Berkeley Commencement

Winter Commencement is scheduled for Saturday, December 20, 2025, at Haas Pavilion.

At UC Berkeley, commencement speakers are selected through a collaborative process. The Californians, a student organization, polls the senior class for keynote speaker suggestions and narrows down the list to the top 10 candidates. ASUC (Associated Students of the University of California) then reviews this list and works with the Chancellor’s Office to vet the names. The Californians prioritize the remaining names on the list and, working with University Development and Alumni Relations, send out letters of inquiry to potential speakers. When a candidate is available and interested, the Chancellor or Senior Class Council sends a formal invitation. If no speakers accept, the Senior Class Council and the Californians may consider outside candidates and send a formal invitation.

Students have worked very hard to get to this moment and family members and friends have traveled from afar to celebrate this important milestone. We would also like to remind us that many of our seniors did not get the chance to have an in-person high school commencement. With this spirit in mind, we request that you please silence your cell phones, stay in your seats, and keep the aisles clear. For this event specifically, time, place, and manner policies apply that are aligned with our Berkeley principles of community. You may not engage in any action that disrupts the event or prevents the speakers from being heard during the campuswide Commencement within California Memorial Stadium. This includes, but is not limited to, shouting over speakers, speaking out of turn, blocking others’ view of the event, disrupting official activities, and specifically displaying banners and signs that block others’ view of the event.

Individuals who are disruptive will be asked to leave. Those individuals may be ejected from the event or have other actions taken, and campus members may be referred to the appropriate disciplinary process.

More information on the university’s policies on expressive activities may be found here.

The university sponsors the campuswide Commencements in May and December. These ceremonies are open to all undergraduate and graduate students, in every school and college. They include a keynote speaker, student speaker, and the official conferring of degrees by the chancellor. (The spring student speaker is the top graduating senior — the University Medalist — and the winter student speaker is chosen by audition.) Graduate names are not read at the spring campuswide event.

Many departments and student groups hold smaller, more personal graduations during the spring semester only. They typically occur over a two-week period and differ according to each group’s plans. Registration and tickets for these graduations are handled separately through each group. Visit the Department Graduations page to contact your department, school, or college directly.

Whether graduates attend the campuswide Commencement, department graduation, or both is up to them. We encourage them to coordinate with their friends and family.

Yes. Visit commencement.berkeley.edu on the day of the event, and you’ll see it on the home page.

If you require any accommodation(s) for effective communication (ASL interpreting/CART captioning, alternative media formats, etc.), or information about campus mobility access features in order to fully participate in this event, please call 888.UNIV.CAL (888.864.8225) or email commencement@berkeley.edu with as much advance notice as possible and at least 3–5 days in advance of the event.

Graduate names are called during the winter ceremony only.

The spring ceremony is too large to call out every graduate’s name. However, many departments and student groups hold smaller, more personal graduations during the spring semester that may include the calling of names. Visit the Department Graduations page to contact your department, school, or college directly.

No. The Office of the Registrar mails diplomas four months after graduation. (Visit their website for information on transcripts, diplomas, and other academic records.) Graduates receive a commemorative certificate at most department graduations.

Yes, registration is required to participate in Commencement, even though it’s free for graduates. Registration information and instructions will be sent in the fall. Sign up for email updates to be notified when registration opens.

Yes. Each graduate can purchase a maximum of four guest tickets. All guest tickets are reserved seating, and ticket pricing information will be announced closer to the ceremony date. The ceremony will also be livestreamed on commencement.berkeley.edu. Please note that tickets are non-refundable once purchased.

Graduates will enter through Stow Plaza, located off of Frank Schlessinger Way within the Hellman Tennis Complex and Evans Diamond. From there, you will proceed to the graduate assembly area adjacent to Haas Pavilion. Timing and additional details will be sent closer to the event.

Graduates who require disability access will enter at Entry 7. *Note that guests who require mobility accommodations will enter through Entry 1, and will not be permitted to enter through the student entry.

If you would like to sit with your friends during the ceremony, stand in line together, as seating is unassigned. Please be patient and follow staff instructions.

You will receive an email reminder about this deadline. Even if you miss the deadline for the program, you can still register and participate in the ceremony, but your name won’t be listed. Please note that this year, we’re going green with a digital-only program!

You may wear regalia (available at the Cal Student Store), business casual, or cocktail attire. Regalia will not be available to purchase on-site during the event. Purchase your cap, tassel, stole, and gown — including an eco-friendly rental option — at the Cal Student Store. You may also dress in business casual or cocktail attire. (The university does not provide stoles, leis, and other items for the campuswide ceremony.) We recommend that you NOT wear high heels, as graduates will be seated in the steep stands.

Dress warmly under your regalia since you will be waiting outside prior to the ceremony. The ceremony will take place rain or shine, so please dress appropriately for the weather conditions. Wear comfortable shoes as you will be walking up and down stairs. If you are wearing a graduation cap, place the tassel on the right side before the ceremony; Chancellor Lyons will invite you to move it to the left side during the ceremony.

For information on security screening policies, including the clear bag policy and prohibited items, please review the Haas Pavilion Event Policies and California Memorial Stadium Event Policies. Common prohibited items include:

• banners, signs, or flags
• artificial noise-making devices
• balloons
• umbrellas
• hard plastic, glass, or metal bottles or cans
• open containers or alcohol
• professional cameras or cameras with lenses larger than six inches
• video cameras
• monopods or tripods

Commencement follows the same code of conduct as football games in California Memorial Stadium.

Graduates requiring mobility assistance access will enter Haas Pavilion through Entry 7 (located on the north side of the building off of Frank Schlessinger Way).

Guests requiring mobility assistance access will enter Entry 1 on Spieker Plaza. Note, guests will not be permitted to enter via the student entrance.

Commencement follows the same code of conduct as football games in Memorial Stadium. Visit calbears.com for info on security screening, clear bags, prohibited items, and other event policies.

What graduates can bring:

— Your phone.

— Your ticket.

— Your regalia or other preferred attire. Prepare for the weather, and wear flat shoes.

— An empty soft plastic bottle to refill.

What guests can bring:

— Your tickets.

— Visit calbears.com for info on umbrellas, hard plastic bottles, and other prohibited items, as well as info on security.

Please note: Your ticket, was emailed from ato@berkeley.edu. If you can not locate your ticket please log into your calbears.com account on a mobile device only, select “My Tickets,” then “Upcoming Events,” from there you can download your ceremony tickets.

If you are a current student who plans to participate in the campuswide Commencement on May 17, 2025, and would like to receive emails about registration, guest tickets, and more, first check all email inboxes, including your spam and promotions folders, for emails from “commencement@our.berkeley.edu” or “commencement@berkeley.edu.” If you haven’t received an email from this address, fill out this form to make sure you’re included. This email list is for graduates only and will be deleted after Commencement. Parents and other guests, please contact your student directly for details about the day.

If you require any accommodation(s) for effective communication (ASL interpreting/CART captioning, alternative media formats, etc.), or information about campus mobility access features in order to fully participate in this event, please call 888.UNIV.CAL (888.864.8225) or email commencement@berkeley.edu with as much advance notice as possible and at least 3–5 days in advance of the event.

Make sure your phone is fully charged before you arrive. Chargers will not be available onsite, and you’ll need your device to scan mobile tickets and coordinate with others to meet your graduate after the ceremony.

Guests who need mobility assistance may be dropped off at the intersection of Bancroft Way and Dana Street. From there, it’s a short distance to the ramp at Entry 1. Once inside, a staff member will direct you to the elevators to reach the ADA seating areas. We can only ensure one companion seat per disabled guest, and we will do our best to seat your entire party together. Note: Guests will not be permitted to enter via the graduate mobility accessible entrance at Gate 7.

Yes. Guests who need an ASL interpreter should email commencement@berkeley.edu at least 5-7 days before the ceremony to reserve seats in the interpreter section. When you arrive, let staff know you have reserved ASL seating and they will escort you to the appropriate area. Real-time closed captions will also be available on your phone via QR code.

Use #CalGrad in your social media posts, whether you’re a graduate sharing a favorite memory, a proud parent congratulating your child, or an alum offering sage advice. You can also upload photos and videos directly into the Social Media page.

Your connection to UC Berkeley doesn’t end at graduation! Here are some key ways to remain engaged with your Cal community.

1. Visit the My Berkeley Alumni Portal.
2. Become a member of the Cal Alumni Association (CAA).
3. Learn from Berkeley faculty. You can enroll in free online courses for alums.
4. Sign up for career services. Recent alums receive free access to Berkeley Career Engagement, including one-on-one counseling sessions for the first year.
5. Support your class reunion gift campaign.

Graduating students will be automatically enrolled in the Alumni Email Service, so you can keep using your @berkeley.edu email after graduation. You do not need to opt in or register. 

For information on security screening policies, including the clear bag policy and prohibited items, please review the Haas Pavilion Event Policies and California Memorial Stadium Event Policies. Common prohibited items include:

• banners, signs, or flags
• artificial noise-making devices
• balloons
• umbrellas
• hard plastic, glass, or metal bottles or cans
• open containers or alcohol
• professional cameras or cameras with lenses larger than six inches
• video cameras
• monopods or tripods

Commencement follows the same code of conduct as football games in California Memorial Stadium.

Closed captions in languages other than English are available upon request. Please email commencement@berkeley.edu at least 5-7 days before the event and specify which language you need.

There are several nearby hotels. Start planning your travel now.

All parking (on and off campus) is first come, first served and fees will be charged.

Public parking is available in non-restricted campus lots. Check signs for rates and times. No attendants are on duty, and permits must be purchased in the lot.

Campus Parking details are on Parking & Transportation’s website. The RSF Parking Garage and the Ellsworth Parking Structure will be selling parking for the event.

ADA parking can be found on the street or in designated spaces on campus and public lots. Visit Parking & Transportation’s website for a disabled person parking map and other details. The Lower Sproul Parking Garage will be selling accessible parking.
Guests who need mobility assistance may be dropped off at the intersection of Bancroft Way and Dana Street. From there, it’s a short distance to the ramp at Entry 1.

Yes. All persons 24 months and older must have a valid ticket to enter the venue. Children under 24 months must be held in a lap to avoid interfering with other guests’ viewing of the ceremony.

Parents who donate $500 or more to the Cal Parents Fund* will be recognized with their student in a full-page announcement in the Daily Cal newspaper and across the university’s web presence during graduation season.

Gifts to the Cal Parents Fund help sustain vital student services, including the Career Engagement Center, where soon-to-be graduates can gain valuable guidance for the road ahead.

* Gifts to the Cal Parents Fund from July 1, 2024 to April 30, 2025 will count towards the Grad Tribute campaign.

For information on security screening policies, including the clear bag policy and prohibited items, please review the Haas Pavilion Event Policies and California Memorial Stadium Event Policies. Common prohibited items include:

• banners, signs, or flags
• artificial noise-making devices
• balloons
• umbrellas
• hard plastic, glass, or metal bottles or cans
• open containers or alcohol
• professional cameras or cameras with lenses larger than six inches
• video cameras
• monopods or tripods

Commencement follows the same code of conduct as football games in California Memorial Stadium.