Commencement 2026

Weather Advisory

The most current weather advisories warn that today will be unseasonably warm, with temperatures in the 90s expected throughout the day. While the ceremony itself will be held inside Radio City Music Hall, guests will need to line up outside the venue to gain entry. We encourage you to plan and dress accordingly and bring water bottles and sunscreen with you.

We will be checking guests in as quickly as possible, but to limit lines and outside exposure, guests will not be permitted to line up outside until 2 p.m. Doors will open at 3 p.m.

As a reminder, guests with mobility or accessibility needs may check in at our ADA table and enter via the main 6th Avenue entrance beginning at 2:45 p.m.

Water fountains and a concession stand are also available inside Radio City Music Hall.

Information and Reminders about Barnard Commencement Ceremony

About Radio City Music Hall

• Radio City Music Hall is located at 1260 Avenue of the Americas (also known as Sixth Avenue) between W. 50th Street and W. 51st Street.
• ***All Students and Guests must have their own digital ticket to enter Radio City Music Hall***
• ***All Guests 18 and over must have a photo ID to enter Radio City Music Hall.***
• Each seated guest (regardless of age) must have their own digital ticket; screenshots or printouts are not permitted. Families and friends of graduates will be invited to enter Radio City Music Hall via the W. 50th Street and 51st Street entrances, just east of Sixth Avenue. Doors will open at 3:00 PM, one hour before the ceremony.
  • Radio City Music Hall asks all guests to arrive early and travel light. Bags must fit comfortably under your seat, and oversized bags larger than 22” x 14” x 9” are prohibited. Radio City Music Hall does not provide an area to check bags, coats, or any other personal belongings.
  • Graduates and guests are not permitted to bring anything into the venue that could disrupt the ability of other attendees to watch and enjoy the event. This includes balloons, posters, banners, signs, flags, and Barnard Bs; additional items prohibited by the venue can be found on the Radio City Music Hall website. Such items will not be allowed into the venue and will not be available for graduates or guests to reclaim following the event.
  • Graduates must carry anything they bring with them as they process to their seats. We are not able to accommodate any coat/bag check and items left behind will not be monitored.
  • Everyone entering Radio City Music Hall must enter through magnetometers and have any bags inspected by security.
  • Due to the volume of graduates and guests entering the venue, please allow for additional time and expect the possibility of waiting outside, rain or shine, in a queue to enter the venue.
• Radio City Music Hall ushers will allow early entry at 2:45 PM for guests with mobility/accessibility needs and their companions. In addition to the limited number of ADA-accessible seats in the venue, Radio City Music Hall has a limited number of wheelchairs and an usher can assist in obtaining one or providing wheelchair transport to a seat.
  • Due to the limited number of ADA-accessible seats and the companion seats next to them, it is not guaranteed that whole parties will be able to sit with someone in an ADA-accessible seat.
  • Guests can pick up assisted listening devices at the Guest Relations Desk by Exit 35 in the foyer. If they are not able to locate said location, any ushers stationed throughout the lobby/foyer should be able to assist. You must provide an ID to leave in exchange for use of the listening device.
  • For more information about the Accessibility Services available at Radio City Music Hall, please see their FAQs. The venue’s Accessibility Services Department can be reached at accessibiltyservices@msg.com or 888-609-7599 with any questions about what the venue can offer.
  • Students who have mobility concerns or may need other accommodations supported by CARDS should email both cards@barnard.edu and commencement@barnard.edu in the same message with information about their needs. This is ONLY for support for students (not for guests).
• Concessions will be available for sale at the venue as guests take their seats. Concessions will close at 3:30 PM to allow for the academic procession.
• Seats for guests are general admission, which means that they are unassigned and are on a first-come, first-served basis. Neither Barnard nor Radio City Music Hall staff can save seats for individuals or families.

Ceremony Information

The 134th Barnard College Commencement ceremony will be held on Tuesday, May 19 at 4 p.m. at Radio City Music Hall in midtown Manhattan. The Barnard ceremony will be live streamed and available to watch on this page. The Columbia University Commencement for undergraduates will take place the following day on May 20 at the Columbia University Morningside Campus at 5 p.m.

The Commencement speaker and medalists to be honored will be announced during the Spring semester.

This page will be updated with information regarding the schedule of Commencement activities, as well as information about registration and tickets to Barnard and Columbia University Commencement ceremonies, cap and gown day, guests with disabilities, photography, parking, and directions.

Accommodations

For information on accommodations, please visit the Accommodations page for a list of nearby hotels. You may also wish to review Columbia’s Visitors Center for additional listings. Some accommodations offer discounted rates to Barnard and Columbia University guests.