Frequently Asked Questions

The 269th University of Pennsylvania Commencement ceremony will take place on Monday, May 19, 2025 at 10:15 a.m. at Franklin Field, on the corner of 33rd and South Streets. The ceremony will end at approximately noon. The ceremony will feature the conferral of degrees, the award of honorary degrees, greetings by University officials, and remarks by the Commencement speaker, who will be announced in the spring. The gates to Franklin Field will open at 8:00 a.m. for guest seating.

Students in all 12 of Penn's undergraduate, graduate and professional degree programs are invited to attend the Commencement ceremony. The ceremony will feature the conferral of degrees, the awarding of honorary degrees, greetings by University officials, and remarks by the Commencement speaker.

The Baccalaureate ceremony is an interfaith program that includes student musical performances, readings, prayers, and a special celebration for the graduates, including an unveiling of the new class Ivy Stone and distribution of a commemorative class pin. 

In addition to the Commencement and Baccalaureate ceremonies, each school also hosts a ceremony for the students enrolled in that particular school. During this ceremony, the student's name will be called and the student will walk across the stage. For information on the school ceremonies, visit the School Ceremonies page.

The following items are strictly prohibited within Franklin Field for 2025 (ceremonies):

• All bags and packages (wallets and small clutches are acceptable)
• Artificial noisemakers, including airhorns or bullhorns
• Signs, banners, posters, or flags
• Large golf-style umbrellas (small collapsible umbrellas will be permitted)
• Sticks or poles, including tripods or selfie sticks
• Glass bottles, soda cans, and all outside food / beverages (bottled water ok) (Note: concessions are sold inside stadium)
• Alcoholic beverages
• Coolers
• Firearms, knives, scissors, needles, razor blades, or weapons of any type
• Multiuse or similar tools or screwdrivers
• Toy guns, toy weapons or similar props
• Fireworks and open flames
• Pepper spray / mace
• Laser pointers
• Aerosol containers
• Hazardous, chemical, radiological, or biological materials
• Sports balls or sporting equipment of any type
• Animals or pets – except for service animals
• No face coverings or ski masks. KN95 style masks for health reasons are permitted.

Guests attempting to enter with any prohibited item(s) will be asked to dispose of such items prior to entering. Security personnel reserves the right to deny access to any individual who does not comply with such policies.

Anything brought to the stadium will be pre-screened before entry.  Please do not bring items with you that are not needed for the ceremony – leave them in your car, hotel room, dorm, or apartment.  Pre-screening items slows the entry of guests into the stadium.

August 2024 and December 2024 graduates are welcome to participate in the Commencement ceremony on Monday, May 19, 2025. Their names will also be included in the May 19, 2025 Commencement Program.  Please contact your school about participating in your individual school ceremony.

Commencement is held outdoors, rain or shine, so be prepared for all types of weather.

Commencement will be held rain or shine. However, for the safety of graduates and guests, severe weather conditions may require the cancellation of the student procession across campus or the delay of the ceremony.

In dangerous weather conditions, the ceremony may be relocated indoors to the Palestra, where seating would be limited to the academic procession and graduating students. In the case of this relocation, students should report to the Palestra no later than 9:30 a.m. Please know that the decision to move the Commencement ceremony indoors would be made in only extreme conditions.

If weather requires changes to the Commencement ceremony schedule, information will be found on:

• Signs at 39th & Locust Walk
• Announcements on (215) 898-MELT
• Announcements on radio station KYW (1060 AM)
• A notice on this website

Tickets are not required for the University Commencement ceremony in Franklin Field, and there is no limit to the number of guests.  If you require special seating due to a wheelchair, limited physical mobility or other medical conditions, please visit Accessible Seating for more information.

Tickets may be required for individual School ceremonies.  Students should contact their home school to obtain ticket information for their School ceremonies.

The stadium does not have wheelchairs available for use. Motorized scooters and wheelchairs are permitted at Franklin Field. If anyone in your party uses a wheelchair, please bring it with you.

Yes. Refreshments can be purchased at the concession stands.

Diplomas are not distributed at the Commencement ceremony on Monday morning.  Some diplomas will be distributed at the school ceremonies, and the others will be mailed.  See the Diplomas page for details.

Attendance is not mandatory for any of the graduation festivities.

Yes.  Regalia is required to participate in Commencement and can be purchased or rented from the Penn Bookstore.  Details are available on the Regalia page.

GRAD FAIR
Graduates can purchase and receive their Commencement regalia at the Penn Bookstore during "Grad Fair".  It usually takes place in the spring at the Penn Bookstore. Grad Fair also provides the opportunity for degree candidates to meet with staff members regarding any questions, such as ensuring the grads are selecting the correct fit.  Other grad related products will also be available during that week. Information about Grad Fair is sent by the Penn Bookstore in early spring and is also available on the Commencement Regalia page.

If you miss Grad Fair, you should contact the Bookstore directly to purchase your regalia.

GRAD EXPRESS
www.campusexpress.upenn.edu/graduation
Grad Express provides information from the Penn Bookstore to help prepare for Graduation. In addition to cap and gown and commencement ceremony details, Grad Express houses a range of resources related to commemorative products to celebrate the graduate's achievement, including class rings, graduation announcements, and diploma frames.

Penn discourages the decorating of caps.

Graduation festivities also coincide with Alumni Weekend.  If you are a Penn alumnus, please visit the Penn Alumni page for more information.

Penn's 270th Commencement will be held on Monday, May 18, 2026.

Please refer to the Franklin Field seating diagram. It is also downloadable at the link below.

Franklin Field Commencement Seating (PDF)