Ohio State graduation weekend 2027: things to do in Columbus, Ohio

Sunday, 2 May 2027 · ExpectedColumbus, Ohio, United States

Ohio State Commencement brings parents, grandparents and siblings to Columbus, Ohio 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 Columbus, Ohio 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 Ohio Stadium

John Glenn Columbus (CMH) is 15 minutes from downtown.

COTA buses and campus parking.

Public transport directions to Ohio Stadium

Where to stay by budget

Budget	Where	Why
Budget	Airport and Easton chains	Cheaper rooms.
Mid-range	Short North	Between downtown and campus.
Splurge	Downtown	Junto and LeVeque.

Three hotels we would book

Budget: Hampton Inn Columbus-University Area
Mid-range: Graduate Columbus
Splurge: The Junto

Links search the nights from 1 May to 3 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, 2 May 2027. Session times change: check the official timetable and move the blocks around.

Arrival day

Saturday 1 May

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

FreeScioto Mile.
EatJeni's Splendid Ice Creams Local ice cream

Ceremony day

Sunday 2 May

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

EatNorth Market Food hall
Easy outingColumbus food tour Half day · Food
Short North and North Market.

The day after

Monday 3 May

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

Free ideaGerman Village streets.
EatSchmidt's Sausage Haus German Village

Grandparents and siblings

Low walking and kid friendly.

Family pickHocking Hills day trip Full day · Family
Caves and waterfalls.
Rain or heat backupColumbus Museum of Art.

Family-friendly picks

Full day · Family

Hocking Hills day trip

Caves and waterfalls.

See times and prices

Full day · Family

Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

One of the best zoos in the US.

See times and prices

COSI science center.

Evening and day-trip tours

Full day · Family

Hocking Hills day trip

Caves and waterfalls.

See times and prices

Full day · Family

Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

One of the best zoos in the US.

See times and prices

After dark

Short North.

3 tours worth booking for Ohio State

Tour	Length	Good for
Hocking Hills day trip	Full day	Families
Columbus food tour	Half day	Food lovers
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium	Full day	Families

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

Where to eat

North Market Food hall
Schmidt's Sausage Haus German Village
Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams Local ice cream

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

Rainy-day backups

Columbus Museum of Art.

Getting around on event days

COTA buses and rideshare. 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 Columbus, Ohio

Hocking Hills: 1 hour

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 Ohio State.

Plan a group trip

Questions people ask

When is Ohio State Commencement 2027?

The next edition is Sunday, 2 May 2027, following the usual pattern. The organiser has not confirmed it yet.

How do I get from the airport to Ohio Stadium?

John Glenn Columbus (CMH) is 15 minutes from downtown. COTA buses and campus parking.

Where should I stay for Ohio State Commencement?

For most visitors the best base is Short North: Between downtown and campus.

What else can we do around Ohio State Commencement?

Good short outings in Columbus, Ohio include Columbus food tour. See the day plans on this page for a full schedule.

What is there for kids and families near Ohio State Commencement?

Family-friendly picks: Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, Hocking Hills day trip. COSI science center.

How far is Ohio Stadium from Columbus, Ohio centre?

About 5 km in a straight line. COTA buses and campus parking.

More University graduations

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Orlando, United StatesGraduation 8 May 2027*UC Berkeley Commencement
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Everything we cover in Columbus, Ohio