Rutgers University is throwing its doors open for the state’s largest annual community celebration. Rutgers Day, the university’s flagship open house, is set to take over the New Brunswick and Piscataway campuses on April 25, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
The free event features more than 500 programs designed to showcase the university’s research, diverse student life, and world-class healthcare. Whether you are an alum looking to reminisce, a prospective student scouting your future home, or a family seeking a Saturday of fun, the “ultimate block party” offers something for every age group across the Busch, College Avenue, and Cook/Douglass campuses.
Highlights for the Rutgers community & alumni
Rutgers Day serves as a point of pride for the university, bringing together the “Scarlet” community from across the globe.
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The Rutgers Day Parade (College Avenue): The festivities officially kick off at 10:30 a.m. along Seminary Place with the Marching Scarlet Knights. Visitors can even try their hand at the drums at the band’s table on Voorhees Mall.
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Mason Gross 50th Anniversary (Cook/Douglass): The Mason Gross School of the Arts is celebrating five decades of excellence. Highlights include a Latin social dance workshop at noon, student recitals, and an interactive drawing station.
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The Health Village (Busch): Attendees can explore the future of medicine at the Health Village. In addition to free screenings, visitors can:
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Perform “surgery” on Jell-O brains using real neurosurgical tools.
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See a surgical robot in action.
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Walk through a giant, inflatable colon for a unique photo opportunity.
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Family-friendly fun: Puppies, race cars and art
Rutgers Day is a haven for families, offering scores of interactive exhibits that make learning fun for children.
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F1 Innovation (Busch): Watch Rutgers Formula Racing demonstrate their student-built, fully electric race car as it tears through straightaways and tight corners.
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Animal Encounters (Cook/Douglass): Meet piglets, lambs, and kids at the Veterinary Science Club’s petting zoo. Additionally, the Seeing Eye Puppy Raising Club will host a demonstration featuring puppies training to become guide dogs.
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Zimmerli Art Museum (College Avenue): Families can participate in a scavenger hunt and drop-in art workshops while exploring the museum’s world-renowned galleries.
For current and prospective students, Rutgers Day is a deep dive into the academic and social fabric of the university.
The Engineering Zone (Busch)
The Rutgers School of Engineering transforms its campus into a high-tech science fair. Visitors can:
- Make ice cream using liquid nitrogen.
- Watch a hot glass demonstration showing molten rock turning into glass.
- Build miniature catapults to launch foil balls.
Campus Safety & Awareness (Cook/Douglass)
Education meets real-world safety with two dramatic demonstrations:
- Dorm Fire Demo: At 2 p.m., Rutgers Emergency Services will conduct a side-by-side fire demonstration comparing a room with fire sprinklers to one without.
- Fatal Vision Course: Students can drive a golf cart while wearing “Fatal Vision Goggles” to see how alcohol impairs perception and reaction time.
Prospective students can meet with representatives from dozens of departments and student clubs on Voorhees Mall. Sports fans can head to the Rutgers Athletics tent to snap photos with Sir Henry, the Scarlet Knight mascot, and get autographs from student-athletes.
As a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities and the Big Ten Conference’s most diverse institution, Rutgers-New Brunswick uses this day to emphasize its role as a global research leader.
“It’s a chance to showcase what makes Rutgers special through engaging and accessible experiences,” Lauren Marshall, associate director of strategic events and programs, said. “It is a true point of pride for our community.”
If you go:
- Date: Saturday, April 25, 2026
- Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Cost: Free
- Locations: Busch Campus (Piscataway), College Avenue Campus (New Brunswick), and Cook/Douglass Campus (New Brunswick).
For a full schedule of the 500+ activities and parking information, visitors are encouraged to check the university’s official Rutgers Day website.
