1. Palmer Fest — Ohio University
When: May
Size: 8,000 people
Why it's insane: This year, the party got so wild that most people didn't notice a house catch on fire.
Video here.
3. 4/20 Smoke Out — University of Colorado Boulder
When: April 20
Size: 12,000 people
Why it's insane: You feel like you're FLOATING IN A CLOUD because so many people are lighting up. And WYCLEF JEAN was included in that cloud this year in order to deter people from smoking. LULZ.
Video here.
4. Mifflin Street Block Party — University Of Wisconsin–Madison
When: April/May (finals week)
Size: 20,000 people
Why it's insane: It's one of the biggest block parties in the country and basically a counterculture event because school administration and the police try to stop it from happening every year. Students RAGING IN THE NAME OF FREEEDOMM!
Check out a video here.
5. Deltopia — University of California, Santa Barbara
When: April (start of spring quarter)
Size: 18,000 people
Why it's insane: It's a beach party on STEROIDS. Everyone just brings inflatable toys and drinks on the beach or just dances on sunny rooftops.
Video here.
6. Slope Day — Cornell University
When: The last day of classes
Size: 12,000 people
Why it's insane: Because every year you and your best friends get to see people like Snoop Dogg, Kanye West, Ben Folds, and Kendrick Lamar perform for you. OK, Ivy League WHAT UP I SEE YOU!
Video here.
7. Veishea — Iowa State University
When: April/May
Size: 75,000 people
Why it's insane: It's a NONSTOP WEEKLONG PARTY with parades and music (like B.o.B and Grouplove).
8. W.I.L.D. — Washington University in St. Louis
When: Once in the fall and again in the spring
Size: 10,000 people
Why it's insane: The school sets up INFLATABLE COUCHES for you to drink and listen to music on. Basically bringing your house party to the NEXT LEVEL.
Video here.
9. Frost — University of Southern California
When: December
Why it's insane: You actually forget that you're in Los Angeles. Ice bars and ice shot luges everywhere, snow, an elevated stage, and an all-white dress code. SERIOUSLY TAKING A SHOT OUT OF AN ICE SCULPTURE IS SOME NEXT-LEVEL SHIT.
Video here.
10. Little 500 — Indiana University
When: April
Size: 40,000 people
Why it's insane: It's a bicycle race turned giant week of slip n' slides, concerts, foam parties. Like just a clusterfuck of wild activities.
Video here.
11. Jungle Party — University of Arizona
When: May
Why it's insane: WATERFALL. GIANT POOL. SWIMSUITS. DJ. BOOZE. TREEHOUSE. It's like that Aztec party from The House Bunny, but actually real.
Video here.
12. Round Up — University of Texas-Austin
When: March
Why it's insane: It's the epitome of Texan fraterdom. Neon and CRAWFISH BOILS? Say no more.
Video here.
13. University of Florida/University of Georgia — Frat Beach
When: November
Why it's insane: Two rival schools: one GIANT SOUTHERN FRATFEST. You get to use costumes and beach party craziness to pre-game the biggest football game of the season. NICE.
Video here.
14. Mirror Lake Jump — Ohio State University
When: OSU vs. Michigan football game (November)
Size: 12,000 people
Why it's insane: Before the big game, everybody gets trashed and JUMPS INTO MIRROR LAKE AND PARTIES IN IT. NO MATTER THE WEATHER.
Video here.
15. Mardi Gras — Tulane University
When: The day before Ash Wednesday
Why it's insane: I mean, it's NOLA. It's the biggest party of the year down in the Big Easy and the whole city goes nuts. Parades, good drinks, and food until the SUN. COMES. UP.
Video here.