September is Too Soon for Hoco
Maclay’s 2026 Homecoming Is Too Early This Year
It can be said that Homecoming is one of the biggest traditions of the school year. Between spirit week, pep rallies, dressing up for themes, football games and the dance itself, it is supposed to be a time when the whole school comes together to celebrate. This year, however, Homecoming is nearly three weeks earlier than last year, and this timing ruins the atmosphere of the beloved tradition.
Maclay’s 2026 Homecoming week will take place from Sept. 21-25, with the Homecoming dance set to be on Saturday, Sept. 26. Last year, though, Homecoming week took place from Oct. 6-10 with the dance on Oct. 11. While a few weeks may not seem like a huge difference, the new dates have taken away from the atmosphere of what makes Homecoming special. September still feels like the beginning of the school year; after all, it has only been one month since school started on Wednesday, Aug. 12. Students are still getting used to Maclay’s new schedule, meeting new teachers and fully settling into their routines. Before everyone has even had time to fully adapt into school life, Homecoming is already knocking on the door.
“We are just getting settled in this year, and right as we are getting settled in, Homecoming is already happening,” senior Campbell Ruff said. “Having to deal with Homecoming week and how overstimulating it is along with how now is the time when classes are starting to pick up is so bad…October is the best time because you have had time to settle into your classes.”
Indeed, the earlier date takes away all of the anticipation. Part of what makes Homecoming exciting is having time to look forward to it. This year, the dates and the dress-up themes were announced on Monday, Aug. 31, which gives almost little to no time for students to plan their outfits, find a date, order their dance outfits and get excited about the week. When Homecoming happens only a few weeks into the school year, there is less time for that anticipation to build.
“Having Homecoming so early gives us less time to get a dress picked out,” senior Lilly Bell said. “Sometimes it takes a long time for [dresses] to get shipped, and so your dress won’t come in time for the dance.”
Homecoming is also traditionally associated with the beginning of fall, and the month of October brings a mellow, misty and golden atmosphere that makes Homecoming the special tradition that it is. However, with Homecoming being in late September, it now feels like just a random event.
Furthermore, there is something strange about having the Homecoming football game so early in the season. Part of the Homecoming tradition is having a special football game dedicated entirely for the event, but the football season is still just getting started. There will still be plenty of football games after Homecoming, which makes it harder for the game to feel like a special end-of-week celebration. An October Homecoming football game would give the team and the student body more time to get into the rhythm of the football season, making the Homecoming game feel like a dedicated event rather than an early-season game.
Ultimately, Homecoming does not have to be in October to be enjoyable, but there is something to be said for giving students more time to settle into the school year and build excitement for the tradition.
“Homecoming is really, really early,” senior Josie Russo said. “I feel like it should be in October instead because of fall and because you have more time to bond with your classmates beforehand.”
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