Visiting Stanford for Graduation

Commencement Weekend at Stanford is a multi-day celebration typically spanning Thursday through Sunday in mid-June, culminating in the main ceremony at Stanford Stadium. It includes the University's formal Commencement, the Baccalaureate celebration, and dozens of individual school and department diploma ceremonies scattered across the 8,180-acre campus.

Events take place across a very large, mostly flat campus, so visitors should expect extensive walking, outdoor time, and a full schedule if you're attending both the main ceremony and a department ceremony. Families commonly stay multiple nights in the area, arriving Thursday or Friday and departing Sunday or Monday.

For the latest dates, event details, and policies, always consult the official Commencement website: commencement.stanford.edu.

For 2026, Commencement Weekend runs June 11–14. Here's the general pattern (exact times for department events are published in spring):

Tickets Are Required

This is a change from some earlier years: tickets are now required for both the main Commencement ceremony and the Baccalaureate celebration. Graduating students receive a set number of guest tickets and distribute them to their families. Contact your graduate for ticket details. Digital tickets (QR codes) are the primary format—save them to your phone's wallet or take a screenshot.

Livestream Option

For those who can't attend in person, the main ceremony is livestreamed on the Commencement website starting at 9:30 a.m. Pacific Time. Indoor viewing is available at Maples Pavilion on campus (air-conditioned, no ticket required).

Stanford's own Commencement website is warning families: "For families visiting from outside the Bay Area, please consider the FIFA World Cup when making your travel plans."

What this means for you:

Airports

Commencement falls in peak travel season (compounded by the World Cup in 2026), so flights and car rentals will be substantially more expensive than usual. Book early.

Public Transit: Caltrain + Marguerite Shuttle

Caltrain is a commuter rail running along the Peninsula from San Francisco to Gilroy. The Palo Alto station is near the campus. Stanford's free Marguerite Shuttle connects the Caltrain station to campus; a special "Stanford Stadium" stop is available on game days and Commencement. You can ride Caltrain from SFO (transfer at Millbrae) or from San Jose (direct).

During Commencement Weekend, Stanford runs special shuttle routes connecting parking areas, the Caltrain station, the stadium, and key ceremony locations. Check the Commencement website in early June for the shuttle map.

Driving and Traffic

Traffic on and near campus is heavier during Commencement days, with periodic road closures, detours, and controlled intersections. Expect congestion on El Camino Real, University Avenue, and Embarcadero Road approaching campus. Build in extra time, especially Sunday morning for the main ceremony.

Rideshare Drop-Off

Commencement attendees using Uber or Lyft can be dropped off at the curb on southbound El Camino Real between Galvez Street and the Eucalyptus Grove parking area. This is on the stadium side, so it's a relatively short walk to the gates.

Designated Commencement Parking

Stanford designates free Commencement parking in several lots near the stadium:

Getting Between Ceremonies

This is one of the trickiest parts of the day. After the main ceremony ends (around 11:30 a.m.–noon), families typically need to make their way to a department ceremony at a separate campus location. Key things to know:

Stanford publishes an interactive Google map with walking directions, ceremony locations, parking, shuttle stops, and public restrooms. Download it to your phone before you arrive.

Stanford enforces a strict clear bag policy for entry into Stanford Stadium (and possibly other venues during the weekend). This is not optional—bags that don't comply are turned away at the gate.

What's allowed:

What's NOT allowed:

A complimentary bag check tent is located at the Stadium Varsity Lot, opening two hours before the ceremony and closing one hour after. Leave non-compliant bags in your car or at bag check.

All concessions inside the stadium are cashless—bring a credit card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay.

Commencement Weekend is one of the busiest times of the year for hotels and rentals in the area, and 2026 will be significantly tighter due to the World Cup. Book as early as possible.

Neighborhoods to Consider

Vacation rentals can be ideal for larger families wanting multiple bedrooms, kitchens, and common space for celebrating together—especially given the World Cup driving hotel prices even higher than usual.

Mid-June in Palo Alto is usually warm and sunny, with midday highs in the mid-70s to mid-80s °F and cooler mornings and evenings. It rarely rains in June, but mornings can start cool (55–60 °F).

What to wear:

On hotter-than-usual days, heat exposure is a real concern, especially for older guests and young children. Stay hydrated, seek shade between events, and consider the indoor viewing option at Maples Pavilion.

Campus dining halls typically operate on reduced schedules after the academic term ends, so visitors should plan to eat mostly off campus. Concessions are available inside Stanford Stadium during the main ceremony.

Nearby Dining Clusters

For our full restaurant recommendations, see the Dining & Drinks Near Stanford guide.

Stanford prioritizes accessibility for Commencement Weekend. Key details:

Accessible seating is available at the main ceremony and most department events. Graduates request accommodations for their guests through their school's graduation coordinator.

Accessible parking and drop-off: Track House Lot (overflow in Galvez Lot) for vehicles with state-issued or temporary Stanford disability parking permits. The lot is the closest designated parking area to the stadium's accessible entrances.

Maples Pavilion: An air-conditioned, indoor alternative for viewing the main ceremony via livestream. A good option for guests who need to avoid sun, heat, stairs, or extended time on hard seating.

First Aid: A station inside Stanford Stadium at Gate 3, with additional stations in the concourse near sections 115 and 230.

Contact: Diversity & Access Office at disability.access@stanford.edu or (650) 725-0326. Accommodation requests should be made by mid-May.

Bring any personal mobility aids (wheelchairs, walkers, canes) you'll need. Personal golf carts are not allowed on campus, but Stanford's Commencement shuttles can accommodate wheelchairs.

Between ceremonies, or if you're extending your stay, Stanford's campus is worth exploring. All of these are free to visit:

For more campus attractions, see our Museums & Art and Visitor's Guide.

You'll want to capture the day, so plan ahead to make the most of it:

Best photo locations

The Main Quad, Memorial Court (with the Burghers of Calais sculptures), the Oval at the end of Palm Drive, the arches and colonnade in the Inner Quad, the Rodin Sculpture Garden, and Hoover Tower. For indoor/shaded shots: the Memorial Church interior and the Anderson Collection's glass walls.

Timing

Early morning and late afternoon offer the best light. Midday sun can be harsh and unflattering. Consider scheduling a dedicated family photo session either before the ceremony (8:00–8:30 a.m.) or late afternoon (4:00–5:30 p.m.).

Gear

Large tripods, drones, and bulky camera rigs are restricted inside the stadium and some indoor venues. Hand-held cameras, phones, and small compact tripods are fine everywhere.

Practical tip

Agree on 2–3 specific "photo sessions" in advance so your graduate and family can enjoy the ceremonies without feeling like they're constantly posing. Plan a Main Quad session and an "at the sign" session along Palm Drive.

While specific prices vary by year, here's what to budget for:

Lodging: Elevated nightly rates with possible multi-night minimums. In 2026, expect significantly higher rates than usual due to World Cup demand.

Parking: Stanford's designated Commencement parking is free. Private lots and garages may charge event-style fees.

Meals: Bay Area restaurant prices are above U.S. averages. Budget $20–40 per person for a mid-range meal in Palo Alto.

Transportation: Car rentals and ride-hail services are more expensive on peak weekends. Bridge tolls apply if sightseeing across bay bridges.

Regalia and keepsakes: Cap, gown, and tassel rental through the Stanford Bookstore (graduates pay for their own). Pop-up keepsake vendors on campus during the weekend.

Many families add Bay Area sightseeing before or after Commencement. Popular options from the Stanford area include:

For closer-to-home options, see our Wine Tasting guide — the closest wineries are just 10–15 minutes from campus.

If your family members are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents, they will need a B-2 tourist visa to attend Commencement. This applies even to short visits of a few days.

No documents from Stanford are required for the visa application. The U.S. Department of State does not require letters of invitation from the university. However, having proof of the event (such as a screenshot of the Commencement schedule and a note from your graduate) may help at the interview.

Start the visa process early—consular appointments can take months in some countries. Visit the U.S. Department of State website for application procedures, wait times, and embassy locations.

Months in advance:

☐  Book lodging (especially critical for 2026 with World Cup overlap)
☐  Book flights and car rental
☐  International visitors: Start visa process
☐  Make dinner reservations for Friday and Saturday nights

Spring quarter:

☐  Confirm your graduate has requested your tickets (tickets required for main ceremony and Baccalaureate)
☐  Request accessibility accommodations if needed (by mid-May)
☐  Check the Commencement website for updated schedule and department ceremony times
☐  Download the interactive campus map

Week before:

☐  Download ticket QR codes to mobile wallet (or screenshot/print)
☐  Get a clear bag (12" × 6" × 12" max) or Ziploc bag
☐  Plan outfits: comfortable shoes, hat, sunscreen, light layers
☐  Agree on family meeting points in case phones are unreliable
☐  Check weather forecast

Day of:

☐  Arrive 60–90 minutes early for parking and security
☐  Bring: clear bag, hat, sunscreen, sunglasses, water bottle (empty refillable plastic or sealed single-use under 20 oz), credit card for cashless concessions
☐  Leave at car/hotel: purses, backpacks, umbrellas, metal water bottles
☐  Have a plan for getting from the stadium to the department ceremony

Stanford Commencement main site: commencement.stanford.edu

Guest Information (parking, security, bags, food, accessibility): Guest Information page

School & Department Graduations: School & Department Graduations

Clear Bag Policy: Public Safety Clear Bag Policy

Plan Your Visit (parking, hotels, transit, shuttles): Plan Your Visit

Interactive Campus Map: Commencement Map

Maples Pavilion Indoor Viewing: Maples Pavilion

Academic Calendar (exact date each year): Stanford Academic Calendar

Graduate Information: Graduates page

Stanford Transportation and Shuttles: Transportation page

Caltrain Stanford Stadium Station: Caltrain Stanford page

NearStanford.com Guides:

Dining & Drinks Near Stanford · Wine Tasting · Visitor's Guide · Museums & Art

This guide was prepared using official Stanford Commencement resources and is current as of February 2026. Always check commencement.stanford.edu for the latest information, as policies and schedules are updated throughout the spring.