The Class Day Program is a celebration of the achievements of the graduating class, with speeches, a presentation of awards, and a keynote address from the 2023 Class Day Speaker, Michelle Yeoh.
2:30 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.: Class Day Ceremony, Holmes Field
The Class Day ceremony is a celebration of the achievements of the graduating class, with speeches, a presentation of awards, and a keynote address from the Class Day Speaker.
4:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.: Class Day Reception, Caspersen and Crossroads Patios
A casual reception for degree candidates and their guests.
Tickets are not required
Commencement Day
May 25, 2023
Commencement Day is comprised of the University Morning Exercises, where Harvard President Lawrence Bacow and the University Commencement Speaker, Tom Hanks, deliver their addresses and President Bacow confers degrees, and the Law School Diploma Ceremony, where Law School Dean John F. Manning presents diplomas to each graduate.
9:30 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.: University Morning Exercises, Tercentenary Theatre
Harvard President Lawrence Bacow and the University Commencement Speaker deliver their addresses and President Bacow confers degrees.
1 p.m. – 2:45 p.m.: Law School Diploma Ceremony, Holmes Field
Law School Dean John F. Manning presents diplomas to each graduate.
The HLS Diploma Ceremony will begin following the conclusion of University Morning Exercises.
HLS expects to be able to allow unlimited guests for Class Day programming. Tickets are not required to attend.
Commencement Day – May 25, 2022
Each graduate will receive two (2) guest tickets to the University-wide Commencement ceremony.
HLS expects to be able to allow unlimited guests at the Law School Diploma Ceremony. Tickets will not be required.
Televised Broadcasts & Webcasts
The University Commencement Program may be viewed via live webcast on harvard.edu or Comcast 283 in metro Boston.
The Law School Class Day and Diploma Ceremonies will be livestreamed and captioned through the Harvard Law School Commencement homepage.
In addition, the Harvard University Commencement Exercises and the Law School Ceremony are televised and captioned live in Wasserstein Hall, rooms 1010, 1015, and 1019.
Photography
GradImages will be photographing the Law School ceremony and will be taking professional photos of the graduates as they receive their diplomas. They can be reached by phone at 800-261-2576 or by e-mail at service@gradimages.com.
We ask that guests who wish to photograph their graduate do so in a way that does not obstruct the view of other guests.
Severe Weather Plan
May can be a rainy month in Cambridge. In the event of rain, the ceremony will remain outside. We encourage you to bring umbrellas if the weather looks threatening.
If the Severe Weather Plan is in effect, you will be notified by signs posted around the Law School campus and at the Information Tent. Commencement staff will also disseminate information around the campus.
HLS Campus Map (click to enlarge)
Getting Around
Parking & Transportation
Parking during Commencement Week is extremely limited and traffic around Harvard Square will be quite congested so guests are encouraged to use public transportation or taxi services. Questions should be directed to the University Parking Office at 617-495-3772 or parking@harvard.edu. Guests in need of transportation may use Uber® or Lyft® or call to arrange a taxi in advance. The Class Day reception should end by 6:00 p.m., the Commencement Day ceremony should end by 2:30 p.m. A taxi can meet you at the corner of Massachusetts Avenue and Everett Street, which is near the North entrance to Wasserstein Hall (1585 Massachusetts Avenue).
In addition, there is a taxi stand and an MBTA “T” Station (subway—Red Line) in Harvard Square, directly across the street from Harvard Yard.
Security
Guests will be screened for the ceremonies and are strongly discouraged from bringing bags to the events. All items are subject to search. No strollers will be allowed in Harvard Yard. Degree candidates must have their student IDs visible. Degree candidates will not be admitted to any of the ceremonies on Commencement Day without their Harvard Law School ID.
Guest Support
Guests with Disabilities
Students and guests in need of disability accommodations for Class Day or Commencement Day may request accessibility accommodations for yourself or your guests through the HLS Accessibility Office by completing this form by May 14.
On Class Day and Commencement Day, Accessibility Services staff members will be available in the Information Booth to assist with accommodation inquiries and requests.
If there is an emergency, call 911. All guests requiring medical attention may visit the First Aid station located across from the Information Tent between the Caspersen Student Center and Hauser Hall.
Nursing Facilities
Nursing facilities will be available for guests and attendees who would like access to a private space for the purpose of nursing or pumping. Please visit the Information Booth for access and additional information.
Any found items will be collected and held at Holmes Hall, Room 4 (1st Floor, Facilities). Following the ceremony, guests may inquire about lost items at the HLS Facilities Office by phone at 617-495-5521 or e-mail at facmgmt@law.harvard.edu.
Questions
The Information Tent is conveniently located on Kumble Plaza, between Wasserstein and Hauser Hall.
Law School Commencement Staff will be available around the Law School campus to assist with questions during the Class Day and Commencement ceremonies. Look for the crimson polo shirts!
Helpful Hints
What to Wear
Business casual attire is common dress for the Commencement ceremonies and guests are advised to wear shoes appropriate for walking on grassy areas. In May, the weather in Cambridge is unpredictable, so guests should plan for a range of temperatures and weather conditions. A jacket and umbrella will come in handy. All ceremonies are held outdoors, except in the event of severe weather. For more information on Harvard Law School’s severe weather plan, please see our Severe Weather Plan Info Tab.
Flowers for Graduates
Anyone who wishes to purchase flower bouquets on the Harvard Law School campus for a graduate will be able to do so on Commencement Day.
There will be a flower tent located behind Austin Hall on the path between the University Ceremony and the Law School Diploma Ceremony, and another located directly across from the Information Tent.
Boxed lunches are available at the HLS Diploma Ceremony, however, they must be purchased in advance. Lunch tickets can be ordered here until Sunday, May 21 at 11:59pm., while supplies last. Tickets will be distributed to your graduate — please make arrangements to collect any purchased tickets from your graduate prior to the Diploma Ceremony, as you will need a lunch ticket to claim a boxed lunch.
For those who do not purchase lunch in advance or desire other refreshments on Class Day & Commencement Day, the Pub Grill on the first floor of Wasserstein Hall will be open from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. selling grab-and-go items.
