Penn graduation weekend 2027: things to do in Philadelphia

Monday, 17 May 2027 · ExpectedPhiladelphia, United States

University of Pennsylvania Commencement brings parents, grandparents and siblings to Philadelphia 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 Philadelphia 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 Franklin Field

Philadelphia (PHL) has SEPTA trains to Center City in 25 minutes.

Walk from 30th Street Station.

Public transport directions to Franklin Field

Where to stay by budget

Budget	Where	Why
Budget	University City	Near Penn and 30th Street Station.
Mid-range	Old City and Rittenhouse	Walk to history and restaurants.
Splurge	Rittenhouse Square	Luxury hotels.

Three hotels we would book

Budget: Hilton Garden Inn Philadelphia Center City
Mid-range: The Study at University City
Splurge: The Rittenhouse

Links search the nights from 16 May to 18 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 Monday, 17 May 2027. Session times change: check the official timetable and move the blocks around.

Arrival day

Sunday 16 May

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

FreeLiberty Bell.
EatReading Terminal Market Food hall

Ceremony day

Monday 17 May

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

EatJohn's Roast Pork Cheesesteaks and roast pork
Easy outingCheesesteak and food tour Half day · Food
Reading Terminal and the Italian Market.

The day after

Tuesday 18 May

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

Half-dayEastern State Penitentiary Half day · Indoor
Historic prison.
EatFederal Donuts Donuts and fried chicken

Grandparents and siblings

Low walking and kid friendly.

Family pickAmish Country day trip Full day · Family
Lancaster County.
Rain or heat backupPhiladelphia Museum of Art.

Family-friendly picks

Full day · Family

Amish Country day trip

Lancaster County.

See times and prices

Half day · Family

Independence Hall and Liberty Bell

Free timed tickets for the hall.

See times and prices

Franklin Institute.
Philadelphia Zoo.

Evening and day-trip tours

Full day · Family

Amish Country day trip

Lancaster County.

See times and prices

After dark

East Passyunk and Fishtown.

5 tours worth booking for Penn

Tour	Length	Good for
Cheesesteak and food tour	Half day	Food lovers
Eastern State Penitentiary	Half day	Bad weather
Amish Country day trip	Full day	Families
Mural Arts tour	Half day	Everyone
Independence Hall and Liberty Bell	Half day	Families

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

Where to eat

Reading Terminal Market Food hall
John's Roast Pork Cheesesteaks and roast pork
Federal Donuts Donuts and fried chicken
Zahav Modern Israeli

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

Rainy-day backups

Half day · Indoor

Eastern State Penitentiary

Historic prison.

See times and prices

Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Barnes Foundation.

Getting around on event days

SEPTA subway and trolleys; the stadiums are at the end of the Broad Street Line.

Day trips from Philadelphia

Lancaster: 1.5 hours
New York: 1.5 hours by Amtrak

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.

Plan a group trip

Questions people ask

When is University of Pennsylvania Commencement 2027?

The next edition is Monday, 17 May 2027, following the usual pattern. The organiser has not confirmed it yet.

How do I get from the airport to Franklin Field?

Philadelphia (PHL) has SEPTA trains to Center City in 25 minutes. Walk from 30th Street Station.

Where should I stay for University of Pennsylvania Commencement?

For most visitors the best base is Old City and Rittenhouse: Walk to history and restaurants.

What else can we do around University of Pennsylvania Commencement?

Good short outings in Philadelphia include Independence Hall and Liberty Bell, Cheesesteak and food tour, Eastern State Penitentiary. See the day plans on this page for a full schedule.

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

Family-friendly picks: Independence Hall and Liberty Bell, Amish Country day trip. Franklin Institute.

How far is Franklin Field from Philadelphia centre?

About 2 km in a straight line. Walk from 30th Street Station.

More events in Philadelphia

20 Nov 2026*Philadelphia Marathon
Philadelphia, United StatesMarathon 30 Apr 2027*Broad Street Run (10 miles)
Philadelphia, United StatesMarathon

More University graduations

19 May 2027*Columbia University Commencement
New York City, United StatesGraduation 19 May 2027*NYU Commencement
New York City, United StatesGraduation 20 May 2027*LSU Commencement
Baton Rouge, United StatesGraduation 22 May 2027*Naval Academy Commissioning Week
Annapolis, United StatesGraduation 22 May 2027*Air Force Academy Graduation
Colorado Springs, United StatesGraduation 23 May 2027*West Point Graduation Week
West Point and the Hudson Valley, United StatesGraduation

Everything we cover in Philadelphia