If you’ve ever wished you could attend UC Riverside’s Homecoming, 2026 is your year. Unlike past years, when the concert was exclusively for alumni and a limited number of their guests, this year the gates are wide open — and admission is completely free. We welcome current and former students, staff, faculty, retirees, and the general public to party with the Highlander family on November 7.
Attendees will enjoy an exciting lineup of opening acts, including DJ Alf Alpha, a UCR alumnus (’07) and Coachella Music Festival staple; Figgy Baby, a non-binary Mexican rapper from Los Angeles; and Jacquie, the season 5 runner-up of NBC’s The Voice.
The concert will culminate with a cross-generational headlining set by hip-hop pioneer Funk Flex. The artist began his radio career at New York’s 98.7 Kiss-FM in the late 1980s before anchoring his legendary primetime residency at HOT 97 starting in 1992. His 2020s discography includes hard-hitting studio tracks like “Lurkin,” “Game Time,” and “Re Route.” You likely know Funk Flex by his signature “bomb-drop” sound effect, which he masterfully sprinkles into his high-energy live sets. His status as an NYC icon was solidified in 2025 when he received the Key to the City of New York. Now we’re giving him the keys to UCR for an afternoon of unforgettable hip-hop beats.
Pre-concert festivities kick off with a 21+ beer-and-wine garden, food trucks, giveaways, carnival games, a UCPD-led fitness challenge, and a dedicated Kid Zone hosted by Camp Highlander.
To register or get more details about complimentary parking, food offerings, and prohibited items, visit homecoming.ucr.edu and families.ucr.edu/weekend.
In addition to the concert, various Highlander groups are hosting specialized events throughout the weekend:
For Everyone
- Nov. 7 | 1:00 PM – 4:00 PM: Homecoming Concert ft. Funk Flex (UCR Bell Tower)
- Nov. 7 | 4:30 PM: Men’s Basketball vs. Denver (UCR Student Recreation Center)
For Current Students & Their Families
Current students and their families are invited to Highlander Family Weekend, a three-day celebration running from Friday, Nov. 6, to Sunday, Nov. 8. The itinerary is packed with opportunities to experience campus life together, including a Parent & Family Breakfast, a Residential Education Panel, and a Career Center Open House.
For Alumni, Members & Their Guests
Reconnect and bond with your respective schools, colleges, and affinity programs before the big concert. Special alumni gatherings include networking breakfasts, backyard BBQs, a Soul Food Brunch, build-a-Scotty bear crafting, and a Shark Tank-style live engineering pitch competition.
More details: homecoming.ucr.edu and families.ucr.edu/weekend
