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What to Do at UC Davis’ Open House

Your dilemma: Just how do you plan a great time on Picnic Day? UC Davis’ biggest day hosts more than 200 events. Thousands of students, prospective students and their families, alumni and the surrounding community arrive early and leave late.

Picnic Day Calendar

We’ve got ideas for you to plan the best Picnic Day ever:

Picnic Day: Fashion’s Own Parade at UC Davis

Our Own ‘Project Runway’ Contenders

Two dachunds race down The Pavilion floor

Where Every Dog Is a Wiener

The Doxie Derby race calls out the hounds (nearly a hundred!) to dash after the “rabbit” as spectators cheer on their favorite short-legged athletes.
Four students in white coats standing behind a dry-ice exhibit

Ka-Boom!

Our students make magic every year (with a lot of science behind that smoke) at the Chemistry Show. Get in line early to score a seat for the show.
A group of fencers in full gear with their foils

En Garde and More!

Sports fans, this is for you. Find exhibition games in fencing, soccer and other sports scheduled throughout the day and all over the campus.
A maestro, orchestrates a jazz ensemble

Jazz Outside, Orchestra Inside

From the Quad to recital halls across campus, our jazz musicians and Symphony Orchestra infuse Picnic Day with harmony and inspiration.

Blue-lit room with laser beams and two people in the background in white T-shirts

A-mazing Student Creations

Engineering comes alive with student designs on display. Join the games that student engineers have invented with lasers and other high tech.
Dog catches frisbee on the lawn while a crowd watches

Where the Smartest Dogs Win

Savvy four-legged shepherds, flying Frisbee athletes and performance canines are back to show you who the top dogs are on Hutchison Field.

Trombonist playing in Battle of the Bands

Who Can Last the Longest?

College bands, include our own Cal Aggie Marching Band-uh, play into the wee hours by Lake Spafford during the Battle of the Bands.

Front of an old red fire truck with a little boy perched on its hood

For Firefighter Fans

The UC Davis Fire Department rolls out the red carpet — and its red fire trucks — for you to see how first-responders keep the campus safe.
1939 photo of car coming down road with a sign above that says Picnic Day

Old-Time Picnic Day Fun

Shields Library shares photos, film and other memorabilia from Picnic Days and local events of yesteryear. Talk about Aggie Memory Lane!
Dairy cow with a skeleton painted on her hide

Cows Are Big Draws

Make no bones about it, the UC Davis dairy program moos the loudest. Butter your knowledge by checking out our animal science exhibits.

Finger touching a walking stick insect

Creepy-Crawly Things

Let out your inner child by daring to touch Australian walking sticks and hairy tarantulas. Beware: They are alive and moving!
Male student holding a sea star while another male student touches it

Reach Out and Touch Biology

Wander through the Sciences Lab to discover flora in our greenhouse and fauna from land and sea in the student labs, including a jellyfish aquarium.

Girl Scouts carrying a "Welcome Picnic Day" banner in a parade

UC Davis on Parade

Get a seat early to watch this showcase of what makes UC Davis special — our history, community, departments, student clubs and people.
A group of alumni socialize outside during an ice cream event

Zone Out with Alumni

The Cal Aggie Alumni Association invites alums for pizza, a little R&R and networking with fellow Aggies.
Two women walk outside the new Manetti Shrem Museum of Art on the UC Davis campus

Celebrate Our New Museum

The Manetti Shrem Museum, open since November 2016, invites you to visit the current exhibitions and make art on the Plaza.

Traditions

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Prospective students, visit our Welcome Center
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Get Aggie gear for the occasion
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Learn more about our alumni association