All graduates are required to register in advance to participate in the University-wide Morning Exercises and the HES Commencement Ceremony and receive guest tickets to both ceremonies. Tickets are required for guests attending the University Morning Exercises and HES Commencement Ceremony. Graduates receive two (2) guest tickets to each ceremony.
Due to the number of graduates this year, and the limited capacity of our venues, extra tickets are not available. Only infants and young toddlers who can sit on the lap of an adult for the duration of the ceremonies do not require tickets.
Registration & Guest Ticket Information
The MarchingOrder registration and ticket ordering portal is now open! Sign in using your official Student Email Address on file with HES.
The link to register to participate in the Commencement ceremony and order guest tickets, and to RSVP for the Program Reception, was sent via email to your official Student Email Address on file in MyDCE on Thursday, March 28 at approximately 1 p.m. Eastern Time.
Please take a moment to RSVP via the registration site, even if you are not planning on attending.
The deadline to register and request guest tickets is Friday, April 12, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.
Ticket & Lanyard Pick-Up Information
If you registered to attend the Commencement ceremony, you may access your guest tickets for the Harvard Extension School Commencement Ceremony as follows:
University-wide Morning Exercises: Graduates will receive paper tickets for guests at ticket pick-up. Ticket pick-up will begin the week of Commencement.
HES Commencement Ceremony: Graduates will receive digital tickets for guests to download or print via the MarchingOrder registration portal. Sign in using your official Student Email Address on file with HES.
- All graduates need to pick up their guest tickets for the Morning Exercises and their Commencement Lanyard in person. Graduates need their lanyard to participate in Commencement ceremonies.
- Commencement tickets for the University wide Morning Exercises will not be mailed.
- Tickets for the Morning Exercises may be picked up by ONLY the graduate. Tickets may not be picked up by a proxy (friends, family, fellow graduates, etc.). You will need your Harvard University ID (HUID), or a government issued photo ID to pick up your tickets.
Ticket and Lanyard Pick-Up Address and Hours
Please note that times are subject to change.
Harvard Extension School, 51 Brattle Street, Cambridge, MA 02138
- Monday, May 20: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Tuesday, May 21: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- Wednesday, May 22: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Harvard Museum of Natural History Courtyard, 26 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA 02138
- Thursday, May 23: 6:15 a.m.
Ticket FAQs
Do I need a ticket for the events?
Graduates do not need tickets. Official Harvard Regalia and the Commencement 2024 lanyard act as your “ticket” for both Harvard University’s Morning Exercises and the Harvard Extension School Commencement Ceremony.
Your guests will need tickets to access both commencement ceremonies.
How many guest tickets will I receive?
All graduating students will receive two (2) tickets to the Morning Exercises and two (2) tickets to the HES Commencement Ceremony.
Can I get more guest tickets to the Morning Exercises?
No, all graduates only receive two (2) tickets for the morning, university-wide commencement.
Where can I learn more about the entry process for the Morning Exercises?
More information about the Gates and Bags Policy can be found on the Harvard Commencement website.
Are there any restrictions on bags that can be brought into Harvard Yard?
More information about the Gates and Bags Policy can be found on the Harvard Commencement website.
Do young children need guest tickets?
For ticketed events, only infants and small toddlers who will remain in an adult’s lap for either ceremony’s duration can enter without tickets.
- Children are not permitted in the graduate seating area during either ceremony.
- Strollers are not allowed in Tercentenary Theatre for the Morning Exercises and must be left in designated areas.
Can I get extra guest tickets to the Harvard Extension School Commencement Ceremony?
No, all graduates only receive two (2) tickets for the HES Commencement Ceremony.
