Wisconsin graduation weekend 2027: things to do in Madison

Saturday, 8 May 2027 · ExpectedMadison, United States

UW-Madison Commencement brings parents, grandparents and siblings to Madison 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 Madison 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 Camp Randall Stadium

Dane County (MSN) is 15 minutes away; Chicago O'Hare is 2.5 hours.

Walk from State Street or downtown.

Public transport directions to Camp Randall Stadium

Where to stay by budget

Budget	Where	Why
Budget	East Washington chains	Cheaper rooms.
Mid-range	Capitol Square	Walk to State Street.
Splurge	The Edgewater	Lakeside hotel.

Three hotels we would book

Budget: Hampton Inn Madison East
Mid-range: Graduate Madison
Splurge: The Edgewater

Links search the nights from 7 May to 9 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 Saturday, 8 May 2027. Session times change: check the official timetable and move the blocks around.

Arrival day

Friday 7 May

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

FreeMemorial Union Terrace.
EatThe Old Fashioned Wisconsin supper club food

Ceremony day

Saturday 8 May

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

EatBabcock Dairy Campus ice cream
Easy outingWisconsin cheese tour Half day · Food
Cheese curds and creameries.

The day after

Sunday 9 May

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

Half-dayLake Mendota boat or paddle Half day · Family
Rent from the Memorial Union.
EatDane County Farmers Market Saturdays on the Square

Grandparents and siblings

Low walking and kid friendly.

Family pickTaliesin and Frank Lloyd Wright Full day
Spring Green, 45 minutes.
Rain or heat backupChazen Museum of Art.

Family-friendly picks

Half day · Family

Lake Mendota boat or paddle

Rent from the Memorial Union.

See times and prices

Henry Vilas Zoo (free).

Evening and day-trip tours

Full day

Taliesin and Frank Lloyd Wright

Spring Green, 45 minutes.

See times and prices

After dark

State Street.

3 tours worth booking for Wisconsin

Tour	Length	Good for
Wisconsin cheese tour	Half day	Food lovers
Lake Mendota boat or paddle	Half day	Families
Taliesin and Frank Lloyd Wright	Full day	Everyone

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

Where to eat

Dane County Farmers Market Saturdays on the Square
The Old Fashioned Wisconsin supper club food
Babcock Dairy Campus ice cream

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

Rainy-day backups

Chazen Museum of Art.

Getting around on event days

Walkable and bike-friendly. 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 Madison

Spring Green: 45 minutes
Wisconsin Dells: 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 Wisconsin.

Plan a group trip

Questions people ask

When is UW-Madison Commencement 2027?

The next edition is Saturday, 8 May 2027, following the usual pattern. The organiser has not confirmed it yet.

How do I get from the airport to Camp Randall Stadium?

Dane County (MSN) is 15 minutes away; Chicago O'Hare is 2.5 hours. Walk from State Street or downtown.

Where should I stay for UW-Madison Commencement?

For most visitors the best base is Capitol Square: Walk to State Street.

What else can we do around UW-Madison Commencement?

Good short outings in Madison include Lake Mendota boat or paddle, Wisconsin cheese tour. See the day plans on this page for a full schedule.

What is there for kids and families near UW-Madison Commencement?

Family-friendly picks: Lake Mendota boat or paddle. Henry Vilas Zoo (free).

How far is Camp Randall Stadium from Madison centre?

About 1 km in a straight line. Walk from State Street or downtown.

More University graduations

8 May 2027*UC Berkeley Commencement
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Houston, United StatesGraduation 8 May 2027*UT Austin Commencement
Austin, United StatesGraduation 8 May 2027*SMU Commencement
Dallas, United StatesGraduation 8 May 2027*UNLV Commencement
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