More than 700 dancers are now on their feet inside the Bryce Jordan Center, where they’ll dance, hold activities For the Kids and much more through Sunday afternoon during the Penn State IFC/Panhellenic Dance Marathon.
Thon, as it’s more commonly called, started at 6 p.m. Friday. The opening hours included learning the line dance, which is repeated every hour during the 46-hour event, and welcoming surprise performer Fitz and the Tantrums to the stage.
Thon is the largest student-run philanthropy in the world, raising money for Four Diamonds at Penn State Health Children’s Hospital in Hershey. It pairs student volunteers with Four Diamonds families, many of whom will be at the BJC throughout the event.
Attending Thon is free and open to the public, though spectators may need to wait if the BJC reaches maximum capacity. That typically happens throughout the weekend, and Thon’s website notes Saturday afternoon and late Sunday morning are among high-traffic times. A spectator’s guide is available online.
Free parking is available at the Stadium West, Jordan East and Porter North parking lots. Visitors should also be aware of a number of sporting events also taking place through the weekend, including the Penn State men’s hockey game on Saturday night. Heavy traffic is expected around the area.
There’s also still plenty of time to donate at donate.thon.org. After the dancers finally sit at 4 p.m. Sunday, this year’s fundraising total will be revealed. Last year’s event raised a record $17.7 million.
Below is a look at the first hours of Thon inside the BJC on Friday evening.
Dancer relation captions teach the dancers and crowd the line dance during the initial hours of Thon on Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. Esteban Marenco esteban.marenco@centredaily.com
Dancer Sloan Cordon, a senior studying elementary education, looks on during the Thon line dance on Friday, Feb. 20, 2026 in the Bryce Jordan Center. Cordon is a dancer for Thon supply logistics. Esteban Marenco esteban.marenco@centredaily.com
Dancer Natalie Korzuch, a senior studying supply chain and information systems, laughs during a conversation with fellow dancers before standing up for Thon on Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. Korzuch is a dancer for The Sapphire Leadership Academic Program. Esteban Marenco esteban.marenco@centredaily.com
Miss Pennsylvania Victoria Vespicoon speaks to crowd during the initial hours of Thon on Friday, Feb. 20, 2026 in the Bryce Jordan Center. Vespicoon is a Penn State alumni who attended Thon during her time as student. Esteban Marenco esteban.marenco@centredaily.com
The Statesmen a cappella group sings the national anthem to kick off Thon weekend on Friday, Feb. 20, 2026 in the Bryce Jordan Center. Esteban Marenco esteban.marenco@centredaily.com
Easton Lee, the brother of Braden Fleagle, who is a former Four Diamonds child and 2026 dancer, sings a series of songs on stage during Thon on Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. Esteban Marenco esteban.marenco@centredaily.com
The Nittany Lion is seen on stage during the introductions of the Thon captains on Friday, Feb. 20, 2026 in the Bryce Jordan Center. Esteban Marenco esteban.marenco@centredaily.com
A camera technician operates an overhead camera during Thon on Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. Esteban Marenco esteban.marenco@centredaily.com
Dancer Daniel Heller, a senior studying mechanical engineering, keeps his legs up before standing up for Thon on Friday, Feb. 20, 2026 in the Bryce Jordan Center. Esteban Marenco esteban.marenco@centredaily.com
Dancers are seen sitting on the floor before standing for Thon on Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. Esteban Marenco esteban.marenco@centredaily.com
Kerrick Wille, a senior studying energy business and finance, plays with Four Diamonds child Cyrus Bomgardner during Thon on Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. Wille is a dancer for the Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. Esteban Marenco esteban.marenco@centredaily.com
The Bryce Jordan Center is seen during Penn State Thon’s national act performance starring Fitz and The Tantrums on Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. Esteban Marenco esteban.marenco@centredaily.com
Fitz and The Tantrums singers Fitz, left, and Noelle Scaggs sing in unison during their national act performance during Penn State ‘sThon on Friday, Feb. 20, 2026. Esteban Marenco esteban.marenco@centredaily.com
This story was originally published February 20, 2026 at 11:10 PM.
Jessica McAllister has been the executive editor of the Centre Daily Times since 2019. She previously worked as a reporter at daily newspapers in New York and Colorado.
