A Day to Dream

Presented by The Hope Summit at Belmont University

What is a Day to Dream?

Introduced by Belmont President Dr. Greg Jones during the inaugural Hope Summit in 2022, “Day to Dream” is a special celebration dedicated to joy, renewal and community. Dr. Jones highlights the importance of not just planning and working together but also coming together to celebrate and uplift one another.

Day to Dream is a campus-wide celebration for everyone in our community to create lasting memories of joy, connection and support. It’s our version of a fall festival. The event features fun activities such as trick-or-treating, pumpkins on the lawn, carnival rides, live music, tractor rides, bouncy houses and more, offering a variety of ways to connect with our neighbors, celebrate our shared community and simply have fun.

Day to Dream 2025

We invite you to join us in this celebration of togetherness and discover new ways we can champion one another and our wider community.

This year the campus will be buzzing with fall carnival favorites like the Ferris Wheel, Zipline, Ballistic Swings, Hypnotic Ride, Pirate’s Revenge, inflatables, a pumpkin patch, tractor rides, s’mores by the campfire, trick-or-treating, a costume competition, live music and more. Plus, a new attraction will be making an exciting debut!

Want to lend a hand? Join in the fun by volunteering to help with activities throughout the day. Check Get Connected for opportunities.

Students jumping in Freedom Plaza in front of the Day to Dream ferris wheel

Wednesday, October 29, 2025

10:00 A.M. – 12 P.M.

Day to Dream Kickoff: Brunch & SOUL Awards

Location: Maddox Grand Atrium

This is a special event for our faculty and staff that we invite and encourage everyone to attend! Breakfast will be provided from 10:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. before the program begins at 10:40 a.m.

RSVP for the Kickoff Brunch

The program will include presentation of the Belmont SOUL Awards along with stories of Unlikely Friends and how our faculty and staff are Living the Dream Together.

SOUL Awards recognize leaders within the Belmont community who make significant, often unrecognized, contributions to the University’s work by being champions for hope, love, joy, humility and wisdom.

Nominate a deserving colleague for a SOUL Award

1 P.M. – 8 P.M.

Day to Dream Carnival

Location: The Main Lawn, South Lawn, Bell Tower Patio, The Quad & Freedom Plaza

The Lawn and South Lawn will be transformed into a dream carnival, complete with a Ferris Wheel, Zipline, exciting rides, inflatables, games, food trucks, DJ and more!

1 P.M. – 8 P.M.

Giveaways (while supplies last)

Location: Soccer Field Drive near CEC loading dock

Faculty, staff and students who show selfies from four different Day to Dream activities will get to choose one free giveaway item. Additionally, the first (500) student, faculty or staff will receive a Day to Dream poster. We will also have (2,000) stickers while supplies last. Come by and see us!

Posters
Lapel Pins
Stickers
Other Surprises

1 P.M. – 8 P.M.

Photo Opportunities & Decor

Guests can enjoy a variety of festive photo backdrops and seasonal decorations throughout campus, including:

Inflatable arches in blue and red
A “Dream” LED letter sign on the South Lawn near Soccer Field Drive
A balloon arch with HOPE letters at Freedom Plaza
A custom photo frame installation by Inflated by Tiwana
Day to Dream–themed cutouts designed by Marketing (Ferris wheel, bear, mountains, truck with hay and mums)
Pumpkin Palooza décor featuring mums, straw bales, blankets, and colorful balloon columns
Inflatable pumpkins, pumpkin cutouts, and pumpkin arches

1 P.M. – 5 P.M.

Pumpkin Palooza

Location: Bell Tower Patio & Quad

Belmont’s beloved fall tradition, Pumpkin Palooza, is back and bigger than ever, taking over the Bell Tower Patio and historic lawn with a bounty of pumpkins! Enjoy tractor rides, firepits, s’mores, live music, games and a nature station at Circle Drive and the quad until 5 p.m. — don’t miss the chance to hop on for a ride!

4 P.M. – 6 P.M.

Community Trick-or-Treating

Location: The South Lawn

We are excited to welcome several local community groups to join in the celebration. Children, families and community members will delight in trick-or-treating hosted by various Belmont campus offices, departments and student organizations. Prizes will be given for the best table design! Do not miss out!

Register to host a table

6 P.M. – 7 P.M.

Student Halloween Costume Competition

Location: The Balustrade on the Lawn

We are excited to bring back the student costume competition. Prizes will be given for the best costumes!

Student Costume Contest Guidelines

Register for the student costume contest

7 P.M. – 9 P.M.

Student Haunted House

Location: Hail Hall

Step into the spooky side of Day to Dream at Belmont’s Student Haunted House! Brave the haunted halls of Hail Hall, where eerie surprises, ghostly encounters and frightful fun await around every corner. Gather your friends, face your fears and see if you can make it through without screaming! This student-led tradition is sure to thrill — don’t miss it!