Grab the blanket, because Picnic Day — UC Davis’ signature celebration + one of the largest student-run events in the country — is back on April 23 for its 108th iteration, and the first to be in-person since 2019.

While the distinctive bash — with its cockroach races + cow milking festivities — averages more than 70,000 attendees each year and has reached Jeopardy-level popularity, it has rather humble beginnings.
The campus’ University Farm invited the surrounding community for a tour of its brand-new dairy barn in 1909, but a st-Aggie-ering 2,000 people accepted the invitation, bringing picnics along with them.

The event was such a success that the University Farm continued hosting until 1912, when the responsibility was passed on to a student committee. Amazingly, the event has only been canceled five times since it began.

In 1923, Picnic Day’s first theme was chosen — Follow the Sign — a tradition still upheld today. The theme this year is Rediscovering Tomorrow, due to the committee believing that, right now, “everyone has the opportunity to rediscover what their future holds” following the pandemic.

Expect that theme to underscore this year’s 200+ events — both new + returning — and also remember that, for the first time, you will have to fill out UC Davis’ Daily Symptom Survey in order to attend.

Here are just a few events that will be in our picnic basket. 🧺

🐶 Doxie Derby: Dachshunds are put to the test to see who’s top dog at this paw-pular racing event from 12-2 p.m. at the U Center.

🎨 Children's Discover Fair: From using a salad spinner for artful designs to learning how different colored foods power the body, this fair on Hoagland Lawn has 20+ activities for kids from 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

🛻 Picnic Day Parade: Starting at 10:30 a.m. at the grandstands across from Wickson Hall, this year’s celebration will feature 54 different participants + will run through campus and much of Downtown Davis.