For one night each spring, Point Loma Nazarene University students step away from academics to dress their best, dance with friends, enjoy free desserts and make memories at the annual Spring Formal.
The Associated Student Body revealed last week that the 2026 masquerade-themed event will take place from 7-11 p.m. on Feb. 28 at the Kona Kai San Diego Resort, three miles from the PLNU campus.
The event was announced on Feb. 9, giving students under three weeks to prepare their formal attire and finalize plans. Despite the short turnaround, organizers expect a full turnout, as the dance typically draws more than 1,300 students.
Josh Hamman, a fourth-year graphic design major and ASB director of activities, said the planning process is arduous but rewarding. Since Spring Formal is the biggest event they host, ASB begins looking at venues in May.
Hamman said he looked into about 30 locations around San Diego, searching for one that was close to the PLNU campus, could host over 1,000 people and that students would want to go to.
“Finding a venue was so much harder than I thought it would be,” Hamman said.
Working alongside Hamman is Lucy Murillo, a third-year child development major and activities coordinator for the Campus Activities Board (CAB). Because the Kona Kai San Diego Resort provides its own event coordinator, Hamman said he didn’t need a big team to help.
Much of the work that Hamman and Murillo have collaborated on includes choosing the music and DJ, hiring a jazz band, deciding on colored linens and floral arrangements and using their creative freedom with decorating photo areas and the event entrance.
“I’m excited to be a part of this planning process again,” Murillo said. “I led the committee last year to plan Spring Formal, and so just seeing how much people loved and enjoyed [it] — and how high attendance was last year — has made me super excited and eager to plan again.”
To ensure the off-campus event is safe for students and supporting faculty, Hamman and Murillo have been in communication with PLNU Public Safety, organizing bus transportation to and from campus. Public Safety will also provide security at the venue.
Hamman said university leaders are primarily involved in guaranteeing safety at the dance, leaving the ASB team to handle all other details.
Ryan Finley, a third-year business administration major, said he’s excited for this year’s dance because it brings the PLNU community together in an off-campus environment.
“The impact [Spring Formal] had on my sophomore year, where I got to hang out with friends that I hadn’t hung out with in a long time — in a setting that was just a blast,” Finley said. “I think the impact that has on the campus community is immense.”
Murillo shared Finley’s perspective, saying that Spring Formal typically brings in people who don’t usually go to other ASB events.
“I always look forward to this event because it pulls in the biggest amount of people … it’s exciting to see new faces and connect with new people,” Murillo said.
Murillo said students should attend events like Spring Formal because it gives students a break from academics.
“It takes our Loma culture outside of our small campus,” Murillo said. “There’s something special about getting to attend something that’s a little more elevated and elegant … it’s just something to look forward to in the midst of a really busy and chaotic season.”
Click here for tickets or visit the link on PLNU’s ASB’s Instagram, @plnu_asb.
Sydney Brammer