Streets around Howard University's Northwest D.C. campus will close through Saturday night for the school's 2026 homecoming. The two-day celebration brings concerts, step shows and a football game against Morehouse College to the neighborhood.

The centerpiece is Saturday, Oct. 17's 3:30 p.m. kickoff between the Howard Bison and the Morehouse Maroon Tigers at Greene Stadium. The Washington Informer called it the 102nd homecoming game.

The Bison enter at 2-4 after a 24-20 loss at Penn on Oct. 10. Head coach Ted White's squad beat Hampton 27-13 on Oct. 4 at Audi Field before 15,389 fans, snapping a three-game skid. Howard could not hold a 20-10 third-quarter lead in Philadelphia, according to Howard University Athletics.

"[This win] means momentum … We didn't worry about any other game on our schedule but the [Battle of the Real HU] today," White said after the Hampton victory, as the Informer reported on Oct. 5.

The Oct. 16 schedule, themed "Wildest Dreams," opened with a State of the University address from Interim and Emeritus President Dr. Wayne A. I. Frederick at 10 a.m. in the Miner Building. YardFest, one of Howard's most iconic homecoming traditions, began at noon on The Yard. Howard alumnus Lance Gross hosts the HU x Jordan Alumni Hour from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Sandlot Uptown. The Greek Step Show starts at 8 p.m. in Burr Gymnasium, according to the university's homecoming schedule.

Saturday, Oct. 17, adds the WHUT FamFest at 11 a.m. in the Lower Quadrangle before the football game. The traditional homecoming parade was postponed because of construction along Georgia Avenue, WJLA reported.

Road closures and parking

The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) issued a traffic advisory covering both days. Vehicles parked in violation of emergency no-parking signs will be ticketed and towed.

Friday, Oct. 16, at 4 a.m. through Saturday, Oct. 17, at 11:59 p.m., the following streets are closed to traffic:

  • 6th Street from Girard Street to College Street, NW
  • Girard Street from Georgia Avenue to 6th Street, NW
  • Fairmont Street from Georgia Avenue to 6th Street, NW
  • Howard Place from Georgia Avenue to 6th Street, NW

Emergency no-parking zones cover a wider area during the same window, including 6th Street from Girard to W Street and Georgia Avenue from Columbia Road to Florida Avenue, NW.

Saturday, Oct. 17, from 9:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., a larger ring of streets closes around campus. That includes Gresham Place, Euclid Street, Barry Place, W Street, Bryant Street and sections of 4th through 9th streets, NW. Howard University Hospital traffic can still enter from Georgia Avenue and Florida Avenue. Residents can still reach their homes.

More streets near campus may close intermittently Saturday from about noon to 11 p.m. for crowd management. Separate no-parking restrictions apply near Half Street and N Street, SE, from 10 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. Saturday.

MPD urged drivers to expect delays and consider alternate routes around the campus area. All closures and times are subject to change.