10 Northwestern Traditions You Should Know About

Stepping onto Northwestern’s campus feels like joining something bigger than yourself—a community full of history, heart, and creativity. While it’s known for academic excellence and forward-thinking ideas, Northwestern is also a place where tradition is alive and well. From lively events that bring Wildcats together to meaningful customs passed down through generations, these Northwestern traditions help shape the campus experience and celebrate everything that makes it special.

• Top 10 Northwestern Traditions
• Interesting Facts about Northwestern University
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Takeaways

Top 10 Northwestern Traditions

Northwestern University’s acceptance rate is a mere 7%, making it one of the most selective schools in the country. But if you’re lucky enough to be part of this prestigious community, you’re in for a treat. Northwestern traditions are what make this campus truly unique, bringing students together and creating memories that last a lifetime.

There’s no shortage of Wildcat pride at Northwestern, and many campus customs help make newcomers feel at home. Here are ten Northwestern traditions across student life, sports, and academics that you can look forward to:

1. Painting the Rock

If you take a walk through campus, you’ll come across a big, old rock near University Hall, layered in paint. That’s The Rock, and painting it is a cherished Northwestern tradition and likely one of the first you’ll hear about.

For nearly 80 years, students have been transforming this former fountain with vibrant messages and artwork. But there’s a catch: before anyone can paint it, they have to guard it for 24 hours straight.

Almost every night, a new design appears, as student groups take turns using The Rock to promote their clubs, causes, or just something fun and offbeat. It’s a lively blend of creativity and school spirit—and a chance to quite literally leave your mark on campus.

2. Dillo Day

As spring quarter wraps up, you get to experience Dillo Day, an all-day music festival that is one of the biggest Northwestern traditions of the year. In fact, Dillo Day is the largest student-run music festival in the country, drawing about 12,000 students and community members to Northwestern’s lakefront for a day of live concerts and carnival-style fun.

It started in 1972 when some Texas-native students threw a party honoring their state’s armadillo (hence the name), and it’s been growing ever since. After going virtual in 2020 with a “Digital Dillo” online show due to the pandemic.

The festival celebrated its 50th anniversary back in person in 2022 with roaring success. By your first spring at Northwestern, you’ll see why students count down to this tradition—it’s essentially the ultimate Wildcats music bash.

3. Dance Marathon (NUDM)

Brace yourself for an all-night dance party for a good cause: Northwestern University Dance Marathon (often called NUDM) is one of those Northwestern traditions that blend fun and philanthropy. Each year, hundreds of students literally dance from dusk till dawn over a weekend to raise money for charity.

Since its inception in 1975, NUDM has raised over $23 million for more than 45 different organizations, making it one of the largest student-run philanthropies in the nation. In 2025, for example, over 600 Wildcats danced through the night and raised $191,827 to support a local children’s education nonprofit and the Evanston Community Foundation.

There are fun costumes and catchy music, but this Northwestern tradition is really about coming together as a community to make a positive impact (and yes, you’ll sleep really well afterward!).

4. The Primal Scream

Picture this: it’s the Sunday night before finals week, and campus has been eerily quiet… until 9:00 p.m., when suddenly you and everyone around you lean out of your windows or step into the courtyards to scream at the top of your lungs. Don’t be alarmed: it’s the Primal Scream, a quirky Northwestern tradition that helps everyone blow off exam stress in unison.

This ritual happens every quarter on the eve of final exams. For one cathartic moment, books are dropped and lungs are unleashed. It might sound bizarre, but after your first quarter you’ll find it oddly therapeutic and kind of awesome to hear the whole campus join together in a collective yell. It’s a reminder that everyone is in the finals grind with you, and it often leaves you smiling before you get back to studying.

5. March through the Arch

Your very first day as a Wildcat kicks off with March through the Arch, an official Northwestern tradition that symbolizes entering the university community. Led by the marching band and Willie the Wildcat mascot, you and your entire first-year class parade through the historic Weber Arch gateway, while older students, faculty, and alumni line the path to cheer you on.

It’s a heartwarming rite of passage that marks the start of your Northwestern journey. This event is so ingrained in Northwestern traditions that even years later, alumni remember the goosebumps from that first walk under the Arch. As you pass through to the fight song and applause, you truly feel like you’ve joined the Wildcat family.

6. March Back through the Arch

Fast forward to senior year: as graduation nears, you’ll get to bring your Northwestern journey full circle. During Senior Week, the graduating class gathers for the March Back through the Arch, retracing your steps by walking out through the Weber Arch in the opposite direction.

This nostalgic Northwestern tradition began as a bookend to the freshman March through the Arch, giving you a moment to reflect on how far you’ve come. Professors and staff often line the route to give high-fives or hugs, and you’ll march alongside your classmates one last time before Commencement.

Just like other Northwestern traditions, this one creates a memorable milestone: you literally exit campus through the same arch where it all started, with the band playing and your fellow Wildcats cheering you into life beyond college.

7. Wildcat Dash

The Wildcat Dash is one of the most exciting moments you’ll experience at Northwestern. As a new student, you have the chance to lead the football team out of the tunnel and onto the field before the Big Ten home opener at Ryan Field.

As part of Wildcat Welcome, the Dash marks the beginning of your Northwestern story. You’ll pull on your purple gear—maybe some paw-print gloves or a spirited T-shirt—and run across the field with your classmates, cheered on by the marching band and a roaring crowd. In that moment, you become part of something bigger. You feel the pulse of game day and help bring the stadium to life.

8. Wildcat Game Day Rituals

Football Saturdays at Ryan Field come with their own set of fun student traditions that you’ll quickly learn.

In the student section, it’s custom to jingle your keys in the air just before every kickoff—a cheeky Wildcat gesture implying that Northwestern students will “drive” the game and perhaps even that our opponents might be our valets someday (snobby, but all in good fun.)

And when the team is on defense, get ready to unleash the Wildcat Growl: you’ll hold up your hand like a claw and join thousands of fellow fans in growling or roaring to distract the opposing team’s offense. These goofy, high-energy antics are Northwestern traditions that turn any game into a blast.

9. Purple Fridays

Every Friday, you’ll notice the campus turning into a sea of purple. That’s because of Purple Fridays—one of the simple yet beloved Northwestern traditions where students, faculty, and even local Evanston residents proudly wear purple to show off their Wildcat spirit.

It’s an easy tradition to take part in: you could be walking to class or heading downtown and you’ll see others sporting Northwestern purple right along with you. This weekly show of unity started as a marching band practice and is now a campus-wide custom.

So remember to pack plenty of purple in your wardrobe, joining in this tradition each Friday is a fun way to feel connected to the community.

10. The Dolphin Show

If you’re into theater (or even if you’re not), you’ll be amazed by the Dolphin Show: a Northwestern tradition that spotlights student talent on a professional level. The Dolphin Show has been a Northwestern staple since 1939 and is celebrated as the largest student-produced musical in the country. In fact, the program marked its 79th annual production in 2022, showing that even after eight decades this tradition is still going strong.

Every year, more than 150 students from all majors come together to put on a Broadway-scale musical, complete with elaborate sets and costumes. Unlike most college plays, the Dolphin Show is staged in a nearly 900-seat auditorium on campus, giving you the feel of a real professional show right at school.

Whether you participate behind the scenes, try out for the cast, or just enjoy the performance from the audience, you’ll feel the energy and passion that make the Dolphin Show one of the proudest Northwestern traditions in the arts.

Interesting Facts about Northwestern University

Want to know what sets Northwestern apart beyond its academic prestige? These interesting facts about Northwestern University reveal the fun, surprising, and standout aspects of life on campus.

1. Northwestern offers the best of both worlds.

Student life at Northwestern offers you the best of both worlds: a beautiful lakeside campus and all the opportunities of a big city. The main campus in Evanston sits right along Lake Michigan, so you can literally relax on the campus beach or jog on the lakefront with stunning views of the water.

Whenever you crave urban excitement, downtown Chicago is just a short ride away and the university even provides shuttles, making it easy to catch a concert, visit a museum, or pursue an internship in the city.

2. Northwestern is older than its hometown.

Northwestern University was founded all the way back in 1851 to serve the old Northwest Territory, which is where the name “Northwestern” comes from. And believe it or not, the university came before the town.

In 1853, the founders—including John Evans, the man Evanston is named after—bought 379 acres of lakeside land along Lake Michigan. It wasn’t until 1863, over a decade later, that Evanston officially became a town. So in a way, Northwestern helped shape the city too.

3. Northwestern has the sexiest mascot.

Willie the Wildcat, with his purple jersey, big grin, and endless enthusiasm, was recently crowned the “sexiest college mascot” in a national survey, proving that school spirit can, in fact, be seriously stylish. But long before Willie was wowing fans on the sidelines, Northwestern’s mascot looked very different.

Back in 1923, the university introduced its first mascot: a live bear cub named Furpaw, borrowed from the Lincoln Park Zoo. Unfortunately, after a tough football season, students decided Furpaw was bad luck and sent him packing. Just a year later, during a rough game against the University of Chicago, a Chicago Tribune reporter described Northwestern’s players as “Wildcats,” and the name stuck.

Since then, Willie has gone through quite the transformation: from a snarling, fanged feline to the cheerful, huggable cat we know today. But whether fierce or friendly, one thing has remained constant: Willie’s undeniable appeal.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are the most iconic Northwestern traditions?

Two of the most iconic Northwestern traditions are Painting The Rock and Dillo Day. For nearly 80 years, students have guarded and repainted the campus rock near University Hall with bold messages and artwork.

Equally legendary is Dillo Day, the largest student-run music festival in the country. Held each spring on the lakefront, it draws major artists and thousands of students for a day of music, celebration, and Wildcat pride.

2. What is Northwestern’s motto?

Northwestern University’s motto, “Quaecumque Sunt Vera,” is Latin for “Whatsoever things are true.” It reflects the university’s commitment to the pursuit of knowledge, integrity, and intellectual curiosity.

3. Who is Willie the Wildcat?

Willie the Wildcat is Northwestern’s beloved mascot and the face of school spirit. You’ll see him at games, pep rallies, and even in the dining halls.

Takeaways

• Northwestern has a rich set of traditions that bring students together and build school pride.
• From Painting the Rock, where students paint messages on a massive rock in the center of campus, to Dillo Day, a massive music festival celebrating the end of the year, these Northwestern traditions create unforgettable moments.
• Dance Marathon is another highlight, where students raise money for charity by dancing for hours.
• Dreaming of becoming a Wildcat? A college admissions expert can provide personalized advice to boost your chances of admission.