Picnic Day 112: your guide to the on-campus fun
UC Davis’ biggest event of the year returns on Saturday, April 18
By VINCE BASADA — campus@theaggie.org
April 15, 2026
The 112th Picnic Day is just around the corner, and as always, the annual open house is sure to draw attention. Some 75,000 people are expected to attend, and this year’s theme, “The Journey Home: Destination Davis,” posits that, eventually, all roads lead back to campus.
Picnic Day Chair Trinh Vo, a fourth-year psychology major, works year-round with a small group of students to plan and execute the event. She noted that the team wanted to make this Picnic Day’s theme more grounded than in previous years (2025’s theme was “Welcome to Wonderland”).
“It's focusing on what Davis is for a lot of people,” Vo said. “It's like the new home for those who are coming in for college, but it's also about those who have already been here before us. It's a good time to make good memories — to be in the ‘good old days’ when you were here, if you [are] an alumni.”
The first Picnic Day was held in 1909, and it is now one of the largest student-run events in the country. The festivities start with the Picnic Day Parade, which will form at the Grandstands on North Quad Avenue (across from Wickson Hall). The opening ceremony starts at 9:30 a.m., and the parade kicks off at 10:15 a.m.
Vo said that the “Journey Home” theme will extend through much of the day’s programming. For example, the Children’s Discovery Fair at Dairy Field will place emphasis on Davis and California-themed activities.
Many fan favorite events are back, though not all without changes. The Doxie Derby (at the University Credit Union Center from noon to 2 p.m.) is introducing a $10 admission fee this year, though 300 free tickets will be handed out on a first-come, first-served basis.
The Fashion and Design Society Fashion Show (Cruess Hall, 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.), the Chemistry Magic Show (Rock Hall 194, various showtimes) and Davis Dance Revolution (Mondavi Center, 7 p.m.) also require tickets to be obtained in advance.
There are new attractions too; an event at the A Street Intramural Field will be a “smaller Picnic Day” of its own, according to Vo. It will feature bouncy houses, painting activities and some games for a chance to win prizes.
“You can step away from the main everything that's happening on campus and still have a lot of fun,” Vo said. “I heard the prizes are very good. I’m not going to personally say it yet, but I think people should participate. I placed the order for [the prizes], and I want one.”
While the City of Davis has introduced several new safety measures following last year’s shooting at Community Park, UC Davis Police Department (UCDPD) Chief Joseph Farrow said that there aren’t any new policies in place on campus for 2026.
Standard heightened security will be present around campus, including Aggie Hosts, security professionals and police; first aid will be available at the UC Davis Fire Station. Attendees can also text “UCDPicnic” to 888-777 to opt in to the university’s WarnMe alert system and receive emergency safety messages during the day.
Farrow noted that the UCDPD is well aware that some may choose to drink and party on Saturday, but he emphasized that safety should come first.
“If you indulge in alcohol, please take care of yourself,” Farrow said. “Don't drink to excess. It's going to be hot — don't go out there and do things. This is not what Picnic Day is really all about. It's a family-friendly event.”
As for getting to campus on the day of, Unitrans will be running extended weekend service and offer a special, unlimited all-day pass through the ZipPass app. Wheelchairs will be available in the Garrison Room on the second floor of the Memorial Union.
“There's an abundance of people here, and many of them are first-time visitors who really don't know where they're going,” Farrow said. “So, I caution everybody as they drive and use the arteries to get around campus.”
Some other tips from veteran attendees: Hydrate well and often, reapply sunscreen throughout the day and wear a good pair of walking shoes. This year’s program includes more than 200 activities and events spread all over campus — to get the most out of the day, you’ll need to do a fair bit of traveling around.
“Just do them one at a time,” Vo said, with regards to the Picnic Day activities. “Take your time with them. We have so much to offer.”
And, perhaps most importantly, remember where you park.
“I can't tell you how many times people will call us and go, ‘I think we parked somewhere over by the vet school,’ and they don't remember,” Farrow said. “So we drive them around in our cars, we try to find their car, we locate their cars and try to get them going.”
More information and a full schedule of events are available on the official Picnic Day website at picnicday.ucdavis.edu.
Written by: Vince Basada — campus@theaggie.org