- April 27, 2026
- By Maryland Today Staff
Gray skies made Terp colors pop even more brightly as about 80,000 visitors poured onto campus to play games, take in the sights and—yes—even learn stuff on Saturday at Maryland Day 2026.
Although attendees at the University of Maryland’s annual open house might have felt a scattered drop here or there, rain held off until long after the event’s official 4 p.m. close. In the meantime, UMD’s guests chose from a menu of 422 free events that ignited (fire protection engineering), bubbled (chemistry) and flat-out sprinted (Terps football) in every corner of campus.
The heart of the celebration was McKeldin Mall, where attendees could snap selfies with Testudo and UMD President Darryll J. Pines or vibe to the lineup of live entertainment on the main stage. They also swarmed an all-day pop-up shop to see the newest additions to the Muppets-UMD spirit wear collection. In a nod to last spring's "Kermencement" craze, the first 200 buyers walked away with a Kermit lapel pin.
Sports fans had plenty to cheer about. Men’s and women’s soccer players signed autographs on the mall, while Terpsville Fan Fest, a new Maryland Day addition, played out in Jones Hill House. Attendees gathered autographs from the men’s and women’s basketball teams, negotiated an obstacle course and got their faces painted. Then, Maryland Football presented its inaugural Spring Showcase at SECU Stadium, introducing the Fall 2026 squad.
Ag Day Avenue drew what might have been the day's most devoted attendees, who clamored at the Campus Farm to meet this spring’s crop of baby goats.
With festivities continuing past closing time, guests wandered Art and Design Place and Science and Tech Way for a final dose of discovery, and maybe one last scoop of Maryland Dairy ice cream.
Relive Maryland 2026 through the eyes of UMD photographers:
The Block and Bridle Club presented the 101st annual Ag Day Livestock Show, where students show off lambs born and raised on the Campus Farm, dairy heifers from the Maryland Dairy Farm in Clarksville and market hogs. (Photo by Edwin Remsberg)
A member of the student gymnastics group Gymkana, celebrating its 80th anniversary in 2026, performs a high-flying flip for a big crowd at LaPlata Beach. (Photo by Dylan Singleton)
Kendyl Burton, a Parkville High School junior, was one of many Maryland Day guests who contributed to a mural inspired by native Marylander Frederick Douglass and some of his most notable quotes. The Arts for All project was led by D.C.-based guest artist Imar Hutchins. (Photo by Stephanie S. Cordle)
The Terp Lions student group performs a lion dance outside Jimenez Hall. The traditional Chinese dance featuring elaborate costumes is said to bring good luck and prosperity. (Photo by Stephanie S. Cordle)
UMD President Darryll J. Pines and Sylvia Pines pose with Washington Nationals Racing Presidents George and Abe, plus Testudo, on McKeldin Mall. (Photo by John T. Consoli)
From left, siblings Ellie and Bo Reynolds, Alex Hirschfeld and his dad Simon Hirschfeld brave the winds of the Glenn L. Martin Wind Tunnel, a Maryland Day favorite. (Photo by Dylan Singleton)
College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences Dean Amitabh Varshney fires off a smoke cannon, to the amusement of young Maryland Day visitors. (Photo by Mark Sherwood)
People at The Clarice participate in a movement workshop called the Data Twist, presented by the School of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies. (Photo by Taneen Momeni)
Offensive lineman Ryan Howerton (71) was part of the Maryland football team at SECU Stadium for the inaugural Spring Showcase. The Terps ran an open practice, then interacted with fans, playing EA Sports College Football 25 on the videoboard with them, racing a 40-yard dash, competing in dance competitions and enjoying a field goal-kicking contest. (Photo by Grayson Belanger/Maryland Terrapins)
A young girl trades waves with divers in UMD’s Neutral Buoyancy Research Facility, where engineers and scientists simulate deep space and lunar exploration in a 367,000-gallon tank that is the only one of its kind at a university. (Photo by John T. Consoli)
Topics
Campus & CommunityTags
Maryland Day