UGA graduation weekend 2027: things to do in Athens, Georgia

Friday, 7 May 2027 · ExpectedAthens, Georgia, United States

University of Georgia Commencement brings parents, grandparents and siblings to Athens, Georgia 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 Athens, Georgia 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 Sanford Stadium

Atlanta (ATL) is 1.5 hours away; shuttles run from the airport.

Walk from downtown Athens.

Public transport directions to Sanford Stadium

Where to stay by budget

Budget	Where	Why
Budget	Atlanta Highway chains	West of town.
Mid-range	Downtown Athens	Walk to campus.
Splurge	Hotel Indigo and The Classic Center hotels	Downtown.

Three hotels we would book

Budget: Hampton Inn Athens
Mid-range: Graduate Athens
Splurge: Hotel Indigo Athens - University Area

Links search the nights from 6 May to 8 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 Friday, 7 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.

FreeGeorgia Museum of Art (free).
EatThe Grit Vegetarian

Ceremony day

Friday 7 May

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

EatWeaver D's "Automatic for the People" soul food
Easy outingAthens music history tour Half day
R.E.M. and the 40 Watt Club.

The day after

Saturday 8 May

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

Half-dayState Botanical Garden Half day · Family
Gardens and trails.
EatFive and Ten Southern fine dining

Grandparents and siblings

Low walking and kid friendly.

Family pickAtlanta day trip Full day · Family
Georgia Aquarium and World of Coca-Cola.
Rain or heat backupGeorgia Museum of Art.

Family-friendly picks

Half day · Family

State Botanical Garden

Gardens and trails.

See times and prices

Full day · Family

Atlanta day trip

Georgia Aquarium and World of Coca-Cola.

See times and prices

Bear Hollow Zoo.

Evening and day-trip tours

Full day · Family

Atlanta day trip

Georgia Aquarium and World of Coca-Cola.

See times and prices

After dark

Downtown bars and the 40 Watt.

3 tours worth booking for UGA

Tour	Length	Good for
Athens music history tour	Half day	Everyone
State Botanical Garden	Half day	Families
Atlanta day trip	Full day	Families

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

Where to eat

Weaver D's "Automatic for the People" soul food
Five and Ten Southern fine dining
The Grit Vegetarian

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

Rainy-day backups

Georgia Museum of Art.

Getting around on event days

Walkable downtown. 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 Athens, Georgia

Atlanta: 1.5 hours

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 UGA.

Plan a group trip

Questions people ask

When is University of Georgia Commencement 2027?

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

How do I get from the airport to Sanford Stadium?

Atlanta (ATL) is 1.5 hours away; shuttles run from the airport. Walk from downtown Athens.

Where should I stay for University of Georgia Commencement?

For most visitors the best base is Downtown Athens: Walk to campus.

What else can we do around University of Georgia Commencement?

Good short outings in Athens, Georgia include Athens music history tour, State Botanical Garden. See the day plans on this page for a full schedule.

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

Family-friendly picks: State Botanical Garden, Atlanta day trip. Bear Hollow Zoo.

How far is Sanford Stadium from Athens, Georgia centre?

About 1 km in a straight line. Walk from downtown Athens.

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