Penn State will hold its spring 2026 commencement ceremonies Thursday through Sunday at University Park, with thousands of graduates and visitors expected to travel to State College during one of the area’s busiest weekends of the year.
Ceremonies will take place at the Bryce Jordan Center, Pegula Ice Arena, Eisenhower Auditorium and other campus venues while student move-out operations are also underway across University Park. University officials are warning visitors to expect heavy traffic, parking congestion and roadway restrictions throughout the weekend.
Penn State said more than 15,000 diplomas are expected to be awarded statewide this spring across all campuses.
Commencement schedule
Penn State’s spring commencement ceremonies begin Thursday, May 7, and continue through Sunday, May 10, with undergraduate, graduate and doctoral students recognized across multiple ceremonies at University Park. Gates for commencement venues will open 90 minutes before each ceremony.
Thursday
5 p.m. – Military Honor Cord Ceremony, Hintz Alumni Center
Friday
4 p.m. – Schreyer Honors College Medals Ceremony, Bryce Jordan Center
7 p.m. – College of Engineering, Bryce Jordan Center
Saturday
9 a.m. – Smeal College of Business, Bryce Jordan Center
9 a.m. – College of Information Sciences and Technology, Pegula Ice Arena
1:30 p.m. – Donald P. Bellisario College of Communications, Bryce Jordan Center
1:30 p.m. – College of Earth and Mineral Sciences, Pegula Ice Arena
1:30 p.m. – College of Arts and Architecture, Eisenhower Auditorium
5 p.m. – College of the Liberal Arts, Bryce Jordan Center
5 p.m. – Ross and Carol Nese College of Nursing, Eisenhower Auditorium
Sunday
9 a.m. – College of Health and Human Development, Bryce Jordan Center
9 a.m. – College of Education, Pegula Ice Arena
1:30 p.m. – Eberly College of Science, Bryce Jordan Center
1:30 p.m. – College of Agricultural Sciences, Pegula Ice Arena
5 p.m. – The Fox Graduate School, master’s candidates, Bryce Jordan Center
5 p.m. – The Fox Graduate School, doctoral candidates, Pegula Ice Arena
Penn State campuses across the commonwealth also will hold commencement ceremonies throughout the weekend, including campuses in Beaver, Behrend, DuBois, Harrisburg, Hazleton, Lehigh Valley, Schuylkill and others.
What guests need to know
Guests attending ceremonies at the Bryce Jordan Center and Pegula Ice Arena will be required to pass through walk-through metal detectors before entering venues.
The Bryce Jordan Center clear bag policy will remain in effect throughout commencement weekend. Guests may bring clear bags no larger than 12 inches by 6 inches by 12 inches, one-gallon freezer bags or small clutch bags measuring no more than 4.5 inches by 6.5 inches.
Backpacks, oversized purses and large bags will not be permitted inside commencement venues. Cameras, flowers, umbrellas, empty refillable water bottles and mobility assistance devices will be allowed.
Tickets are not required for most University Park commencement ceremonies, and seating will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Ceremonies also will be livestreamed online for those unable to attend in person.
Commencement parking and traffic
Penn State Transportation Services announced several traffic and parking adjustments for commencement weekend as thousands of visitors travel to campus for ceremonies and student move-out.
Recommended travel routes
For those traveling in from out-of-town, drivers should be aware of exit closures on two major highways.
Drivers traveling westbound on Interstate 80 cannot use exit 161 at Bellefonte to access Interstate 99 southbound toward State College. They are instead directed to continue westbound to exit 158 at Milesburg, then get on I-80 eastbound and take the Bellefonte exit to access I-99.
The exit closure for work on the high-speed interchange project connecting I-80 and I-99 began in February and is expected to be in place through July, according to PennDOT.
For motorists traveling on U.S. Route 322 westbound, the off-ramp for the Innovation Park/Penn State University exit is closed until early June as part of a highway reconstruction project.
Penn State is encouraging visitors traveling Saturday to use Route 322 Business and Atherton Street exits. The university recommends avoiding the Park Avenue exits from Interstate 99 and Route 322 because of heavy congestion.
Ceremony parking locations
General parking for Bryce Jordan Center ceremonies will be available in the Jordan East, Stadium West and Porter North lots. Guests attending ceremonies at Pegula Ice Arena will primarily use the East Parking Deck, while Eisenhower Auditorium visitors are encouraged to park in the Eisenhower Deck. Parking for commencement ceremonies will be free.
Accessible parking
Accessible parking will be available near all commencement venues for vehicles displaying valid ADA placards or license plates. Guests requiring accommodations are encouraged to arrive early because of anticipated congestion near venues.
Road closures and traffic impacts
Curtin Road, between University Drive and the Jordan East entrance, will be closed during many commencement events to improve pedestrian safety between parking areas and ceremony venues.
Drivers are also encouraged to avoid Burrowes Road because a temporary loading zone will be in place on the east side of the road for student move-out.
Fraser Road is restricted to northbound traffic only with entry via Pollock Road.
CATA bus impacts
Several CATA bus routes will be impacted throughout commencement weekend because of road closures and increased traffic around campus.
Bus service on Burrowes Road will be suspended through Saturday, affecting stops near:
- Rec Hall
- Waring Commons
- Elliott Building
- Westgate Building
- Deike Building
Penn State is encouraging visitors to allow extra travel time throughout the weekend because of increased vehicle and pedestrian traffic across campus.
Downtown parking temporary changes
State College Borough announced temporary parking adjustments ahead of commencement weekend.
Beginning at noon Friday through 2 a.m. Monday, May 11, overnight parking restrictions and one- and two-hour parking limits will be temporarily suspended in many downtown areas to accommodate increased visitor traffic.
All other parking regulations, including permit-only spaces, loading zones and fire hydrant restrictions, will remain enforced throughout the weekend.
Borough officials are encouraging visitors to use downtown parking garages and public lots as traffic increases across the borough during graduation weekend.
