Arrival day
Sunday 30 MayCheck in, walk the campus with your graduate and book a celebration dinner.
- FreeOld Port promenade.
- EatSt-Viateur Bagel
McGill graduation weekend 2027: things to do in Montreal
31 May to 9 June 2027 · ExpectedMontreal, Canada
McGill University Convocation brings parents, grandparents and siblings to Montreal 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.
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 Lower Field, downtown campus
Montréal-Trudeau (YUL) has the 747 express bus to downtown in 45 to 60 minutes; taxis are a flat fare.
Metro to McGill or Peel.
Public transport directions to Lower Field, downtown campus
Where to stay by budget
| Budget | Where | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | Latin Quarter | Near Berri-UQAM metro, one stop from the circuit line. |
| Mid-range | Downtown | Crescent Street and the underground city. |
| Splurge | Old Montreal | Boutique hotels on cobbled streets. |
Three hotels we would book
- Budget: HI Montreal Hostel
- Mid-range: Hotel Le Germain Montreal
- Splurge: Hotel William Gray
Day plans for the free hours
Built around the usual graduation weekend schedule for 31 May to 9 June 2027. Session times change: check the official timetable and move the blocks around.
Ceremony day
Monday 31 MayCeremonies take the morning. The afternoon is for photos and a long lunch.
- EatLa Banquise
- Easy outingFood tour of the Plateau and Mile End
The day after
Thursday 10 JuneA free day before everyone leaves. A good time for a trip out of town.
- Half-dayOld Montreal walking tour
- EatJean-Talon Market
Grandparents and siblings
Low walking and kid friendly.
- Family pickMont-Tremblant day trip
- Rain or heat backupNotre-Dame Basilica AURA show
Family-friendly picks
- Biodôme and Insectarium.
- Montreal Science Centre.
Evening and day-trip tours
After dark
- Crescent Street and Saint-Laurent Boulevard.
6 tours worth booking for McGill
| Tour | Length | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Mont-Tremblant day trip | Full day | Families |
| Old Montreal walking tour | Half day | Families |
| Food tour of the Plateau and Mile End | Half day | Food lovers |
| Quebec City day trip | Full day | Everyone |
| Jet boat on the Lachine Rapids | Half day | Families |
| Notre-Dame Basilica AURA show | Evening | Bad weather, Night owls |
Where to eat
Rainy-day backups
- Museum of Fine Arts.
- Pointe-à-Callière archaeology museum.
Getting around on event days
- STM metro and buses; the yellow line to Jean-Drapeau for the circuit.
- BIXI bikes everywhere.
Day trips from Montreal
- Quebec City: 3 hours
- Mont-Tremblant: 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 McGill.
Plan a group tripQuestions people ask
When is McGill University Convocation 2027?
The next edition is 31 May to 9 June 2027, following the usual pattern. The organiser has not confirmed it yet.
How do I get from the airport to Lower Field, downtown campus?
Montréal-Trudeau (YUL) has the 747 express bus to downtown in 45 to 60 minutes; taxis are a flat fare. Metro to McGill or Peel.
Where should I stay for McGill University Convocation?
For most visitors the best base is Downtown: Crescent Street and the underground city.
What else can we do around McGill University Convocation?
Good short outings in Montreal include Old Montreal walking tour, Food tour of the Plateau and Mile End, Jet boat on the Lachine Rapids. See the day plans on this page for a full schedule.
What is there for kids and families near McGill University Convocation?
Family-friendly picks: Old Montreal walking tour, Jet boat on the Lachine Rapids, Mont-Tremblant day trip. Biodôme and Insectarium.
How far is Lower Field, downtown campus from Montreal centre?
About 1 km in a straight line. Metro to McGill or Peel.
More events in Montreal
21 May 2027Canadian Grand Prix
Montreal, CanadaF16 Aug 2027*Osheaga
Montreal, CanadaFestival24 Sept 2027*Montreal Marathon
Montreal, CanadaMarathon
Montreal, CanadaF16 Aug 2027*Osheaga
Montreal, CanadaFestival24 Sept 2027*Montreal Marathon
Montreal, CanadaMarathon
More University graduations
31 May 2027*Boston College Commencement
Boston, United StatesGraduation5 Jun 2027*University of Chicago Convocation
Chicago, United StatesGraduation7 Jun 2027*University of Toronto Convocation
Toronto, CanadaGraduation11 Jun 2027*UCLA Commencement
Los Angeles, United StatesGraduation11 Jun 2027*Caltech Commencement
Pasadena, United StatesGraduation12 Jun 2027*University of Washington Commencement
Seattle, United StatesGraduation
Boston, United StatesGraduation5 Jun 2027*University of Chicago Convocation
Chicago, United StatesGraduation7 Jun 2027*University of Toronto Convocation
Toronto, CanadaGraduation11 Jun 2027*UCLA Commencement
Los Angeles, United StatesGraduation11 Jun 2027*Caltech Commencement
Pasadena, United StatesGraduation12 Jun 2027*University of Washington Commencement
Seattle, United StatesGraduation