Commencement is the culmination of all your efforts to earn a graduate degree, and it will take place on Thursday, May 28, 2026. Commencement week provides multiple opportunities for celebration, including a Dean’s Reception, the University-wide Morning Exercises, the Diploma Awarding Ceremonies, and the Champagne Reception and Luncheon.
Please note that photos and videos will be taken throughout Commencement activities. Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences may use your name, likeness, voice, image, language (as a quotation), and other identifying features and information in connection with its use, including display to the public through the internet or other means.
Degree recipients from November 2025, February 2026, and May 2026 are eligible for May 2026 Commencement activities. If you are participating this year, here’s what you need to know:
- Register to Participate in Commencement Activities: Registration for Commencement activities and ticket orders is closed. If you need to update or change your registration, please contact GSAA.
- Questions about Commencement-related events and activities? Please check the Commencement Events and the Commencement FAQ sections for more information.
- Academic Regalia: Required for Commencement activities. If you shipped your regalia to the bookstore, you can pick it up on Wednesday, May 20, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the Harvard Square COOP, 1400 Massachusetts Ave, Cambridge, MA 02138. More information is available in the Academic Regalia section.
- Picking Up Your Tickets: You can pick up the tickets you ordered through registration in person from Thursday, May 21, to Wednesday, May 27. Please see the Commencement Tickets section for times and locations.
Watch this Guide to Commencement video to help you and your guests prepare for the day:
Still have questions? Check out the Commencement FAQ or contact the Harvard Griffin GSAS Office of Alumni Relations.
