Penn State graduation weekend 2027: things to do in State College

30 April to 2 May 2027 · ExpectedState College, United States

Penn State Commencement brings parents, grandparents and siblings to State College 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 State College 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 Bryce Jordan Center and Beaver Stadium

State College (SCE) has a few flights; Harrisburg is 1.5 hours.

Campus parking; college ceremonies run over several days.

Public transport directions to Bryce Jordan Center and Beaver Stadium

Where to stay by budget

Budget	Where	Why
Budget	Bellefonte and Lewistown	Cheaper rooms 15 to 40 minutes away.
Mid-range	Downtown State College	Walk to campus.
Splurge	Nittany Lion Inn	On campus.

Three hotels we would book

Links search the nights from 29 April 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 30 April to 2 May 2027. Session times change: check the official timetable and move the blocks around.

Arrival day

Thursday 29 April

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

FreeNittany Lion Shrine.
EatBerkey Creamery Penn State ice cream

Ceremony day

Friday 30 April

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

EatThe Tavern Classic restaurant
Easy outingPenn Brewery and wine tour Half day · Food
Local wineries.

The day after

Monday 3 May

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

Half-dayPenn's Cave boat tour Half day · Family · Indoor
Cave tour by boat.
EatBerkey Creamery Penn State ice cream

Grandparents and siblings

Low walking and kid friendly.

Family pickPenn State campus walk Half day · Family
The Nittany Lion shrine.
Rain or heat backupPalmer Museum of Art.

Family-friendly picks

Half day · Family · Indoor

Penn's Cave boat tour

Cave tour by boat.

See times and prices

Half day · Family

Penn State campus walk

The Nittany Lion shrine.

See times and prices

Penn's Cave and Wildlife Park.

Evening and day-trip tours

After dark

College Avenue.

3 tours worth booking for Penn State

Tour	Length	Good for
Penn Brewery and wine tour	Half day	Food lovers
Penn's Cave boat tour	Half day	Families, Bad weather
Penn State campus walk	Half day	Families

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

Where to eat

Berkey Creamery Penn State ice cream
The Tavern Classic restaurant

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

Rainy-day backups

Half day · Family · Indoor

Penn's Cave boat tour

Cave tour by boat.

See times and prices

Palmer Museum of Art.

Getting around on event days

CATA 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 State College

Bellefonte: 15 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 Penn State.

Plan a group trip

Questions people ask

When is Penn State Commencement 2027?

The next edition is 30 April to 2 May 2027, following the usual pattern. The organiser has not confirmed it yet.

How do I get from the airport to Bryce Jordan Center and Beaver Stadium?

State College (SCE) has a few flights; Harrisburg is 1.5 hours. Campus parking; college ceremonies run over several days.

Where should I stay for Penn State Commencement?

For most visitors the best base is Downtown State College: Walk to campus.

What else can we do around Penn State Commencement?

Good short outings in State College include Penn Brewery and wine tour, Penn's Cave boat tour, Penn State campus walk. See the day plans on this page for a full schedule.

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

Family-friendly picks: Penn's Cave boat tour, Penn State campus walk. Penn's Cave and Wildlife Park.

How far is Bryce Jordan Center and Beaver Stadium from State College centre?

About 2 km in a straight line. Campus parking; college ceremonies run over several days.

More University graduations

1 May 2027*University of Michigan Commencement
Ann Arbor, United StatesGraduation 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

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