The Alumni BBQ Welcomes You Home for Homecoming 2026

Come Home for the Alumni BBQ

The Alumni BBQ is one of the highlights of Homecoming, bringing Montclair alumni, family and friends together for an afternoon of great food, fun and Montclair pride. 

Enjoy BBQ favorites, local breweries, giveaways, crafts and games while reconnecting with fellow Red Hawks and celebrating the memories and traditions that make coming home to Montclair so special.

“There’s nothing quite like Homecoming,” says Cynthia Watson ’99, Foundation Board Member. “The excitement on campus, the football game, the Alumni BBQ and seeing generations of Red Hawks celebrating together make it one of my favorite weekends of the year. It’s impossible not to leave feeling proud to be a Montclair alumna.”

Whether you graduated last year, decades ago or somewhere in between, the Alumni BBQ is a chance to return to the place where your Montclair story began. Reconnect with old friends, make new memories and experience the energy of Homecoming alongside fellow Red Hawks. 

For first-generation graduate Al-Nesha Jones, CPA ’07 ’13 MBA, the Alumni BBQ is an opportunity to celebrate the Montclair community that empowered her to pursue her dreams while inspiring her future Red Hawks to chase theirs, too. “As a mom of future college kids, my husband and I want our children to see that college is about so much more than earning a degree. We love bringing them back to Montclair, reconnecting with friends and colleagues, seeing how much the campus has grown and changed, and just enjoying the energy of Homecoming. The Alumni BBQ is always one of our favorite parts because it gives us a little home base to come back to in between all the Homecoming festivities.” 

The Alumni BBQ will take place on Saturday, October 3, from 1-4 p.m. on the Historic Quad, with tickets priced at $25 for adults, $15 for children and free for children 2 and under; walk-in tickets are $35.

Register Now!

Celebrate and Make New Memories at the Alumni BBQ

The Alumni BBQ is an opportunity to celebrate the people who make our community so special. This year, the BBQ offers even more ways to come together, make new memories and show your Red Hawk pride.

Get ready for an afternoon filled with great food, family fun, music and plenty of Montclair spirit. Enjoy BBQ favorites alongside drinks from local breweries, including ⁠Seven Tribesmen, ⁠Montclair Brewery, ⁠Cricket Hill Brewery and ⁠Burnt Mills Cider.

This year, the BBQ will follow Homecoming’s western theme! Attendees will receive a branded bandana and kids can get creative with fun crafts like cactus cowboy magnets. 

Bring the whole family for lawn games and friendly competitions, fall crafts and a DJ will keep the celebration going throughout the afternoon. The Montclair Pep Band will bring even more energy and school spirit to the Historic Quad and attendees will receive a pom pom to help cheer on the Red Hawks at the big game. 

Make the Most of Homecoming & Family Weekend

The Alumni BBQ is just one part of Homecoming & Family Weekend. Make a day of it and enjoy everything the weekend has to offer, with activities and events designed for all ages.

On Friday, attend events at Bloomfield College including the Men’s and Women’s Alumni Basketball Games followed by the Alumni Reception. The celebration welcomes reunion classes ending in 1s and 6s, including our newest alumni from the class of 2026. The evening is complete with music, fun, food and a pinning ceremony recognizing the 10th, 25th and 50th reunion classes. All alumni are welcome. 

Saturday, explore the Street Fair, take a campus tour, catch live performances at the Amphitheater or stop by the Homecoming Tailgate before cheering on the Red Hawks as they take on Kean at 5 p.m. 

View the weekend schedule to map out your activities. Are you a parent or supporter of a current student? We invite you to join additional events for Family Weekend. Register for Family Weekend events here. 

Questions? We’re Here to Help.

For more information about the Alumni BBQ, contact Lauren Sagnella, Associate Director of Alumni Engagement, at sagnellal@montclair.edu.

And don’t let the Homecoming fun end when the weekend does! Stay connected with the Office of Alumni Engagement all year long. From meaningful networking opportunities and career resources to professional development programs and events, there are plenty of ways to stay involved and carry your Montclair experience with you wherever your journey takes you.

Reach us at 973-655-4141 or alumni@montclair.edu. We look forward to connecting with you!