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Campus Life

Rain or Shine, Rutgers Day Always Draws a Big Crowd

A student representative of Rutgers Athletic Bands snaps a photo with Rutgers University President William F. Tate IV in the College Avenue Gymnasium.
A student representative of Rutgers Athletic Bands snaps a photo with Rutgers University President William F. Tate IV in the College Avenue Gymnasium during Rutgers Day.
John Munson/Rutgers University
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By

Mike Lucas

Date

April 27, 2026

Media Contact

Mike Lucas

mike.lucas@rutgers.edu

Thousands make their way to Rutgers-New Brunswick on Saturday to enjoy the university’s big celebration  

An estimated 30,000 people braved cool temperatures and wet conditions Saturday to join the party that is Rutgers Day. 

The university’s giant celebration of all things Rutgers featured hundreds of programs and activities hosted by representatives of schools, academic departments, student clubs and other Rutgers organizations.   

“While we always hope for sunshine, what really defines Rutgers Day is the enthusiasm of our students, faculty and visitors,” said Patricia Kastner, senior director of strategic events and programs for Rutgers Communications and Marketing. “No matter the weather, it’s a celebration that continues to inspire and connect us all.” 

Here are some highlights from the day.

The Buzz on Social Media

Rutgers Day in Pictures

Despite some rain, tens of thousands of people headed to Rutgers-New Brunswick on Saturday to celebrate the giant block party that is Rutgers Day.

Crowds of people fill the College Avenue Gymnasium during Rutgers Day 2026 on Saturday.
Nottingham High School student Anahi Arteaga, 15, writes with chalk on a giant R in the College Avenue Student Center during Rutgers Day 2026.
Dominic Rodriguez, 3, of Milltown, N.J., shyly poses with Sir Henry inside the College Avenue Student Center during Rutgers Day 2026.
Rutgers alumni Josh Skoudis (left) and Izzy Nuñez, members of rock band Kouskous Heaven, perform in the College Avenue Student Center during Rutgers Day 2026.
Gregory, 6, of Old Bridge Township, N.J., decorates a paper R in the College Avenue Student Center during Rutgers Day 2026.
Undergraduate students Isabella Esposito (left), Mariella Garcia and Alex Lee chat with a visitor at the Rutgers University Student Assembly table in the College Avenue Gymnasium on Saturday.
Christina Monti runs a spinning wheel question game inside the College Avenue Gymnasium during Rutgers Day.
Rutgers graduate student Samantha Williams (left) and her brother Aaron check out a decorated R in the College Avenue Student Center.
Staff at the Zimmerli Art Museum set up arts and crafts for Rutgers Day attendees on Saturday.
Engineering student Mason Diaz answers questions about drones inside the Richard L. Weeks Hall of Engineering during Rutgers Day on Busch campus.
Rutgers students Jessica DeFeo (left) and Patrick Spezzuno work at the underwater glider display outside Marine and Coastal Studies during Rutgers Day on Cook campus.
A Rutgers employee adds frosting to cupcakes during Rutgers Day on Busch campus.
A child performs surgery on a Jell-O brain at the Health Village on Busch campus.
Students show off cattle they helped raise during Rutgers Day on Cook campus.
Rutgers students show sheep they helped raise during Rutgers Day on Cook campus.
A child checks out young pigs during Rutgers Day on Cook campus.
Plant sales were a popular draw during Rutgers Day on Cook campus.
A seeing-eye puppy in training takes in Rutgers Day on Cook campus.

Crowds of people fill the College Avenue Gymnasium during Rutgers Day 2026 on Saturday.

Mike Lucas/Rutgers University

Nottingham High School student Anahi Arteaga, 15, writes with chalk on a giant R in the College Avenue Student Center during Rutgers Day 2026.

Mike Lucas/Rutgers University

Dominic Rodriguez, 3, of Milltown, N.J., shyly poses with Sir Henry inside the College Avenue Student Center during Rutgers Day 2026.

Mike Lucas/Rutgers University

Rutgers alumni Josh Skoudis (left) and Izzy Nuñez, members of rock band Kouskous Heaven, perform in the College Avenue Student Center during Rutgers Day 2026.

Mike Lucas/Rutgers University

Gregory, 6, of Old Bridge Township, N.J., decorates a paper R in the College Avenue Student Center during Rutgers Day 2026.

Mike Lucas/Rutgers University

Undergraduate students Isabella Esposito (left), Mariella Garcia and Alex Lee chat with a visitor at the Rutgers University Student Assembly table in the College Avenue Gymnasium on Saturday.

Mike Lucas/Rutgers University

Christina Monti runs a spinning wheel question game inside the College Avenue Gymnasium during Rutgers Day.

Nick Romanenko/Rutgers University

Rutgers graduate student Samantha Williams (left) and her brother Aaron check out a decorated R in the College Avenue Student Center.

Mike Lucas/Rutgers University

Staff at the Zimmerli Art Museum set up arts and crafts for Rutgers Day attendees on Saturday.

Ben Cafaro/Rutgers University.

Engineering student Mason Diaz answers questions about drones inside the Richard L. Weeks Hall of Engineering during Rutgers Day on Busch campus.

Nick Romanenko/Rutgers University

Rutgers students Jessica DeFeo (left) and Patrick Spezzano work at the underwater glider display outside Marine and Coastal Studies during Rutgers Day on Cook campus.

Nick Romanenko/Rutgers University

A Rutgers employee adds frosting to cupcakes during Rutgers Day on Busch campus.

Hébert Peck/Rutgers University

A child performs surgery on a Jell-O brain at the Health Village on Busch campus.

Meg Castro/Rutgers University

Students show off cattle they helped raise during Rutgers Day on Cook campus.

Jeff Arban/Rutgers University

Rutgers students show sheep they helped raise during Rutgers Day on Cook campus.

Nick Romanenko/Rutgers University

A child checks out young pigs during Rutgers Day on Cook campus.

Jeff Arban/Rutgers University

Plant sales were a popular draw during Rutgers Day on Cook campus.

Jeff Arban/Rutgers University

A seeing-eye puppy in training takes in Rutgers Day on Cook campus.

Chris Chiarella/Rutgers University

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