Commencement
Commencement 2026 will take place on Thursday, May 28, 2026.
Congratulations, Seniors! This page highlights Cabot House–specific Commencement events and provides links to essential University resources.
- For official schedules, logistics, and University-wide announcements, visit the Harvard Commencement website.
- The Harvard Alumni Office also offers helpful information and resources for graduating seniors.
- Information for guests with disabilities is available on the Harvard Commencement accessibility page. For additional accommodation requests for guests or degree candidates, please email the University Disability Resources office at disabilityresources@harvard.edu or call (617) 495-1859.
- If you are inviting family or friends traveling from outside the United States, consult the Harvard International Office guidance for inviting visitors for visa and travel information.
Cabot House Commencement Events
Senior Dinner
5:30 - 7:30 p.m., Thursday, April 23, Cabot Dining Hall
For Graduating Seniors. Tickets Not Required.
Suggested Dress Code: Semi-Formal Attire.
Senior Toast & Reception
4:00 - 6:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 19, Cabot Living Room
For Graduating Seniors. Tickets Not Required.
Suggested Dress Code: Casual.
Class of 2026 Senior Family Reception
5:00 - 6:30 p.m., Wednesday, May 27, Quad Lawn
For Graduating Seniors & their Loved Ones! Tickets Not Required.
Suggested Dress Code: Business Casual.
Class of 2026 Luncheon & Senior Diploma Ceremony
Thursday, May 28, Quad Lawn
12:30 - 1:30 p.m., Luncheon for For Graduating Seniors & their Loved Ones! Tickets Required.
Suggested Dress Code: Business Casual.2:00 - 3:00 p.m., Diploma Ceremony. Tickets Not Required.
Regalia Required for Graduating Students.
Ticketing
Attached Commencement Resources
Please review the three attached documents for important Commencement Week information and schedules, along with the FAQ section down below:
1. Commencement Checklist
A helpful guide covering what to do the week before, the day before, and the day of Commencement, including tickets, regalia, guest planning, photos, packing, and day-of reminders.
2. Cabot Move-Out Countdown
A move-out timeline with packing tips, cleaning reminders, donation guidance, and final checkout instructions leading up to the May 29 move-out deadline.
3. Commencement Day Program
A full schedule of Commencement Day events, including the Senior Breakfast, Yard Exercises, luncheon, and Cabot House Diploma Ceremony.
Commencement FAQs
Harvard issues 4 tickets per student for the Yard Exercises (graduates do not need a ticket themselves). You may give these tickets to any friends or family members you choose.
Please note that selling Morning Exercises tickets is prohibited by the University, so students should not advertise or attempt to sell them.
If you would like to request additional Morning Exercises tickets, please contact the Commencement Office directly: Harvard Commencement Ticket Information.
No tickets are required for the afternoon Cabot House diploma ceremony.
The Yard Exercises are broadcast live in several locations across campus, and your family and friends are welcome to watch from any of these designated viewing areas.
One designated viewing location is the Cabot Dining Hall, where guests can sit comfortably and enjoy coffee, tea, and pastries while watching the live stream of the Yard Exercises.
Tickets for Senior Week events, the Family Reception, Class Day Picnic and Exercises, Commencement, and the House Luncheon can all be picked up in person at the Senior Desk, located at: 124 Mount Auburn Street.
The Senior Desk will be open May 12–27 from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
The Senior Desk is run by the Harvard Alumni Association and serves as the central location for all major ticketing related to Senior Week and Commencement events.
You are required to wear customized academic caps and gowns (“regalia”) for both the Commencement Exercises in Harvard Yard and the Cabot House diploma ceremony.
Regalia can be picked up at: The Harvard Coop, 1400 Massachusetts Avenue (3rd Floor). Distribution will take place from Monday, May 21 through Thursday, May 28. No reservation is required.
The Cabot House diploma ceremony is the event where you officially receive your Harvard diploma from the Faculty Deans and the Resident Dean.
Following the luncheon on the Quad Lawn, the ceremony begins promptly at 2:00 p.m. and lasts approximately 60 minutes. Graduates should arrive by 1:30 p.m. to begin lining up. Students will remain in cap and gown for this event.
All degree candidates and participants are listed in the Cabot House Commencement Program, even if they are unable to attend the ceremony.
The program also includes Cabot graduate remarks, as well as as many College prizes and awards as space allows.
Yes. If you have any outstanding bills, fees, or financial holds, you must resolve them with the Student Accounts Office before graduation. For more information, visit: Harvard Student Financial Services – Degree Holds. Be sure that all University bills are paid on time. Otherwise, you will not receive your actual diploma — only an empty diploma envelope at Commencement.
The Cabot House Luncheon is a ticketed event that is open to everyone.
Each graduating student automatically receives:
- 1 ticket for their own lunch.
- 2 complimentary guest tickets.
Additional tickets are considered “extra” tickets and can be purchased at the Senior Desk. Extra tickets will also be available for purchase on Commencement Day at the luncheon.
Senior Week is a longstanding Harvard tradition featuring a full week of events for graduating seniors after underclassmen move out on May 17.
Popular events include:
- Senior Soirée,
- Senior Olympics,
- Senior BBQ,
- and many more activities throughout the week!
It’s a busy and celebratory week filled with class events and social gatherings.
During Senior Week, only Annenberg Hall remains open, and it serves a limited meal schedule.
Annenberg closes during Commencement Week. That said, there are many gatherings and College-sponsored events throughout the week that provide food, so students will still have plenty of dining options available.
Yes! Cabot House hosts two special receptions during Commencement Week:
Cabot Senior Farewell Reception
- Tuesday, May 19, 4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
- Location: Cabot Living Room.
- Attendance: Seniors Only.
Faculty Dean Reception
- Wednesday, May 27, 5:00 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
- Location: Quad Lawn.
- Attendance: Seniors & their Families/Guests.
- Tickets: No Tickets Required.
There are no formal rehearsals for Commencement Day. House Staff, House Aides, and Commencement Workers will be available throughout the day to guide students through every step of the process.
Security Information
Students must bring their Harvard ID to the Cabot Senior Breakfast on Commencement Day. Each graduate will receive a special security lanyard to hold their Harvard ID while lining up to march to Harvard Yard. This lanyard allows students to enter the Yard without undergoing a security search.
Please Remember:
- Do not forget your Harvard ID.
- Do not bring extra bags or purses to Morning Exercises, as they will not be permitted.
- Expect heightened security measures throughout Commencement Day.
Seniors should plan to line up alphabetically at the end of Briggs Hall by 1:30 p.m. House Staff, House Aides, and Student Commencement Workers will be present to help organize and monitor the lineup.
Led by a bagpiper, graduates will process along the pathway in front of Briggs and Barnard Halls before being seated in front of Bertram Hall.
During the ceremony:
- Ian, Crate, and Ken will stand on the Bertram patio to announce each graduate’s name and present diplomas.
- A professional photographer will take a photo of each student receiving their diploma.
- After receiving diplomas, students will return to their seats.
Students are asked to remain courteous throughout the ceremony by:
- Refraining from extended celebrations during the ceremony.
- Remaining seated until all diplomas have been awarded.
- Staying for the full group photo at the end of the ceremony.
Once all diplomas have been distributed, a large group photograph of the graduating class will be taken. Please do not leave early.
In the event of rain, updated ceremony information and instructions will be communicated via email.
Cabot House has arranged for GradImages Inc. to photograph each senior during the diploma presentation, as well as the full class group photo following the ceremony.
Photo proofs and purchasing information will be emailed to students in late May or early June. There is no obligation to purchase photos.
Families are welcome to take their own photographs during the ceremony. However, guests are asked:
- Not to interfere with the professional photographers.
- Not to block the view of other attendees during the ceremony.
The Cabot House diploma ceremony will not be live streamed. However, Harvard ESS will professionally record the ceremony, and the video will be made available online shortly after Commencement. Students will receive a link to the recording once it has been edited and captioned.
Seniors are expected to move out by 2:00 p.m. on Friday, May 29, the day after Commencement. This is a firm deadline, as House cleaning and preparations for Harvard Reunions begin immediately afterward.
We hope you will come back to visit in the future — once a fish, always a fish!