Air Force Academy graduation weekend 2027: things to do in Colorado Springs

22 to 27 May 2027 · ExpectedColorado Springs, United States

Air Force Academy Graduation brings parents, grandparents and siblings to Colorado Springs for a weekend. The ceremony takes a morning: this guide covers where to stay, the celebration dinner and what to do with the rest of the time.

Tours in Colorado Springs Hotels for these dates

Know before you go

The Thunderbirds fly over the stadium at the end of the ceremony.
Confirm the date and ticket rules on the school's commencement page: guest tickets are often limited.
Book the celebration dinner when you book the hotel. Every restaurant in town is full that weekend.

Airport to Falcon Stadium

Colorado Springs (COS) is 20 minutes away; Denver (DEN) is 1.5 hours.

Gates open early; security screening for all guests.

Public transport directions to Falcon Stadium

Where to stay by budget

Budget	Where	Why
Budget	North I-25 hotels	Close to the Academy.
Mid-range	Downtown	Restaurants and bars.
Splurge	The Broadmoor	Historic resort.

Three hotels we would book

Budget: Hampton Inn Colorado Springs-Airport
Mid-range: The Antlers, a Wyndham Hotel
Splurge: The Broadmoor

Links search the nights from 21 May to 28 May. Event weekends sell out early and prices rise as the date gets closer: book a cancellable room as soon as you know you are going.

Day plans for the free hours

Built around the usual graduation weekend schedule for 22 to 27 May 2027. Session times change: check the official timetable and move the blocks around.

Arrival day

Friday 21 May

Check in, walk the campus with your graduate and book a celebration dinner.

FreeGarden of the Gods park.
EatShuga's Café

Ceremony day

Saturday 22 May

Ceremonies take the morning. The afternoon is for photos and a long lunch.

EatBristol Brewing Brewery
Easy outingCave of the Winds Half day · Family · Indoor
Caverns and thrill rides.

The day after

Friday 28 May

A free day before everyone leaves. A good time for a trip out of town.

Half-dayPikes Peak Cog Railway Half day · Family · Low walking
Train to 4,302 m.
EatManitou Springs cafés Mountain town

Grandparents and siblings

Low walking and kid friendly.

Family pickRoyal Gorge Bridge Full day · Family
Suspension bridge and zipline.
Rain or heat backupUS Olympic and Paralympic Museum.

Family-friendly picks

Full day · Family

Royal Gorge Bridge

Suspension bridge and zipline.

See times and prices

Half day · Family · Indoor

Cave of the Winds

Caverns and thrill rides.

See times and prices

Half day · Family · Low walking

Pikes Peak Cog Railway

Train to 4,302 m.

See times and prices

Half day · Family

Garden of the Gods jeep or segway tour

Red rock formations.

See times and prices

Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.

Evening and day-trip tours

Full day · Family

Royal Gorge Bridge

Suspension bridge and zipline.

See times and prices

After dark

Downtown Tejon Street.

4 tours worth booking for Air Force Academy

Tour	Length	Good for
Royal Gorge Bridge	Full day	Families
Cave of the Winds	Half day	Families, Bad weather
Pikes Peak Cog Railway	Half day	Families, Tired legs
Garden of the Gods jeep or segway tour	Half day	Families

Event weeks sell out. Book tours with free cancellation as soon as the session times are published.

Where to eat

Shuga's Café
Bristol Brewing Brewery
Manitou Springs cafés Mountain town

Reserve dinner for the nights around the event: restaurants near the venue fill up days ahead.

Rainy-day backups

Half day · Family · Indoor

Cave of the Winds

Caverns and thrill rides.

See times and prices

US Olympic and Paralympic Museum.

Getting around on event days

You need a car. Academy events have security screening: allow time.

Day trips from Colorado Springs

Denver: 1 hour
Manitou Springs: 15 minutes

Bringing a group?

Corporate hospitality, fan clubs, teams and families travelling together: tell us the dates and group size and we will put together tours, transfers and a group dinner for Air Force Academy.

Plan a group trip

Questions people ask

When is Air Force Academy Graduation 2027?

The next edition is 22 to 27 May 2027, following the usual pattern. The organiser has not confirmed it yet.

How do I get from the airport to Falcon Stadium?

Colorado Springs (COS) is 20 minutes away; Denver (DEN) is 1.5 hours. Gates open early; security screening for all guests.

Where should I stay for Air Force Academy Graduation?

For most visitors the best base is Downtown: Restaurants and bars.

What else can we do around Air Force Academy Graduation?

Good short outings in Colorado Springs include Pikes Peak Cog Railway, Garden of the Gods jeep or segway tour, Cave of the Winds. See the day plans on this page for a full schedule.

What is there for kids and families near Air Force Academy Graduation?

Family-friendly picks: Pikes Peak Cog Railway, Garden of the Gods jeep or segway tour, Royal Gorge Bridge. Cheyenne Mountain Zoo.

How far is Falcon Stadium from Colorado Springs centre?

About 18 km in a straight line. Gates open early; security screening for all guests.

More University graduations

22 May 2027*Naval Academy Commissioning Week
Annapolis, United StatesGraduation 23 May 2027*West Point Graduation Week
West Point and the Hudson Valley, United StatesGraduation 25 May 2027*Princeton Commencement
Princeton, United StatesGraduation 27 May 2027*Harvard Commencement
Boston, United StatesGraduation 27 May 2027*Johns Hopkins Commencement
Baltimore, United StatesGraduation 28 May 2027*MIT Commencement
Boston, United StatesGraduation

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