We were excited to have you visit Ithaca and the beautiful Cornell campus for Cornell University Commencement Weekend on May 23 – 25, 2025.
Please check back in November for details regarding Commencement Weekend 2026. Thank you!
Please click on the topics below to see what our typical plans are for the weekend. Refer often for updates during the next several weeks and during the spring months. Thank you!
Make sure everyone in your party knows the student’s college and which ceremony you are to attend based on graduate’s conferring college. Your graduate will not always be with you or reachable by phone, so you need this information.
It is fairly easy for family members, especially guests without a phone, to get separated from the group and need to know where to meet their family. Some students give every family member a card that has the student’s college name written down in case phone batteries deplete, WiFi is unreliable, or cell towers are overloaded. This is especially helpful for family members who do not speak fluent English, as they can show the card for help to staff on campus.
Dining
Food and beverages will be available at several locations on and off campus during the weekend. Visit our Dining section for details. We encourage guests to bring snacks to have on hand, especially for young children, elderly family members, or guests with special dietary needs.
Lodging
Visit our Lodging section for more information about on-campus housing and local housing options.
The Cornell Store
The Cornell Store is happy to welcome graduates and guests to our stores during Commencement Weekend, Thursday, May 22 – Sunday, May 25! Please check back in the spring for more details. Commencement Weekend store hours are listed below. All updates regarding Commencement Weekend at The Cornell Store will be posted at: The Cornell Store. List of all retail locations and hours.
The Cornell Store (Main Campus, 135 Ho Plaza)
Friday, May 23: 8:30am-7pm
Saturday, May 24: 9am-7pm
Sunday, May 25: 10am-5pm
Monday, May 26 (Memorial Day): Closed
The Cornell Store on the Ithaca Commons
Friday, May 23: 10am-9pm
Saturday, May 24: 10am-9pm
Sunday, May 25: 10am-6pm
Monday, May 26 (Memorial Day): 11am-5pm
The Cornell Store at the Statler Hotel (Statler Hotel Lobby)
Friday, May 23: 8am-7pm
Saturday, May 24: 8am-7pm
Sunday, May 25: 8am-5pm
Monday, May 26 (Memorial Day): 10am-3pm
Announcements
Order formal customized graduation announcements from Balfour to inform family and friends of accomplishments. The ceremony date of May 24, 2025 is on the announcement. Balfour also offers thank you notes, etiquette seals, custom seal note cards, return address labels, and certificates of appreciation.
Class Rings
The Cornell Store works with Balfour to provide Cornell rings in a variety of styles for men and women.
Diploma Frames
Diplomas are mailed to graduates in late June. They are not given out at the ceremonies.
A variety of quality USA made diploma frames are available in-store and online at The Cornell Store throughout the year.
Flower Bouquets to Order
Flower Bouquets may be pre-ordered online here through The Cornell Store.
Orders may be picked up at: The Cornell Store on May 23 – May 25 from 9am-5pm. They will also be available for purchase during the weekend at The Cornell Store.
Orders or onsite purchases will be available at Schoellkopf Stadium at a booth on the Crescent concourse on Saturday, May 24 from 8am-4pm.
Also availabale outside Bartels Hall, under a tent on Friday and Saturday.
Cornellian Yearbook
Order the 2025 yearbook, “The Cornellian”, Cornell University’s official yearbook, now! The Cornellian yearbook ordering information Please direct yearbook questions to Cornellian.
Pets are not allowed at any Commencement events during the weekend, be it indoors or outdoors.
In accordance with State and Federal requirements, service animals are permitted.
SAFETY: To enroll your cell phone to receive emergency notifications, text “CornellVisitor” to 226787. The safety and security of everyone on campus is of great importance to Cornell University. so please review security measures for Commencement Weekend.
LOST AND FOUND: Phone: 607-255-7197
The weekend working Hours in Barton Hall, G-2 are: Friday, May 23 8:00 am – 4:00 pm; Saturday, May 24 8:00 am – 2:00 pm; Sunday, May 25 8:00 am – 1:00 pm
CLEAR BAG POLICY: To uphold health and safety protocols, minimize contact and ensure a swifter entry process, a clear bag policy is strongly encouraged at the University Commencement Ceremonies on Saturday at Schoellkopf Field. Other weekend events are encouraging clear bags as well.
If a bag is necessary, it must be clear and all bags are subject to inspection. Permissible bags include clear totes (not exceeding 12”x6”x12”), 1-gallon clear storage bags, or strapless/handheld clutches (not exceeding 6.5″ x 4.5″). Diaper bags must be accompanied with a child. Cornell reserves the right to search persons, property, and non-transparent bags at various entrances.
No alcohol or glass bottles allowed in the Stadium.
No pets allowed, unless a service animal at Schoellkopf Stadium.
Note: College/School and Department events are listed here. Some events require students to register themselves and their guests, separate from the University Commencement ceremony registration. Please be sure to review the information for your graduate’s college/school and department with your graduate so that you all know when and where any planned event(s) will take place during Commencement weekend.
Graduates do not need tickets to attend the University Commencement Ceremonies. Guests do need a ticket to enter. If guests do not have a ticket please go the stadium and visit one of the information tents in the Crescent parking lot outside the stadium. The tents will open at 8 am. Be sure to get the ticket before going through the security check points. Tickets will also be available at the Accessible unloading area, in the Hoy Parking Garage if needed.
Commencement Ceremonies will take place outside at Schoellkopf Stadium on Saturday, even in the rain. Be prepared to sit in hot sun or rain. Umbrellas are allowed in the stadium. However, if potentially dangerous weather, torrential downpour, high winds, lightning, or any other condition is deemed too unsafe to hold the ceremonies at Schoellkopf Field, we will enact our Severe Weather Plan and the ceremonies affected will be canceled and unable to be rescheduled. Please review the Severe Weather Plan for details.
The Ph.D. Ceremony will be livestreamed starting at 5:45 p.m. on Friday, May 23, 2025. Both University Commencement Ceremonies will be livestreamed starting at 9:00 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, May 24, 2025. Watch the livestream broadcast of each of the three events or the recorded broadcast at a later time.
Link to Ph.D. Ceremony Livestream