The Class Day Program is a celebration of the achievements of the HLS graduating class, with speeches, awards, and a keynote address. A reception will follow the ceremony.
Tickets are not required for Class Day events.
Commencement Day
May 27, 2027
Commencement Day is comprised of two parts. In the morning, University Morning Exercises, where the Harvard President and the University Commencement Speaker deliver their addresses, and the President confers degrees to students across the University. The Law School Diploma Ceremony follows, where the Law School Dean presents diplomas to each graduate.
Tickets are required for University Morning Exercises. Each degree candidate receives two (2) guest tickets to Morning Exercises. Tickets are NOT required for the Law School Diploma Ceremony.
Ceremony Policies
Reserved Seating
Seating for the Class Day and the HLS Diploma Ceremony is available on a first-come basis. Guests are not permitted to save seats for fellow guests. Extraneous items and signs will be removed from empty seats.
On Class Day, there will be a reserved seating section designated for awardees and guests of honor.
At the HLS Diploma Ceremony, there will be reserved seating sections designated for HLS faculty and HLS graduates. Graduates are not required to sit in the reserved graduate section if they would prefer to sit with their friends and family.
Photography
We ask that guests who wish to photograph their graduate do so in a way that does not obstruct the view of other guests. Guests who stand in front of the stage will be asked to return to their seats.
Essential Information
Tickets
Class Day – May 26, 2027
HLS allows unlimited guests for Class Day programming. Tickets are not required, unless the Severe Weather Plan is in effect.
Commencement Day – May 27, 2027
Each graduate will receive two (2) guest tickets to Morning Exercises, the University-wide Commencement ceremony.
HLS allows unlimited guests at the Law School Diploma Ceremony. Tickets are not required, unless the Severe Weather Plan is in effect.
Families and friends who will be attending Commencement events in person are encouraged to sign up to receive Harvard University’s MessageMe text alerts–text HARVARDALERT to 333111 to enroll. MessageMe text alerts will be used to communicate changes in programming due to severe weather as well as other important information in case of an emergency.
Televised Broadcasts & Webcasts
The University Commencement Program may be viewed via live webcast on Comcast Cable (channel 190) in metro Boston.
The Law School Class Day and Diploma Ceremonies will be livestreamed and captioned through Harvard Law School Commencement homepage.
In addition, the Harvard University Commencement Exercises and the Law School Diploma Ceremony are televised and captioned live on Holmes Field and in Wasserstein Hall, Pound Hall, Langdell Hall, and Austin Hall.
Signage Celebrating Graduates
Class Day and Commencement are occasions to celebrate our graduates. Signs and banners celebrating graduates may briefly be displayed behind the seating area. No other signs or banners are permitted on the HLS campus during Class Day or Commencement.
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. Student will receive a link to view and purchase photos from GradImages in the weeks following Commencement.
We ask that guests who wish to photograph their graduate do so in a way that does not obstruct the view of other guests. Guests who stand in front of the stage will be asked to return to their seats.
Emergency Notifications
Visitors attending the 2026 Harvard University Commencement events can enroll to temporarily receive MessageMe emergency alerts by texting HARVARDALERT to 333111
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 on the HLS Commencement homepage, on campus and classroom screens, and via signs posted around the Law School campus. Commencement staff will also disseminate information around campus.
Parking during Commencement Week is extremely limited and traffic around Harvard Square will be congested so guests are encouraged to use public transportation. HLS is within walking distance to the Harvard Square MBTA (“T”) Station and the Porter Square T Station.
Walking is often the quickest and easiest way of getting around Harvard Square on Class Day and Commencement Day.
In addition, the University Shuttle will be operating on Class Day and Commencement Day. Track shuttles in real time at shuttle.harvard.edu. All shuttles are fully accessible.
To maintain the safety and security of all attendees, all persons, bags and personal items are subject to inspection before entering Harvard Yard for University Morning Exercises.
No backpacks of any type will be admitted.
No bag or item larger than 12″x12″x12″ will be permitted inside the Yard.
While we welcome families with young children, please note that strollers are permitted only within the confines of the Old Yard and are not allowed in Tercentenary Theatre.
Degree candidates must have their student IDs. Degree candidates will not be admitted to any of the ceremonies on Commencement Day without their Harvard Law School ID.
On Class Day and Commencement Day, Accessibility Services staff members will be available in the Information Booth to assist with accommodation inquiries and requests.
For J.D. students with international guests, the Registrar’s Office can provide an invitation letter to support visa applications. You may request a Commencement invitation by completing a Document Request Form.
LL.M. and S.J.D. students will receive support letters via the Graduate Program office.
We encourage your guests to submit visa applications as soon as possible.
First Aid
If there is an emergency, call 911. All guests requiring medical attention may visit the First Aid station located behind 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 Tent 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.
Families and friends who will be attending Commencement events in person are encouraged to sign up to receive Harvard University’s MessageMe text alerts–text HARVARDALERT to 333111 to enroll. MessageMe text alerts will be used to communicate changes in programming due to severe weather as well as other important information in case of an emergency.
Lunch & Refreshments
Water stations will be located in the rear of Holmes Field and across from the Information Tent between Wasserstein and Hauser Halls.
Harkness Dining in the Caspersen Student Center will be open to graduates and guests on Class Day and Commencement Day from 7:30am – 2:30pm.
On Commencement Day, boxed lunches will be available at the HLS Diploma Ceremony for all graduating students and for guests who have pre-purchased lunch. Lunch purchasing instructions will be shared in the spring.
Guests are also welcome to bring their own lunches to the ceremony.
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.
Bouquets can also be pre-ordered and picked up on Commencement Day at either flower tent.
