Commencement 2026

Guest tickets

Tickets are required and must be reserved in advance to ensure all graduates can bring loved ones. Registration details are emailed to graduating students in late March or early April.

Wednesday, May 27 (Class Day):

• GSD Awards Ceremony and Class Day Address
  • Each graduate is eligible to receive up to 2 guest tickets. Graduates will be provided with a Graduate Credential for access to the ceremony and do not require a guest ticket.
  • Class Day, graduates sit with their loved ones in the audience; as a result, ticket availability for this event is more limited than for the Diploma Ceremony.

Thursday, May 28 (Commencement Day):

• Morning Exercises in Harvard Yard
  • Each graduate is eligible to receive up to 2 guest tickets. Graduates will be provided with a Graduate Credential for access to the ceremony and do not require a ticket.
  • Commencement Morning Exercises in Tercentenary Theatre are festive and fun, but may not be comfortable for all. Tercentenary Theatre is an outdoor location with extremely limited seating. Bathrooms and water stations will be available but may be difficult to access at times due to the large number of attendees. All persons, bags, and personal items are subject to inspection before entering Harvard Yard. No backpacks of any type will be admitted, and no bag or item larger than 12″ x 12”x 12” will be permitted inside the Yard. Strollers are permitted only in the Old Yard and not in Tercentenary Theatre.
• GSD Lunch – Advance registration required.
• GSD Diploma Ceremony
  • Each graduate is eligible to receive up to 3 guest tickets. Graduates will be provided with a Graduate Credential for access to the ceremony and do not require a ticket.

Additional ticketing options

• Standby Tickets: will be offered for the GSD Diploma Ceremony, GSD Awards Ceremony, and Class Day Address to help accommodate additional guests. Standby Ticket holders will wait in a separate line and may be seated if space is available after all regular Guest Ticket holders have entered. Please note that seats and tent access are not guaranteed for Standby Ticket holders.
• Wait List Tickets: We maintain waitlists for Class Day and Commencement Day ceremonies on the GSD campus, which may allow Standby Tickets to be upgraded to Guest Tickets if space becomes available; however, additional Guest Tickets are not guaranteed. Please note waitlist tickets are rarely available for the University ceremony in Harvard Yard.

What is guaranteed with a ticket

• Harvard Yard University-wide ceremony:
  • A Guest Ticket guarantees entry to Harvard Yard but does not ensure a seat. Please note there is no tented guest seating or standing areas in Harvard Yard.
• GSD Class Day and Diploma ceremonies on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons:
  • A standard Guest Ticket guarantees a seat under the tent for guests who arrive before Standby Ticket holders are admitted.
  • A Standby Ticket does not guarantee seating or space under the tent.

Piper Auditorium webcast viewing

Class Day and Commencement ceremonies at the GSD, along with the Harvard Yard ceremony on Commencement Day, will be live-streamed and available for viewing in Piper Auditorium at Gund Hall. Guests attending the viewing should bring their Guest Ticket or Standby Ticket, as it may be required for entry. Tickets for the GSD ceremony will serve as admission to Piper Auditorium.

Live webcasts and language options

Key events, including the GSD’s Diploma Ceremony, the GSD’s Awards Ceremony and Class Day Address, and the Harvard Yard university-wide ceremony , will be available by live public webcast. The GSD’s webcasts include live English captions . Simultaneous translated captions  will be available on separate links in multiple languages. Languages typically include Chinese – Traditional, Chinese – Simplified, Hindi, Korean, and Spanish. With advanced notice, additional languages may be available on request.

Guests can find instructions for accessing Harvard’s wireless internet on the guest wifi information page .

Guest Policy and Guidelines

Policies for GSD ceremonies and events during Commencement Week:

• All guests must present a ticket for entry.
• All attendees and their belongings are subject to inspection before entering Commencement Week events. Banners, posters, and luggage are not permitted.
• In compliance with Massachusetts state law, weapons of any kind are strictly prohibited.
• To ensure a safe and comfortable experience for all, aisles must remain clear at all times.
• Guests may take photos from their seats as long as they do not block the view of others. Professional photographers will capture each student as they cross the stage.

Harvard University policies for Morning Exercises in Harvard Yard can be viewed on the University’s Important Guest Information page . Choose the tab labeled Yard Policies.

Schedule

The detailed schedule for 2026 Class Day and Commencement will be shared in the coming months. Please note specifics are subject to change and many of these events are restricted to ticketed or pre-registered guests. 

Wednesday, May 27, Class Day:

• Class Photos and ceremony rehearsals (for graduates)
• GSD Awards Ceremony and Class Day Address
• Reception for graduates and guests

Thursday, May 28, Commencement Day:

• Harvard Yard university-wide ceremony
• Lunch for graduates and guests
• GSD Diploma Ceremony

Visa support letters for international guests

If your guest(s) require a visa support letter in order to travel to Cambridge to participate in Commencement, please contact us at [email protected]. We encourage you and your guests to review the Harvard International Office’s guidance on inviting guests to the US and check the relevant US consulate’s website for visa information. Due to long wait times, it’s best to request a visa appointment as early as possible. If the appointment is scheduled after Commencement, your guests should keep it, as earlier slots may become available. Please note a visa support letter from the GSD is not an official invitation and does not guarantee entry to specific ceremonies or events.

Regalia

Harvard requires graduates to wear official regalia in order to participate in Commencement ceremonies. Graduates will be able to order regalia through the Harvard COOP and Herff Jones, and pick it up at the Harvard Square Coop during distribution in May. If you might attend Commencement, please place a regalia order—you can cancel for a full refund until the day before Commencement if you decide not to participate. For questions, contact [email protected].

Regalia and Accessories

Only regalia accessories provided by Harvard University such as pins, tassels, and cords are approved for use during Commencement Exercises. Graduates are not permitted to bring signs, flags, or other large items into Harvard Yard on Commencement Day. Please note that graduates wearing regalia accessories not issued by the University may be asked to remove them before participating in official Commencement events.

Student Orations Competition

One of the oldest traditions of the Morning Exercises at Commencement is the Orations Competition, where three students—selected by a panel of judges—are chosen to deliver an address. Each year, one of these speakers represents Harvard’s graduate and professional schools. For 2026, an information session will be held with details on how to submit a speech. Graduating students interested in delivering the graduate student address can find more information on the university Commencement website .

Public Health

Public Health

By registering to participate in Commencement, graduates and their guests agree to abide by all state, local, Harvard University, and Harvard GSD public health guidelines and protocols that may be in place at the time you come to campus.

Guest tickets

Tickets are required and must be reserved in advance to ensure all graduates can bring loved ones. Registration details are emailed to graduating students in late March or early April.

Wednesday, May 27 (Class Day):

• GSD Awards Ceremony & Class Day Address
  • Each graduate is eligible to receive up to 2 guest tickets. Graduates will be provided with a Graduate Credential for access to the ceremony and do not require a ticket.
  • Class Day, graduates sit with their loved ones in the audience; as a result, ticket availability for this event is more limited than for the Diploma Ceremony.

Thursday, May 28 (Commencement Day):

• Morning Exercises in Harvard Yard
  • Each graduate is eligible to receive up to 2 guest tickets. Graduates will be provided with a Graduate Credential for access to the ceremony and do not require a ticket.
  • Commencement Morning Exercises in Tercentenary Theatre are festive and fun, but may not be comfortable for all. Tercentenary Theatre is an outdoor location with extremely limited seating. Bathrooms and water stations are available throughout the Yard, but may be difficult to access at times due to the large number of attendees. All persons, bags, and personal items are subject to inspection before entering Harvard Yard. No backpacks of any type will be admitted, and no bag or item larger than 12″ x 12”x 12” will be permitted inside the Yard. Strollers are permitted only in the Old Yard and not in Tercentenary Theatre.
• GSD Lunch – Lunch will be available by advanced registration and only to graduating students up to 3 guests.
• GSD Diploma Ceremony
  • Each graduate is eligible to receive up to 3 guest tickets. Graduates will be provided with a Graduate Credential for access to the ceremony and do not require a ticket.

Additional ticketing options

• Standby Tickets: will be offered for the GSD Diploma Ceremony, GSD Awards Ceremony, and Class Day Address to help accommodate additional guests. Standby Ticket holders will wait in a separate line and may be seated if space is available after all regular Guest Ticket holders have entered. Please note that seats and tent access are not guaranteed for Standby Ticket holders.
• Wait List Tickets: We maintain waitlists for Class Day and Commencement Day ceremonies on the GSD campus, which may allow Standby Tickets to be upgraded to Guest Tickets if space becomes available; however, additional Guest Tickets are not guaranteed. Please note waitlist tickets are rarely available for the University ceremony in Harvard Yard.

What is guaranteed with a ticket

• Harvard Yard University-wide ceremony:
  • A Guest Ticket guarantees entry to Harvard Yard but does not ensure a seat. Please note there is no tented guest seating or standing areas in Harvard Yard.
• GSD Class Day and Diploma ceremonies on Wednesday and Thursday afternoons:
  • A standard Guest Ticket guarantees a seat under the tent for guests who arrive before Standby Ticket holders are admitted.
  • A Standby Ticket does not guarantee seating or space under the tent.

Harvard University (HU) provides several options for guest accessibility and accommodations—including accessible parking information, shuttle and van services, HU ceremony accommodations, and wheelchair rental information. Please refer to the University’s “Guests with Disabilities” online resource  if you and/or your guest have specific needs. Listed below are resources specific to the Graduate School of Design (GSD) campus.

Accessible Seating

Accessible seating tickets are available for the GSD Class Day and Commencement Ceremonies. Individuals requiring accessible seating will be permitted to have one companion accompany them into the accessible seating section. The companion must also have an accessible seating ticket. Space is limited, and advance planning and registration is strongly encouraged. Graduates may reserve accessible seating by contacting [email protected].

Shuttle Service Map

Accessible and available for all guests. Includes stops and information for the GSD campus.

Harvard University Online Campus Map

Interactive map with information on accessible pathways and building entrances.

Service Animals

Whether you are a student or a guest, service animals—as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) —are allowed at Commencement ceremonies. Pet dogs and all other animals are prohibited from University and GSD Commencement ceremonies . 

Hotels in the Cambridge and surrounding Boston area often fill up far in advance of Commencement, especially since many other area universities and colleges also hold graduations at the same time. To secure accommodations for your guests, we strongly encourage booking as early as possible and choosing options with flexible cancellation policies when available. While hotels in Harvard Square may have limited availability or higher rates, consider exploring nearby neighborhoods. Hotels along the MBTA public transit system provide convenient access to Harvard from other parts of Boston and nearby communities like Somerville, Medford, Arlington, and Watertown. Harvard is easily accessible via the MBTA Red Line, major bus routes, and by taxi or ride-share.

The University Commencement Office has compiled a list of nearby hotels  to assist with your planning.

Parking

Please plan your visit accordingly as traffic in Cambridge will be extremely busy, with significant delays going to and from Harvard Square. Additionally, Commencement Week visitors and guests should be aware that there are numerous commercial parking facilities in and around Harvard Square. Locations and additional information can be found on the Harvard Square website . Please be respectful of the Allston and Cambridge communities by not parking on residential streets. For additional details please visit Harvard University Transportation & Parking . For a map of parking options at Harvard, please visit: Harvard Parking Map . 

Public Transportation

The Harvard Square stop on the MBTA’s Red Line subway is directly across the street from Harvard Yard. 

From South of Boston: Drive to Braintree MBTA station parking garage (Braintree exit 17 off of Route 3 coming from Cape Cod or the South Shore). Take the Red Line in the direction of Alewife to “Harvard.” Allow approximately 45 minutes for the subway portion of the trip.

From the North of Boston: Drive to the Alewife MBTA station parking garage. Take the Red Line. Get off at the third stop, “Harvard.” Allow fifteen minutes for the subway portion of the trip.

From the West of Boston: Drive to Riverside MBTA station in Newton, the western terminus of one branch of the Green Line (Exit 22A from Route 128), where there is an open-air parking lot. Take the Green Line to the “Park Street” stop. Go downstairs, following signs marked “Red Line to Alewife.” Take train in the direction of Alewife four stops to “Harvard.” Allow one hour for the subway portion of the trip.

Ride Share

Harvard Square is extremely populated on Commencement Morning and traffic can be very dense. When using a Ride Share application, you can enter the address: 1350 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138. 

Shuttle & Van Services

Fixed Route Service: We will provide continuous bus service between the main parking areas at the Business School to Harvard Square. We will also provide service going from the Radcliffe Quad to Harvard Square near the yard. Shuttle buses will run between 6:30AM-9:00PM on May 28th and 8:00AM-9:00PM on May 27th. All vehicles are fully accessible for guests using wheelchairs and other mobility devices.

Day Time Van Service: We will operate fully accessible vans for people who, because of physical impairment or medical condition, find it difficult to use the fixed route shuttle buses. Use of this service is limited to those preapproved by Harvard Disability services. People who plan on using this service or who have guests coming to the university that wish to use the service should contact [email protected]. After being approved we will book reservations for rides.

Evening Van Service: This service will run between 7:00PM – 3:00AM with the last call is taken at 2:30AM. It is open to the entire Harvard Community including visiting guests. It provides point to point ride service within our service boundaries around the Cambridge and Allston Campus. No advanced reservations are accepted. Rides can be requested at 617-495-0400.

Q: Are Commencement tickets free?  

A: Yes.

Q: When and where can I pick up tickets?

A: Ticket pickup information will be shared with graduating students in early May. Before picking up tickets, students must:

• Complete the Graduate Survey
• Return all materials borrowed from the Library
• Bring your HUID.

Q: Does my child need a ticket? Can my child/children attend the GSD Diploma Awarding Ceremony? Do they need a ticket? Can my child/children cross the stage with me? 

A: For both the GSD ceremonies and the University-wide ceremony, all children over 2 years old will need their own ticket; children 2 years old or younger do not. Please note that graduates and guests sit in separate sections, so we’re not able to coordinate children crossing the stage with you. However, for doctoral graduates being hooded, doctoral program staff may be able to help arrange for children to stand with you during the hooding.

Q: I was hoping to bring different guests to events throughout the day. Do I have to bring the same guests to all events?

A: No! You can bring different guests to different events. If you want to celebrate your graduation with more than two guests, this can be a nice way to allow all your loved ones to experience some portion of the day. Ultimately, how you distribute the guest tickets you ordered is at your discretion.

Q: My friend is also graduating this year, but they won’t be attending Commencement. Can I have their guest tickets? Can I purchase extra tickets?

A: Tickets are not automatically guaranteed and handed out to every graduating student. To receive tickets, you must register for Commencement and pick up your tickets in person. The purchase and sale of Commencement tickets is strictly prohibited.

Q: Why is there a limited number of guest tickets for each graduating student?

A: To ensure a comfortable guest experience while balancing the expected number of graduating students and their guests with the venue’s capacity, we must maintain a ticket limit.

Q: I have registered for Commencement, but I will be out of town until the night before graduation. Can I have them mailed to me or pick them up outside of the scheduled ticket table window?

A: Tickets cannot be mailed or sent electronically. If you’re unable to attend designated pickup times, there will be a process in place to authorize someone else to collect your tickets for you.

Q: I am not going to be able to make it to Commencement. How will I get my diploma? 

A: You can arrange to pick up your diploma at the Registrar’s Office.