Know Before You Go
Important things to know before attending commencementLodging
On-Campus Lodging
We are pleased to offer housing to guests of Yale College 2026 graduates on Yale’s historic campus for Commencement 2026. All on-campus housing is in the residential colleges. Housing is available starting at 12:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 16, until check out by 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 19.
Contact Undergraduate Housing for questions directly related to housing.
Off-Campus Lodging
New Haven hotels sell out early. If you have access to a vehicle, you may want to consider a hotel or home rental in the greater New Haven area. Towns like Hamden, Branford, West Haven, Milford, and Orange are all within a short driving distance.
Dining
On-Campus Dining
Yale Hospitality offers special celebratory meals during Commencement weekend including lunch in each residential college following diploma ceremonies on Monday. Graduating students and their families from Yale College are welcome to make reservations and purchase tickets. Please note, Yale College graduating seniors are entitled to a complimentary lunch on Monday.
Off-Campus Dining
New Haven is home to great restaurants and local eateries—and has been named one of the top foodie cities in the country. While pizza and hamburgers are some of the traditional favorites, the Elm City is also known for fantastic food trucks, cuisines from around the world, and some of the best ice cream in the state. We encourage you to make your reservations early. Explore dining options in the New Haven area.
Getting Around Campus
On-Campus Shuttle
The Yale Shuttle will be available to transport students, families, and friends around campus during Commencement weekend. To track shuttles in real time and view the regular routes, visit the Yale Transit website.
Should you need specific shuttle service or a special service van, please call 203-281-5470 prompt 1, thirty minutes before pick-up is required. Please inform the dispatcher if a wheelchair accessible van is needed.
Satellite Parking and Shuttle Services
Satellite parking with wheelchair-accessible shuttle service to Old Campus is available on Monday beginning at 8:00 a.m. from Prospect Street Garage. Return shuttles to the garage will run from Phelps Gate at the Old Campus until 5:30 p.m. All shuttle service ends at 6:00 p.m. Please note that special shuttle service to Old Campus is provided on Monday only.
Shuttles will be parked at Phelps Gate (College Street) after the main university ceremony on Monday to bring guests to some residential colleges and school ceremonies. Each shuttle will have a color-coded feather flag placed by them to help guests find the bus that will transport them to the location they are looking for.
Please look for the appropriate colored flag for your shuttle.
| Shuttle Color | School |
|---|---|
| Green Line | Divinity School |
| Yellow Line | School of the Environment |
| Orange Line | Medical School |
| Pink Line | School of Architecture, School of Art, David Geffen School of Drama, Pierson College, Davenport College, Ezra Stiles College, Morse College, Timothy Dwight College, and Silliman College |
| Purple Line | Pauli Murray College, Benjamin Franklin College, Jackson School of Global Affairs, and School of Management |
Traveling to/from New Haven Train Stations
Yale shuttles, which are free to members of the Yale community and their guests, are available from Union Station and State Street Station beginning at 7:00 a.m. every day. University ID is not required.
On the day of Commencement, take the Red Line from Union Station or State Street Station to main campus. Departures from Union Station are every fifteen minutes and from State Street Station, four minutes later.
Drop-off at College and Chapel Streets is most convenient for Commencement guests going to Old Campus. At 10:00 a.m. when the Commencement procession begins and streets are closed, drop-off will be at Chapel and Church Streets.
Return red line shuttles leave from Phelps gate, with pick-up every fifteen minutes shortly after
The City of New Haven also offers a free shuttle) Monday-Friday to additional off-site parking locations, including the Temple Street Garage and the parking lot at the former Coliseum site.
To view the shuttles in real time, please visit the interactive map.
Related information
View information on train schedules, airport shuttles, and car rentals.
Parking
Many campus lots and garages will be available throughout commencement weekend. These parking areas open on Friday, May 15 at 5:00 p.m. and close on Tuesday, May 19 at 12:00 p.m.
The following parking lots and garages will be available for commencement guests: Lots 30, 37V, 41, 47, 63, 65, 66, 77, 78, 78W, 81, 94, 96, 199, Whitney Avenue Garage, Howe Street Garage, Prospect-Sachem Garage (preferred accessible parking), Science Park Garage, 2 Science Park, College Plaza, and the Amistad Garage.
A full list of university lots can be found here.
City of New Haven parking information may be found here.
Guests of Davenport and Pierson Colleges, the School of Art, and the School of Architecture
Guests of Davenport and Pierson Colleges, as well as those from the Schools of Architecture and Art, may wish to use the Howe Street garage throughout Commencement weekend. From Chapel Street, turn right onto Howe Street. The garage is on the right. An attendant will be available to assist.
Guests of the School of Medicine
Guests of the School of Medicine are advised to use the Temple Street Garage, 40 Temple Street, or the Air Rights Garage, 40 York Street. Accessible parking will be available at the Amistad Garage with accessible van access to Old Campus on Monday.
Accessible Parking and Drop-off
For information on accessible parking and drop-off as well as other services for guests with accessibility needs, please see the accessibility services section.
Old Campus Address:
Phelps Hall
Yale University
344 College Street
New Haven, CT 06520
Old Campus may be accessed by gates on College Street, Chapel Street, and High Street.
Public Safety Information
Bag Check
- All persons, bags, and personal items are subject to inspection before entering Old Campus.
- Clear bags, which can be sized 12” x 12” x 6” or smaller, will be permitted.
- One-gallon clear Ziploc bags are permissible and available if needed.
- Backpacks, purses, camera bags, binoculars cases, or diaper bags bigger than 6.5” x 4.5” are not permitted at major ceremonies, and Yale security staff cannot hold bags for guests. Guests with those size bags should enter Old Campus at College Street and Elm Street by Phelps Gate, where luggage can be checked until after the ceremonies.
The following are prohibited
- Signs or flags larger than 8.5” x 11”
- Banners
- Balloons/inflatables
- Any objects larger than 12” x 12” x 12”
- Laser pointers or similar items
- Wireless speakers and sound amplification of any kind including bullhorns
- Drones
- Noisemakers and compressed air devices
- Items not permitted will be confiscated. Graduates or guests may be asked to leave.
FAQs for Families and Guests
Tickets are required for guests to gain entry to Old Campus for Yale’s 325th Commencement ceremony on Monday, May 18, 2026.
Each student graduating from Yale College will receive four (4) guest tickets.
Each student receiving a degree from the Graduate School or one of the professional schools will receive two (2) guest tickets.
Graduating degree candidates do not need tickets to attend Commencement. Graduating students must wear academic regalia to participate.
Children ages 3 and under do not require a ticket. However, they cannot occupy a seat and must sit in the lap of a ticketed guest.
Guests without tickets for the University Commencement ceremony can enjoy the event via live stream at designated hospitality viewing locations on campus.
The sale of Commencement tickets is strictly prohibited. If the university becomes aware of tickets being sold or purchased, it may result in a student’s forfeiting of all guest tickets.
Please note: Class Day, Baccalaureate, and most diploma ceremonies are not ticketed.
For a list of events happening over the Commencement weekend, please view the calendar to learn more.
When students register for their Commencement tickets, they will be able to indicate any accessibility accommodations needed for their guests. Additional details will be shared after registration closes. Wheelchairs are not available for rent from the university.
Gates open at 8:00 a.m.We recommend arriving on Old Campus before 9:00 a.m. as the Phelps Gate entrance will close for the procession at that time, which may cause delays at other entrances.
Weather in Connecticut in May can vary widely, from mild and sunny to cold and rainy. We recommend dressing with both comfort and practicality in mind. Low heels or flats are best for walking on the grass and mulched pathways of Old Campus. Rain gear, including waterproof shoes and ponchos (preferred over umbrellas to avoid blocking views), may be useful. Sunglasses and hats can also be helpful. For men, a jacket and tie or a collared shirt with a sports jacket is appropriate for most events.
Animals other than service animals are not permitted on Old Campus. Service animals must be identifiable with a vest and supporting documentation.
All bags must be clear and no larger than 12” x 12” x 12”. A bag check truck will be available outside Phelps Gate for larger bags.
The following are prohibited:
- Signs or flags larger than 8.5” x 11”
- Banners
- Balloons/inflatables
- Any objects larger than 12” x 12” x 12”
- Laser pointers or similar items
- Wireless speakers and sound amplification of any kind including bullhorns
- Drones
- Noisemakers and compressed air devices
Items not permitted will be confiscated and graduates or guests may be asked to leave.
Strollers and diaper bags are allowed on a case-by-case basis. Guests with strollers are recommended to enter Old Campus at Whitman Gate near High and Chapel Street.
Yes, changing tables and lactation rooms are located in the medical tent on Old Campus. The medical tent is located near Bingham Hall.
If you are separated from your party, or if a member of your party is missing on Old Campus, please go to the High Street Gate near the Reunification sign. Yale Police will be available to assist you. If you are not on Old Campus, please contact Yale Police.
Security will hold lost items on Old Campus at Phelps Gate until 4:00 p.m. each day. After 4:00 p.m., items will be moved to the security desk at the Law School, located at 127 Wall Street. Please call 203-785-5555 if you have lost an item.
Unless weather conditions are dangerous or severe, Baccalaureate, Class Day, and the University Commencement Ceremony will take place outside on Old Campus, although processions and programs may be shortened.
In the event of inclement weather, diploma ceremonies in some residential colleges and schools may be moved to indoor locations. Information will be posted in a timely manner, and residential colleges and schools will update their graduates directly.
Baccalaureate, Class Day, and Commencement will be live-streamed from the Yale YouTube Channel Recordings of major ceremonies will be posted on the Commencement homepage.
All ceremonies will also be live-streamed at indoor locations on Old Campus, offering a more comfortable seating option for guests who prefer to view the ceremony indoors. These locations are wheelchair accessible as well.
Guests without tickets for the University Commencement ceremony can also enjoy the event via live stream at designated hospitality viewing locations.