Alabama graduation weekend 2027: things to do in Tuscaloosa

7 to 9 May 2027 · ExpectedTuscaloosa, United States

University of Alabama Commencement brings parents, grandparents and siblings to Tuscaloosa 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 Tuscaloosa Hotels for these dates

Know before you go

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 Coleman Coliseum

Birmingham (BHM) is 1 hour away.

Campus parking.

Public transport directions to Coleman Coliseum

Where to stay by budget

Budget	Where	Why
Budget	Northport and McFarland chains	Cheaper rooms.
Mid-range	Downtown	Riverwalk.
Splurge	Hotel Capstone	On campus.

Three hotels we would book

Budget: Hampton Inn Tuscaloosa-University
Mid-range: The Alamite Tuscaloosa
Splurge: Hotel Capstone

Links search the nights from 6 May to 10 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 7 to 9 May 2027. Session times change: check the official timetable and move the blocks around.

Arrival day

Thursday 6 May

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

FreeThe Quad and Denny Chimes.
EatDreamland Bar-B-Que Ribs

Ceremony day

Friday 7 May

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

EatArchibald's BBQ Ribs in Northport
Easy outingPaul W. Bryant Museum Half day · Family · Indoor
Alabama football history.

The day after

Monday 10 May

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

Half-dayRiverwalk bike ride Half day · Family
Black Warrior River.
EatDreamland Bar-B-Que Ribs

Grandparents and siblings

Low walking and kid friendly.

Family pickBirmingham civil rights trail Full day
1 hour away.
Rain or heat backupBryant Museum.

Family-friendly picks

Half day · Family

Riverwalk bike ride

Black Warrior River.

See times and prices

Half day · Family · Indoor

Paul W. Bryant Museum

Alabama football history.

See times and prices

Children's Hands-On Museum.

Evening and day-trip tours

Full day

Birmingham civil rights trail

1 hour away.

See times and prices

After dark

The Strip.

3 tours worth booking for Alabama

Tour	Length	Good for
Birmingham civil rights trail	Full day	Everyone
Riverwalk bike ride	Half day	Families
Paul W. Bryant Museum	Half day	Families, Bad weather

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

Where to eat

Dreamland Bar-B-Que Ribs
Archibald's BBQ Ribs in Northport

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

Rainy-day backups

Half day · Family · Indoor

Paul W. Bryant Museum

Alabama football history.

See times and prices

Bryant Museum.

Getting around on event days

You need a car. Hotels for commencement weekend often sell out a year ahead and require two- or three-night minimums. Book as soon as the date is posted.

Day trips from Tuscaloosa

Birmingham: 1 hour

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 Alabama.

Plan a group trip

Questions people ask

When is University of Alabama Commencement 2027?

The next edition is 7 to 9 May 2027, following the usual pattern. The organiser has not confirmed it yet.

How do I get from the airport to Coleman Coliseum?

Birmingham (BHM) is 1 hour away. Campus parking.

Where should I stay for University of Alabama Commencement?

For most visitors the best base is Downtown: Riverwalk.

What else can we do around University of Alabama Commencement?

Good short outings in Tuscaloosa include Paul W. Bryant Museum, Riverwalk bike ride. See the day plans on this page for a full schedule.

What is there for kids and families near University of Alabama Commencement?

Family-friendly picks: Paul W. Bryant Museum, Riverwalk bike ride. Children's Hands-On Museum.

How far is Coleman Coliseum from Tuscaloosa centre?

About 3 km in a straight line. Campus parking.

More University graduations

7 May 2027*University of Georgia Commencement
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San Francisco, United StatesGraduation 8 May 2027*UNC Chapel Hill Commencement
Durham and Chapel Hill, United StatesGraduation 8 May 2027*UW-Madison Commencement
Madison, United StatesGraduation

Everything we cover in Tuscaloosa