FAQ
About Picnic Day
What is Picnic Day?
Picnic Day is the largest student-run event in the nation — it’s UC Davis’ annual open house with over 200+ events.
What day is Picnic Day?
The 106th Picnic Day will be on Saturday, April 18th, 2020.
When does Picnic Day start?
Picnic Day officially begins with the parade opening ceremony at 9:30AM, followed by the parade at 10:00AM. All Picnic Day-run events start at 9:00AM and end at 5:00PM, most will run from 10:00AM to 4:00PM. There are other independent events that run into the evening, including Battle of the Bands and Davis Dance Revolution, which end around 10:00PM.
Who can participate?
Everyone is welcome to come enjoy Picnic Day! There will be exciting events for all ages.
Is there food available?
Peet’s, the Silo, and the Coffee House will be serving food on Picnic Day. In addition, Picnic Day hosts a fantastic assortment of food trucks, located across campus and open from 10AM. Specific details can be found at our ‘Food on Picnic Day’ page.
What events will be happening?
The Schedule of Events with times and locations will be available soon!
Will there be tours on Picnic Day?
Unfortunately, we will not be holding tours, but you can get to know the campus and upcoming events ahead of time using the ‘Plan Your Visit’ page!
Parking
Where can I park on Picnic Day?
General attendees may park in any lot as long as they are not reserved. You can find specific parking locations at our ‘Parking Information’ page.
Is parking free on Picnic Day?
Parking is free on campus all day on a first-come basis except in restricted spaces, and there is no limit on the duration of parking. In addition, there will be street, lot, and garage parking available in downtown Davis for Picnic Day. For vehicle emergency assistance between 8AM and 5PM on Picnic Day, please call TAPS at (530) 752-8277.
Can I get a permit for parking?
Only event participants approved by the Board of Directors will receive these permits. Please consult the respective event director. If you have any further questions, you can contact our Transportation Director at transportation@picnicday.ucdavis.edu, or UCD Transportation and Parking Services (TAPS) at (530) 752-8277, or visit the TAPS website.
If I am a student with a permit, will I get a parking spot?
As all parking is free on Picnic Day, student parking permits will have no effect and you are not guaranteed a parking spot.
Can RVs park overnight?
There is no overnight parking available on campus.
Transportation
Do I have to pay to ride the Unitrans buses?
Riding the bus will cost $1.00 per person* on all bus lines with the exception of Senior and Disabled riders. Student IDs, bus passes, and 10-ride tickets are not acceptable fares on Picnic Day. Bus service is from 8:15AM to 5:30PM. Note that Unitrans will also be offering free shuttles (see corresponding FAQ below).
*The fare is being charged to pay for added police presence required on Picnic Day.
What is the difference between Unitrans shuttles and buses?
Unitrans provides us with two different services on Picnic Day:
Regular bus lines run on Picnic Day, allowing people to get to campus from anywhere in the City of Davis. They cost $1.00 per person with the exception of Senior and Disabled citizens.
The parking shuttles run every 15 minutes and they help people get from the Silo to various campus locations and parking lots, including the Equestrian Center, Aggie Stadium, School of Veterinary Medicine and the Mondavi Center. These shuttles are free to use.
Where are the Unitrans bus stops on campus?
You can board the Unitrans bus on campus at the Memorial Union Terminal. The Silo terminal will only serve the Picnic Day Parking Shuttle.
Which Unitrans lines will be running on Picnic Day?
The B, D, E, F, L, P, Q, V, W, and Z lines will be running 2 times per hour.
The G line will be running 4 times per hour.
What is TAPS? Where is TAPS?
TAPS stands for Transportation and Parking Services. They handle all of UC Davis’ transportation and parking for everyday events. Their offices are located next to Hutchison Field and the Pavilion Parking structure.
How heavy is the traffic near campus?
The majority of traffic is usually located near the Memorial Union area, especially in the morning and while the parade is running. To avoid traffic, trying parking at alternative lots; check out our ‘Parking Information’ page for more information. From 3PM to 5PM, heavy traffic builds up at the Pavilion Parking Structure on the West side of the campus. Try parking at alternative locations to avoid this.