Do you ever get the feeling your student isn’t telling you something? And that something is pretty important? Like, how many tickets does your family get for Final Exercises?
Well, UVA Today’s got your back. Bookmark this story for your go-to resource for all things Finals, so you and your loved ones can make the most of your graduate’s final weekend at the University of Virginia.
Finals Weekend kicks off on Friday, May 15. UVA President Emeritus Jim Ryan will address the Class of 2026 on Friday at John Paul Jones Arena. On May 16 on the Lawn, Kenyon Bonner, vice president and chief student affairs officer, will celebrate students from the College and Graduate School of Arts & Sciences, the Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy and the School of Education and Human Development. On May 17, McIntire School of Commerce associate professor Sherri Moore will address graduates from the schools of Architecture, Continuing and Professional Studies, Data Science, Engineering and Applied Science, Law, Medicine, Nursing, the Darden School of Business and the Commerce School.
Entrances to the Lawn open at 7 a.m. Saturday and Sunday for first-come, first-served seating.
Now, let’s get into specifics.
What exactly happens at Final Exercises?
You may have seen the pictures. Final Exercises is a grand, joyful celebration of graduates held at the only U.S. university designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Beginning on the portico of the Rotunda, faculty, University leaders and graduates process down the Lawn to the south end, where the president ceremonially confers degrees, and the keynote speaker and other dignitaries offer remarks.
(Photo by Lathan Goumas, University Communications)
, taking place across Grounds throughout the afternoon on Saturday and Sunday after Final Exercises. Graduates are recognized individually at these events. Diplomas will be mailed within six weeks of Finals Weekend.
Digital tickets and the weather
Degree candidates may receive up to six tickets for Final Exercises on the Lawn. by logging into their athletics ticket account. The University will deliver them digitally by May 5. Students can then transfer tickets to their guests.
In the event of severe weather, the Lawn ceremony will move to John Paul Jones Arena. If that happens, each candidate will receive three tickets instead of six, due to limited space. A note: The last time Final Exercises was moved indoors was 1976. Most likely, ceremonies will remain on the Lawn, rain or shine. University officials will make a weather call each morning by 5:30 a.m. You can get text alerts by texting GRADUATION to 434-939-4307
Another note: Double majors do not get double the tickets. Dual-degree earners – people who are earning degrees from two separate schools – do.
Parking and lodging
with frequent shuttle service to the Lawn on both Saturday and Sunday. The Emmet/Ivy Garage and Scott Stadium will also have free parking, but no shuttle service. Estimated walk times are 10 and 20 minutes from those locations, respectively. Chauffeured golf carts will be available to help people navigate hills. The Central Grounds Garage is the closest to the Lawn. You must pay to park there, and the lot fills quickly.
