2026 Schedule of Events
Senior Week and Commencement Schedule of Events
This schedule will continue to be updated in the weeks leading up to Senior Week and Commencement Day.
Please check back often for more information and registration links.
All events are subject to change.
*Items with an asterisk note that due to programmatic or space constraints, this event is reserved for our graduating seniors.
Monday, May 11, 2026
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Senior Art Show noon – 5:00 p.m.
Law Warschaw Gallery, Janet Wallace Fine Arts Center
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Last Lecture 1:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Hill Ballroom, Kagin Commons
Hear from the Macalester Community about the truly incredible impact you’ve made in your time at Macalester. Students, staff, faculty, and alumni will lend their voice to the impact you’ve made, the waves you continue to make and journey you have before you.
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Marking the Moment* 6:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Weyerhaeuser Chapel
Seniors, how are you saying goodbye to Mac? Falling at the start of senior week, Marking the Moment is an inclusive dinner and ritual space that holds room for shared reflection with your classmates. We’ll hold space for what has been, what will linger, and what you’ll take with you. We’ll gather around tables for a spacious meal, with reflective conversation prompts. You’ll leave with a gift to take light with you on the way.
Registration link will be shared here closer to the date.
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Senior Bingo* 8:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Hill Ballroom, Kagin Commons
Stop by for your last official game of bingo at Macalester with your classmates. Prizes for each round will be worth up to $100!
Tuesday, May 12, 2026
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Senior Art Show noon – 5:00 p.m.
Law Warschaw Gallery, Janet Wallace Fine Arts Center
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Senior Class Social* 8:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
Bateman Plaza and Great Lawn
Join your classmates for an evening of food, music and celebration outside the Campus Center. In the event of inclement weather, this event will move indoors to the Campus Center.
Wednesday, May 14, 2025
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Senior Art Show noon – 5:00 p.m.
Law Warschaw Gallery, Janet Wallace Fine Arts Center
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Lavender Ceremony 2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Hill Ballroom, Kagin Commons
Lavender Ceremony is an annual celebration hosted by the Lealtad-Suzuki Center for Social Justice in honor of Macalester’s LGBTQIA2S+ graduates.
Registration link will be shared here closer to the date. Contact the LSC with any questions.
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Last Supper* 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.
Café Mac, Campus Center
Enjoy a final meal in Café Mac with selected favorites from your time at Macalester!
Co-Hosted by Bon Appétit
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Senior Class Gala* 8:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
More information to come. Contact the CSLE with quesitons.
Thursday, May 14, 2026
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Commencement Rehearsal and Class Photo* Time 10:00 a.m.
Rehearsal: Leonard Center Field House
Photo: Alumni Gym, immediately following the rehearsal
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Senior Art Show noon – 5:00 p.m.
Law Warschaw Gallery, Janet Wallace Fine Arts Center
Friday, May 15, 2026
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Phi Beta Kappa Induction 11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Weyerhaeuser Chapel
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Zero Waste All Campus Picnic 11:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
Café Mac and Great Lawn
Your registration will help us prepare an appropriate amount of food and beverages. There is no cost to attend the picnic.
Registration link will be added closer to the event.
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Senior Art Show noon – 5:00 p.m.
Law Warschaw Gallery, Janet Wallace Fine Arts Center
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Rites of Passage 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Hill Ballroom, Kagin Commons
Rites of Passage is an annual ceremony hosted by the Lealtad-Suzuki Center for Social Justice, which centers, recognizes, and honors the contributions of Macalester’s BIPOC graduating students and their families and friends.
Registration links for participants and guests will be added closer to the event.
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Academic Department Receptions 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Various locations on campus
Academic departments hold receptions for majors, minors, and students connected to the department to celebrate their extraordinary work.
A PDF with locations and more information will be added closer to the event.
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Senior Shabbat Candle Lighting 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m.
Chapel Garden Level
Graduating seniors, bring your friends, families, and guests for one final gathering with Macalester’s Jewish community. We’ll have time to connect, share stories, sing, and have a bite of challah together as we celebrate your commencement.
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Music Seniors in Recital 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
Mairs Concert Hall
Immediately followed by the Music Department Reception.
Saturday, May 16, 2026
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Continental Breakfast 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Café Mac
Your registration will help us prepare an appropriate amount of food and beverages. There is no cost to attend this breakfast.
Registration link will be added closer to the event.
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Honoring the Journey 7:50 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Mairs Concert Hall
Celebration honoring families of first generation graduates.
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Senior Line Up 9:45 a.m.
Alumni Gym
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Senior Art Show 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Law Warschaw Gallery, Janet Wallace Fine Arts Center
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Commencement Ceremony 10:30 a.m.
Leonard Center Field House
Doors will open at 9:00am.
Reception with light snacks immediately following the ceremony.
- For family, friends, and community members who do not have Field House tickets, additional on-campus simulcast viewing location is the JBD Lecture Hall in the lower level of the Campus Center. Tickets are not required at this location.
- CAMPUS MAP
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Post Commencement Reception Immediately following the ceremony
Shaw Field (inclement weather location: Café Mac – Campus Center)
Reception with light snacks.
Entertainment by Macalester’s African Music Ensemble.