Princeton University is celebrating the accomplishments of undergraduate and graduate degree candidates during 2026 year-end events starting with the Baccalaureate service Sunday, May 24, and continuing through Tuesday, May 26, which is this year’s Commencement date. Tickets are required to attend most events.
The following is a summary of graduation events for undergraduate and graduate degree candidates. More information for students and their guests is available on the University’s Commencement website, including directions and parking, academic departmental receptions and other celebratory events.
Events also will be livestreamed on the Princeton University homepage and MediaCentral website, as well as Facebook and YouTube. Professional photos will be posted to the University’s Commencement website in June and may be downloaded for free, courtesy of the University.
The Baccalaureate service is 2 p.m. Sunday, May 24, at the University Chapel. The ceremony is simulcast on large screens on Cannon Green for guest viewing. In case of rain, indoor simulcast locations near the chapel are available and are ticketed. The Baccalaureate speaker is storied basketball player, coach and commentator Craig Robinson, Class of 1983, currently the executive director of the National Association of Basketball Coaches (NABC).
The Class Day ceremony is 10:30 a.m. Monday, May 25, on Cannon Green. Guests must be seated by 10 a.m. when the senior class procession begins. In case of inclement weather, seniors and guests will be directed to the University Chapel and simulcast locations nearby. The Class Day speaker is the global education innovator Wendy Kopp, Class of 1989, founder of Teach For America and co-founder and CEO of Teach For All.
The Hooding ceremony for advanced degree candidates will begin at 4:30 p.m. Monday, May 25, on Cannon Green. The ceremony is for master’s and doctoral students earning their degree during the 2025-26 academic year and their guests. In the case of severe weather, the ceremony will be held in Jadwin Gymnasium.
Princeton’s 279th Commencement is 10 a.m. Tuesday, May 26, in Princeton Stadium. The academic procession will begin at approximately 9:30 a.m. The ceremony is for graduating students in the undergraduate Class of 2026 and their guests, as well as graduate students who received a final master’s degree or Ph.D. in the 2025-26 academic year and their guests. In case of severe weather, Commencement is held in Jadwin Gymnasium.
The ROTC Commissioning ceremony is 3:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 26, in the Faculty Room of Nassau Hall. The ceremony is for members of the Class of 2026 commissioning in the Army, Navy or Air Force ROTC, and their guests.
