Commencement

Guests do not need tickets. (Up to two guests are allowed per graduate.) However, you must arrive with your grad-to-be so that everyone can check in together at Wilson Plaza before proceeding to Annenberg Stadium. 

Yes. All guests are required to show either a vaccination card or proof of a negative COVID-19 test within the last 72 hours, in addition to a valid government-issued ID, prior to entry.

June in Los Angeles is usually quite warm, with daytime highs in the upper 70s to mid-80s. Mornings can be chilly with the typical Southern California late-night and early-morning low clouds. The campus at UCLA is fairly large, and we recommend wearing comfortable shoes. You should dress in layers or wear a light jacket or wrap that can be easily removed as the temperature rises. Please visit www.atmos.ucla.edu for current weather conditions. 

Although UCLA does not anticipate any security problems during the graduation celebration, we are constantly monitoring the events to protect the safety and security of our guests. Please observe the following restrictions for our graduation celebration activities.

• No large bags, backpacks, large purses or items larger than 12 X 12
• No firearms, knives, explosives or other weapons
• No cans, coolers or other containers, except in cases of medical need, as certified by a physician
• No artificial noise-makers, air horns or megaphones
• No large signs, flags, poles, banners or laser pointers
• No promotional items with commercial slogans or identification
• No food or drink, except bottled water
• Inspections of small receptacles (bags) might be required as you enter event venues
• These policies are subject to change without notice

There’s no dress code for this event, although we suggest that guests dress for comfort and for weather changes. Please, no large hats and definitely no umbrellas. We want everyone to be able to see the ceremony.

You can count on it, so we ask that you allot extra time to travel to campus.

The closest parking structure to Annenberg Stadium and Wilson Plaza is Lot 4, which is located on Westwood Plaza just south of Sunset Blvd. All parking lots and structures on the UCLA campus will be open and staffed throughout commencement weekend. You can purchase tickets in advance via Bruin ePermit System.

There will be house staff on-site who can assist with seating needs for any wheelchair-bound guest.

We ask that guests and their grad-to-be show up at Wilson Plaza at least an hour before the ceremony start time to begin the COVID-19 verification process. The gates to Annenberg Stadium will open for guests 30 minutes prior to the ceremony.

Sorry, but there is no shade at Annenberg Stadium. Guests should dress accordingly. Bring sunscreen, but no giant hats and definitely no umbrellas. We would like everyone to be able to see the ceremony.

All seating is general admission and available on a first-come, first-served basis. Chairs will be set up in pairs with social distancing between each pair of seats.

We understand that balloons are festive and celebratory, but guests sitting behind you may not think so. 

Sorry, but pets are not allowed at the ceremony. They can, however, watch it live from the comfort of their beds via our livestream.

Of course! All we ask, though, for fire and life safety reasons, is that you not bring tripods.

Professional photographers from GradImages will be photographing each graduate at the ceremony. They will email each graduate within a few days with links to their website, where pictures will be available for purchase. We think you’ll be impressed with the quality of these photographs.

Guests are permitted to bring their own bottled water into Annenberg Stadium. However, soft drinks and snacks are not permitted. While we understand that the consumption of alcohol may help enhance the celebratory mood of the day, it is not allowed at our ceremony. 

Yes. Portable restrooms will be available to our guests at Annenberg Stadium.

Through the miracle of electronic media, there will be a giant screen broadcasting the ceremony for all to enjoy.

Yes to both! Guests can watch the ceremony live from the comfort of their homes. The link will be provided soon.

Personal messages and speeches from our dean, keynote speaker and your student class speaker will take up the first 30 minutes of the ceremony. Following that, students will line up on the stage, at which point their names will be read and photograph taken. We estimate the ceremony should take approximately 75 to 90 minutes.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions at UCLA, there will be no reception for our graduates.

Because the venue must be cleaned and prepared in time for the next ceremony, all students and guests must vacate Annenberg Stadium immediately after the ceremony concludes.