More Wake Forest Traditions
aWake All Night
This late night carnival in Benson Center and on Manchester Plaza includes food, music, games, prizes and other novelties which are sure to make everyone happy!
Chinese New Year
Since 2000, students have rung in the Chinese New Year with the traditional Lion Dance, folk dancing, martial arts demonstrations and more. Students also celebrate in the fall with a Chinese Moon Festival. (Galleries: 2013)
Diwali Festival
Also known as Deepavali, or the “Festival of Lights,” students have celebrated the beginning of the Indian New Year with performances, music, dance and food since 2005.
Family Weekend
Student Union organizes one action-packed weekend in the fall and spring for families to get a firsthand look at campus life. Weekend events include social events, entertainment, educational opportunities and Demon Deacon athletic games.
Halloween Orchestra Concert
Since 1994, director David Hagy and orchestra members, dressed in costumes, have offered a midnight Halloween night concert full of thrills, chills and laughs. Watch out for the tricks orchestra members have been known to play on the audience.
Iron Chef
A take-off of the popular TV show, student teams (matched with an Aramark chef) have an hour to use a secret ingredient to create a delectable three-course meal in the Mag Room. This annual competition started in 2008.
Oktoberfest
The German Department invites the campus to join them in celebration of a Wake Forest version of Oktoberfest by playing traditional German polka music and serving German delicacies on Manchester Plaza.
Old Campus Trip
Students can visit the Calvin Jones House and the Wake Forest Historical Museum, see the original Wait Hall and grab a hot dog at Shorty’s during an annual trek to learn about Wake Forest’s heritage.
Reynolda Film Festival
Since 2008, students have both run and enjoyed attending this festival, which has evolved into a weeklong series of speakers, panel discussions, workshops and film screenings for aspiring writers, directors, designers, and animators who dream of a career in the film industry. Past keynote speakers include Ed Burns, Morgan Spurlock, Spike Lee and Jason Reitman.
Senior Events
Seniors are treated to the Class of the Finest tailgate at the last home football game, a fancy Senior Dinner at the coliseum and senior nights at a Winston-Salem Dash baseball game and at Reynolda House Museum of American Art. During the senior dinner, four seniors offer toasts to their classmates.
A Taste of Winston-Salem
An orientation event for first year students before a Wake Forest soccer game in which local restaurants offer a variety of free samples to give students an idea of what Winston-Salem has to offer. The event is so popular that upperclassmen frequently crash the party. (Galleries: 2016, 2015)
Wake the Library
Since 2006, the Z. Smith Reynolds Library staff has helped reduce exam time stress for students by providing special decorations, unlimited coffee, nightly free food and even a graffiti wall for students to express themselves. (Galleries: 2014)
