East Lansing expects thousands of visitors Friday, Oct. 9, when the MSU Homecoming Parade rolls through downtown starting at 6 p.m.
More than 140 floats and participant groups will march from Abbot Road and Burcham Drive to Farm Lane on Michigan State University's campus. The parade is expected to wrap up around 7:15 p.m.
One big change for the 2026 parade: no more candy tossing. Parade participants have been told not to throw treats into the crowd. Student ambassadors will walk the route and hand candy directly to spectators instead.
"We're not tossing candy, so that's a big change that you've seen from the past … we have a number of students who are student ambassadors … who will volunteer to actually walk along the parade route and actually hand them out, so it's safe for everyone," Nick McLaren, assistant vice president of MSU Alumni, told WILX.
The City of East Lansing is also reminding families that children should not run into the street during the parade. All attendees should stay on the sidewalk or in another safe viewing area.
Lt. Adrian Ojerio of the East Lansing Police Department said nearly all available officers will be on duty for the weekend, according to WILX. Visitors should not carry open alcoholic drinks on city streets or sidewalks, according to MSU’s guidance on East Lansing rules. On campus, MSU’s alcohol ordinance generally prohibits open containers in public areas unless an approved exception applies.
The 2026 grand marshal is Susan Packard, a media entrepreneur, author and MSU alumna described by the city as an advocate for collegiate recovery.
Closures and parking
Street closures begin at 2:30 p.m. Friday on Abbot Road between Saginaw Street and Burcham Drive, along with several surrounding streets. Additional closures along Grand River Avenue and Michigan Avenue take effect at 5:30 p.m. Grand River Avenue between Abbot Road and Collingwood Drive/Farm Lane closes at 5:45 p.m. The city says these closures remain in place until the last parade float passes.
The East Lansing Hannah Community Center, 819 Abbot Road, closes at noon Friday for parade staging. Vehicles left in the lot after noon will be towed at the owner's expense. The East Lansing Public Library, 950 Abbot Road, closes early at 2 p.m.
Driveways on streets that close at 2:30 p.m. will remain accessible until 4:30 p.m.
City officials said parking will be limited and are directing visitors to downtown lots and garages. Real-time space counts are available on the city’s parking availability page.
Construction near Panda Express and Foxtail Coffee on Grand River Avenue has closed the sidewalk in that area. Lori Mullins, executive director of the East Lansing Downtown Development Authority, told The State News the construction will not affect the parade route because the parade does not use the westbound lanes. Pedestrians can detour behind Panda Express between Division Street and M.A.C. Avenue.
Glow Green and what's ahead
MSU is encouraging residents to join the "Glow Green" tradition by swapping a regular light bulb at home for a green one. Twelve students have been named to the 2026 Homecoming Court.
The full homecoming weekend schedule, including Saturday's football game, is available on MSU’s homecoming website.
