Penn State’s Thon weekend 2025 has arrived. Here’s a look inside the Bryce Jordan Center

The Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon officially started at 6 p.m. Friday, with more than 700 dancers now on their feet inside the Bryce Jordan Center to raise money for the fight against pediatric cancer.

Thon ends on Sunday afternoon, but in the 46 hours of the event there will be musical performances, a pep rally, the student-created line dance each hour and much more — all “FTK” (For the Kids).

Friday’s event started in an unusual way, when fire alarms sounded multiple times a little more than an hour into Thon. The music briefly stopped playing, but the building was not evacuated and a Thon representative told the crowd that there was no emergency.

Later on Friday, rock band The Fray took the BJC stage as the surprise national act.

Penn State’s Thon is annually recognized as the largest student-run philanthropy event in the world. Each year, it raises millions of dollars to fight pediatric cancer by supporting the Four Diamonds Fund at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital in Hershey. Those funds — nearly $17 million was raised last year alone — benefit cancer research efforts and help cover medical bills for families whose children have pediatric cancer.

To watch Thon live through the weekend, visit thon.org/thon-events/livestream.

Below is a look at scenes from inside the BJC in the first hours of Thon on Friday evening.

Thon donations are accepted year-round before officials reveal the annual fundraising total shortly after dancers finally sit Sunday afternoon. Supporters can donate online at donate.thon.org.