Michigan graduation weekend 2027: things to do in Ann Arbor

Saturday, 1 May 2027 · ExpectedAnn Arbor, United States

University of Michigan Commencement brings parents, grandparents and siblings to Ann Arbor 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 Ann Arbor 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 Michigan Stadium

Detroit Metro (DTW) is 30 minutes away.

Park-and-ride and a walk from downtown.

Public transport directions to Michigan Stadium

Where to stay by budget

Budget	Where	Why
Budget	Ypsilanti and State Street chains	Cheaper rooms nearby.
Mid-range	Downtown Ann Arbor	Walk to campus.
Splurge	The Graduate and Bell Tower	Campus hotels.

Three hotels we would book

Budget: Hampton Inn Ann Arbor-North
Mid-range: Graduate Ann Arbor
Splurge: Bell Tower Hotel

Links search the nights from 30 April to 2 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 Saturday, 1 May 2027. Session times change: check the official timetable and move the blocks around.

Arrival day

Friday 30 April

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

FreeUMMA art museum.
EatZingerman's Delicatessen Famous deli

Ceremony day

Saturday 1 May

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

EatFrita Batidos Cuban burgers
Easy outingZingerman's food tour Half day · Food
Deli, bakehouse and creamery.

The day after

Sunday 2 May

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

Half-dayMichigan Stadium tour Half day · Family
The Big House.
EatWashtenaw Dairy Ice cream

Grandparents and siblings

Low walking and kid friendly.

Family pickHuron River kayak or tube Half day · Family
Argo Cascades.
Rain or heat backupThe Henry Ford in Dearborn Full day · Family · Indoor
40 minutes away.

Family-friendly picks

Half day · Family

Michigan Stadium tour

The Big House.

See times and prices

Half day · Family

Huron River kayak or tube

Argo Cascades.

See times and prices

Full day · Family · Indoor

The Henry Ford in Dearborn

40 minutes away.

See times and prices

Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum.

Evening and day-trip tours

Full day · Family · Indoor

The Henry Ford in Dearborn

40 minutes away.

See times and prices

After dark

Main Street.

4 tours worth booking for Michigan

Tour	Length	Good for
Michigan Stadium tour	Half day	Families
Huron River kayak or tube	Half day	Families
The Henry Ford in Dearborn	Full day	Families, Bad weather
Zingerman's food tour	Half day	Food lovers

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

Where to eat

Zingerman's Delicatessen Famous deli
Frita Batidos Cuban burgers
Washtenaw Dairy Ice cream

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

Rainy-day backups

Full day · Family · Indoor

The Henry Ford in Dearborn

40 minutes away.

See times and prices

University of Michigan Museum of Natural History.

Getting around on event days

Walkable; TheRide buses. 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 Ann Arbor

Detroit: 45 minutes
Dearborn: 40 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 Michigan.

Plan a group trip

Questions people ask

When is University of Michigan Commencement 2027?

The next edition is Saturday, 1 May 2027, following the usual pattern. The organiser has not confirmed it yet.

How do I get from the airport to Michigan Stadium?

Detroit Metro (DTW) is 30 minutes away. Park-and-ride and a walk from downtown.

Where should I stay for University of Michigan Commencement?

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

What else can we do around University of Michigan Commencement?

Good short outings in Ann Arbor include Huron River kayak or tube, Zingerman's food tour, Michigan Stadium tour. See the day plans on this page for a full schedule.

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

Family-friendly picks: Huron River kayak or tube, The Henry Ford in Dearborn, Michigan Stadium tour. Ann Arbor Hands-On Museum.

How far is Michigan Stadium from Ann Arbor centre?

About 2 km in a straight line. Park-and-ride and a walk from downtown.

More University graduations

2 May 2027*Ohio State Commencement
Columbus, Ohio, United StatesGraduation 7 May 2027*University of Georgia Commencement
Athens, Georgia, United StatesGraduation 7 May 2027*University of Florida Commencement
Gainesville, United StatesGraduation 7 May 2027*University of Alabama Commencement
Tuscaloosa, United StatesGraduation 7 May 2027*UCF Commencement
Orlando, United StatesGraduation 8 May 2027*UC Berkeley Commencement
San Francisco, United StatesGraduation

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