Traditions
Unrivaled by Any
Our most signature traditions aren’t just a response to big wins or just a moment captured that we’ll soon forget, but at their core, they connect us to our humanity. They are loud reminders that our motto is alive and well. It’s what separates their school pride from our school spirit. Simply put, our traditions are Unrivaled by Any. Be it spring or fall semester, before you walk that stage on the third Monday in May, these traditions are a must.
Arnold Palmer Day
Hosted by the Traditions Council each year, Arnold Palmer Day was created to honor one of the most esteemed golfers who attended Wake Forest College in the late 1940s and early 1950s. To this day, we celebrate Arnold Palmer for the support and affection he showed for the University.
Spring Tradition
Follow us to eep up with all things Family Weekend!
Bell Tower Tours
Each spring, seniors get the opportunity to explore the tunnels below Wait Chapel and the uppermost portion of Wait Chapel’s spire, where they get to leave their mark by signing their names throughout the chapel’s woodwork.
Spring Tradition
CP3 Day
Each year, we celebrate Wake Forest’s Hometown Hero, Chris Paul Day, with our Traditions Council, “Chris P” Kreme doughnuts and fun basketball activities on Manchester Plaza!
Fall Tradition
Deacon Dash
Each year, our first football home game is marked by our newest Demon Deacons rushing across the field at Allegacy Stadium as part of the Deacon Dash for first-year students. It is one of your very first traditions and one you’re sure to remember for the next four.
Fall Tradition
D.E.S.K
D.E.S.K brings local elementary school children to campus each spring to create inspiring, colorful study spaces for students in their homes. A longstanding campus tradition, D.E.S.K was started in 2004 in partnership with Old Town Elementary after two WFU students identified a lack of workspace in the homes of the children they were tutoring. Today it includes four participating schools: Old Town Elementary, Cook Literacy Model School, Kimberly Park Elementary and the Wake Forest University Freedom School. The event serves as a fundraiser to support local education initiatives.
Spring Tradition
Faculty Tunnel
A last stop for seniors, graduates recess to our “faculty tunnel” to get a congratulatory send-off from their professors at the end of Commencement.
Spring Tradition
Hit the Bricks
Hit The Bricks was started in 2003 as a campus-wide philanthropic event benefiting the Brian Piccolo Cancer Research Fund and the Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Comprehensive Cancer Center. Each fall, teams of students, faculty, staff and alumni gather on Hearn Plaza taking turns running and walking laps around the Quad to show their solidarity in the fight against cancer.
Fall Tradition
Late Night Breakfast
Students can get fueled up for finals with our Late Night Breakfast tradition that happens at the end of our fall and spring semesters! Grab your friends and head to The Pit for your breakfast favorites with the help of our Deacon Dining Team!
Fall & Spring Tradition
Lighting of the Quad
Since 2003, hundreds of Wake Forest community members have kicked off their holiday seasons with this event, which includes candles, caroling, hot chocolate, cookies and plenty of holiday spirit on Hearn Plaza.
Fall Tradition
Lovefeast
Moravian student Jane Sherrill Stroupe (’67) organized the first Wake Forest Lovefeast in December 1965. Two hundred students gathered to celebrate the traditional meal. Since then, the Wake Forest Lovefeast has grown to be the largest Moravian-style Lovefeast in North America and a favorite of Wake Forest traditions.
Fall Tradition
Pitsgiving
A Fall favorite, Pitsgiving is a WFU-styled Thanksgiving Dinner gathering in our beloved Pit right before finals and the holiday break. Deacon Dining prepares all of our Thanksgiving dinner staples and the line is usually out of the door, so make sure you get a table!
Fall Tradition
President’s Ball
A biennial Wake Forest tradition, the President’s Ball is one of the biggest nights of the year, celebrating our President with students, faculty and staff. The event welcomes thousands of Wake Forest community members and has become a highlight of many students’ experiences at Wake Forest.
Biennial Spring Tradition
Grab your friends, dress to impress and join us for the 2026 President’s Ball!
JK
Pro Humanitate Days
Pro Humanitate Days are annual days of service where Wake Forest alumni, families, students, faculty, staff and friends around the globe come together and take action for our Pro Humanitate motto, “For Humanity.” You can complete a Pro Humanitate activity individually or join a volunteer-organized project in your community with a group.
Spring Tradition
Project Pumpkin
Project Pumpkin is a signature student-led event that began in an effort to bring together the campus community and Winston-Salem. Since its founding, Wake Forest students, faculty and staff have partnered with multiple local schools and agencies to bring children to the Reynolda Campus and create a fall festival that includes educational activities and trick-or-treating entertainment. The event was started by Wake Forest student Libby Bell (’93) in 1989.
Fall Tradition
Pump Up for Piccolo
Pump Up for Piccolo brings together student organizations and student-athletes to partner for an annual strength and agility competition hosted by Pi Alpha Kappa and our football team. The event contributes to the Brian Piccolo Cancer Research Fund where students have raised more than $6.5 million since the fund beagin in 1980.
Spring Tradition
Rolling the Quad
Since the 1950s, enthusiasm for athletic and academic victories at Wake Forest University has been measured by the toilet paper in the trees. A unique Wake Forest tradition, students, alumni and local fans celebrate big wins by “rolling the quad,” covering the center of campus with streamers of white tissue.
We win. We roll.
Wake ‘N Shake
Each spring, Wake Forest students stay on their feet for 12 hours for the Wake ‘N Shake Dance Marathon, benefitting the Brian Piccolo Cancer Research Fund and the Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Comprehenisve Cancer Center. Wake ‘N Shake is the largest student-run philanthropy at Wake Forest. In 2022, students surpassed $3 million in lifetime fundraising through Wake ‘N Shake.
Spring Tradition
#WFFridays
Every Friday!
Show your Demon Deacon pride by wearing your Old Gold & Black on Fridays!