For some cadets, Parents’ Weekend marks a moment they have been waiting years to experience. For others, it marks one of the first major milestones of their Citadel journey.
From the presentation of class rings for seniors to the moment freshmen receive their company letters, family and friends of the South Carolina Corps of Cadets are invited to return to campus from Friday, Oct. 9 – Sunday, Oct. 11 to witness these milestones and take part in some of The Citadel’s most familiar traditions.
The first Parents’ Day at The Citadel was held in 1934. More than nine decades later, the weekend remains one of the college’s four major weekends, bringing family and friends to campus to experience these milestones and traditions alongside their cadets.
Major events of the weekend include the Ring Presentation Ceremony for The Citadel Class of 2027, the letter ceremony for the Class of 2030 and a Saturday dress parade. There will also be a diverse range of religious services on Sunday, Oct. 11.
The Ring Presentation inside Summerall Chapel is for cadets only, but others may watch the livestream of the ceremony on The Citadel’s YouTube channel. Guests can also go to either of the auditoriums in Capers Hall or Jenkins Hall to watch the ceremony. The program typically lasts about an hour and a half.
Another main event of the weekend will be when The Citadel takes on East Tennessee State University at Johnson Hagood Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 10. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m.
Parking on campus is extremely limited. Carpooling or traveling to campus via taxi, Uber, Lyft or other service is highly recommended.
Friends and family are also invited to attend the Moore Art Gallery, which is located on the first floor of Capers Hall. The gallery is free and open to the public during Parents’ Weekend, and will be open Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Parents’ Weekend 2026 schedule
Friday, Oct. 9
| 10:30 a.m. | Gen. McKenzie speaks during The Citadel Family Association annual meeting | Buyer Auditorium in Mark Clark Hall |
| 1:45 p.m. | Seniors march to Summerall Chapel for the Ring Presentation | Summerall Field |
| 2 p.m. | Class of 2027 Ring Presentation Ceremony – open only to cadets | Summerall Chapel |
| 5 p.m. | Ring Reception | Deas Hall |
| 6 p.m. | Junior Sword Arch performance | McAlister Field House |
| 6:15 p.m. | Ring Ceremony, including the Ring walk-through | McAlister Field House |
Saturday, Oct. 10
| 8:30 – 10:15 a.m. | All barracks open (2nd Battalion Band rooms open to parents at 8 a.m.) | Pipe Band performs in barracks |
| 9:15 a.m. | Rifle Legion Performance | Padgett-Thomas Barracks quad |
| 9:55 a.m. | Freshmen Promotion ceremonies | All barracks |
| 10:30 a.m. | Carillon Concert | Summerall Field |
| 11 a.m. | Parade with Jeep Review | Summerall Field |
| 2 p.m. | Bulldogs vs. ETSU, Summerall Guards perform at halftime | Johnson Hagood Stadium |
Sunday, Oct. 11
| 9 a.m. | General Protestant worship with a Blessing of the Rings service, reception to follow | Summerall Chapel |
| 5 p.m. | Catholic Mass | Summerall Chapel |
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