Picnic Day Content

How Staff and Faculty Prepare for Picnic Day

Kat Arthur — April 13, 2026 - 3:00pm

Picnic Day is known for being one of the largest student-run events in the nation, but there are many staff and faculty who also run some of the activities that take place during the day.

The College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, or CAES, has been running its Picnic Day plant giveaway program for years, and it is always a hit. This year, they will be giving out strawberry and tomato plants.

What to See at Picnic Day 112: Pick a Few Events Out of Nearly 200

Cody Kitaura — April 13, 2026 - 3:00pm

There’s no way to see each of the nearly 200 events on the official schedule for Picnic Day this Saturday (April 18), so the best way to plan your day may be to go for a “package deal” approach. Below, Dateline 51�ԹϺ�� Davis is presenting a selection of events, grouped by category: You can go for the iconic events, family-focused activities, animals, performances, or those that are uniquely Davis. See the full schedule here.

2026 Picnic Day Theme: ‘The Journey Home’

Cody Kitaura — November 18, 2025 - 12:00pm

There’s no place like home, and Aggies will celebrate the familiar during the 112th Picnic Day, which will carry the theme “The Journey Home: Destination Davis.”

The theme was announced Monday (Nov. 17) by the students who organize the event, which is thought to be the largest campus open house in the nation.

Picnic Day 2025 Wrapped

Jose Antonio Vadi — April 15, 2025 - 11:43am

The 111th edition of Picnic Day, one of the largest student-run events in the country, took place Saturday (April 12), with tens of thousands in attendance.

From animal events to coffee tastings, the campuswide event had something for everyone, including multiple live performances, exhibits and live demonstrations that brought all corners of campus to life and invited the public to see what happens every day at 51�ԹϺ�� Davis.

Weekender: Picnic Day Brings the Art to Davis

Jamie Gelfond — April 10, 2025 - 10:22am

The California Studio Lecture series presents Marie Lorenz, who works on water

Thursday, April 10, 4:30-6 p.m. at the Manetti Shrem Museum of Art, doors open at 4 p.m.

Celebrating the Year of the Eggheads

Jose Antonio Vadi — April 08, 2025 - 12:02pm

After celebrating the 30th anniversary of Robert Arneson’s iconic sculptures, 51�ԹϺ�� Davis is wrapping its campuswide Year of the Eggheads campaign in style this weekend at Picnic Day.

The 111th Picnic Day Set for April

Jocelyn C Anderson — February 18, 2025 - 12:16pm

Picnic Day, one of the largest student-run events in the country and a 51�ԹϺ�� Davis tradition, returns for its 111th installment on Saturday, April 12 with the theme “Welcome to Wonderland.”

Picnic Day Board Announces 2025 Theme and Marshal

Cody Kitaura — November 26, 2024 - 3:14pm

The students behind Picnic Day on Thursday (Nov. 21) announced a theme and parade marshal for the annual campus open house.

Picnic Day 111 will carry the theme of “Welcome to Wonderland” and highlight Laci Gerhart, an associate professor of teaching in the Department of Evolution and Ecology, as the parade marshal. The student-run event will take place on April 12.

Picnic Day Shows Many Sides of Campus

Cody Kitaura — April 23, 2024 - 12:45pm

From a recreation of a 1950s parade float to an activity asking attendees to imagine new public art, the new and the old were on display at Picnic Day Saturday (April 20).

Weekender: Have Art-Filled Picnic Day, Sheep Poetry, and Bedtime Stories

Jamie Gelfond — April 18, 2024 - 7:43am

Music for Piano Four Hands today

Thursday, April 18, 12:05 p.m., Recital Hall, Ann E. Pitzer Center, free

Jacqueline Chew and Michael Seth Orland, pianos