Celebrate Otterbein’s Homecoming & Family Weekend in Westerville
Post updated Sept. 2025
Otterbein’s Homecoming & Family weekend will once again return for two days September 26-27. Traditions are what keep the memories alive. Whether you graduated from college five years ago, or 50, Otterbein University’s Homecoming & Family Weekend is an event for anyone and their families to attend. Bring your spouse, kids and even grandkids and travel back to your college days at Otterbein to reminisce with old friends, relive old memories and have a cheerful weekend celebrating and playing on campus.
The weekend is open to the public, not just alumni! All events are free to attend (including the sporting events), but food and drinks can be purchased separately throughout the weekend.
Check out what you can expect for Homecoming weekend in Westerville.
Friday, September 20
4-6:30 p.m. - Cardy Hour with faculty and staff
Towers Lawn
Families, students, alumni, faculty and staff are invited to this casual gathering featuring appetizers, beer and seltzer (for purchase), and non-alcoholic beverages.
6:30-9 p.m. - Homecoming kickoff concert & OtterFest
Towers Lawn
Homecoming & Family Weekend kicks off Friday evening for OtterFest on the Towers Lawn from 6:30-9 p.m. The event will feature live music by the alumni cover band, four food trucks and a biergarten featuring local brewery, Seventh Son Brewing Company.
Saturday, September 21:
10 a.m.-2 p.m. - OtterFest
Towers Lawn
When the parade is done, head to OtterFest for all day entertainment. The day will include inflatables, games, crafts, face painting, a juggler, live music. The Ohio Wildlife Center will also be there sharing an educational animal presentation. A ticketed lunch is available and tickets can be purchased on site, as well as hard seltzers and beer from Seventh Son Brewing Company.
11 a.m. - Homecoming Parade
Head outside of OtterFest to catch the Homecoming Parade beginning at 11 a.m. As the biggest tradition for homecoming weekend, you won’t want to miss this. The parade starts at The Point at Otterbein on Collegeview Road and ends at Campus Center and will feature the homecoming court, the Otterbein band and many other floats and entertainment. The best place to view the parade is on Grove St.
2 p.m. - Football vs. Muskingum University
Memorial Stadium
Alumni and friends should stop by the Homecoming welcome tent on Friday evening or Saturday to receive complimentary ticket vouchers for the football game!
4:30 p.m. | The 1847 Society: Leaving a Legacy at Otterbein Session
Campus Center (1847 Room, 2nd Floor)
Join members of the Office of Development, along with Josh Plieninger ’18, an Otterbein alumnus and attorney specializing in estate planning for Westerville-based Metz, Bailey, McLoughlin Law Firm, to learn more about leaving a legacy at Otterbein to help future generations of students through planned giving. Learn how you can leave a legacy that benefits you, your family, and Otterbein by becoming a member of The 1847 Society. RSVP here for this session.
7 p.m. - Men’s Soccer vs. Case Western Reserve University
Memorial Stadium
Purchase tickets here.
7:30 p.m. - Otterbein Theatre & Dance Presents: Urinetown
Cowan Hall, Fritsche Theatre
Purchase theatre tickets here.
Explore Westerville
Saturday 3 p.m.-Sunday, Uptown Westerville and Beyond
While the event concludes at 3 p.m. Saturday, the fun doesn’t need to stop there! Uptown Westerville and nearby areas are ready to welcome you to enjoy a beautiful Saturday night, or breakfast on Sunday morning before heading back home to recuperate from all the festivities.
Uptown Westerville offers a wide variety of bars, restaurants, shops, and activities for everyone to explore. Plus, the Uptown district is a Designated Outdoor Refreshment Area, or DORA, allowing visitors to enjoy a beer, glass of wine or a cocktail inside DORA boundaries. Simply purchase drinks from participating DORA establishments and sip and stroll down the streets of Westerville’s historic Uptown.
Here's our recommendations for what to check out while exploring the city:
For dinner and drinks:
- Temperance Row and Uptown Deli – Check out Westerville’s first brewery opened after the city lifted the dry ban, serving American cuisine and local brews in a casual environment.
- Asterisk Supper Club – Enjoy this upscale restaurant offering American comfort food in a sophisticated atmosphere.
- High Bank Co. - Brand new to Uptown Westerville, this restaurant and distillery just opened in the old United States Post Office building at 28 S. State St. The full-service bar and restaurant features a full-service bar and restaurant, two patios, a retail store, and exterior DORA windows.
- North High Brewery & Brew Pub - Visit Westerville's newest brewery featuring their local beers, a full restaurant, great outdoor space and a firepit.
For desserts and snacks:
- Whit’s Frozen Custard – Frozen custard made fresh daily in Whitsers (their version of blizzards), Whitties (ice cream sandwiches), and more.
- Greater’s Ice Cream – Ohio-based, handcrafted French Pot ice cream in a variety of flavors.
- Coppa Gelato – A gelato shop that has garnered national recognition as “Ohio’s Best Ice Cream Shop.”
- Westerville Ice Cream Trail - Happening through Sept. 30, purchase a sweet treat from each participating Westerville Ice Cream Trail location and receive a coupon to use at any trail location of your choice and be entered to win one of three GRAND PRIZES!
For coffee and breakfast:
- Java Central – On the Columbus Coffee Trail, serving up breakfast items, coffee, tea and more.
- Schneider’s Bakery – Offering the best donuts, pastries and baked goods.
- Westerville Grille – A classic American diner serving up breakfast and brunch items.
- Espresso Air – Family-owned coffee shop in the heart of Westerville.
To shop around:
- A Gal Named Cinda Lou – A retro ’60s, ‘70s, ‘80s shop featuring an incredible record collection.
- Birdie Books – A boutique bookstore with a wide collection of books.
- Edwin Loy Home – Artisan furniture and local décor for your home, including local Westerville and Ohio décor.
- Deja Vu- A consignment shop selling gently loved women's clothing and accessories.
There’s nothing better than a good patio on a beautiful weekend night. Check out our list of the best patios in Westerville and stake out your spot or find places with the best live music happening in Westerville here. If you’re looking for things to do with the kids while in Westerville, here’s our list of our top family-friendly activities.
Places to stay if you’re coming from out of town
The Aloft Columbus Westerville is less than two miles from Otterbein’s campus and Uptown Westerville and offers a mix of amenities, activities and food and drinks in their signature WXYZ bar.
Make your reservations here or call 614-899-6560 and mention you’re in town for Otterbein’s Homecoming Weekend.
The Renaissance Columbus Westerville-Polaris Hotel is also less than 2 miles from Otterbein University and offers stylish accommodations, modern amenities food, drinks and entertainment at their on-site restaurant, The Two-One. View their rates online or call 614-882-6800 to make a reservation.
Remember, the event isn't just for alumni so anyone is welcome to participate in all the fun activities. We hope you have a great weekend in Westerville and create enough memories to last you until next year’s Homecoming weekend!