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Rutgers logo
Rutgers logo
Rutgers logo

Rutgers Day FAQs

  • Taking place on the last Saturday in April (rain or shine), Rutgers Day is a free, annual event open to the public and your chance to get a glimpse of exciting things happening at New Jersey’s state university. With free performances, exhibits, hands-on activities, and demonstrations, Rutgers Day will engage and inform you about the valuable contributions the university makes to the people of New Jersey and beyond.

  • Everyone is invited. Bring your family and friends. This is also a great field trip for school groups. There will be interesting, informative, and entertaining activities for parents and children, teens, current and prospective students, faculty and staff, alumni, and the public. Registration is not required.

  • Beginning in early April, you can browse programs on this website by your area of interest or by location. Most programs run continuously from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., but some have specific times listed.

  • On the Busch Campus in Piscataway and the College Avenue and Cook/Douglass campuses in New Brunswick.

    Download Campus Maps

  • The Rutgers Day bus loops runs continuously all day. You can catch a bus on each campus. Dogs are not permitted on Rutgers buses, except for official guide dogs. Rutgers buses are handicap accessible.

    Download the Rutgers Day Bus Loop Map (PDF)

  • Food vendors are located on each campus. You can also dine in the student dining halls for a special Rutgers Day price of $15 per person for all you care to eat. No reservation is required for individuals or small groups.

  • There are entertainment stages, called the Big R Stage, located on each campus that offer a variety of performances from talented faculty, staff, students, and alumni.

    Browse Performances by Campus

  • Cows, and pigs, and horses, oh my! You can see all of our farm animals on the Cook Campus. The animal barns are located on College Farm Road.

  • You can learn all about engineering, life sciences, chemistry, and medical science on the Busch Campus. Visit the "Health Village" where you can get health and wellness information.

  • You will be doing a lot of walking, so comfortable shoes are a must. Sunscreen is also recommended. If rain is in the forecast, bring umbrellas or rain gear.

  • You can bring your dog on a leash to the Cook Campus only. Dogs are not permitted on Rutgers buses, except for official guide dogs.

  • If you have found something you would like to turn in, or you lost something, look for a staff member in a Rutgers Day T-shirt.

  • Rutgers Day strives to be a welcoming event to all. Persons with disabilities who anticipate needing accommodations or who have questions about physical access may contact Patricia Kastner at 848-445-1921 in advance of the event.

    All Rutgers Day parking lots have accessible parking. Rutgers buses are handicap accessible.

    Rutgers University is proud to be an Aira Access Partner, providing free visual interpreting services throughout the Rutgers–New Brunswick campuses. Any student, staff, faculty, or visitor can use Aira for free on a smartphone simply by downloading the Aira app and connecting with an agent. Learn more about Aira on the Office of Disability Services website.

  • Large groups of 10 or more can dine in the student dining halls with advance reservations for a special Rutgers Day price of $15 per person for all you care to eat. Contact Ken Budrow, kbudrow@dining.rutgers.edu, for more information.

    Bus parking is available in the Yellow Lot on the Livingston Campus. Groups can be dropped off at the Busch Student Center before parking and use the Rutgers Day bus loop to travel between campuses.

  • We have five levels of sponsor participation in Rutgers Day 2024. Each level provides a variety of benefits to the sponsor on Rutgers Day. Please contact Patricia Kastner at 848-445-1921 for more information.

  • Food vendors are located on each of the Rutgers Day campuses. The Rutgers Day food vendor application period has closed.

  • The New Jersey Folk Festival is entering a new era on the Rutgers Campus and is making several important changes, including moving to a new space near Passion Puddle on the George H. Cook Campus in New Brunswick.

    For more information, please email njfolkfest@amerstudies.rutgers.edu.

  • The spring game will begin at 3 p.m. Attendance is free. No tickets are required.

  • Unfortunately, merchandise and craft vendors are not permitted to participate in Rutgers Day.

Once You Arrive On Campus

Volunteers in bright Rutgers Day T-shirts and wayfinding signage will help guide you to your destination. On campus, shuttle buses and parking are free on Rutgers Day. Parking in downtown New Brunswick is available for a fee.

Maps and Directions

Below are some ways to get to and navigate Rutgers Day on the Rutgers–New Brunswick campuses.

Back to the Rutgers Day Homepage