Bemidji State Homecoming 2026: A Week of Beaver Pride in Bemidji

There are certain weeks each year when Bemidji feels just a little busier, a little greener and a little more connected.

Homecoming at Bemidji State University is one of them.

BSU's 2026 Homecoming Week runs September 21–27, bringing students, alumni, families and friends together on the lakeside campus.

Even if you aren't a BSU graduate, Homecoming is a good reminder of how much the university is woven into the Bemidji community.

A University Right on Lake Bemidji

One thing that makes Bemidji State University unusual is its location.

The campus sits directly along the western shore of Lake Bemidji. Students can walk out of class and be just steps from the lake, trails and some of the scenery that defines northern Minnesota.

That setting is more than a nice backdrop. It connects the university to many of the things people enjoy about living here: boating, paddling, biking, running, fishing and spending time outdoors.

BSU currently offers dozens of undergraduate programs along with graduate degrees, certificates, teacher-licensure programs and other areas of study.

For a community Bemidji's size, having a university here adds another dimension to life in town.

Homecoming Week Begins September 21

The university's 2026 Homecoming celebration begins September 21 and continues with student activities and traditions throughout the week.

One particularly Bemidji-style activity is the Dawn Patrol Sunrise Paddle from the Diamond Point Boathouse.

There probably aren't many college Homecoming celebrations where students can start the week paddling a northern Minnesota lake at sunrise.

Homecoming Football Comes to the Chet

The week leads into a Saturday afternoon football game.

The Bemidji State Beavers are scheduled to face Minot State on Saturday, September 26, at Chet Anderson Stadium.

For longtime residents and alumni, "the Chet" is a familiar part of fall in Bemidji. Football, cool September air and a campus full of alumni make Homecoming weekend feel distinctly different from an ordinary weekend in town.

If you're attending an event, it's a good idea to check Bemidji State University's current Homecoming schedule before heading out because individual activities and times can change.

Visit Bemidji State University's Website

It's a Good Weekend to Explore Bemidji, Too

Homecoming visitors don't have to spend the entire weekend on campus.

Downtown Bemidji and the lakefront are close by, which makes it easy to turn a campus visit into a full day around town.

Take a walk along Lake Bemidji. Stop for the obligatory photo with Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox. Grab coffee or lunch downtown. If the weather cooperates, get outside and enjoy the changing leaves.

The Natural Choice Farmers Market is also scheduled for Saturday, September 26, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 110 2nd Street NW. The market continues on Saturdays through October with produce, baked goods, crafts and other locally produced items.

Watermark Art Center also has fall programming during Homecoming weekend, giving visitors another option if they're looking for something beyond football and campus activities.

So even someone accompanying a student or alumnus who isn't particularly interested in football can find plenty to do.

BSU Is Part of What Makes Bemidji Feel Like Bemidji

When people consider moving to Bemidji, they understandably look at practical things: homes, schools, healthcare, jobs, shopping and recreation.

But there's another question that's harder to measure:

What does the community actually feel like?

A university contributes to that answer.

Students and faculty bring new people and ideas into town. Athletic events give residents something local to support. University activities bring families and visitors to Bemidji. And the campus itself adds another place for arts, education, recreation and community activity.

Homecoming puts many of those connections on display in a single week.

And the Fall Calendar Keeps Going

Homecoming isn't the end of Bemidji's fall season.

BSU's Beaver Family Weekend follows in early October, and the Bemidji Blue Ox Marathon is also coming up in October.

The Blue Ox Marathon begins at the Sanford Center and includes a course through portions of the Bemidji area, including downtown and the Lake Bemidji area.

Learn More About the Bemidji Blue Ox Marathon

The broader Bemidji fall calendar also includes farmers markets, arts programming, outdoor activities and other community events throughout the season.

Welcome Home, Beavers

Whether you're a current student, a graduate returning to town or simply someone who enjoys the energy Homecoming brings to Bemidji, this is a good week to get out and enjoy the community.

And to all the alumni coming back to Bemidji this week:

Welcome home — and Go Beavers!