2026 Schedule of Events

noon – 5:00 p.m.

Law Warschaw Gallery, Janet Wallace Fine Arts Center

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.

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 storytelling event that holds room for shared reflection with your classmates. We’ll hold space for what has been and what you’ll take with you. You’ll leave with a gift to take light with you on the way.

RSVP here so we have the right food.

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.

noon – 5:00 p.m.

Law Warschaw Gallery, Janet Wallace Fine Arts Center

2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Weyerhaeuser Boardroom

As you prepare for life after Mac, take a moment to reflect on your last four years. Join Vice President of Student Affairs, Dr. Kathryn Kay Coquemont, for Dr. C’s Senior Dis-Orientation, where you’ll write a letter to your future self and offer words of wisdom to the incoming Class of 2030. Plus, get creative and decorate your graduation cap to celebrate this achievement in style! Steam your gown before your big day on Saturday! Snacks, supplies, and nostalgia provided—don’t miss this chance to reflect, inspire, and celebrate your next chapter!

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

8:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.

Minneapolis Institute of Art

An annual tradition returns! Join us for a semi-formal evening at MIA. An opportunity will be provided to invite faculty and staff who helped you along the way to join in celebrating with you.

noon – 5:00 p.m.

Law Warschaw Gallery, Janet Wallace Fine Arts Center

2:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.

Hill Ballroom, Kagin Commons

Lavender Graduation is an annual celebration hosted by the Lealtad-Suzuki Center for Social Justice in honor of Macalester’s LGBTQIA2S+ graduates.

Lavender Graduations have long been held in recognition of the academic, social, and activist achievements of queer and trans students while acknowledging the struggle of accomplishing these feats.

Graduating seniors who would like to participate should RSVP here by Friday, May 8, at 4:30 p.m.

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!

Time 10:00 a.m.

Rehearsal: Leonard Center Field House

Photo: Alumni Gym, immediately following the rehearsal

noon – 5:00 p.m.

Law Warschaw Gallery, Janet Wallace Fine Arts Center

11:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Weyerhaeuser Chapel

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.

Please register for meals here.

noon – 5:00 p.m.

Law Warschaw Gallery, Janet Wallace Fine Arts Center

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.

• If you are faculty, staff, or a non-graduating student who would like to attend, please help us plan for numbers by RSVPing via this form no later than Monday, April 27.
• Graduating students who would like to participate in Rites of Passage please use this registration form.

Any questions can be directed to [email protected].

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.

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.

7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

Mairs Concert Hall

Immediately followed by the Music Department Reception.

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.

Please register for meals here.

7:50 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.

Mairs Concert Hall

Celebration honoring families of first generation graduates.

9:45 a.m.

Alumni Gym

10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Law Warschaw Gallery, Janet Wallace Fine Arts Center

10:30 a.m.

Leonard Center Field House

Doors will open at 9:00am.

Reception with light snacks immediately following the ceremony.

Immediately following the ceremony

Shaw Field (inclement weather location: Café Mac – Campus Center)

Reception with light snacks.

Entertainment by Macalester’s African Music Ensemble.