On Thursday, May 2, the undergraduate students of the Class of 2025 could be seen wearing plastic hats, holding wooden canes, and sporting bright red T-shirts. This event, known as Hey Day, marks the conclusion of undergraduates’ junior year and recognizes the beginning of senior year. Here are scenes from Hey Day throughout time, in photos.

This year’s Hey Day festivities were different due to the ongoing Gaza Solidarity Encampment on College Green. Students began greeting their classmates at the high rise field, welcomed by food platters and snacks. 

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The Class of 2025 began marching on Locust Walk to the plaza of the Annenberg School for Communication — a shift in location from College Green. Interim Penn President Larry Jameson gave a speech at the plaza — accompanied by a performance by the Penn Band.

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Just a year ago, Hey Day was held at College Green with then-President Liz Magill giving a speech to the Class of 2024.

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Hey Day is known for its signature hat, but in 2022, Hey Day’s styrofoam hats were replaced with plastic hats. The 2023 Class Board decided to change the material of hats due to manufacturing issues, as the manufacturer of the hats had stopped producing styrofoam hats. Students bit on these hats during the commemoration.

In the past, Hey Day has also been subject to controversy and threats of cancelation by Penn administration due to alleged hazing of students. In 2007, the class board worked to minimize the hazing, instead opting to theme the event around ketchup.

The high rise field wasn't always where the march began. Hey Day in 2000 was held at the Quad dormitories, with students then proceeding to College Green. Then-President Judith Rodin greeted the students from the steps of College Hall.

The signature Junior Cane March, which features the beloved cane, was incorporated into festivities in 1965. Prior to this, Hey Day was mainly characterized by formal university assemblies — far different from the celebrations seen in more recent decades.

Students march up the steps of Irvine Auditorium during the 1949 Junior Cane March — before it was incorporated into Hey Day.

Hey Day’s roots date back to 1916, during which it was then a ceremony welcoming the new senior class. The tradition has changed throughout its history — although it still maintains its original purpose. From the incorporation of canes, to styrofoam hats, to even the occasional ketchup bottle theme, Hey Day will remain a cherished tradition in the hearts of Penn undergraduates.