Graduation

Families and guests

Health and safety

These policies are subject to change in accordance with state and local guidance. Guests and graduates should visit this page prior to the event for any updates to the masking policy.

Our top priority remains the health, safety, and well-being of our community. By participating in graduation events hosted by the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, all graduates and their guests agree to abide by all state, local, and University COVID-19 guidance that may be in place at the time of Convocation. The University will continue to actively monitor public health conditions and update the community regularly on any additional measures.

Non-Harvard community members, including non-embedded vendors visiting scholars, speakers, families and guests of Harvard students, and alumni should be notified that Harvard has a vaccination and booster requirement. Prior to arriving on campus, non-Harvard community members should check with the local school or unit they are visiting to verify specific vaccination policies that may be in place.

Although face coverings are now optional in most settings, Harvard University community members and visitors are encouraged to have an acceptable face covering on their persons for situations in which they may be required. We also strongly recommend voluntary masking in crowded settings, especially indoors.

Security and bag policy

  • Graduates and guests will walk through metal detectors. If you have a medical condition that prevents you from being able to enter through a metal detector, please show your Medical Device ID to a security officer and they make alternative arrangements.
  • All persons, bags, and personal items are subject to inspection.
  • No backpacks of any type will be allowed on campus or at the Reggie Lewis Center.
  • No bag or item larger than 12 x 12”x 12” will be permitted excepting medical equipment. 
  • No luggage may be brought or stored at a ceremony location, please make other arrangements.
  • Backpacks are prohibited in all ceremony locations and all bags and personal items are subject to inspection.

Transportation and shuttles

For transportation options for each event, please visit the transportation and shuttles page.

Accommodations for guests with disabilities

Any graduate or guest seeking accommodations should contact the Office for Student Affairs.

Guest tickets

Harvard Chan Convocation and Harvard University Commencement are ticketed events. Graduating students will receive information about requesting tickets in February.

  • A ticket is required to gain entry into all ceremony locations.
  • Graduates may request up to three (3) guest tickets for the Harvard Chan Convocation Ceremony on Wednesday, May 22, 2024.
  • Graduates may request up to two (2) guest tickets for the University Commencement ceremony on Thursday, May 23, 2024.
  • All children over 2 years of age require their own ticket.
  • Strollers are not permitted in ceremony locations.
  • The sale of graduation tickets is prohibited.
  • Graduating students can access electronic tickets for May 22, 2024 via the Ceremony Information and Response Form (available beginning in February).
  • Graduates can pick up physical tickets for May 23, 2024 at the School in May.

Where to stay

Some of the hotels below are offering special rates for our guests. Please tell them you are coming for Harvard Commencement. Use the links provided for the special rate or call the hotel directly.

Inn at Longwood 
342 Longwood Ave
Boston, MA 02115
1 -800-468-2378

Hilton Garden Inn
700 Brookline Ave
Brookline, MA 02446
Reservation

Verb Hotel
1271 Boylston St
Boston, MA 02215
Tel: 617-556-4500

The Hotel Veritas
One Remington St
Cambridge, MA 02128
Tel: 617-520-5000

Harvard Square Hotel
110 Mt. Auburn St
Cambridge, MA 2138
Tel: 617-864-5200 or 1-800-458-5886

The Charles Hotel
One Bennett St
Cambridge, MA 02138
Email: reservations@charleshotel.com
Tel: 617-864-1200 or 1-800-882-1818

A Friendly Inn at Harvard
1673 Cambridge St
Cambridge, MA 02138
Tel: 617-547-7851

Sheraton Commander Hotel
16 Garden St
Cambridge, MA 02138
Tel: 617-547-4800 or 1-800-535-5007

DoubleTree Suites by Hilton Hotel Boston – Cambridge
400 Soldiers Field Road
Boston, MA 02134
Tel: 617-783-0090 or 1-800-754-7515

Courtyard by Marriott Boston/Cambridge
777 Memorial Dr
Cambridge, MA 02139
Tel: 617-492-7777

Porter Square Hotel 
1924 Massachusetts Ave
Cambridge, MA 02140
Tel: 617-499-3399

Le Meridien Cambridge-MIT
20 Sidney St
Cambridge, MA 02139
Tel: 617-577-0200 or 866-716-8119

A Cambridge House
2218 Massachusetts Ave
Cambridge, MA 02140
Tel: 617-491-6300 or 1-800-232-9989

The Kendall Hotel
350 Main St
Cambridge, MA 02142
Tel: 617-577-1300 or 866-566-1300

The Freepoint Hotel
220 Alewife Brook Parkway
Cambridge, MA 02138
Tel: 617-491-8000 or 1-855-752-2005

Hyatt Regency Cambridge 
575 Memorial Dr
Cambridge, MA 02139
Tel: 617-492-1234 or 1-800-233-1234

Hotel Studio Allston 
1234 Soldiers Field Road
Boston, MA 02135
Tel: 617-206-1848

Boston Marriott Cambridge
50 Broadway
Cambridge, MA 02142
Tel: 617-494-6600 or 1-800-228-9290

Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites Boston – Cambridge
250 Monsignor O’Brien Highway
Cambridge, MA 02141
Tel: 617-577-7600

Homewood Suites by Hilton
1 Massachusetts Ave
Arlington, MA 02474
Tel: 781-643-7258

Royal Sonesta
40 Edwin H Land Blvd
Cambridge, MA 02142
Tel: 617-806-4200

AC Hotel by Marriott – Cambridge
10 Acorn Park Dr
Cambridge, MA 02140
Tel: 617-876-6190

Sheraton Boston Hotel 
39 Dalton St
Boston, MA 02199
Tel: 617-236-2000 of 866-716-8120

Liberty Hotel
215 Charles St
Boston, MA 02114
Tel: 617-224-4000

Wyndham Boston Beacon Hill
5 Blossom St
Boston, MA 02114
Tel: 617-742-7630

Fairmont Copley Plaza
138 St. James Ave
Boston, MA 02116
Tel: 617-267-5300