BYU Homecoming opening ceremony invites all to 'Seek and Share'

Students, faculty and families filled the Marriott Center for the 2026 BYU Homecoming opening ceremony on Oct. 6. The opening ceremony is held on the Tuesday of Homecoming week every year.

This years homecoming theme is Seek and Share. The ceremony emphasized seeking and sharing the light of Christ during students' time at BYU.

The BYU marching band and color guard opened the event with a performance, bringing the same energy to the Marriott Center as they bring to LaVell Edwards Stadium on game days.

Then, Elder John H. Groberg announced Parker Willington Black as the winner of the 2026 Brimhall Essay Contest, which honored President Jeffrey R. Holland and his wife, Patricia T. Holland.

More than 500 students entered the essay contest. Otgonbileg Erdenebaatar won second place, and Victoria Clinger took third place. Ashlyn Bell, Jessie Moore and Hannah Larger were named the contests honorable mentions.

A video about community service was then played in the Marriott Center. The video showed the BYU football team and members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints serving their local communities.

People care about people. Period, one of the volunteers said in the video.

The BYU cheer team then led the audience in chanting B - Y - U."

BYU Noteworthy and BYU Vocal Point shared the stage and gave an a cappella and dance performance that lit up the Marriott crowd.

The BYU Ballroom Company took the stage after BYU Noteworhty and BYU Vocal Point. The crowd erupted as the group danced to many popular songs including Feel This Moment by Pitbull, Single Ladies by Beyonce and Girls Just Wanna Have Fun by Cyndi Lauper.

A video at the event showed the annual homecoming tradition of Light the Y, where students hike Y Mountain together while the Y is lit. The tradition dates back to 1924.

The Courgettes then performed to Michael Jacksons "Earth Song." A video followed the performance and highlighted BYUs unique educational opportunities to learn for this life and for eternity.

Living Legends, a BYU student performing arts group that celebrates the indigenous peoples of North America, South America and the South Pacific, then performed with energetic song, dance and vibrant colors.

The band, Mountain Strings, performed When the Saints Go Marching In, followed by Sam Payne, a musician and storyteller from BYU radio.

Payne accompanied the BYU Jazz Legacy Band. He told stories of President Jeffrey R. Holland and Patricia T. Holland while the band played inspiring music.

At one point, Payne told an emotional story of the faith and strength President Holland possessed while Amazing Grace played softly on the piano in the background.

During his last general conference talk in October 2025, President Holland sang Amazing Grace. To end the ceremony, Payne invited the audience to stand and sing Amazing Grace with the band. The crowd sang with vigor.