Guidelines for Harvard Commencement Day

An update from the Commencement Office

Thursday, May 29, 2014

Morning Exercises

Degree candidates will receive a set number of tickets. Parents and guests must have tickets to enter Tercentenary Theatre. Seating is limited, not guaranteed, and cannot be reserved; there is standing room on the Widener steps and at the rear and sides of the Theatre. The sale of Commencement tickets is prohibited. For details, visit https://commencement.harvard.edu.

  • A limited supply of tickets will be made available to all other alumni/ae on a first-come, first-served basis through the Harvard Alumni Association (HAA) at https://alumni.harvard.edu/annualmeeting.
  • Alumni/ae and guests are urged to view the Morning Exercises on large-screen televisions in the Science Center and at most of the undergraduate Houses and professional schools. These locations have ample seating, and tickets are not required.
  • Alumni/ae attending their College reunions (25th, 35th, 50th) will receive tickets at their reunions. Alumni/ae in classes beyond the 50th may obtain tickets from the HAA by calling 617-496-7001, or through the annual Tree Spread mailing sent out in March (RSVP by April 15).

Afternoon Program

The HAA’s Annual Meeting, which includes remarks by the president of the HAA, Overseer and HAA election results, the presentation of the Harvard Medals, and remarks by President Drew Gilpin Faust and the Commencement speaker, convenes in Tercentenary Theatre on Commencement afternoon at 2:30 p.m. For tickets (which are required, but free), visit https://alumni.harvard.edu/annualmeeting, or call 617-496-7001.

~The Commencement Office

You might also like

Ruth J. Simmons Receives the 2026 Radcliffe Medal

Michelle Obama, Drew Gilpin Faust, and others paid tribute to the pioneering educator during Harvard’s Radcliffe Day festivities. 

Commencement Day with Conan O’Brien

The comedian headlined a star-studded cast for Harvard’s 375th Commencement exercises.

Mychal Threets Brings ‘Library Joy’ to Harvard

The librarian and social media star gave the keynote address for Harvard Graduate School of Education’s convocation.

Most popular

Don’t Be A ‘Solo Superhero,’ Jonny Kim Tells Harvard Alumni

The astronaut, doctor, and Navy SEAL delivered keynote remarks at the University’s Alumni Day festivities.

Harvard Honors Its Oldest Alumni

At 97 and 101, Linda Cabot Black ’51 and William “Bill” Dubey ’46 led the way on Alumni Day.

Meet Harvard’s 2026 Student Commencement Speakers

Two undergraduates and a Ph.D. candidate will address the graduating class on May 28.

Explore More From Current Issue

Bronze statues of three historical figures under a stylized tree in a softly lit space.

The Costly Choice Native Americans Faced

How the Revolution reshaped indigenous New England

Woman in historical dress standing in front of green foliage, smiling brightly.

This Harvard Graduate Brings Women of the Revolution to Life

Historical reenactor Lauren Shear reveals tricks of the trade for playing Tory loyalists, Revolutionary poets, and more.

Four stylized magnifying glasses arranged in a gradient background with abstract patterns.

AI Hunts For Stolen Harvard Coins

A museum curator and a computer scientist track down ancient coins taken in a legendary heist.