Naval Academy graduation weekend 2027: things to do in Annapolis

22 to 28 May 2027 · ExpectedAnnapolis, United States

Naval Academy Commissioning Week brings parents, grandparents and siblings to Annapolis 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 Annapolis Hotels for these dates

Know before you go

The Blue Angels fly over the Severn River during Commissioning Week.
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 Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium

BWI is 30 minutes away; Reagan National is 45 minutes.

Shuttles from park-and-ride lots; Annapolis streets jam.

Public transport directions to Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium

Where to stay by budget

Budget	Where	Why
Budget	Parole and Route 50 hotels	Chains 10 minutes out.
Mid-range	Historic district	Walk to the Academy gates.
Splurge	Waterfront	Harbour hotels.

Three hotels we would book

Budget: Hampton Inn and Suites Annapolis
Mid-range: Graduate Annapolis
Splurge: Annapolis Waterfront Hotel

Links search the nights from 21 May to 29 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 28 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.

FreeEgo Alley and City Dock.
EatMiddleton Tavern Historic tavern

Ceremony day

Saturday 22 May

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

EatChick and Ruth's Delly Diner
Easy outingSailing cruise on the Chesapeake Half day · Low walking
Schooner sails.

The day after

Saturday 29 May

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

Half-dayNaval Academy guided walking tour Half day · Family
From the Armel-Leftwich visitor center.
EatCantler's Riverside Inn Steamed crabs

Grandparents and siblings

Low walking and kid friendly.

Family pickHistoric Annapolis walking tour Half day
State House and colonial streets.
Rain or heat backupNaval Academy Museum.

Family-friendly picks

Half day · Family

Naval Academy guided walking tour

From the Armel-Leftwich visitor center.

See times and prices

Naval Academy Museum.

Evening and day-trip tours

Evening · Food · Nightlife

Crab and seafood dinner cruise

Sunset on the bay.

See times and prices

After dark

Main Street pubs.

4 tours worth booking for Naval Academy

Tour	Length	Good for
Naval Academy guided walking tour	Half day	Families
Sailing cruise on the Chesapeake	Half day	Tired legs
Historic Annapolis walking tour	Half day	Everyone
Crab and seafood dinner cruise	Evening	Food lovers, Night owls

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

Where to eat

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

Rainy-day backups

Naval Academy Museum.

Getting around on event days

Walkable; Commissioning Week brings road closures and security screening.

Day trips from Annapolis

Baltimore: 45 minutes
Washington: 45 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 Naval Academy.

Plan a group trip

Questions people ask

When is Naval Academy Commissioning Week 2027?

The next edition is 22 to 28 May 2027, following the usual pattern. The organiser has not confirmed it yet.

How do I get from the airport to Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium?

BWI is 30 minutes away; Reagan National is 45 minutes. Shuttles from park-and-ride lots; Annapolis streets jam.

Where should I stay for Naval Academy Commissioning Week?

For most visitors the best base is Historic district: Walk to the Academy gates.

What else can we do around Naval Academy Commissioning Week?

Good short outings in Annapolis include Naval Academy guided walking tour, Sailing cruise on the Chesapeake, Historic Annapolis walking tour. See the day plans on this page for a full schedule.

What is there for kids and families near Naval Academy Commissioning Week?

Family-friendly picks: Naval Academy guided walking tour. Naval Academy Museum.

How far is Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium from Annapolis centre?

About 1 km in a straight line. Shuttles from park-and-ride lots; Annapolis streets jam.

More University graduations

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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
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