Commencement is always a special time of celebration at Carleton. We are proud of the accomplishments of the Class of 2026, and we look forward to celebrating with you! Please note this page will be updated in late April/early May.
When and where will the commencement ceremony take place? Are tickets required?
Commencement will take place on Saturday, June 13, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. Central Time. As is tradition, the ceremony will be held outdoors on the Bald Spot, rain or shine. The event will be live-streamed so family and friends can share in the experience wherever they are.
The program will include the traditional elements of ceremony; academic procession, remarks by President Byerly and a selected graduate, awarding diplomas on stage, and the singing of the Carleton Alma Mater. The printed program will list all graduates and their honors. The printed program will be available the morning of commencement. Tickets are not required for Commencement.
What is the schedule for the morning?
Parents and guests will be permitted on campus at 8 a.m. Graduating seniors are required to check in with the Provost’s Office staff at a tent between Boliou and Olin from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. (the staff asks that students arrive as close to 7:30 as possible, though). The live stream will begin at 9:10 a.m. and the academic procession kicks off at 9:20 a.m. The program on stage begins at 9:30 a.m. and concludes by 11:30 a.m.
The academic procession will assemble on the sidewalk alongside Laird by 9:00 a.m. and will begin processing toward Hasenstab Hall at 9:20 AM. Please review the order of the Academic Procession.
What is the schedule for Senior Week and pre-Commencement events?
The Student Activities Office, in association with other campus departments, is putting together an exciting lineup of events leading up to Commencement. View the Senior Week schedule of events. Families are invited to join us for events on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
Will there be an opportunity to meet with my student’s professors at a Department Reception?
Yes! Departmental Receptions are planned to take place on the Friday before Commencement. You can view the Department Receptions on the Senior Week schedule of events.
Is photography allowed during the ceremony? Will there be a professional photographer onsite?
You may take photographs from your seat. However, in keeping with our commitment to provide the safest possible in-person experience for all attendees, we must insist that all guests remain seated during the ceremony and not approach the graduate seating or stage areas.
For your convenience, Carleton has arranged with Grad Images for professional photographers to take a set of photographs of each graduate at the ceremony: a close-up image (similar to a headshot) and a three-quarter body length portrait holding their diploma.
The Grad Images Pre-Registration website offers 20% off your entire order for graduates and families. Once in, enter “Carleton College” to proceed to the Registration page.
Three to five days after Commencement you will receive an email to view your proofs online, and you will have the option of ordering from a variety of packages. There is no obligation to purchase. Carleton does not benefit from this arrangement; it is provided as a service to graduates and their families.
Can students who are currently off campus participate in commencement?
All seniors who are currently on OCS or graduated during a previous term and wish to return for Senior Week or commencement are invited to do so. Review information on Senior Week/Commencement Housing. You may also contact the OCS Office for more information.
Arrival times for those who plan to participate in Senior Week activities are 2-5 p.m. on Wednesday, June 10. If you will only be attending the commencement ceremony, you should return to campus on Friday, June 12, between 1 and 4 p.m.
When will graduates need to move out of their campus housing?
Following the ceremony, all residential seniors should be prepared to move out of campus housing no later than 2 p.m.
Where do we stay when visiting Campus? Will there be on-campus housing for guests?
Commencement Housing for Guests
Limited campus housing is available for families and guests of Carleton Grads in Goodhue Hall. Reservations can include Friday night or Friday and Saturday night housing for Commencement.
Reserve Commencement Week Housing by Friday, May 11.
Apart from that, Northfield offers a variety of local hotel and short-term rental options for families and guests who are visiting campus. Commencement Weekend is a great time for families to explore lodging in the cities, closer to local attractions, restaurants, and the airport as their student concludes their time at Carleton.
Discover a variety of lodging options in Northfield or other lodging options within the surrounding area.
Where should guests park their vehicles?
Parking on campus is limited, but there is plenty of street parking available south of the campus. Please note that the parking lot on the east side of the Skinner Chapel will be reserved for those with accessibility needs.
What time should guests arrive for the commencement ceremony?
Guests may arrive on campus anytime after 8 a.m. We ask that you be in your seats by 9:20 a.m. and remain seated during the ceremony. Out of respect for others, we ask there be no artificial noise makers, air horns, or megaphones used during the ceremony.
Weather…or not?
The ceremony will take place outside, rain or shine, unless there is lightning or severe weather conditions. Please check the weather forecast and prepare accordingly.
The ceremony will also be live-streamed in the following campus rooms, if one needs a break from the weather and a dose of AC: Boliou Hall 104, & Olin Hall 149.
What are my dining options in Northfield (and beyond) during our visit?
For a little variety, take a short walk or bike ride into town to sample Northfield’s dining options. You’ll find everything from Indian, Mexican, and Chinese offerings to hambugers, pizza, and plenty of Midwestern comfort food.
And if you’re up for a short road trip, the Twin Cities area is full of outstanding restaurants!
Where can snacks or other last-minute items be purchased?
Sayles-Hill Campus Center will be open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Bookstore carries snacks, batteries, sunblock, sunglasses, umbrellas, and other last-minute supplies that may be needed (cash or credit card accepted). Sayles Café, however, can only accept campus OneCards or credit cards.
Are there restroom facilities?
Everyone in attendance must remain seated during the ceremony unless needing to use the restroom facilities. There are standard and handicapped portable toilets on the sidewalk south of the ceremony site. In addition, there are restrooms in Hulings Hall, Skinner Chapel, and Sayles-Hill.
Can the commencement ceremony be viewed online?
Yes, the ceremony will be live-streamed so family and friends can share in the experience wherever they are in the world. The stream will begin at 9:10 a.m. Central Time and will last until the conclusion of the ceremony at about 11:30 a.m. The video will be archived online at the same web address for on-demand viewing afterward.
The ceremony will also be live-streamed in the following campus rooms, if one needs a break from the weather and a dose of AC: Anderson Hall 036, Boliou Hall 104, Olin Hall 141 & Olin Hall 149.
What about lunch?
Complimentary Box Lunches will be provided from a location near the Bald Spot following the ceremony for all in attendance, 11:45 a.m. to 1:45 p.m.
Will there be accessible parking for those attending Commencement?
Skinner Memorial Chapel East parking lot will be designated solely for those with handicapped parking permits. This parking lot will be reserved for those vehicles issued handicapped parking permits by the DMV.
In addition, Carleton will have a golf cart shuttle stop near the handicap parking lot. The golf cart shuttle stop phone number is 507-649-3891. The golf cart shuttle runs from 7:45–9:15 a.m. and 12–1:30 p.m.
Carleton College is committed to providing universal access to all of our events. Please contact Noel Ponder at nponder@carleton.edu, and/or (507)222-5461 to request disability accommodations (e.g., sign language interpreters, alternative formats). Advance notice (two weeks) is necessary to arrange for some accessibility needs.