Commencement Week 2026: Know Before You Go

In less than two weeks, the George Washington University will celebrate the Class of 2026, with events beginning May 12 and culminating in Commencement on the National Mall on May 17.

The week begins with the Senior Class Toast, followed by the Multicultural Student Services Center (MSSC) Graduation Celebration on May 14 and the Interfaith Baccalaureate on May 16.

Here's what graduates and guests need to know about the week's events.

Planning your visit

Please be aware that there is a new bag policy in effect for this year's Commencement and school celebrations. Bags larger than 5" x 7" are prohibited at all school celebrations and Commencement on the National Mall. Diaper bags and ADA or medical bags up to 16" x 16" x 8" are permitted. All bags are subject to search. Expect longer wait times if bringing a permitted bag.

GW is located in the heart of Washington, D.C., and within walking distance of some of the nation's most iconic sights, including the White House and Lincoln Memorial. The university is close to three major airports: Ronald Reagan Washington National, Dulles International and Baltimore/Washington International, as well as Union Station.

Metro, taxi, rideshare and Capital Bikeshare are available to help navigate Foggy Bottom and the National Mall.

There are many options for lodging across the D.C. area, including close to Foggy Bottom and the National Mall. Be sure to ask a hotel if they offer a discount for the weekend of GW's Commencement.

Check out GW Today's Foggy Bottom guide for the best places to eat, relax or explore near campus.

Individual school celebrations, May 14 to 17

All schools and colleges host celebrations for graduating students, where each graduate is individually recognized, including having their name announced, walking across the stage and having a photo taken. During these events, graduates hear from school leaders and keynote speakers.

StagePasses, the electronic passes that contain unique QR codes for graduates to use at their school celebrations and Commencement on the National Mall, will be sent to graduates next week. Graduates must scan their StagePass, or a card with the QR code provided at lineups, before crossing the stage. The pass activates the recording of each graduate's name and displays it on screen.

Graduates who have not registered should request a gold card when they report to lineups; their name will be read live at the event.

Guests with mobility issues attending celebrations at the Charles E. Smith Center may enter through Gate 3 with one companion, 30 minutes before doors open.

Please visit the Commencement Week schedule for dates, times and locations of school and college celebrations.

Commencement Sunday, May 17

The university-wide Commencement brings together GW's 10 schools in the shadow of the Washington Monument. Rebecca Kutler, president of MS NOW, will deliver the 2026 Commencement address. Former Student Government Association President Ethan Fitzgerald will represent the Class of 2026 as student speaker.

The staging area will be at the base of the Washington Monument, located at 1401 Constitution Ave., NW, Washington, D.C. (for guests who do not need access to the ADA drop-off area); ADA seating guests should use 1600 Constitution Ave., NW. The Commencement site will be secured by fencing with entrance gates as indicated on the site map. The U.S. Park Police and other security personnel will be on site.

All gates open at 8:30 a.m. Graduates and guests must be seated by 10:15 a.m., the ceremony begins at 10:30 a.m. Graduates and guests should report to the gate assigned in their StagePass or ticket and be prepared to present it for entry, either as a printout or on their mobile device. There are no exceptions. Anyone without a ticket will be directed to an overflow viewing area outside the event perimeter to watch the ceremony.

Guests who need access to the ADA seating area should use Gate 6 regardless of the gate assigned on their ticket. ADA seating guests may have one companion join them.

Please note due to limited capacity on the National Mall site, no additional guest tickets will be available.

No disruptions will be permitted during the ceremony, including the use of prohibited items. Individuals who create a disruption or have a prohibited item will be escorted out of the event by security personnel or the U.S. Park Police.

Staging Area

Getting there

• Metro
  • WMATA Metro trains will not operate between Pentagon City and Braddock Road stations (Yellow and Blue lines) May 16-17. WMATA will provide free shuttle buses. If your travel will be impacted by this suspension, adding more travel time to avoid arriving late is highly recommended.
  • Those taking the Orange, Blue or Silver lines from Foggy Bottom to Commencement on the National Mall should exit at the Smithsonian station.
  • Riders taking the Red Line can transfer to the Orange, Silver or Blue line at Metro Center to the Smithsonian stop, while those taking the Green or Yellow line can do so at the L'Enfant Plaza station.
• Alternative transportation
  • Freedom250 will be having an event on May 17, which might cause street closures around Commencement and increase rideshare demand.
  • There are also various Capital Bikeshare stations around the city, including near our campus and the Mall.
• Parking
  • Guests are urged to take the Metro, walk or take taxis during Commencement Week. Note that parking is not guaranteed for those who drive. For school celebrations and other events on campus, GW parking garages are available. All GW parking garages are wheelchair accessible.
  • There is no reservable, dedicated ADA parking on the National Mall. Limited publicly accessible parking spaces are available. Privately-owned parking garages are located within about half a mile of the Commencement site. Parking fees vary by location.
  • There will be an ADA drop-off area. To gain access to the drop-off area, students and guests may download a placard for their vehicle from the Commencement website. The placard is for drop-off only; it is not a parking pass.

Food and beverages

Food and beverages are allowed at Commencement on the National Mall. Please dispose of all waste in the proper trash or recycling containers available at the event site or take it with you when you leave.

Water stations

Graduates and guests should bring a reusable water bottle to the ceremony. There are several water stations available at the National Mall Commencement site.

Photos and video

No individual graduate names are called at Commencement on the National Mall, and graduates do not walk across the stage. University-designated photographers and videographers will be onsite to capture the event.

Graduates and guests are encouraged to take photos and videos in all other locations on the National Mall. Please tag the university's social media accounts (Twitter/X, Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn) and use the hashtag #GWCommencement if you post them online.

Photo and video consent

Photos and/or videos of attendees will be taken and may be shared on the university social media accounts, websites, and marketing materials. Review GW's Statement of Privacy Practices for more information.

If you have any concerns, please contact University Events at ueventsgwu [dot] edu (uevents[at]gwu[dot]edu).

Celebrating online

Commencement on the National Mall will be livestreamed on the web and social media on the day of the event. Viewing options will be posted on the Commencement homepage on the day of the event.

Schools and college celebrations will be livestreamed on the web and available on their respective Commencement pages on the day of the event.

Prohibited items

Please see the full list of prohibited items at school celebrations and Commencement on the National Mall.

Diplomas

Diplomas are not distributed during Commencement week events and will be mailed up to eight weeks after conferral.

In case of emergency

Commencement is held rain or shine on the National Mall, unless we are directed to move by the National Park Service or if conditions do not allow us to safely conduct the ceremony. If an emergency develops during the ceremony, the U.S. Park Police will declare an emergency. Follow the directions of the U.S. Park Police and site staff and proceed to the nearest public building. Site staff will be on hand to provide assistance.

If the ceremony moves to an alternative site, all graduates and members of the platform party should report to the Charles E. Smith Center. For alternative site plan information, please visit the Commencement website.

Congratulations, Revolutionaries, and Raise High!