I was wondering what big traditions or events are there at Amherst. Some examples might be school wide dance, big events, fun weekends, or anything fun that many students participate in yearly! It would be really great if anyone had any insight on this 
I just visited my D this weekend and we were talking about that. When I was at Vassar the big fall party was the Homo Hop (ended in the 90s apparently). I asked her if Amherst had anything like that. She said yes - the huge Christmas party that used to be called Crossett Christmas is now the Jenkins Jingle, or something like that, and named a few others.
This past weekend, on Friday night there was some kind of party she skipped to hang out with me 
but Saturday she didn’t want to miss the Zu House (a theme house) underwear party and she went, late, like after 11. The sports teams - varsity and club - have formals once per semester I believe. She has gone to the Ultimate and Crew formals.
There’s a big spring food festival of some kind she’s very excited about, on Val quad…there’s one in fall too.
A current student can probably give you more info, i only have what I do because I was just there and we discussed parties.
@wal174 There are not a whole lot of “big” traditions per se. There are a lot of events, though these events usually revolve around something academic or some niche on campus. That being said, here are a few things I have enjoyed this year:
- The Fall Festival: On the Val Quad the school sets up a whole bunch of vendors with free food - anything from a lemonade stand to candy apples - along with hay bales, lives music, etc. Very nice, clean fun.
- Thanksgiving Days Dinner: For those students who stay on campus during Thanksgiving break, they are invited to a catered dinner. There are a whole lot of food options, good friends, nice variety, etc. so that although we aren't home, it feels homey!
- Hamentashen vs Latke Debate: Boy, was this thing hilarious. 4 of our most distinguished faculty (most notable, the hilarious Prof. Barbezat) humorously debated which food is better representative of the Jewish culture. Yummy food and hilarious back-and-forth. I'm not sure how often this happens, but it is very entertaining.
Lip Sync is definitely a big annual tradition that most of the school participates in (by watching, only a few actually do it). D said it was lame this year but it IS a big thing.
The event where girls are in the audience and team up to bid on a dinner date with various guys, who each audition by doing a song and dance routine on stage - that one is a hoot.
All proceeds go to charity.
Thank you all! This is very helpful and I will be sure to also contact a current student to see if they have any more information.