Notre Dame graduation weekend 2027: things to do in South Bend

Sunday, 16 May 2027 · ExpectedSouth Bend, United States

Notre Dame Commencement brings parents, grandparents and siblings to South Bend 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 South Bend 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 Notre Dame Stadium

South Bend (SBN) has direct flights; the South Shore Line train links to Chicago.

Campus parking and shuttles.

Public transport directions to Notre Dame Stadium

Where to stay by budget

Budget	Where	Why
Budget	Mishawaka chains	East of campus.
Mid-range	Eddy Street Commons	Next to campus.
Splurge	Morris Inn	On campus.

Three hotels we would book

Budget: Hampton Inn South Bend
Mid-range: Hilton Garden Inn South Bend
Splurge: Morris Inn

Links search the nights from 15 May to 17 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 Sunday, 16 May 2027. Session times change: check the official timetable and move the blocks around.

Arrival day

Saturday 15 May

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

FreeEast Race Waterway.
EatEddy Street restaurants Near campus

Ceremony day

Sunday 16 May

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

EatRocco's Pizza since 1951
Easy outingStudebaker National Museum Half day · Family · Indoor
Cars and carriages.

The day after

Monday 17 May

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

Half-dayNotre Dame campus tour Half day · Family
Golden Dome, Grotto and the stadium.
EatEddy Street restaurants Near campus

Grandparents and siblings

Low walking and kid friendly.

Family pickIndiana Dunes day trip Full day · Family
Lake Michigan beaches.
Rain or heat backupRaclin Murphy Museum of Art.

Family-friendly picks

Half day · Family

Notre Dame campus tour

Golden Dome, Grotto and the stadium.

See times and prices

Half day · Family · Indoor

Studebaker National Museum

Cars and carriages.

See times and prices

Full day · Family

Indiana Dunes day trip

Lake Michigan beaches.

See times and prices

Potawatomi Zoo.

Evening and day-trip tours

Full day

Chicago day trip

By the South Shore Line.

See times and prices

Full day · Family

Indiana Dunes day trip

Lake Michigan beaches.

See times and prices

After dark

Downtown South Bend.

4 tours worth booking for Notre Dame

Tour	Length	Good for
Chicago day trip	Full day	Everyone
Notre Dame campus tour	Half day	Families
Studebaker National Museum	Half day	Families, Bad weather
Indiana Dunes 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

Rocco's Pizza since 1951
Eddy Street restaurants Near campus

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

Rainy-day backups

Half day · Family · Indoor

Studebaker National Museum

Cars and carriages.

See times and prices

Raclin Murphy Museum of Art.

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 South Bend

Indiana Dunes: 1 hour
Chicago: 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 Notre Dame.

Plan a group trip

Questions people ask

When is Notre Dame Commencement 2027?

The next edition is Sunday, 16 May 2027, following the usual pattern. The organiser has not confirmed it yet.

How do I get from the airport to Notre Dame Stadium?

South Bend (SBN) has direct flights; the South Shore Line train links to Chicago. Campus parking and shuttles.

Where should I stay for Notre Dame Commencement?

For most visitors the best base is Eddy Street Commons: Next to campus.

What else can we do around Notre Dame Commencement?

Good short outings in South Bend include Notre Dame campus tour, Studebaker National Museum. See the day plans on this page for a full schedule.

What is there for kids and families near Notre Dame Commencement?

Family-friendly picks: Notre Dame campus tour, Studebaker National Museum, Indiana Dunes day trip. Potawatomi Zoo.

How far is Notre Dame Stadium from South Bend centre?

About 3 km in a straight line. Campus parking and shuttles.

More University graduations

16 May 2027*Boston University Commencement
Boston, United StatesGraduation 16 May 2027*Yale Commencement
New Haven, United StatesGraduation 16 May 2027*Tufts University Commencement
Boston, United StatesGraduation 16 May 2027*George Washington University Commencement
Washington, D.C., United StatesGraduation 17 May 2027*University of Pennsylvania Commencement
Philadelphia, United StatesGraduation 19 May 2027*Columbia University Commencement
New York City, United StatesGraduation

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