Skip to Main Content Skip to Footer Toggle Navigation Menu

Information for Families and Visitors

A group of family and friends stand and cheer for their graduate.
Commencement 2026

A Celebration for All

Our Macalester community is excited for this opportunity to celebrate and honor the achievements of our graduates, and to thank you—parents, family members, caregivers, and friends—for your support throughout their journey.

This page will continue to be updated as Senior Week and graduation day approach.

Resources for Families and Visitors

  • Tickets

    All guests must have a ticket to attend the ceremony in the Fieldhouse. (Exception: Any child under two years of age, not occupying a seat, may attend without a ticket and therefore not count towards a graduate’s guest ticket limit.)

    More information and a link to claim tickets will be shared with graduates via email in late January, 2026.

    • At that time, each graduate will be able to claim up to five (5) tickets.
    • After the initial ticket requests are fulfilled, we will distribute additional tickets equitably between those who have requested them. Each graduate may request up to six (6) additional tickets.
    • There will be an on-campus space for any guests who do not have Fieldhouse tickets to gather and watch a live stream of the ceremony.

    Please note that all ticket requests are handled directly with graduates. Family and friends may not request tickets independently

  • Live Stream

    A link for the live stream of the May ceremony will be posted on our main Commencement webpage prior to the event. We will also post a link to the recording shortly after the ceremony.

  • Directions and Parking

    Macalester College is located at the intersection of Grand Avenue and Snelling Avenue in St. Paul, Minnesota.

    Use 130 Macalester Street, St. Paul, Minnesota for GPS directions to available parking.

    There is no charge to park in Macalester’s lots or on the streets close to campus. Please be respectful of the residential nature of our neighborhood and obey all signs regarding parking limitations.

    View our Interactive Campus Map for details.

  • Schedule of Events / Meal Registration

    Our Schedule of Events webpage will be updated regularly in the weeks leading up to commencement. Please note that some events are for graduates only, and some are by invitation only. All events are subject to change.

    Family and friends of our graduates are especially welcome at the Zero Waste All Campus Picnic and the Academic Department Receptions on Friday, as well as the Continental Breakfast on Saturday morning.

    Your registration for the meals will help us prepare an appropriate amount of food and beverages. There is no cost to attend the lunch, receptions or breakfast. A registration link will be added here closer to graduation day.

  • Accessibility / Accommodations

    Macalester College strives to host inclusive, accessible events that enable all individuals, including individuals with disabilities, to engage fully.

    We will provide accessible seating for access for individuals with disabilities with specific accommodation needs. To prioritize this seating, there is a limit of two (2) tickets for this area: one for the individual requesting seating and one for a companion to accompany that individual. These two (2) tickets/seats do count toward the graduating senior’s ticket limit. A link to request accommodation will be shared with graduates in January and be posted here as well.

    Sign language interpreters and Captioning will be provided during the Commencement Ceremony.

    Macalester does not have wheelchairs available on campus, but can recommend these local vendors:

    1. St.Paul Corner Drug (Pick up only)
      • 240 Snelling Avenue South, St. Paul, MN 55105
      • Phone: 651-698-8859
    2. Jackson Medical Equipment (Offers delivery service)
      • 982 Thomas Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55104.
      • Phone: 651-645-6221
    3.  Dahl Medical Equipment (Offers delivery service)
      • 154 Cobblestone Lane, Burnsville, MN 55337
      • Phone: 612-334-3159

    Accessibility questions? Email [email protected].

  • Seating Chart

    Candidates for degree do not cross the stage in alphabetical order. We will post a seating chart here before the ceremony.