Howard Homecoming Weekend: Major Parking Restrictions and Street Closures Hit Northwest D.C.

The streets around Howard University are about to transform into a hub of celebration and, for many drivers, a maze of closures and parking restrictions. This weekend, October 16-17, 2026, marks Howard University's annual Homecoming, an event that draws thousands to the District for festivities, parades, and football. While the spirit of the Bison is high, local residents and commuters in neighborhoods like LeDroit Park, Shaw, and Bloomingdale need to brace for significant disruptions to traffic and parking. ### Navigating the Homecoming Rush For anyone planning to drive or park near the Howard University campus in Northwest D.C., advance planning isn't just a suggestion—it's essential. City officials, through AlertDC, have issued comprehensive advisories detailing which streets will be closed and where parking will be prohibited. These measures are critical for managing the large crowds and ensuring safety during one of the city's most anticipated annual events.

"On Friday, October 16, 2026, and Saturday, October 17, 2026, the Howard University will be hosting their annual Homecoming in the District of Columbia. In conjunction with this event, there will be parking restrictions and street closures that motorists should take into consideration." — AlertDC (via Popville)

### Emergency No Parking Zones: What You Need to Know The parking restrictions kick off early and cover a wide swath of the area surrounding Howard's campus. If your car is typically parked on any of these streets, you'll need to move it well before the designated times to avoid a ticket or tow. **Beginning Friday, October 16, 2026, at 4:00 AM, until Saturday, October 17, 2026, at 11:59 PM**, the following streets will be designated as Emergency No Parking zones: * 6th Street from Girard Street to W Street, NW * Girard Street from Georgia Avenue to 6th Street, NW * Fairmont Street from Georgia Avenue to 6th Street, NW * Howard Place from Georgia Avenue to 6th Street, NW * Georgia Avenue from Columbia Road to Florida Avenue, NW Then, **on Saturday, October 17, 2026, from 6:00 AM to 11:59 PM**, additional streets will join the Emergency No Parking list: * Gresham Place from Georgia Avenue to 5th Street, NW * Euclid Street from Sherman Avenue to Georgia Avenue, NW * 9th Street from Euclid Street to Barry Place, NW * Barry Place from Sherman Avenue to Georgia Avenue, NW * 8th Street from Barry Place to V Street, NW * V Street from 9th Street to Georgia Avenue, NW * W Street from 9th Street to 8th Street, NW * W Street from Georgia Avenue to 4th Street, NW * 5th Street from Gresham Place to McMillan Drive, NW * 4th Street from W Street to McMillan Drive, NW * College Street from 6th Street to 4th Street, NW * Bryant Street from Georgia Avenue to 4th Street, NW Finally, for those venturing closer to the stadium area, **on Saturday, October 17, 2026, from 10:00 AM to 11:59 PM**, further restrictions will be in place: * Half Street from M Street to N Street, SE * N Street from South Capitol Street to First Street, SE ### Major Street Closures Impacting Local Traffic Beyond parking, many streets will be entirely closed to vehicle traffic, making local navigation particularly challenging. Residents should plan alternative routes and consider walking, biking, or using public transit. **From Friday, October 16, 2026, at 4:00 AM, through Saturday, October 17, 2026, at 11:59 PM**, these streets will be closed: * 6th Street from Girard Street to College Street, NW * Girard Street from Georgia Avenue to 6th Street, NW * Fairmont Street from Georgia Avenue to 6th Street, NW * Howard Place from Georgia Avenue to 6th Street, NW **On Saturday, October 17, 2026, from 9:30 AM to 11:00 PM**, a more extensive list of closures will take effect. Importantly, traffic for Howard University Hospital will still be able to enter from Georgia Avenue and Florida Avenue, NW. Local traffic and residents will also maintain access to their homes within these zones. * 6th Street from College Street to W Street, NW * Gresham Place from Georgia Avenue to 5th Street, NW * Euclid Street from Sherman Avenue to Georgia Avenue, NW * 9th Street from Euclid Street to Florida Avenue, NW * Barry Place from Sherman Avenue to Georgia Avenue, NW * 8th Street from Barry Place to V Street, NW * V Street from 9th Street to Georgia Avenue, NW * W Street from 9th Street to 8th Street, NW * W Street from Georgia Avenue to 4th Street, NW * 5th Street from Gresham Place to McMillan Drive, NW * 4th Street from W Street to McMillan Drive, NW * College Street from 6th Street to 4th Street, NW * Bryant Street from Georgia Avenue to 4th Street, NW * Gresham Place from Sherman Avenue to Georgia Avenue, NW * W Street from 9th Street to 8th Street, NW ### Intermittent Closures and Resident Access Further complicating matters, some streets may experience intermittent closures throughout Saturday to help manage traffic flow and large crowds. These closures are dynamic and will be implemented as needed. Officials stress that if these closures occur, local traffic and residents will still be able to access their homes. **On Saturday, October 17, 2026, from approximately 12:00 PM to 11:00 PM**, potential intermittent closures include: * V Street from 9th Street to Georgia Avenue, NW (Hospital traffic allowed) * Gresham Place from Sherman Avenue to Georgia Avenue, NW * 8th Street from V Street to Florida Avenue, NW * 6th Street from U Street to Florida Avenue, NW * 5th Street from V Street to Florida Avenue, NW * 4th Street from W Street to Florida Avenue, NW * 3rd Street from Elm Street to Rhode Island Avenue, NW * 2nd Street from Bryant Street to Rhode Island Avenue, NW * Bryant Street from 2nd Street to First Street, NW * Adams Street from 2nd Street to First Street, NW * W Street from 2nd Street to First Street, NW * V Street from 5th Street to First Street, NW * U Street from 2nd Street to First Street, NW * T Street from 2nd Street to Rhode Island Avenue, NW * Elm Street from 5th Street to 2nd Street, NW * Bohrer Street from Florida Avenue to U Street, NW * U Street from Bohrer Street to 3rd Street, NW * T Street from Florida Avenue to 2nd Street, NW Additionally, **from approximately 10:00 AM to 11:59 PM on Saturday**, intermittent closures may also affect: * Half Street from M Street to N Street, SE * N Street from South Capitol Street to First Street, SE ### What This Means for D.C. Residents For those living, working, or simply passing through the neighborhoods surrounding Howard University, this weekend calls for patience and preparation. The sheer volume of closures and parking restrictions means that travel times will increase, and alternative transportation methods will be key. Consider using WMATA's Metro rail or bus services, which will likely see increased ridership, or ride-sharing services, though surge pricing might be expected. The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) regularly updates its traffic advisories, and residents can sign up for alerts from AlertDC for real-time information. Staying informed will be your best defense against unexpected delays.

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