Class of 2026 orientation photo courtesy of Panfoto
Wellesley will celebrate the purple class of 2026 on Friday, May 15, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. EDT. General seating will open at 9 a.m.
The ceremony will take place outdoors on Severance Green beginning at 10:30 a.m. EDT and will also be livestreamed for anyone planning to watch the event remotely. Captions will be displayed on both the in-person feed and on the livestream.
The draft schedule is tentative and subject to change with the exception of commencement exercises.
Commencement resources
Wednesday, May 13, 2026
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2:00 p.m. Commencement ceremony rehearsal
Severance Green tent seniors only, attendance is required
Thursday, May 14, 2026
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9:00 a.m.–10:30 a.m. Academic department celebrations
Academic Quad tent Economics
Science Center Complex Science Center departments
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10:45 a.m.–11:30 a.m. Sigma Xi initiation
Jewett Auditorium Seniors and guests
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11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. Pre-baccalaureate luncheon
Bates Hall Culinary Center Link to purchase tickets for seniors and their guests will be available by March 2026.
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1:30 p.m. Senior class picture
Severance Green Hill All seniors. Photos available for purchase from Panfoto.
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2:00 p.m.–3:00 p.m. Baccalaureate celebration
Houghton Chapel All seniors, guests with limited seating. Please view more information here.
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3:15 p.m.–4:30 p.m. Academic department celebrations continue after the baccalaureate celebration
Houghton Chapel lawn tent Humanities
Academic Quad lawn tent Social Sciences
Davis Museum Plaza Arts
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4:45 p.m.–5:45 p.m. Phi Beta Kappa initiation
Jewett Auditorium Seniors and guests
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8:00 p.m.–9:00 p.m. Baccalaureate concert
Houghton Chapel Seniors and guests
Friday, May 15, 2026
Commencement Day
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9:00 a.m. Ceremony seating opens
Severance Green tent
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9:30 a.m. Procession formation
Academic Quad All seniors
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10:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. Commencement exercises
Severance Green tent (also live streamed). Seating opens at 9:00 a.m. No tickets are required.
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1:15 p.m.–3:00 p.m. Complimentary light lunch and reception
Houghton Chapel lawn Graduates and guests
Wellesley College Commencement
Wellesley will celebrate the purple class of 2026 on Friday, May 15, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. EDT.
Future commencement dates
Class of 2027: Friday, May 21, 2027
Press contacts
106 Central St.
Wellesley, MA 02481
Commencement team
106 Central St.
Wellesley, MA 02481