picnic day parade onlookers watch a firetruck full of students wave to the crowd

Picnic Day

Saturday, April 18th, 2026

What to do at UC Davis’
biggest open house

Picnic Day is one of the largest student-run events in the nation with more than 70,000 attendants every year. Everyone is welcome to attend this free event 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 18. The full day of fun boasts more than 200 activities, including a parade, battle of the bands, fashion show, student organization fair, and even a wiener dog race.

View the schedule Getting around

Parade

a band marching down the street during the Picnic Day parade

Animal Events

dachshunds race for the finish line at uc davis picnic day

Entertainment

Two musicians playing guitar in a band on stage outside

Children’s Discovery Fair

Two children and a parent blowing giant bubbles together

Food Options

Close up on a waffle cone filled with strawberry ice cream

Student Organization Fair

two students sitting on a bench near the quad with signs of student organizations in the background

Exhibits

Students work to make liquid nitrogen sorbet and have to work through the fog of the nitrogen as it boils away during Picnic Day

Plan Your Visit

students performing outside in the marching band for Picnic Day Battle of the Marching Bands

Get Involved

Students from the Student Farm hand out flowers to the crowd during Picnic Day

Resources

FAQs

Picnic Day Pledge