Bright. And. Early.

The University of Alabama’s 2023 homecoming week will culminate with the Crimson Tide’s game against Arkansas in Bryant-Denny Stadium that kicks off at 11 a.m., but if you want in on this year’s parade, put on a pot of coffee.

The annual homecoming parade, which runs through downtown Tuscaloosa and the UA campus, will begin at 7 a.m. You read that correctly: Seven.

The actual game itself begins just four hours later, so between the Walk of Champions, Elephant Stomp and the tiny window you have for tailgating, you’ve got to work in the parade sometime on Saturday, Oct. 14.

Plus, it gives you more of a gameday than you might have planned. The 11 a.m. kickoff is an underrated start-time. You wake up, there’s football almost immediately, and you get your entire day back in Tuscaloosa and elsewhere in Alabama. You can drive through town and even campus during mid-afternoon on a home game Saturday.

So make a morning of it: Hit the shower, grab some coffee, enjoy an early breakfast at The Waysider or any other local establishment, and go steal a spot along University Boulevard to root on the Million Dollar Band, Alabama cheerleaders, plus those wacky sorority costumes and wild and tuxedoed law students in one of the school’s best traditions each year. Just get a good night’s sleep, and go easy on the snooze button.

And if you’ve never been to the Friday night festivities including the pep rally and bonfire, cross it off of your Alabama football bucket list this year.

Below is the entire 2023 homecoming schedule for public/non-student events. Get all other info at UA’s official homecoming website.

FRIDAY, Oct. 13

Pep Rally/Bonfire & Queen Crowning

Time: 6:30 p.m.

Location: Quad

Step Show Sponsored by NPHC

Event Time: 8:30 p.m.; Doors Open at 7:30 p.m.

Location: Coleman Coliseum

Purchase Stepshow Tickets

SATURDAY, Oct. 14

Homecoming Parade Line Up

Time: 5 a.m.

Location: Coleman Coliseum

Details provided at Mandatory Meeting and Via Email

Homecoming Parade

Time: 7 a.m.

Location: UA Campus to Downtown Tuscaloosa

Alabama Crimson Tide Football vs. Arkansas Razorbacks Football

Kick-Off Time: 11 a.m.

Location: Bryant-Denny Stadium