Spring Break is a crazy period in the US calendar where college students break free from studies for a couple of weeks to let loose. Originally starting as a swimming event back in the 1930s, it has since evolved into a celebration that has a number of shocking statistics attached to it. While it is always good to break free and let your hair down, Spring Break has become associated with debauchery and drug or alcohol abuse in recent years. Take a look below for 30 weird and fun facts about Spring Break.

1. Spring Break is traditionally a period between term times when schools and universities take holidays.

2. It was a term originally coined for the US school calendar, but it’s since been adopted elsewhere across the world.

3. Spring Break is said to generate more than $1 billion a year for the US economy.

4. The tradition of taking Spring Breaks started in the US in the 1930s. However, by 1960, the concept was established in school calendars. Usually two weeks’ holiday are offered.

5. In some countries, police departments and hospitals make advance preparations to cover the inevitable heavier demand for attention during Spring Break.

6. In Panama City, where 500,000 students and pupils are known to travel for Spring Break, around 60% were confronted by police for misdemeanours or ‘guidance’.

7. In many places, the figures for alcohol abuse, drunk and disorderly arrests, drug abuse and minor accidents rise in line with Spring Breaks and other university/school holidays.

8. Panama City decided to ban alcohol from its beaches during March following a series of alcohol-induced problems. The rule was put in place in 2015.

9. Spring Break is often seen as a rite of passage for many teenagers, though it can stereotypically lead to anti-social behaviour. It’s thought that men on Spring Break will drink around 18 alcoholic beverages a day, while women will drink around 10.

10. Historically, the Romans and Greeks held celebratory gatherings in Spring. They drank to ‘new beginnings’, and the Gods Dionysus and Bacchus.

11. The festivities could last for several days. Some historians note that these were really the first Spring Breaks.

12. Cancun is literally built for Spring Break – it was devastated by storms and was rebuilt to encourage Spring Break visitors after the late 80s. As such, it’s now one of the most-favoured Spring Break locations for US teens.

13. In the 1930s, Fort Lauderdale in the US became the favoured destination for Spring Breakers keen on swimming. Those from Colgate College began what was to become a regular feature on the calendar, as they were joined by students from other cities as part of the holiday ritual.

14. In 1960, MGM released a film based on the book ‘Where The Boys Are’ about Spring Break activities. The author was a Michigan University Professor, Glen Swarthout.

15. The book and subsequent film were so successful and gave such good publicity to Fort Lauderdale that it fast became the heart of Spring Break across the US.

16. In 2015, the Chicago Tribune stated that over 50% of the student population planned to travel widely to visit holiday destinations during Spring Break. Notably, Miami, Cancun and San Juan had been listed as favoured destinations.

17. South Padre has reported huge swathes of Spring Break arrests over the years. It’s thought to average around 25 per day during the visitation period.

18. Not only that, but Spring Break visitors to the island are said to rack up to $80,000 during the period.

19. Fort Lauderdale has earned itself the rather dubious nickname of ‘Fort Liquordale’ amongst Spring Breakers.

20. In 2006, a new program started in the US to promote an alternative to partying during Spring Break. The Nationwide scheme, ’United Way’, involved students choosing to work in local neighbourhoods and providing positive aid to communities.

21. Spring Break can be dangerous – there are small numbers of people falling from balconies to their deaths as a result of misadventure.

22. Problems during Spring Break don’t just occur in the US. It’s thought that more than 2,500 US tourists, on their travels, are arrested outside America.

23. Spring Break fast became a major tourism industry driver. For example, the College Tours and Student Tours company started offering inclusive packages to help students explore popular locations during the period.

24. Cancun’s popularity as a Spring Break destination is said to have arisen largely thanks to the drinking age being below 21. This would – naturally – mean many students across the US could legally partake in alcohol!

25. It’s thought that around 2.1 million students took part in Spring Break events in 2010, and this has likely only grown since then.

26. However, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Spring Break was effectively curtailed to help stem the spread of the virus. This is said to have had a huge knock-on effect for many tourism businesses.

27. The American Medical Association has warned the US about the potential dangers of Spring Break escapades. Specifically, they stated ‘Spring Break is no longer an innocent respite from the rigours of college academics – it’s potentially life-threatening.”

28. Around half of male students interviewed in one poll stated they drunk alcohol until they were either sick or passed out. The figure is slightly less for women at 40%

29. Around 50% of sexual encounters during Spring Break reportedly go unprotected.

30. It’s thought around 60% of students on Spring Break will suffer an injury of some kind, self-inflicted or otherwise.