end of campus. Overflow parking is at Morehouse School of Medicine parking deck or Clark Atlanta parking deck at 190 Mildred Street SW.
Location: West End Avenue, Ray Charles Performing Arts Center Lawn and Wellborn Street
Spelman Alumnae Welcome Home Check-In
Noon–6 p.m.
Fee: Free
Location: Bessie Strong Parking Lot, Spelman College
Spelman Alumnae Tailgate Front Porch Social
1–5 p.m.
Fee: Free to enter for Spelman alumnae and homecoming guests. $50 hospitality package including light bites and two drink tickets for guests 21 and older. Current Spelman and AUC students are not eligible to participate in the hospitality experience.
Location: Mary Schmidt Campbell Center for Innovation and the Arts patio and Milligan Lawn, Spelman College
Spelman Sensory and Family-Friendly Tailgate Experience
Noon-6 p.m.
Fee: Tailgate is complimentary for Spelman alumnae, their families and homecoming guests. Meal tickets are $35 per person ages 13 and older and $15 ages 12 and under. A ticket purchase is required for a tailgate meal, and meals are not guaranteed after 5:30 p.m.
Location: Beverly Daniel Tatum Suites Amphitheater, Spelman College
Parking: Visitors can access West Campus parking deck as space allows until 11:30 a.m. and exit through Beverly Daniel Tatum Suites Roadway. Off-campus parking is available at Friendship Baptist Church for $50 per vehicle per day or at The Mall West End parking lot for $30 per vehicle 9 a.m.-8 p.m. on Saturday only.
Morehouse College vs. Savannah State University
1 p.m.
Fee: $64.30
Location: B.T. Harvey Stadium, Morehouse College
Sunday, Oct. 11
Spelman College Closing Worship Service
1 p.m.
Location: Sisters Chapel, Spelman College
SpelHouse Loves Brunch
2-8 p.m.
Fee: Free with RSVP
Location: Tulum Kitchen and Bar, Atlanta
Morehouse Vesper Service
3–4 p.m.
Location: Martin Luther King Jr. International Chapel, Morehouse College