THON 2026 is here!

The 46-hour dance marathon is in full swing, with the Bryce Jordan Center being packed full of volunteers, dancers, and plenty of spectators for the most important weekend of the year at Penn State.

However, the purpose of this great event could be confusing for those not familiar with Penn State or the State College area. With all these exceptional organizations coming together for the largest student-run philanthropy event in the world, it’s important that as many people as possible know what this effort is all about.

What Is THON?

THON is a student-run philanthropy dedicated to raising money for pediatric cancer research. All proceeds raised go to the Four Diamonds Fund, a charity that covers medical bills for families at Penn State Children’s Hospital in Hershey, Pennsylvania.

Fundraising is a year-long effort, but it all culminates in a no-sitting, no-sleeping dance marathon at the Bryce Jordan Center for an entire weekend in February. The event features live music, a line dance every hour, and a big reveal at the end showing how much money was raised throughout the year.

THON 2026 starts at 6 p.m. on February 20 and runs through 4 p.m. on Sunday, February 22.

What Is An ‘Org’?

One of the many lingo terms surrounding THON is an “org.” To those who don’t know, an “org” is simply slang for a student organization at Penn State. There are over 400 orgs involved in THON, the bulk of which include fraternities, sororities, club sports teams, and special interest organizations like Ohana, which focus specifically on THON throughout the year.

You can find orgs in the BJC by just looking around to see giant letters in the stands. These often homemade letters are held up by students throughout the weekend to keep the dancers motivated.

How Are Dancers Selected?

Speaking of dancers, how are these soldiers picked? Most dancers are selected through their involvement in an org, where they usually apply for the position and are selected by the org’s leadership.

Students can also enter as an IDC pair, or an “Independent Dancer Couple,” where they enter a lottery through fundraising money for THON. The more money the duo raises, the higher the odds of being selected.

Why 46?

THON originally started in 1973 as a 30-hour dance marathon. However, the inaugural year was such a hit that the event was extended to 48 hours the following year. It stood that way for over 30 years before being shortened to 46 hours for THON 2007. There are several reasons for the shortening of THON, with the safety of dancers being a concern, but the main cause is the THON committee wanting to move the occasion to the BJC, instead of Rec Hall, which has a much lower capacity. Two hours being shaved off allowed the BJC to host basketball games on Sunday night. After the change and the decision to hold THON at the Bryce Jordan Center, THON became less overcrowded and allowed for more spectators.

What’s The Agenda For The Weekend?

THON weekend kicks off with the dancers taking their stand on the floor. Following this, dancer relation captains make their way to the stage and teach the crowd the Line Dance. The Line Dance is done every hour at THON and is a way for dancers and spectators to stretch and get the blood flowing. It also serves as a pop culture recap for the year.

Aside from the Line Dance, there are plenty of other things to keep the dancers entertained. Namely, a national act performance that takes place on Friday night, as well as a pep rally from Penn State sports teams on Saturday. In between the major events, many local music acts perform throughout the weekend. The last major event of THON is the Final Four on Sunday.

What Is The Final Four?

THON comes to a head in the final four hours of the marathon. During this emotional time, THON families come on stage to share their stories and battles with pediatric cancer. The Final Four ends THON on a reminder for why it’s all done in the first place, and is the cardinal event for dancers and spectators alike.